Anglican Mainstream

Recently many Christians in the UK have celebrated the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  I was intrigued by a couple of narratives which showed what Christians are presently enduring.  Indeed, far worse things happen – I am recalling the appalling deaths of three Christian men in Turkey earlier this year, say - but this situations are dreadful indeed. 

From Open Doors Frontline, November 2007, in anwer to the question, ‘Which persecuted Christian has made the most impact upon you?

‘Ghullum Hassan in Afghanistan is 62 years old and became a Christian nine years ago.  His son has gone to Switzerland and fallen away from the Lord.  Ghullum says “I am very sad:  he has escaped to the West but Jesus means nothing to him now.”  Ghullam has problems with his eyes and cannot cry – but he has cried twice:  once was when we were studying Acts together, and he was reading what happened on the Day of Pentecost.  The second time was after my wife had been stoned as she was walking down the street.  He put his arms round her and hugged her, and said “You’re my sister, and I love you”  … 

Dr Rebekka Zakaria:  I met Rebekka in Indramayu State Penitentiary in Indonesia last February, along with her two sisters in the Lord.  They were in prison because they had been running a Sunday School.  She took me outside for a walk around the prison.  She said to me “Do you see the gates?” I said “Yes.”  She said “Do you see the barbed wire?” I said “Yes.” She said “Do you see the padlocks?”  I said “Yes.”  She said “This is my university of trust.”‘
 

Barnabas Fund:   http://www.barnabasfund.org/
CSW:    http://www.csw.org.uk    
Open Doors:   http://www.opendoorsuk.org
Voice of the Martyrs:   http://www.persecution.com/

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