Christmas Blessing 2010 continues to bless North Koreans

(Source: VOM) With the donations to VOM's 2010 Christmas Blessing project, packages that contain food, toiletries and other necessities continue to be delivered in 2011 to North Koreans in need. A recent update from the field reported that the recipients of these necessities were happy to receive the packages. The project continues to be a powerful way to demonstrate Christ's love and care for God's people in North Korea, a country that has consistently topped the world's human rights watch lists as being the most repressive and closed nation on earth. Horrifying reports of inhumane actions in the country, particularly towards Christians, highlight the continued need to uphold the North Korean Church in prayer. Even the North Korean citizens who manage to escape face extreme danger and risk. Many are frequently forced to return to face interrogation, torture and imprisonment. Watch your July newsletter for a more detailed report on a recent Christmas Blessing distribution.

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Thank the Lord for the faithful witness of His followers in North Korea. Pray for wisdom and guidance for those involved in undertaking this special project, protecting both those giving and receiving the packages. Pray North Koreans will look to the Father for everlasting hope in times of trial. Pray God will reveal Himself to Kim Jong Il and graciously transform his heart and the hearts of his subordinates so that they will embrace Christ. For more on those suffering for Christ's sake in North Korea, visit the North Korea Country Report.

Christian woman in Darfur arrested for evangelizing

(Source: Compass Direct) Hawa Abdalla Muhammad Saleh was arrested on May 9 in the Abu Shouk camp for Internally Displaced Persons in Al-Fashir. Authorities have accused her of possessing and distributing Bibles to others in the camp. Sources said she could also be tried for apostasy, which carries the death sentence in Sudan. Abdalla has been transferred to an unknown location in Khartoum, sources said, adding that they fear she could be tortured as she was detained and tortured for six days in 2009. Please pray for Abdalla's release. Ask the Lord to give her the strength and grace she needs to withstand this current trial. Pray the Lord will protect and preserve her. Pray the Lord will use Abdalla's witness and testimony to strengthen the faith of other believers and act as a witness to Muslims. Find out more about the obstacles facing believers in Sudan at the Sudan Country Report.

Restrictive Parental Responsibility Law may be adopted in Tajikistan

(Source: Forum 18 News) Tajikistan's Parliament may adopt a restrictive Parental Responsibility Law, drafts of which ban children from attending religious activities apart from funerals. The latest text of the proposed law has not been made public -- even though it is being discussed in parliamentary committees. It may be adopted by July, even though drafts of the law -- which was initiated by President Emomali Rahmon -- break the Constitution and international human rights standards. Local religious communities, independent legal experts and human rights defenders have condemned the draft, but Deputy Marhabo Jabborova, chair of a parliamentary committee leading discussions, told Forum 18 that he "is not aware of any comments from religious communities." Pray God will enable Christian parents to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so that their children will be encouraged to walk closely with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20, 2 Timothy 1:5). Pray the people of Tajikistan will be granted religious freedom. To read more about religious restrictions in Tajikistan, visit the Tajikistan Country Report.

Algerian Christian sentenced beyond prosecutor's request

(Source: Compass Direct) A criminal court in Oran's Djamel district sentenced Siaghi Krimo to a five-year prison term on May 25 for giving a CD about Christianity to a neighbour (click here for more information). The neighbour claimed Krimo insulted the Prophet Mohammad. The judge sentenced Krimo to five years in prison and fined him $2,690 CAD, despite the prosecutor requesting he be sentenced to two years in prison and fined $670 CAD. Krimo's lawyer said he plans to appeal the case. Krimo is not required to serve his prison sentence until the court hears his appeal and upholds the conviction. The court delivered its verdict the same week that the governor of Bejaia province ordered the closing of seven Protestant churches (click here for more information). Pray for favour for Siaghi Krimo as the appeal is launched. Ask the Lord to strengthen the faith of His Church in Algeria in spite of the current opposition. May believers rejoice that theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10). Read more about the persecution of Christians in Algeria at the Algeria Country Report.

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