From Within and Without

Tomorrow, Mike and I will be traveling overland to within eight miles of the border with Iran. We would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Iranian government operatives work regularly within this zone and closely monitor Christian activity to prevent its influence upon the Islamic republic. With the turmoil occurring in Iraq, these Iranians freely disregard the border and enter into Iraqi territory to eliminate potential religious and political threats.

Just last November two of our host indigenous church pastors were kidnapped by an Iranian security detail that proceeded to interrogate and threaten them. The two pastors were given three options – either return to the town and act as spies on the church, go into exile under the watch of the Iranian security forces, or be killed. They chose to return, but immediately fled to the mother church where they were then shuffled off to a safe house and are still in hiding today.

Then, just last month, Iraqi forces knowledgeable of the mother church’s activities were waiting at a checkpoint for a car carrying three pastors along with one of their wives carrying their infant son. The five of them were whisked off to a "bad place" known to be where people are tortured and disappear. We were told by one of these individuals that they were fully expecting to all be executed, including the baby.

(Image: The infant son that was abducted along with the group of pastors)

But...

Just as they were ushered into the presence of the chief interrogator, the phone call came that brought their freedom. The brother of one of the pastors, who quickly learned of their seizure, started contacting Iraqi officials he knew. Phone call after phone call eventually produced the hoped-for result.

Our dear Christian leaders in Iraq suffer persecution from within and without.

The same pastor who shared these stories with us mentioned that, upon visiting a church in America recently, he was asked if he had witnessed any miracles in Iraq. Even though he knew they were trying to solicit testimonies of great interventions by God, he simply replied, "Yes, my own life is a miracle. It’s a miracle that I remain alive each day."

Comments

[Pennie]

I have just returned this month from Fountain of Life and my first mission trip. My heart grieves for the children and rejoices for the work the Lord is doing in their lives all at the same time. Praise God for you, Mike and all the others who God moves to help the helpless orphans. I pray for a shield of protection, open doors and good health for all of you, as well as peace for your families, most especially on this current mission
God bless you!

[Jenny and Rachel]

Paul,

After taking a look at your blog, we're both feeling really grateful to be in such a safe country! May God bless you in your courage and faithfulness to reach out to all His children. We're praying for you and cannot thank you enough for your support.

In Him,

Jenny and Rachel