Urgent Prayer Chain

They promptly trashed and destroyed these valuable assets that would have
greatly helped them feed their own people. They were given the freedom to
develop what easily could have been something like a “Hong Kong” of the
Mediterranean. Many nations poured billions of dollars into the coffers
of the Palestinian leadership to help them realize that dream.
Instead, the Palestinians used the money to build a terrorist army. They
purchased weapons and munitions to equip that army. They smuggled into
Gaza a formidable arsenal and began to launch daily attacks on Israel’s
cities.

They didn’t even pretend to build an economic infrastructure that would
enable the Gazan citizens to support themselves. That’s why the partial
Israeli closure of the crossing points has made life so difficult for the
average Palestinian. Most of them can only find work in Israel. There is
none in Gaza.

Why? Because all of the economic development money was poured into
terrorism. Despite this glaring fraud, the world insists on rewarding the
Palestinians for their open deception.

The so-called “enlightened and responsible nations” have developed a
formula for exclusive use against Israel. This formula determines under
what circumstances and in what manner Israel is allowed to defend itself
against terrorist attacks. First, the provocation must be many times more
serious than would be necessary for other nations. Simple acts of war,
such as hostage-taking or continuous missile attacks against civilian
population centers, are not sufficient provocation to permit defensive
measures.

Since 2005, more than 6,000 rockets have rained down on Israeli cities
from Gaza. In a display of remarkable restraint, only after three years
and thousands of unprovoked attacks did Israel finally feel sufficiently
justified to launch a defensive response.

Now, the second phase of the anti-Israel propaganda assault kicks in. It
begins almost immediately with the usual suspects – led by the Arabs, the
Russians, the Muslims – all demanding an immediate Israeli withdrawal
from its “invasion” of Gaza.

Right on cue, the members of the United Nations begin their usual chorus
– charging that Israel’s response is “not proportionate.”
Finally, the media revs up their one-sided campaign. Their job is to
spotlight the injuries and deaths of Palestinian women and children who
are accidentally hit during the intense battles. Apparently, the months
and years of constant bombardment lavished on the Israelis by Hamas thugs
didn’t trigger the media’s interest. Only when Israel struck back did the
signal go out for the mainstream media to join the fray.

In Gaza, Hamas terrorists hide in classrooms and hospital basements. They
store weapons in mosques and use university laboratories for bomb-making
factories. They are currently hiding long-range rockets in the basement
of Gaza City’s main hospital. They intentionally place women and children
on the rooftops of buildings they know will soon be targets of the
Israeli air force.

Then, when these human shields are killed or wounded by Israeli fire, the
media vents their outrage on the Israeli gunner or pilot, not the
calculating terrorist. The bodies of dead terrorists – or their human
shields – are then paraded by the ever-accommodating media as “innocent
victims of Israeli aggression.” And the orchestrated calls for
“proportionality” grow louder.

Following this oft-repeated formula, as the selected media images mount,
the predictable demands for an unconditional Israeli cease-fire rise to a
global crescendo. Moderate Western governments like France, Britain and
other EU nations that have large Muslim populations begin to demand that
Israel cease this “disproportionate war.” The worldwide cry grows until
finally the United States is bullied into not vetoing a Security Council
resolution condemning Israel as an unjustified aggressor.

This is the formula that has always worked. The Islamic fundamentalists
know this formula well. Terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas
have perfected the use of this formula to the point of making it a
“tactic of war.” Islamic terrorists attack and fight until they begin to
lose. Then the world rushes in and rescues them to fight another day.
“Proportionality” is the key word that has been especially adapted for
use against Israel in order to guarantee its eventual destruction through
attrition.

The historically accepted objective of defensive warfare is to eliminate
an enemy’s ability to harm you. The side that does that first is the
winner. And until one side has accomplished that goal, the war continues.
The one overriding goal of Hamas is the annihilation of Israel. It’s
clearly spelled out in their Charter. They confirm it at every
opportunity. The “enlightened nations” just can’t grasp this reality. The
6,000-plus rocket attacks against Israel were provoked by nothing more
than Israel’s continued existence. As long as Israel exists, Hamas’ goal
remains unfulfilled. The numerous state-supported Islamic terrorist
organizations feel the same way.

On the other hand, Israel has demonstrated that it will absorb almost any
blow before resorting to war. Israel’s one goal is to secure a lasting
peace. To achieve that goal, Israel must eliminate the enemy’s ability to
wage war. If they don’t, war will continue in perpetuity.

The U.N.’s definition of “proportionality” in the case of Israel’s
self-defense means that Israeli losses must be at least equal to
Palestinian losses. If Israel follows this formula, it guarantees that
they will eventually loose by attrition. It guarantees that war will
continue until the Muslims get strong enough to finally obliterate
Israel. Just think what would have been the outcome of World War II if
the same irrational thinking had been forced on the allied armies
fighting against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

Some argue that Hamas is just defending itself, and homemade missiles are
the only weapons they have against Israeli warplanes and tanks. But Hamas
is NOT defending itself against Israel when it shells Israeli cities.
Israel has not occupied Gaza since its 2005 withdrawal.

However, if Hamas would cease firing rockets and sending suicide bombers
into Israel, there would be no need to defend itself. The borders would
be open and peace and prosperity would follow.

The indiscriminate firing of rockets into civilian population centers is
internationally acknowledged as a war crime. It constitutes collective
punishment under U.N. treaty law. But since it’s Hamas firing against
Jewish targets, the United Nations is silent. This is just another
example of how international law is more binding on Israel than any other
nation on earth.

There is no other nation whose conduct is subjected to closer scrutiny by
“international law experts” than Israel – the U.N. appointed them for
that specific purpose. But in the case of Israel, it can be demonstrated
that Israel’s enemies use U.N. international law against them.
Hamas claims its attacks are in resistance to Israel’s closing of its
borders. But the reason why Israel closes its borders with Gaza are never
mentioned. None of Israel’s critics ever consider that every time Israel
opens its borders to Palestinian workers, a flood of suicide bombers are
sent in. And when Gaza’s international borders are opened, Hamas rushes in
new and more powerful rockets to fire at Israel’s cities.

What is it about Israel that makes it the world’s pariah state? How can
it be that no insult to the Arabs is too slight to justify wholesale
murder, whereas no atrocity, no matter how outrageous, justifies an
Israeli defensive response? It matters not how reasonable and legitimate
the defensive action would be for any other nation. But leaders from
around the world have streamed into the U.N. to defend the “Palestinian
democracy” – as if such an entity exists.

It makes absolutely no sense in the natural. Only the Bible can explain
the mystery behind the supernatural hatred of the Jews. Bible prophecy
predicted that Israel would be miraculously reborn in “the last days.”
The Bible also predicted that a supernatural hatred against Jews would
grow worldwide. This will be soon followed by Armageddon and the return
of Y’shua the Messiah.

All of this is being fulfilled to the letter before our eyes. So don’t be
surprised or afraid. Mesiah Y’shua’s return to deliver those who have
believed in Him is coming very soon.

visit: torahwalk.net

It is such a paralyzing evil! Such is life here in S’derot just as it had been throughout the eight years of rocket attacks in this southern city.

Soberly many here pray for G-D’s mercies for all our young soldiers engaged in bitter conflict kilometers away
and that He will bless us with His victory so that we can once again return to Shalom without fear for the lives of our dear families. Many others pray for the L-RD’s mercy upon our enemy, that they will humbly recognize the truth of His holy word and sovereignty.

“In judgment, Oh L-rd, remember your mercy “Habakkuk 3

Thank you for once again standing with us in prayer and support, as our small ministry reaches out with encouragement, comfort and love to our recovering soldiers. May G-D abundantly bless you for your kindness. Without your great faithfulness to help these precious needy families we could not accomplish even half of our efforts here in this war torn city of S’derot .

For His Redemption,

Ye’shi Reinhardt

P.S. Gifts of “EMERGENCY SUPPORT” are desperately needed and appreciated for the many hungry families throughout this area and can be designated as such.

Those wishing to contribute toward our severely needed service van, developing soup kitchen, and/or ‘Family Victory Gardens’, please send your donations to:

HANDS OF MERCY
WWW.ISRAEL-HANDSOFMERCY.ORG

Palestinian Christians face even more trouble in Gaza

Israel (MNN) — The casualties continue to rise in Gaza as Israel continues to retaliate for the dozens of Hamas-fired missiles that broke a cease-fire more than 10 days ago. Tom Doyle with E3 Partners says Hamas voted December 23rd to institute Sharia (Islamic) law in Gaza. Doyle says that means radical Islam will rule — women must be veiled, secret police will be watching everyone, and worse. “They also included in that the ability to crucify someone if they make a charge against Islam. It’s just definitely going backwards in that community.” Doyle believes that if Hamas is ousted by the Israelis, there will be dancing in the streets. Others believe radicals will be even more hardened. Despite the turmoil, Christians are having an impact. “We’re seeing believers there reach out to help feed believers, Muslims, or nominal Christians, and they’re helping out in the midst of it. Doyle is asking Christians to pray that believers will be preserved and will use this opportunity share Christ.

*Pray that God will sustain and preserve the Christian community and that they will not waver in their faith.

___________________________________________________________________

Tensions restrict evangelism

India (MNN) — Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are impacting the spread of the Gospel. “We do have work in Kashmir which is where the greatest tension is, and even the fighting war has been going on there, but it’s very dangerous travel. And so the amount of evangelistic and church-planting work that can go on in Kashmir is very limited. It’s limited to a few places where it’s relatively safe.” That’s Dave Stravers with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India. Many new Christians face anti-conversion laws, which require them to obtain signatures from the police before their baptism. However, they usually disregard the law. “They said, ‘No one is doing that. We’re not doing that. You cannot obey that law because you’re only inviting the police to send extremists to your house to browbeat you or even to attack you.’” Pray that the Gospel will continue to spread as Christians choose to obey God rather than man.

* Pray that God will strengthen and protect Christians facing persecution or living in dangerous circumstances.

* Pray that many will come to know Christ through their witness.

___________________________________________________________________

Palestinian Christians afraid to leave Gaza

Israel (MNN) — Israel says it won’t agree to an international ceasefire proposal unless a guarantee is made that the smuggling tunnels are found, destroyed and not rebuilt. In the meantime, organizations helping Palestinian Christians are asking the world to pray that the violence will end. President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller says Palestinian Christians have nowhere to turn. “They’re not part of Hamas. They’re not radical Islamic terrorists. And, they’re not Israelis. So the Israelis see them as Palestinians, and the Palestinian terrorists see them as Christians who are not part of their Islamic movement. It’s a tough place to be.” Moeller says seeds of the Gospel have been planted. “Brother Andrew, our founder, has shared Christ with all of the leadership of Hamas. We’re praying that these seeds Andrew and others have sown would take root. Ultimately, the only hope for peace in Gaza is the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.”

* Ask God to use this situation to soften the hearts of radical Palestinians.

* Pray that Christians will be able to share their faith.

* Pray that God would also use this situation to lead Israelis to Himself.

___________________________________________________________________

Zimbabwe ministry team refuses to give up despite frustration

Zimbabwe (MNN) — Government politics are blamed for Zimbabwe’s current tragedies of disease and famine. While millions starve, the rejection of critical food aid has Dave Bremner with SIM International stymied. “Other products that we’ve found, when they’ve been taken to Zimbabwean officials, have been met with the same resistance and same official rejection of the products. So we’re beginning to wonder if it’s got to do with the product, or whether it’s got to do with the desire to help their people, or just keep their political positions secure.” Rather than wait, their partners began distributions to Zimbabweans seeking refuge in South Africa. Bremner says the Gospel is foremost on their team’s mind. “The biggest agenda for us, really, is to bring people to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. In the situation where they’re dying from cholera and starvation, we have to attend to that urgently, and through that, show witness not only to the individual that we’re ministering to with physical needs but to the whole community as they see love put into action.”

* Pray for wisdom in the selection of famine relief beneficiaries when acute needs are widespread.

* Pray that hearts will be open to the Gospel.

___________________________________________________________________

High Court orders Orissa to protect Christians

India (MNN) — Christians in India’s state of Orissa are finally getting some help. India’s Supreme Court has ordered authorities there to provide security to thousands of Christians who fled their homes after some of the worst religious violence in decades occurred. Ebenezer Samuel with Serve India Ministries believes the ruling is more than a political statement. “Today I see in the newspapers that the Orissa government is taking it seriously. They’ve already issued a note to the effect that they will do everything that can to protect Christians.” The violence has been unprecedented, but it has not stopped evangelism. One leader says baptisms are actually up. So Serve India continues their work. “Our strategy is to train pastors and impart to them skills that they can use to plant churches. Each one of our 20 pastors is trying to plant at least 5 churches in the next 5 years.” Serve India wants to raise funds to support those 20 pastors. Approximately $35 will support one missionary for one month.

* Pray that Christians will continue to be bold in their witness.

* Pray that God will allow Serve India to support the 20 new missionaries needed to reach a larger part of Orissa.

___________________________________________________________________

Mission Network News is dedicated to keeping Christians informed about
missions and evangelism around the world. Our goal is to help you
become engaged in missions through praying more effectively, giving or
going to the field short or long term.

Thank you for your dedication and heart for world missions. Your
prayers are greatly appreciated. May God richly bless you as you
serve Him today!

In His grip,

Greg Yoder, Executive Director

Mission Network News

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Missions News Letter

Beloved Man and Brethren,

I am so glad because God gave me a chance to minister and also he gave me a good life. Recently I went out to minister in Mozambique starting from 13th November 2008 to 29th November 2008. I have seen God healing many people and serving multitude. 529 people were served in my own home village. The best thing is that my own mother also received Christ as her personal saviour on this day. On this trip I was with my friend from Germany, Eckhard Tiekoetter, who taught people about faith in Malawi and Mozambique. He also taught much about power of prayer. Many people loved Eckhard teachings. All these are clear Manestations that 2008 was really a year of God’s children. This is really fulfilling that I promised by God on 20th July 1996 that I will serve my God all days of my life. To Him be the glory

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you because of your love upon your children. Thank you for the life we have in Jesus. Thank you because of the good things you do to us every day I may honour, glory be your name, amen.

Prayer is powerful. Our brother Eckhard Tiekoetter prayed for rains in Malawi and Mozambique and today we are living testimony that we have very good rains. Surely we shall have good crops this growing season. My question is do you trust power of prayer?

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer is talking to God. This is when you can thank him or telling him about your problems. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God. Whenever you have issues you surely have some one to tell about it and this is God. Prayer makes you strong even in times of despair.

Paul and Silas sang songs of praise in prison, until the gates were open and the chains around their legs fell off. This shows power of prayer and faith. Paul and Silas knew that God was on their side. Love and be in prayer life and trust Jesus at all times Acts 16:10-18.

PROBLEMS

What are problems? Problems are things that make a person no to be stable and looses concentration. Devil is the one who brings problems, through fellow people i.e. spouses, Christians and others. The Devil always wants to find way to take you off track so that you are never on line with God. This causes you to loose God’s glory. However, Jesus say never let your heart troubled. John 14:1

Does God allow us to go into problems? Yes God does allow us to encounter problems so that he sees how much we love him. No child is promoted to a higher class before sitting for examinations. This is the same. When we meet trials and temptations, it only means we are just being examined so that we may go to another level of glory in our Lord. The bigger the trial the bigger the success.

Trust in God all times, no matter what you are going through. If you have been facing problems in your life, do not be despair, God will give you his hidden treasures and you will rejoice in the year 2009. This is only true to those that love truth and honest. Rejoice and be expectant of good things, many healings, sweet fellowship, a lot of wealth, may goodies, says the Lord.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus I pray because of your children who love to be honest and trust your word. Open their eyes so that they see what you have prepared for them in the year 2009. Let them have faith to receive the year 2009 in Jesus name. Forgive us all our sins we committed in 2008. We promise to walk by word in the coming year of 2009 in Jesus name, Amen.

Do as God asks you to and receive the year 2009 with gratitude. May the favour of God be upon you in this year 2009.

CHURCH NEEDS

Why is a church important? A church is so important because this is where people go and get encouraged. A lot of churches in villages have no good roofs and this is a big problem, as we are in rainy season. It is important that we should find plastic papers to cover the roof so that the people are kept dry when it is raining during church services. Because of poverty churches can not buy the plastic papers. Currently we need 30 rolls of papers which got at $45 each. If God may speak to you about it please do not delay to help us this issue . We are also in need of Bibles especially to be distributed to church pastors and elders. The pastors are very poor and can not manage to get $8 to buy a bible.

Other pastors travel 150 kms a foot to preach the gospel. To help them, go further with the work of God, they need bicycles so that they travel easily and preach. Bicycles costs $100 each.

ORPHANAGE

Beloved Brothers in Christ, what is an orphanage?

This is a place where we keep children who lost their parents in different ways. These are children who do not have food, clothing but also have no one to take them to school. So God speaks to people to take the responsibility of such children . I am one of such people who was spoken by God to help such vulnerable children.

On August 18 1998, God spoke to me to start taking care of orphans. After we had prayed about it we started the work and God has been faithful in helping us. We currently have 120 children at our orphanage. The orphanage is called Hope Children Center. The biggest challenges at this orphanage are, day-to-day food, school fees, feeding and clothing. God willing we are expecting to have at least 1000 orphans. We believe that of these kids have good education, we are going to have a better tomorrow.

In our country, 80% people live under poverty life. Most women sell their bodies to find money to help themselves. The end result is that they get HIV and AIDS which eventually kills them living their children as orphans. Therefore, there is a need that some one spoken by God must take this responsibility of taking care of these young ones in Jesus name so that with them we build a better nation. Because of seeing how important it is to take care of these needy children , three of us who are busy helping these young ones every day would like to travel to USA so that we share our vision, challenges to many people and organizations so that they may also take part in what we are doing. We expect to start our trip in the month of February 2009.

We have a very big faith that God shall speak to many people about this and will surely give us a hand in sustaining our vision.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

You can help by sending your material i.e. money, food and clothing to this orphanage. You can also help us by sparing your time and pray for the orphanage and members of staff. Remember, Abraham did not know that he was helping angels of the Lord until they promised him of Isaac. Mathews 25:30-40.

Be assured that if you help orphans and poor people you are investing in heaven to God. The Bible tells us not to get tired in doing good things. Glatians 6:9

Please remember to pray for orphans in Malawi and Mozambique. May good God fill you with his love and grace so that you start desiring to serve him by helping the needy.

GOOD WISHES

May the good God be with you as you are entering the New Year 2009. Have faith that you are going to prosper in this year in Jesus name.

Be prepared to receive by grace and love from his glory. Realize that this year 2009 has been given to you together with its goodies.

My advice is that you start thanking him after you read this newsletter. Join hands with your family members, and sing songs of praise to give honour and glory to him.

I wish you a very good 2009. Let it be a year of supernatural abundance full of surprises and grace. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

If you have any questions or comment or suggestions, please write back to me. I would be so grateful to heat from you.

Be fast in doing good things because Jesus is coming soon. The world shall pass away but the word of God shall remain forever. May God bless you all for spending your precious time reading this article, Amen.

Rev.Stephano.Z.Phiri

Rev. Stephano Z. Phiri
PRESIDENT/FOUNDER
JESUS IS COMING SOON MINISTRIES
MALAWI, AFRICA

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Click here for more articles on the persecuted church.

Egypt (MNN) — A report by ASSIST News Service states that while attempting to escape ongoing persecution in Egypt, a Muslim convert was raped and tortured.

Martha Samuel, an Egyptian Muslim who converted to Christianity five years ago, was arrested at the Cairo airport as she was leaving for Russia with her family. Police have promised to release her if she returns to Islam.

In a story covered by the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), the Egypt for Christ ministry reports that police officers sexually assaulted Samuel both at the National Security office in Heliopolis and at the El-Nozha police station. In a continued attempt to force her return to Islam, police also beat and tortured Samuel. According to AINA, Samuel’s children, aged four and two years old, are being denied food to increase pressure on Samuel. Her husband has been taken to the National Security office in Alexandria.

AINA said that the family was trying to travel to Russia using a passport belonging to Samuel, whose former name is Zainab Said Abdel-Aziz. The passport was under Samuel’s Christian name, which is on a list of people prohibited from leaving the country. Since converting five years ago, Samuel has undergone continued persecution by Egyptian police, and her own family has tried to murder her.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Click here for more articles on the persecuted church.

Taliban in Swat district OF North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have imposed a ban on female education and have warned teachers of ’severe consequences’ if any girl is seen heading for school after a 15-day deadline ends. According to the Daily Times of Dec. 25, “The announcement was made by a spokesman of radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah – who has waged an armed struggle to impose Taliban rule in the district – on a pirated FM radio frequency. “They have also banned women from visiting markets,” Muhammad Osman, a school teacher, said. “Taliban have established a parallel government in 90 percent of the district’s area and they execute everyone who opposes them,” he added.” The future of around 40,000 girls in Swat is at stake following a Taliban ban on education for female students. The Taliban have blown up more than 100 girls’ schools in Swat in the past 14 months. According to figures provided by a Swat-based NGO, Pakistan Coalitions for Education (PCE), Taliban have destroyed over 100 of the 490 primary schools for girls in Swat so far. [daily Times, Dec. 26, 2008]

There were around 500 private schools, mainly for co-education primary education. “Female education is against Islamic teachings and spreads vulgarity in society,”
Shah Dauran, leader of a group declared.

“Swat, once a relatively liberal area and a popular tourist destination, has in the past few years become a heartland for Islamic militancy, which fashions itself on
the conservative Taleban movement in Afghanistan. More than 200 government soldiers have been killed but the militants are still well entrenched in the area. Since the
start of the government offensive, girls’ schools have been targeted increasingly by Islamic fundamentalists. The district has 842 boys’ and 490 girls’ state schools
for 300,000 children aged 3 to 9; only 163,645 boys and 67,606 girls are actually enrolled at state and private establishments, according to official figures. According
to the local authorities, 50 per cent of girls have stopped attending school because of the militants’ threats. In the past two years another 100 schools have been burnt
down in Waziristan and other tribal areas, leaving tens of thousands of children between the ages of 5 and 15 with no access to education,” Zahid Hussain reported in ‘The
Times,’ London of Dec. 26.

This year alone, Taleban militants have destroyed more than 130 schools in the valley. Militant attacks on schools in the region have deprived more than 17,000
students of education, BBC says on Dec. 26.

Khurshid Khan writes in daily Dawn on Dec. 25, 2008, “The first school in Swat was established in 1922 by Miangul Abdul Wadood. Both boys and girls were educated here until the primary level. It was not until 1926 when a separate school was established for girls. His successor Miangul Jehanzeb established a network of schools and colleges in the whole of Swat, Buner, Shanglapar and Indus-Kohistan which were then a part of the Swat state. After
the merger of Swat state in 1969, several other schools and colleges in the public sector were opened, especially girls’ schools and colleges. Private schools also emerged.
But this evolution of education was strangulated by the militants in 2007 and 2008. Swat is now being pushed back to the pre-1922 period.” He further added, “It is
shocking and surprising that as schools and colleges in Swat are being leveled to the ground one after the other, the people do not protest and the government is averse
to taking serious action. Parliamentarians are also silent spectators. Their tongues are tied and their hands fastened.”

Swat, to all intents and purposes, has fallen to the Taliban. –the Taliban announcement merely puts the seal on what is a manifest reality – the government has lost the battle for Swat and the Taliban have won. They operate at will, go where they like, issue orders and proclamations that a terrified public are unable to ignore and broadcast their message of obscurantism on the radio for all to hear – and obey, according to daily The News’ editorial of Dec. 27.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Maulvi Mohammad Umer told media people on phone on Dec. 26 that they would not target schools but wanted girls to acquire education while observing veil. However, spokesman for Swat TTP, Muslim Khan, told The News on Dec. 28 that the decision was intact as central leadership or Shura of the TTP had not ordered withdrawal of the same.

Fear Of Faces: A militant organization in Quetta has distributed pamphlets warning women to cover their faces before going out in
public. It has also made threats to CD shops and other outlets that display posters of women. A bomb explosion at a Quetta marketplace was evidently intended by this
group, calling itself the Jamaatul Tauhid Wal Jihad Balochistan, to show that it meant business. As we have seen in neighboring Afghanistan and parts of NWFP, such outfits seem to fear the faces of women more than anything else. The horrible case involving the hurling of acid on schoolgirls in Afghanistan, disfiguring the faces of victims, shows how far they are capable of going.

There can be no doubt that such forces have nothing to do with religion. Indeed they represent the anti-thesis to anything that is good or moral. The reason
why they have grown in number over the years is linked directly to the failure of authorities to act against them. In Mansehra, in Peshawar – even in Lahore -
no measures have been taken to deal with elements involved in blackening the faces of women on billboards or meting out threats to them. In tribal areas and even
at the campuses of some educational institutions in settled parts of NWFP, schoolgirls, female students and women leaving their homes have been forced to do veils.
The messages to this effect have been reiterated through the illegal FM stations that continue to operate in many places. The fact they have not been stopped sends
out a distinct message. [Editorial, daily The News, Dec. 06, 2008]

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Click here for more articles on the persecuted church.

Christians ‘Go Missing’ Near Afghan Border

Robin Ilyas, Victor Samuel and an unnamed person, all residents of Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi, went missing after crossing the border at Torkham in Khyber tribal region on Dec. 20, their families say. All three worked in Afghanistan and were returning home for Christmas. The families say they may have been taken by Taleban militants in the area, BBC reported on Dec. 23. The Pakistani foreign office has denied any knowledge of the incident. “They were dropped at the border post by a car of Zurmat Construction Company where Robin works as a manager,” Robin Ilyas’s wife, Amy Ilyas, told the BBC. “They were to travel to Peshawar by road, and then take a flight to Karachi,” she said. “We have been calling their cell phones but they are switched off.” The Pakistan-Afghanistan border is a stronghold of local Taleban militants.

30 Christian Families Made Homeless By A Village Elder

About 30 poor Christian families forcibly made homerless in the third week of December by a village elder Muhammad Mansha of Kotla Punjabaig, Sheikhupura district, Punjab province, where Pakistan Muslim League (N) is ruling. These Christians, have been living here before partition 1947, have no other place to live and now they are forced to live in the streets of the village under the open sky in extreme winter weather.

‘Danger’ to Christian Graveyards

ABBOTTABAD: The Christian community held a protest procession and condemned the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) for alleged ‘encroachment on their graveyard,’ daily The News reported on Dec. 1. Christians said the TMA was deliberately disgracing the sanctity of their buried ones by sinking tube-well in the graveyard. The protesters alleged that the administration had failed to protect the rights of the minorities in the area.

– According to the Christians of Khurrarianwala, Punjab province, a powerful and influential local Muslim landlord being assisted by local government officers had demolished and desecrated their 50 graves on Dec. 6 to build a shopping mall on the vacated land. The graveyard was being used by Christian community before partition of Pakistan. Conversely, after Christians continues protests, the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Jarranwala ensured Christians that justice will be provided to them.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Click here for more articles on the persecuted church.

PESHAWAR: On Dec. 13, a letter was received by Elizabeth School and College (run by the Church of Pakistan) in Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province, which says, “We have seen the invitation letters of Christian programs in the hands of many people. Such programs are organized in your college through which Muslims are invited to convert to Christianity. You were not our target but such tactics on your part have compelled us to think about Christians. Secondly this happens particularly in your college where Muslims are being tempted by the Christian organizations. Our Islam permits us to raise the sword where ever that happens.

According to the Church authorities, none of these institutions permits any attempt to convert Muslims to Christianity, and all foreign missionaries left after 9/11.

The letter added, “America becomes happy over the blood of Muslims. Recently in India some Christians and Jews have been killed and that has alarmed America. We will also shed the blood of those Christians who persuade Muslims. On the one hand we will finish those people and on the other hand America who sheds the blood of Muslims will be shocked. The purpose of our organization is to wage holy war against infidels. Such programs occur in your college. This time you have called Muslims on your Christmas Eid through a program and remember we will blow up you college. And specifically we will blow up Christians in such programs. There are Muslim boys and girls in the college. We do nothing unless we inform. We also do whatever we want by informing the Government. We are also giving this information in advance to you that we will do blasting and will take breath only after giving shock to America, Britain and Christian countries. We will do the same to other institutions along with yours. We have been sacrificing our lives for the sake of Islam. Those who spoil Islam will be eliminated.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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FAISALABAD: On Dec. 17, a church of St. Paul was desecrated in the village ‘Chak 77-RB’, ‘Lohekay’, about 30 kilometers from Faisalabad, Asia News reported on Dec. 19. Pervez Masih tells Asia News that on that day, he and others were whitewashing and decorating the little church for Christmas. They stopped at noon for lunch, leaving the church open. When they returned, they found the bible and other sacred texts reduced to ashes, and a handwritten letter telling them to convert to Islam if they wanted to “live in peace” and avoid hell.

Catholic priest Fr. Yagoob Yousaf said during his homily, “in recent years, at Christmas, there have been attacks against Catholic and Protestant churches. Often the Christmas celebrations have taken place under police protection.”

According to the Asia News, most of the people in the village are Muslim, and there are between 50 and 70 Christian families. The church is used by Catholics and Protestants, without conflict. When they became aware of the sacrilege, many Muslims went to the church together with the Christians. Now the police are investigating the “suspects” for the crime of blasphemy.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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Uganda (MNN) — International Christian Concern reports members of the Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army, killed 400 Christians celebrating Christmas in Congo.

One of the attacks killed 150 people in Farajde City. Another source claims 75 deaths occurred during a separate attack in Duru. Other attacks near Sudan left more than 250 people dead. Thousands from that region sought refuge with churches.

There are scattered reports that the LRA was abducting children to use as soldiers.

ICC sources say the LRA denies responsibility for the attacks on December 25th and in the days following.

However, the violence was so fierce that church leaders are asking the Congolese Government to take steps to protect people from the attacks.

Pray for their safety and ask God to provide for their needs. Pray that believers will be able to act as the hands and feet of Christ during this crisis.