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Persecution and Prayer Alert, Voice of the Martyrs

AFRICA: Modern-Day Victims of Forcible Slavery Tortured



Sources: CBN News, Assist News From the west coast of Africa to the deserts of Sinai, Bedouin tribes are conducting a human trafficking trade on a massive scale. According to CBN News, the trade reaps millions of dollars and deals with human misery. It could be stopped, but so far no one has dared.
"Philip," one Eritrean torture victim, explains how he lost the sensation of his hands: "It was a result of the accumulated torture but mainly because (both) of my wrists were tied up so tightly. (As I was hung) from the ceiling for three days, the blood was cut off from my hands...." A 35-year-old Eritrean woman named Segen, who is five months pregnant, speaks of her own horrific experience. The news reporter interviewing her said that you could hear the strain in Segen's voice as she recounts what took place: "They are asking for money every minute and they hit us.... They hang us the way (Jesus) was hanged.... " These are just two examples of this widespread modern-day slavery, kidnapping and torture trade in the Sinai desert. Shahar Shoham, director of Physicians for Human Rights, has documented more than 1,300 cases of torture. And the vile treatment of these victimized refugees is considered diabolical. Thankfully, there are survivors who have eventually made it to Israel. (To learn more about the hardships facing fellow believers in Eritrea, go to www.persecution.net/eritrea.htm.)

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In addition, what the Bedouin tribesmen demand from the Eritrean victims' poor families is an unattainable amount. "The ransom fees can go up to $40,000 for an individual and even $50,000," the news report states. "And until the ransom fees (are) paid, the people will not be released." Shahar surmises that "the financial burden on the families is devastating." Many of the captured Etritrean refugees, like Segen and Philip, are Christians. Sadly, many don't survive. May God mightily intervene on behalf of these Eritrean believers who are going through much tribulation while fleeing persecution in their own troubled country. Ask the Lord to place a hedge of protection around them and their families, keeping them safe from the evil one who roams about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Pray that their perpetrators will experience an encounter with the Living God so they will have the opportunity to turn from their wicked ways...and instead discover the joy of serving Him and His people as instruments of blessing.

PAKISTAN: Christian Women Publically Beaten and Humiliated

Source: Times of India During the first week of June, a Muslim landlord allegedly forced three Christian women to parade naked in the public streets of Pakistan's Punjab province. It was reported that the women were brutally beaten and then publically humiliated by armed men affiliated with Muhammad Munir, a local landlord of Kasur district (about 50 kilometres from Lahore). The matter came to light a few days after the Asian Human Rights Commission issued a news release to the media. According to the head of the victimized family, Sadiq Masih, the male members of his family had gone out to their jobs when the attackers entered his house. Muhammad Munir and his armed men disrobed the son's wives and then forcibly paraded them in the streets. As the women screamed for help, some elderly people of the village came to their rescue. The attackers finally let the women go but warned the villagers and the victimized family against reporting the incident to the police. On July 12th, the Lahore high court ordered the district and sessions judge to probe further into the matter and submit a report. For an overview on Pakistan's political, judicial and spiritual climate, please check www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm. God's heart is so terribly grieved over the mistreatment of His people, especially those who are most vulnerable. Thank you for sharing His heart of compassion and for being a vital part of His ministry around the world through your prayers. May He console these women who have been exploited and shamed in such an indecent manner, while also bringing necessary correction to those who caused them harm. Pray that the judge and the people of the community will stand on the side of true justice, providing needed support to these Christian women and their families. We invite you to join us in prayer for these women by posting on our prayer wall at www.persecution.net/prayerwall.

CHINA: Christian Bookstore Raid Leads to Arrests and Imprisonment

Sources: VOM USA, South China Morning Post A Christian bookstore employee, Wenxi Li, and another man associated with the bookstore, Lacheng Ren, were arrested and sentenced to prison terms for their role in assisting with the opening of a new bookstore. On June 17th, 2013, Wenxi was sentenced to two years in prison by the court of Xiaodian district of Taiyuan in central China. In 2012, Wenxi travelled from Beijing to Shanxi province to help local Christians there open a new bookstore in the capital city of Taiyuan. While he was working at the Enyu Bookstore, police raided the new business and confiscated hundreds of books that he had brought with him. According to the "South China Morning Post," one security worker allegedly shouted at Wenxi and his colleagues, "Don't you dare bring Christian culture here. This is our turf." On December 19th, 2012, Wenxi was asked to come to a police station to retrieve the $6,000 worth of books that had been seized. But when he arrived at the police station, he was immediately arrested and sent to prison. Police were quoted as saying Wenxi was denied bail because of the seriousness of his "crime." (Other alerts of persecution in China can be found at www.persecution.net/china.htm.) Since Wenxi's arrest, his wife Cai Hong and their two children have received harassment from anonymous sources. She has expressed concern for the children's safety. But despite the harassment, the family is proceeding to appeal his case. The good news is that Wenxi has already led three people to Christ while in prison awaiting trial. It is encouraging to know that God is greater in us than "he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). The Lord is clearly working in and through the lives of His servants...even in the most challenging of circumstances. We rejoice with the angels in heaven over the salvation of these three newly converted prisoners! May the Lord continue the good work that He has begun in each of their lives. We also want to lift up Wenxi and his precious family, as well as his colleague Lacheng. Pray that these believers will be granted divine protection, favour and even greater opportunities to testify of their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

RECENT PRISONER UPDATE

IRAN: Imprisoned Pastor Now Receiving Medical Care

Sources: American Center for Law and Justice, Assist News Service July 23rd marked the 300th day of Pastor Saeed Abedini's imprisonment in Iran. According to Jordan Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice, it was nearly a year ago that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard raided the home of Pastor Saeed's parents in Tehran and imprisoned him. During his incarceration, he has been subjected to beatings which have caused internal injuries necessitating medical treatment. On July 20th, 2013, he was taken to a private hospital in Tehran for treatment. For the first time, he was examined by a physician and prescribed medication for injuries sustained from the beatings he endured at the hands of prison guards. (On two past occasions, the 33-year-old believer had been taken to the local hospital only to be sent home without an examination or treatment for his injuries.) Pastor Saeed's wife responded favourably to this positive update: "Thank you to all of the individuals who have prayed, written letters, signed petitions, called government officials, run benefit races, tweeted, and shared Saeed's story. Thank you to all the government officials from around the world who have stood for my husband. Iran has listened to your pleas." While we can rejoice with Saeed's family over this positive turn of events, they still very much need our prayers. Ask that God's presence will continue to minister peace and comfort to Pastor Saeed and his concerned loved ones. May the Lord work out His good plans in each of their lives, using this time of trial to refine, purify, strengthen and ultimately bless them. Of equal importance is His work of salvation in the hearts of the prison guards, fellow prisoners and governmental authorities.


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