Persecution happens, the church grows! How can we help?

Persecution happens, the church grows! How can we help? Posted about 14d ago

Please pray for persecuted followers of Jesus! They literally stake their lives on Jesus!

A few years ago, "S" came into our e3 Medical Clinic in a Middle Eastern country. She was desperate to have a baby but had been unable to conceive. Her doctor said there was no medical reason for her to not conceive. What a privilege it was to lay hands on her and pray for her to be able to conceive. A few months later, we learned she became pregnant and then had a healthy baby!

....For the rest of the story from one of our national leaders:

This lady for whom you prayed so that God would give her a child.

She became pregnant and birthed a beautiful baby!

She and her husband came to know Jesus. Hallelujah!!!

....They were the beginning of the first house church for those from an Islamic background in this city.

....In and around this one city there are now 22 house churches started with seekers and new believers from an Islamic background!! Praise Jesus!!

Several of the men from a couple of these house churches were arrested a few months ago because they are now following Jesus. Two of them were recently baptized. There is no estimation of when or if they will be released and there will most likely not be a trial.

Following Jesus is costly!

These men, their wives and families are part of house churches started by our national team. Their wives have never worked. The house churches have been supporting the wives and children but they are quickly running out of resources because their own economic situations.

Our leader in this city, "Q" has asked for us to pray for

The men in jail to stay strong in their new found faith in Jesus. May their faith stay strong and not not give in to those wanting them to return to Islam.
May they be witnesses to others in the jail.

Note that they never ask God to free them from jail....they only ask that God will keep them strong and bold in their faith in Jesus!!

The wives and children of these six men: For food, clothing and supplies for the children.

The house churches have been able to collect about half of the money the past few months to help the six families with food supplies (rice, beans, flour, cooking oil, milk and maybe a chicken) and school clothes/supplies for the children. They are doing what we learned the Church did in Acts and what the Church is supposed to do!

My heart breaks for these families! We have served among them and will soon serve among them. - it's personal!

The costs average out to be about $150-160 per month per family. I am giving the families names using the alphabet to hopefully protect their identity.