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| Welcome to the July Email Newsletter |
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Welcome to the Voice of the Martyrs July edition! We hope you are keeping warm during the cold season we have been having recently!
In Romans 12:11-13, it says “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need.” Let us be faithful in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters overseas. Pray for strength and courage; that they will not give up on doing what is right. Pray that the Lord would surround them with His love and sustain them.
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| Voice of the Martyrs Workshop |
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VOM AT THE LAKE WHAKAMARU CHRISTIAN CAMP
SAT. 31 JULY 2010
WORKSHOP: 10am to 12noon
See a presentation on persecuted Christians
Hear how you can personally make a difference
Write encouraging letters to Christian prisoners
Lunch will be provided
Outdoor activities: 1 – 3pm
for fun fellowship and activities on site
A MUST GO FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
All ages from 8 years to 108 welcome!
(Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Suggested donation $5
For further information, please phone Sylvie 07 856 00 45
Lake Whakamaru Christian Camp
1105 Ongaroto Road (S.H. 30) R.D. 1
Atiamuri 3078 New Zealand
Phone/Fax: +64 7 343 2352 E-mail: info@lwccamp.com |
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| Gospel balloons launched in North Korea |
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Since North Korea is so restrictive, one has to be creative in finding methods of sharing the gospel! The Voice of the Martyrs has been involved in deploying balloons filled with gospel tracts and believers' testimonies to North Korea.
Another balloon launch is scheduled in July. Pray that the literature successfully gets into the hands of many North Koreans. Pray that the literature will plant seeds of God's truth and that many more will come to know the Lord. Ask God to protect those working to share God's Word in North Korea.
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| Update: Court hearings continue for detained Pakistani Christian |
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Asia Bibi (38), a Christian woman arrested for blasphemy in Pakistan's Punjab province in June 2009 following a heated discussion about Islam between her and several Muslim women faced another court hearing on June 22, 2010. Once again, her accusers were not present in the court and sources are hopeful that the negligence of the witnesses will make a positive impact on Asia's case. Asia had another court hearing on June 29. At last report, the outcome of the hearing was not yet known.
Pray that the outcome of this hearing will be positive and the charges against Asia will be dropped. Pray that she will soon be reunited with her husband and daughters. Pray that she will continue to look to the Lord for her strength during this difficult time. |
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Death threat and increasing opposition in Bekasi, Indonesia
(Sources: AsiaNews, Compass Direct) |
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Christians in Bekasi, West Java have faced growing opposition in recent months from Muslims opposed to "Christianisation." On July 5, a banner with the picture of a Christian man with a noose around his neck was hung on the front of a mosque in Bekasi, stating, "This man deserves the death penalty." The man, Andreas Sanau (29), is one of two men accused of organizing mass baptisms. The accusations came after busloads of poor villagers arrived at a Christian relief agency on June 30 as part of an outreach program. However, baptism is not a part of the program.
Pray for protection for Christians in Bekasi. Pray that the threats against Andreas will not be acted upon. Pray that the authorities will protect the Christians against opposition from militant Islamic groups. |
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| Assailants sever Christian's hand in India |
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A group of unknown assailants attacked a college professor and severed his right hand and part of his arm in Kerala, India. TJ Joseph, a professor at Newman's College in Thodupuzha, allegedly offended some of his Muslim students two months ago with some questions he included in a test. Due to protests from Islamic groups, Joseph was suspended from his job and apologized for his "unintentional error." Nevertheless, he continued to receive threats.
On July 4, Joseph was returning from a Sunday service at his church when a van pulled up beside him. The assailants forced him from his car and attacked him with knives and swords, amputating his lower arm and inflicting deep wounds to his body. At last report, doctors were attempting to save his limb.
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The attack has been condemned by many Islamic groups. The attackers are suspected to be members of the militant Popular Front of India
Pray for full and rapid healing. Pray that the misunderstanding which led to the attack will be resolved. Pray for peace amongst India's religious communities. |
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| Pakistani family rescued from mob, accused of blasphemy |
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A Christian family in Lahore, Pakistan was rescued from an angry mob on July 5 after being accused of blasphemy. Hundreds of Muslims surrounded their home in response to a call from mosque loudspeakers accusing the family of blaspheming against the Qur'an. The accusations follow a discovery that the family had made a temporary roof for their bathroom out of a banner which, unknown to them, bore a verse from the Qur'an. They escaped to safety, but Yousaf, Suria and their son-in-law, Zahid, now face charges under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. |
Pray for protection for Yousaf, Suria and their family. Pray that all charges against them will be dropped. Pray that they will be a testimony of God's grace to those around them. |
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| SIX Things you can do |
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1- PRAY - Prayer is Heavenly Nuclear Power!
Come, meet and pray with us!
| - Christchurch |
3rd Thursday 11-12noon
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Ph Courtney
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(03) 352-9568 |
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3rd Thursday 7:15pm |
Ph James
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(03) 352 9568 |
| - Dunedin |
3rd Saturday, afternoon |
Ph Rhoda |
(03) 489 4142 |
- Hamilton
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Saturday, 2 monthly |
Ph Sylvie |
(07) 856 0045 |
| - Havelock North |
2nd Friday 1:30pm |
Ph Gillian |
(06) 875 8351 |
| - South Auckland |
2nd Thursday; 7:15pm |
Ph Fran |
(09) 837 1589 |
| - West Auckland |
4th Thursday 7:15pm |
Ph Fran |
(09) 837 1589 |
- Wellington
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Every Thursday 7:30pm |
Ph Colin |
(04) 977 4074 |
Or you can START your own local prayer meeting!
2- GIVE- SHARE YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES
As Christians we believe in praying and caring for our fellow believers- especially those who are persecuted for their faith. Becoming a regular financial supporter is one way to do this for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church.
There are many ways to help the persecuted church. You choose which area you would like your money to go to. For example, you could support the Families of Martyrs, request that your money be used to provide Bibles & Christian Literature, equip the persecuted church or support the VOM Ministry.You can also choose a specific country you’d like to give financial assistance to (e.g. North Korea, Sudan, Indonesia…) Just email your address and details to thevoice@persecution.co.nz and we’ll send you an automatic payment form.
3- SIGN UP
Sign up for our FREE monthly newsletter with the latest information from the persecuted church. This newsletter is filled with the latest We post it to your home each month. Email thevoice@persecution.co.nz.
4- WILLPOWER
Many Christians draw up wills to be good stewards of their resources, to leave a testimony of their priorities and to help organisations they have supported during their lifetime. If you would like to remember the Persecuted Church in your will, contact Graham at 03 352 9568.
5- WRITE- Attention Writers!
Do you enjoy writing? You can use this gift to minister to Christians who have been imprisoned for their faith by writing them a letter. Writing to prisoners is an important ministry.
One prisoner said, “During my eight years of imprisonment I received 9,546 letters! They were a tremendous source of encouragement. They gave me new life and hope. Those letters are probably the only earthly treasures which I would like to take to heaven with me.”
Join a monthly “Writers Club”, so you can encourage each other to write!
| - Tauranga |
1st Thursday Monthly, 7pm |
Ph Ian |
(07) 571 0151 |
| - South Auckland |
3rd Monday 7:15pm |
Ph Fran |
(09) 837-1589 |
| - West Auckland |
2nd Tuesday 10:30am |
Ph Fran |
(09) 837-1589 |
| - North Shore Auckland |
Monthly Sunday 7pm |
Ph Susan |
(09) 443 6175 |
| - Howick |
3rd Wednesday, 10am |
Ph Judy |
(09) 534 4487 |
| - Wellington |
1st Monday 7pm
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Ph Joan |
(04) 938 3785 |
| - Rotorua |
1st & 3rd Friday 10:30 am |
Ph Ps Jin Kim |
(07) 349 2006 |
- Havelock North
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2nd Friday 1.30pm |
Ph Gillian |
(06) 875 8351 |
| - Matamata |
2nd Saturday 7pm |
Ph Stephen |
027 235 769 or
(07) 888 8713 |
| - Katikati |
1st Wed of every 2nd month 7:30pm |
Ph Gilly Boyd |
(07) 549 1556 |
| - Wairarapa |
1st Tuesday 7pm |
Ph Jennie |
(06) 304 8587 |
| - Hawera |
In Your own home |
Ph Helen |
(06) 278 7541 |
| - North Hamilton |
Saturday 7pm |
Ph Sylvie |
(07) 856 0045 |
| - Thames |
3rd Tuesday 10am |
Ph Nick
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(07) 868 2300 |
| - Waiau Pa |
2nd Thursday 7pm |
Ph Margot |
(09) 232 0066 |
| - Christchurch |
1st Thursday 10-11:30am |
Ph Courtney |
(03) 352 9568 |
- Dunedin
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In Your own home |
Ph Rhoda |
(03) 489 4142 |
Contact the VOM office: thevoice@persecution.co.nz for an advocate’s pack ($15.00) so you can get started.
6- INVITE us to speak at your church/small group/conference
We have a wonderful team, who are dynamic and passionate presenters on behalf of the persecuted church.
We would love to tell you the stories of Christians we have met who love God so much, so that even under great trials they are more than overcomers. Let us introduce you to some of God’s family who live in restricted nations. Email thevoice@persecution.co.nz.
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| Contact
Us |
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Invite
a Friend |
Voice
of the Martyrs
PO BOX 5482
Christchurch 8542, NZ |
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