Connext - October, 2008
India
Violence against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa has spread, and now believers in the southern state of Karnataka are being persecuted too. A World Help partner writes, “The church in our neighborhood . . . received phone calls threatening to burn [it down].” Fifteen area churches have already been destroyed. A pastor who refused to comply with demands to burn his congregation’s Bibles was punished by the rebels, who cut off both his hands in retribution. Our partner reports that our brothers and sisters in Christ are standing firm in their faith as extreme violence and persecution continues.
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Iraq
Our World Help partner in Baghdad fled with his family from their home in a midnight escape following multiple death threats. They reached the safety of Northern Iraq where the family remains, but our brother felt God directing him back to Baghdad. He returned to find conditions the same as he’d left them and unemployment at an all-time high. He reports that Christians especially have a hard time finding work, and while the church is growing, it’s also suffering from shrinking financial resources and growing operational costs. But they remain focused on the miraculous work God is accomplishing—giving sight to a blind man, healing to a cancer patient, and salvation to hundreds of people who continue to come through the church doors to learn more about Christ.
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Iran
The government of Iran has been considering a proposed apostasy law that would call for the death penalty for any person converting to Christianity from Islam. Already a difficult region in which to share the Gospel, this law would exponentially increase the hardship faced by our brothers and sisters in that particular country. One World Help partner remains undeterred, sharing a story that illustrates the courage of believers there. Recently, one of our brothers agreed to an appointment at a park across town, and after walking 45 minutes to a place he’d never been, was able to share the Gospel with an interested man. Afterward, our brother noticed a man across the plaza reading a New Testament—practically unheard of in Tehran! He approached the man, and stated he believed God wanted to speak through His Word and through the circumstance that brought the two together. Soon, the man came to faith. World Help has distributed thousands of such Farsi New Testaments in the Iran region, which help to create opportunities such as this.
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Haiti
A few weeks ago Haiti was violently assaulted by hurricanes and storms, causing nationwide flooding and mudslides. The already-impoverished people found themselves without food, homes, or the means to rebuild. A World Help partner in the northern mountainous region reports that the children sponsored in that area were safe and unaffected by the flooding. As a result of American sponsors, those children continued to receive nutritious food and academic instruction every day.
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Connecting to the frontlines through prayer
- Praise God for the steadfast faith of our brothers and sisters in India. Pray for the safety of our partner and the other believers in Karnataka, and that the Indian government puts a stop to the violence spreading across the nation.
- Praise God for our partner in Iraq who will follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, even into danger. Pray for his continued safety and that of his family, and for the faith and growth of the Baghdad church.
- Praise God for the opportunities He provides for our brothers and sisters to share the Gospel in Iran. Please pray for the current legislation to be defeated, and for the safety of believers.
- Praise God for the safety of the World Help sponsored children in Haiti. Praise God for the compassion of American sponsors who have provided food and schooling for them. Pray for the nation of Haiti as they attempt to recover from the massive blow dealt to them by the hurricane season.
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