Voice of the Martyrs
VOM Prayer Update
by Roger on Aug.03, 2009, under Voice of the Martyrs
CHINA – Pastor Sent to Labor Camp – China Aid Association
On June 29, Pastor Dou Shaowen, who is currently serving a one-year sentence for “engaging in illegal activities,” was secretly transferred to Shifo Re-education Through Labor Center in Zhengzhou city, Henan province, according to China Aid Association. His family was not informed of his transfer. Pastor Dou, his wife Feng Lu and five other believers were arrested on June 14 when government officials raided and closed the Rock Church. The police confiscated computers and other church property. Pastor Dou and his wife were sentenced to a year in prison and the other believers were sentenced to 15 days in detention and fined 500 Yuan (US$ 73). Feng Lu, however, will serve her sentence at home so she can care for the couple’s 12 year-old daughter. China Aid reported Pastor Dou has been treated inhumanely in the labor camp. “When he wanted to talk to the police officers, he was forced to squat. He worked 18 hours a day from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. midnight. Over 70 people sleep in a room,” a source at China Aid said. “Due to the hot weather and the poor sanitary condition … some prisoners have eczema, herpes and other skin diseases. They have to work 18 hours a day without enough to eat.” Feng Lu tried to visit her husband in prison, but was told she was not allowed to visit him for a month. She is required to report to the Public Security Bureau police regularly, and could be sent to labor camp again if she is found “engaging in illegal religious activities” again.
SOMALIA – Christian man murdered – VOM Sources
On July 20, a convert from Islam to Christianity was murdered in the city of Mahadday Weyne, Somalia by members of al-Shabaab, a militant group with ties to Al-Qaeda, according to Compass Direct News. Mohammed Sheikh Abdiraman, who had been a Christian for 15 years and was the leader of a group of underground believers, was shot at approximately 7:00 a.m. He is survived by two children, ages 10 and 15. His wife died three years ago due to illness. Ask God to comfort and guide Abdiraman’s children in this difficult time. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among believers in Somalia.
SRI LANKA – Pastor Assaulted – National Christian Evangelical Alliance
On July 23, a pastor of a church in Polonnaruwa district, North Central Province, Sri Lanka was brutally attacked by unknown assailants, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The pastor was driving home from a prayer meeting when a group of men on motorcycles called out to him. When he stopped his vehicle and rolled down his window, the assailants attacked him with knives. He was able to prevent them from slashing his neck but sustained severe arm injuries. His vehicle was also damaged. The pastor eventually fled the scene and sought help. Pray for healing for the injured pastor. Ask God to bless the ministry of Christian workers spreading the Gospel in Sri Lanka amid opposition.
VOM Prayer Update
by Roger on Jul.24, 2009, under Voice of the Martyrs
PAKISTAN – Christian Homes Burned – VOM Sources
On June 26, more than 150 Muslim extremists launched a devastating attack on more than 150 Christian families after a fight about a personal matter between Muslims and Christians occurred three days earlier. During the attack Muslims damaged 60 houses, including burning 16 to the ground, poured kerosene on a believer in an attempt to burn her, destroyed two donkey carts and broke 25 electricity meters, in Kasur, Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.
“They disgraced many Christian women,” VOM contacts said. “They tried to burn one of the ladies by throwing kerosene oil on her. Thanks God she was able to escape from them. One of the young girls was having bath, she escaped without her cloths when they attacked.” Pray for these families that have lost their homes and had their property damaged. Ask God to encourage and protect them during this difficult time.
IRAQ – Seven churches bombed – VOM Canada
On July 11, two bombs targeted churches in the cities of Baghdad and Mosul and killed at least four people and injured 30 others, according to VOM Canada. The two bombs ripped through the St. Joseph church in western Baghdad at approximately 10 p.m. The next afternoon, three bombs exploded within 15 minutes of each other outside three different church buildings in Baghdad. That evening, a car bomb detonated outside a church building in the eastern region of the city. Minutes later, another bomb exploded outside a church building in Baghdad’s Dora district. Meanwhile on July 13, a car bomb detonated near Our Lady of Fatima Church in the city of Mosul. Pray for those who have lost loved ones. Ask God to guard the hearts of Iraqi Christians against fear and enable them to continue serving Him with boldness. Pray that those responsible for these bombings will repent and come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
SOMALIA – Seven Christians beheaded in Somalia
On July 10, seven Christians were beheaded by the Al Qaeda-linked extremist group Al Shabaab which controls southern Somalia and the capital Mogadishu. The Christians were accused of renouncing Islam and being “spies” for the government. Public executions, floggings, and amputations have reportedly increased in areas controlled by Al-Shabaab in recent weeks. Pray for the friends and family members mourning the loss of these Christians. Pray that Somali believers will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them.
CHINA – House churches raided, Christians arrested – China Aid Association
Chinese officials have raided house church meetings and arrested believers throughout the country in recent weeks, according to reports from China Aid Association. On July 3, a house church was raided and eight Christians arrested in the A’Ler Tai area of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Meanwhile on July 5, officials raided a house church worship service in Dongyong city, Shandong province. Believers were accused of “disturbing social order” for organizing a religious service for more than 40 people in a home. The house church was abolished by the authorities. Pray for believers in China. Ask God to give Christians the endurance to stand firm despite the opposition.
