Addicted to Drugs - Part 2
Yesterday Elijah talked about how his mother tried to abort him. Today, we continue.
“Growing up, I was a problem child. In my teens, I started using drugs. I tried to become an army officer but failed so I traveled to the Thai border to find work. I waited on tables, became a kitchen helper and signed up for menial jobs. During this time, I became more addicted to drugs.
“One night, as I took the trash out, I saw two books in the bin. They looked so nice in their blue leather cover. I wondered why such nice books would end up in the trash. I showed them to one of my workmates, who said that it was a book, containing God’s word. I took one and my workmate took the other. “I soon realized that it was written in both English and Thai. I could not understand a thing! My workmate said that his pastor’s wife could teach me English and Thai. I was surprised that she would be willing to teach me, a Buddhist! I agreed to see her. “At that time, I felt a deep desire for something, but I didn’t know what it was. I knew that through Buddhism, I could not find the answer. I wanted to open the book to learn more. Each week, she patiently taught me, although I didn’t understand anything that I read. Then, one day she asked me, ‘Do you know Jesus?’ I told her that I had seen a movie about Jesus but could not watch the part when he was being nailed on the cross. She told me to pray and ask Jesus for wisdom, so I could understand the Bible. I asked if I could pray to Jesus and Buddha at the same time. My teacher said I should pray only to Jesus to see if He would answer my prayers.”
Tomorrow we continue with Elijah’s story.
One With Them
At one time or another, we all have been searching for something. Searching for that purpose in life. Searching for that reason why we exist. Please stand One With Them, those like Elijah, who know something is missing, and are searching for the answer. Ask the Lord to meet them right where they are, and show them that He indeed is the answer.
(Name changed and other details withheld for the believer’s protection)
2013.06.14
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Friday, June 14, 2013
Addicted to Drugs - Part 2
Hana’s Prayer
Hana’s Prayer
“Imagine being watched all the time,” says Hana, a Christian from Pakistan.
“Imagine your neighbor asking you to cut down a tall tree in your garden, because it means they cannot look into your home anymore to see what you do. Imagine being asked on the street if you are fasting during Ramadan. Imagine being asked if Christians believe in dressing modestly, because the message the neighbors are getting from TV is that Christianity is ‘Western,’ and, anyone associated with the West is seen as an individual unconcerned with living in a way to please God. “People in our part of the world work hard, and Christians are hard-working if given the opportunity. However, many Christians have been unemployed for generations. Most are uneducated with few opportunities to practice their skills and abilities. “Christian children have a huge advantage if they make it to school. However, Christian children face challenges at school, and will always be reminded of their status as descendants of the untouchable caste, or being associated with the British. Both are stereotypes and not true. “From morning to evening life is a challenge. This is our prayer every day, ‘Lord, give us eyes to enjoy the beauty and richness of spring, the blessings of the land in which You have placed us, the friendships waiting for us when we put our anger aside, and the opportunities to love and minister Your grace to those around us. Amen.’”
One With Them
Today, be one with Hana as you too pray this prayer. Give thanks to the Lord for the freedoms we have, and pray for our brothers and sisters in places like Pakistan who do not share the same freedom. Pray that wherever we are, we are seeking to please God, not the world.
2013.06.11
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Our Lives Are Like Candles 3
Our Lives Are Like Candles
In a musical about North Korea’s infamous Yodok prison camp the actors sing the prayer of many North Korean Christians:
If there’s someone out there, can you hear this cry?
If there is someone out there, please listen to us Oh God, look at that blood Wind, please stop blowing Our lives are like candles Wind, please stop blowing, don’t blow You will blow out the candles Sun, please don’t rise, don’t rise Someday it will be over Heaven will not forsake us forever If only we had wings, we would fly away.
Life for North Korean citizens, especially believers, can be fragile, like candles. All it takes to extinguish their earthly light is one wrong word or one misguided person. Through your prayers we can stand by these fragile believers, and nourish their physical and spiritual hunger.
One With Them
Together, One With Them, be part of His glorious plan to strengthen and build up the Church in North Korea. Join in prayer today.
One With CHALLENGE
Consider taking the 5-5-5 Challenge. It’s a three-part challenge to pray 5 minutes (or more) a week, to share the stories of persecuted believers with 5 friends (or more), and to give $5 a month (or more) to support those who share our faith but not our freedom. Please visit the Open Doors USA World Watch List website and sign up for the challenge.
2013.06.10
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Sunday, June 9, 2013
Nigeria- Your Gifts For Persecuted Christians At Work
It seems like Nigeria is in the news every few weeks. Last week, Boko Haram, the main Islamic extremist group in Nigeria, nearly took over Borno State. President Goodluck Jonathan has officially declared a state of emergency in this state.
Other states, like Yobe, have seen attacks against Christians on an almost daily basis. The crisis in Nigeria does not seem to be improving, leaving many devastated and unsure if their home, church or village will be attacked next.
Despite this devastating situation, God is providing for these believers, who have lost their jobs, homes and even loved ones.
Over the next two months, Open Doors team members will be travelling to some of the most difficult areas of Northern Nigeria like Yobe, Gombe, Kano, Taraba, Bauchi and Plateau to bring emergency relief to Christians affected by Boko Haram activity.
The relief aid consists of:
• Assistance to 35 Yobe pastors with monthly allowance for 6 months.
• Assistance to 4 Wukari pastors in the form of food and clothing, rent, replacement of destroyed study materials and school fees for children.
• Assistance in the form of food and clothing, rent assistance and school fee support to 74 widows in Bauchi (5), Gombe (6), Bokkos (6), Dajal (5), Wase (21), Kano (31)
• Medical Assistance to two men affected by random Boko Haram attacks.
• Financial assistance to 8 families of slain factory workers and one additional person in Kano
• Helping 30 families to rebuild their homes
• Helping 20 Kano bomb blast victims to cover medical bills
• Support to 6 Bichi and Kano churches to rebuild after they were destroyed in violence.
We would never be able to help Christians in areas like Nigeria if it were for our faithful partners around the world. Thank you for your on-going prayers and support!
The Role of a Father
*For security reasons, photo is not of actual family
Ten-year old Charles and his father, were home watching a movie when his father’s mobile phone rang. As soon as his father hung up, he stopped the movie and told his only son to be very courageous.
His father was a member the Nigerian State Security Service and was summoned to the office, as there were attacks taking place in different parts of the city. Charles begged his father not to leave, but he had to fulfill his obligation.
His father did not get far. Just minutes later, he was shot and killed by Boko Haram fundamentalists who had blocked the road only 200 meters from their home. The killers most likely identified Francis as a Christian by the cross that was hanging from the rear-view mirror of his car.
Across the continent in Ethiopia, Abebu Mosisa was in her seventh month of pregnancy with her eighth child, when her husband, Reta Senbeta, was shot and killed.
Reflecting on the days leading up to the event, she shared how her husband prayed for the safety of his family more often than before.“He sometimes woke me up to pray with him, saying ‘There is an unspecific fear in me for my family. I cannot pin-point it’. We would then pray together. I now realize that God was preparing us for this day.”
Khaing Daw* pastors a small church in a Myanmar village every Sunday. On weekdays, he visits and prays for the families under his care. He also holds an important position in his church denomination. Despite all of his work, Khaing Daw receives a monthly support of approximately $50. This barely covers his family’s daily needs. With three girls and two boys in the family, Khaing Daw needs no less than a miracle to feed them, let alone provide for their education. He desires to be a faithful breadwinner for his family, but he does not want to neglect God’s house either.
Fathers play a pivotal role in the lives of their family. Often they are the main financial provider, as well as the spiritual anchor for their families.
As we celebrate our fathers this Father’s Day, we are reminded that there are Christian fathers around the world facing persecution. Some are unemployed because of their faith and, cannot provide, for their families. Some are in prison for their faith, separated from their loved ones. Some have even died for their faith in Christ.
Even though we are half a world apart, we are united as the body of Christ, when one member suffers, we all suffer. When one member is lifted up, we all rejoice. These are our brothers and sisters. These are our fathers and mothers. These are our family members.
As Father’s Day approaches, would you say a special prayer for the fathers and their families facing persecution around the world? Thank you for being One With Them.
*Name changed to protect his identity
Our Lives Are Like Candles - Part 2
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Our Lives Are Like Candles - Part 2
What went through his mind as he went to the
shower room that day? Nobody knows exactly. But earlier, this North
Korean defector confessed to investigators at a police station that his
country had pressured him to carry out an espionage mission. “I have
been commanded to track down missionaries and Christian organizations
involved in ministry among North Korean refugees. They are keeping my
family hostage. I have to obey.”
There was no way out. Unable to bear the
horror of being responsible for the punishment, and possible torture of
his family, he went to the shower room, untied his shoes, took out the
laces and hung himself. Thus, ended one person’s conflict with the
command to expose Christians.
But, there are still others who are
commissioned to carry out the North Korean government’s quest to destroy
the Christian faith and its followers.
North Korean Christians must be very careful
to not be exposed. Sometimes, when an entire family is Christian, they
can have a small house church service where they sing, read, and pray
very softly. Or, when two Christians are not relatives, they may go far
into the woods to worship. “I used to meet up with another lady high in
the mountains,” says Hea-Woo, a North Korean Christian who escaped to
South Korea in 2010. “One day we were singing and of all a sudden a
young man stood behind us. We gave him some food and then he left. On
the way back we could only pray he would not report us. Thank God, he
didn’t.”
One With Them
Many Christians in the West are not aware that there are between 200,000 to 400,000 secret Christians living in North Korea. Be One With Them today as you thank God for your freedom to worship where you want… when you want… as often as you want… and to sing hymns of praise as loud as you can.
2013.06.09
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Our Lives Are Like Candles
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Our Lives Are Like Candles
North Korean refugee, Timothy (not his real name), is only 24 years old, but he has seen more death and hardship than most.
Abandoned by his parents when he was eight,
Timothy lived on the streets for the next seven years. Although he
escaped to China when he was 15, he was almost killed while attempting
to cross the Mongolian border. Captured by a Chinese soldier, he was
imprisoned in a Chinese labor camp. It was there, while in prison, that
Timothy met a man who told him about Jesus.
“I remember when I was a boy they showed us cartoons and animated movies [in school] about bad Christians. The Christian God was a monster for me. When I was 11, I witnessed the public execution of a Christian who had hidden tiny Bibles in the roof of his house. The same year a lady was shot. She had escaped to China and went to church there, but a North Korean spy discovered her activities. He had her arrested and sent back to North Korea, where she was killed in public.”
But, while in prison, the man encouraged Timothy to “trust in the Lord.”
Timothy was eventually repatriated to North
Korea and again imprisoned….but it was much worse. Tortured, and at the
point of death, he remembered the man from the prison in China, and the
man’s words. “Trust in the Lord.” Silently he prayed this simple
prayer. “God, where are You? If You are there, save me and I will
believe!”
Miraculously, Timothy escaped to China. This time he headed to South Korea where he now lives.
Today, as many as 30,000 North Koreans
refugees have escaped to find refuge in South Korea. Many are
Christians. Their tales are often as tragic as Timothy’s. Tomorrow, we
will hear from a North Korean refugee who became a spy.
One With Them
The next time you’re watching a professional football game, as the camera scans the crowd, let your thoughts remind you that the crowd roughly represents the number of North Korean believers in labor camps, suffering for their faith. Be One With Them… whether you stand, sit, or kneel… with these dear brothers and sisters who share our faith but not our freedom.
2013.06.08
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