Participants: Ron and Rica Chan, James and Julie Chow, Ed and Sally Lum, Randy and Angela Quon
Thank you for your prayers and contributions of SD/Micro-SD cards and funds for their purchase. Over 130+ cards and over $1000 will provide the Word in countries where the Bible is forbidden to have. An example of how biblical digital media can be shared in restricted countries can be heard at the following link (Voice of the Martyr Radio): https://youtu.be/vjzhn6mAiwQ
We traveled to the Voice of the Martyrs headquarter in Bartlesville, OK to serve in their Mailing Distribution Center and become stewards of the testimonies and stories of the persecuted believers around the world. We were made aware of the present state of the persecuted believers and how we can support our brethren as they suffer loss of home, livelihood, and lives for the name of Jesus.
God gave to each one of us different experiences. The best way to summarize our experience is to share paraphrased statements from the team:
“It was detox for the soul” – We were immersed in a refuge away from the banter of politics and social change and had the opportunity to dwell just on Christ and his work.
It was “unexpected” rich fellowship – We shared our life stories with sympathetic hearts
It was a “challenge” to step out and walk with the persecuted – Our minds were renewed so we can begin to think and feel what our persecuted brethren go through.
It was “distributing” the stories and prayer requests of the persecuted – With zealous enthusiasm we increased our daily output from 6k to 10k prayer calendar packages to be sent across the nation.
Some of the most moving interactions came from hearing fresh testimony from the VOM field workers and staff.
One such meeting was with Jonathan, the Vice-President of International Relations. He gave us insight to the heart of Afghan Christians as the Taliban was taking over the country. Despite hearing mainstream media stories that the Christians are fleeing the country, he assured us that the believers that they had contact with were not leaving. They knew if they departed, the gospel presence could be lost. VOM is seeking to partner with our brethren who choose to stay. In addition, Jonathan also put in perspective that the greatest threat to the Afghan Christians is not the Taliban but the immediate family members who are taught that those who convert must be convinced even by force to return or face death.
A second such meeting was with Lebanese Pastor Pierre. God had called him to start a church on the Israeli-Lebanon border. He shared that hundreds of Muslims that he interviewed are following Jesus because Jesus appeared to them in a dream or vision. This personal “invitation” prompted them to seek Jesus at the local Christian churches. The Christian churches are learning to extend the hand of fellowship to these Muslim converts despite suspicions of their conversations. Pray for their unity.
Other interactions gave us impactful insight to the courage and faithfulness of our brethren. Feel free to ask us about these other stories.
Voice of the Martyrs helps us to love the persecuted church in four ways:
VOM provides persecution response by “stopping the bleeding” and “re-establishing lives”.
VOM provides Bible distribution in whatever translation and method most compatible to the hearer/reader. It is their belief every believer should have a bible!
VOM provides support to the frontline worker. For our brethren who choose to stay as a witness, VOM provides the tools and support to carry out their gospel mission.
VOM provides the communication that shares our brethren’s stories so we might learn to become faithful as they have shown by their example.
Begin your journey to support the persecuted church by connecting at www.persecution.com and www.icommittopray.com. We are looking to return next year in mid to late September. Join us (the team, the VOM staff, and the persecuted brethren) and be transformed!
Blessings, James Chow