Christmas in the Dark

What is it like to live in a country where celebrating Christmas is forbidden? Where Christians are persecuted? Where millions have never heard about the God Who loves them and gave His Son to die for their sins so they can be free? I can tell you. Because we’ve lived there. For most of theContinue reading “Christmas in the Dark”

Headlines from Gaza, Congo, Australia, Mexico, Thailand-Cambodia This Week

CONGO (DRC): The RWANDA-backed M23 armed forces have killed more than 413 civilians in South Kivu in recent days.  GAZA: Winter storm Byron killed at least 14 people, as houses, walls and tents collapsed, and at least three children died from hypothermia. THAILAND-CAMBODIA: At least 20 soldiers and civilians have died, 200 are wounded andContinue reading “Headlines from Gaza, Congo, Australia, Mexico, Thailand-Cambodia This Week”

Nigeria Update: 100 Children Rescued

On Monday, the Nigerian government rescued a third of the 303 children recently kidnapped from a Catholic school, and are promising the release of the rest, plus 12 teachers who were also taken captive from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state. Another 50 children managed to escape within the first two days of captivity.Continue reading “Nigeria Update: 100 Children Rescued”

Yet More Abductions, Murders, as U.S. Delegation Arrives in Nigeria

On Sunday morning, December 7, gunmen attacked Christians preparing for worship at St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Anambra state. They murdered a priest’s wife and another Christian, injured many others, abducted the Rev. Venerable Obies, and set fire to the church, vehicles, homes and other Christians’ property. (Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, December 9)Continue reading “Yet More Abductions, Murders, as U.S. Delegation Arrives in Nigeria”

The God Who Made a Hijacker Cry

A Samaritan’s Purse plane carrying medical supplies from Juba, South Sudan to a mobile medical unit in the northeast was hijacked last week. Yasir Mohammed Yusuf snuck on board and hid behind the cargo barrier until after takeoff. With gun in hand, he threatened to kill the pilot and another Samaritan’s Purse staff member, demandingContinue reading “The God Who Made a Hijacker Cry”

Where Knowing Christ Is Forbidden

Christmas takes on a whole new meaning when you live in a place like North Korea, where even one decoration in your home could get you arrested. Where telling the story of Jesus is against the law, and Bibles are forbidden. Where being a Christian could cost you your livelihood, your freedom, your family, orContinue reading “Where Knowing Christ Is Forbidden”

Bethlehem Christmas, Prayers for Israel and Gaza

After two years of darkness, Bethlehem is once again alight with Christmas decorations, offering hope to Palestinian Christians caught up in a war not their own, and hope of salvation for Muslims and Jews who do not yet know the Messiah who was born so humbly in a manger there. Over the last couple ofContinue reading “Bethlehem Christmas, Prayers for Israel and Gaza”

Prayers for Suffering Christians This Christmas

As we gather with loved ones this Christmas and worship God freely in our churches, let’s take a moment to pray together as a family for persecuted Christians throughout the world who don’t have that freedom. Let’s also pray for God’s provision and protection over the 3.5 million Christians displaced from their homes in NigeriaContinue reading “Prayers for Suffering Christians This Christmas”

Nearly 1,500 Dead in Asia Floods

The death toll from last week’s devastating floods in several Asian countries has more than doubled, as rescue teams race against time to find and rescue thousands missing amid mud and debris. At least 753 have died in Indonesia, 465 in Sri Lanka, 185 in Thailand and up to 34 in Malaysia. While Thailand andContinue reading “Nearly 1,500 Dead in Asia Floods”

666 Die in Asia Storms, 128 in Hong Kong Fire

A cyclone, tropical storm and devastating floods have affected millions in Southeast Asia. At least 303 have died in Sumatra, INDONESIA, with 279 still missing; 34 died in MALAYSIA; 170 in THAILAND; and 159 in SRI LANKA, where 130 are still missing. An apartment block fire in HONG KONG on Wednesday killed 146, with 78Continue reading “666 Die in Asia Storms, 128 in Hong Kong Fire”