WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG
MAY 2015
PERSECU ION
Egypt On the Cross
Orphans remember their martyred father in a meeting with ICC staff
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Your Dollar$ at Work Restocking Libraries Destroyed in Niger Protests
O
Bibles to the Persecuted
ver a single weekend in January, as many as 90 churches, Christian homes and Christian businesses were burned to the ground across Niger by Muslim protesters. This destruction was unleashed upon Niger’s Christians because of a depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in the Charlie Hebdo publication based in Paris, France. When the dust settled, dozens, if not hundreds, of Christians were left homeless and afraid. In the immediate aftermath of these destructive riots, ICC was put in communication with a ministry located in Niamey, Niger’s capital, called Reaching Unreached Nations. As a result of the riots, three Bibles schools operated by Reaching Unreached Nations had been set on fire and almost completely destroyed. Along with the school structures, Bibles, Christian teaching materials and other important Christian literature were destroyed. Through ICC’s Bible fund, in partnership with Reaching Unreached Nations, ICC has helped restock the libraries that were destroyed. This investment in Christian literature will be extremely important as the Gospel is advanced in a 97 percent Muslim country. “The rebuild following the attacks is in full swing,” Reaching Unreached Nations said in an update to ICC. “We thank God for all those who have responded by praying and giving. Our Bible schools are in full swing and it’s a joy to see lives changing.” “We are confident that this ‘event’ will go down in history as the weekend that caused the church in Niger to explode,” Reaching Unreached Nations added. “There is momentum now, and we must keep building on that.” ICC is encouraging its donors to continue to pray for the Christian community of Niger as they recover from the riots. Although much of the violence has abated, tensions in Niger remain high between Christian and Muslim communities. Pray for continued safety and recovery.
2
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
MAY 2015
Providing for Pastors in Aftermath Underground Pastors
I
n January, Christian pastors across Niger came under attack when mobs of Muslims targeted churches and Christian institutions for destruction in response to a depiction of the Prophet Mohammad in the Charlie Hebdo publication. Many pastors across Niger lost everything — their churches, homes and personal belongings. Through ICC’s Underground Pastors fund, ICC has already provided assistance to 10
pastors and their families who were affected by these riots. In an effort to meet their immediate needs, ICC provided these pastors with food, water and blankets. Pastor Remy and his family (below) were among the Christians that received aid from ICC. The family received rice, maize, beans and cooking oil in the immediate aftermath of the riots. “We feel an overflowing sense of joy and gratefulness for receiving all of these gifts,” Pastor Remy told ICC. “The help came at a period when we were in much need. We are truly thankful to ICC.”
Restoring Water and Electricity
O
Underground Pastors
n January 17, Pastor Z’s church and home were attacked by a mob of Muslims enraged by the publication of the Prophet Mohammed’s image in France. Along with dozens of other Christian pastors, Pastor Z’s church and home were set on fire. The church was completely destroyed, but Pastor Z’s home was only damaged. Although Pastor Z’s home was still intact, much of his personal property had been destroyed, including the home’s utility hook-ups. Through ICC’s Underground Pastors fund, ICC was able to repair these hook-ups, bringing both electricity and water back to Pastor Z’s home. “Pastor Z and his family moved back into their home just this week,” ICC’s partners reported in early March. “Much of what they lost has already been replaced!” Despite the simplicity of this project, it was important because it allowed Pastor Z and his family, including his pregnant wife and three children, to move back into their own home.
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
3
Your Dollar$ at Work
Caring for the Martyrs’ Families
F
Suffering Wives & Children
rom the time the Coptic Christians were abducted in Libya in late December and early January, ICC was working with their families. Through ICC’s local staff around the world, we often walk with families through some of life’s most difficult times. Sometimes assistance is expensive and long-lasting, but other times it is just a visit to sit and pray with a hurting family to remind them they are not alone. A small package of food can let them know we are thinking of them and are willing to help. As we visited the families of each of the 20 Coptic Christians who were martyred in Libya, this was their response: “We thank ICC so much for asking about us, visiting us, praying with us, comforting us, encouraging us and bringing food packages for us. We appreciate that so much. Thank you for your genuine love to us.”
Helping a Pastor Heal
I
Hand of Hope
n December 2013, Pastor Moses’ wife answered a knock at their door in the middle of the night, unaware that Hindu radicals with murder in their hearts were waiting on the other side. When she opened the door, the radicals rushed into their home and attempted to kill both Pastor Moses and his wife. After stabbing the couple multiple times, the radicals abandoned the injured Christians. By God’s grace, both Pastor Moses and his wife survived this brutal assault, but not without consequences. Since the attack, Pastor Moses’ health has suffered. Due to the injuries he sustained, he has had to undergo several medical operations and treatments. For a rural pastor in India, this would normally be impossible to afford. Through ICC’s Hand of Hope: South Asia fund, ICC has been able to provide for Pastor Moses’ medical treatment. The road to full recovery will likely be long, but ICC and its donors are committed to seeing Pastor Moses fully restored. 4
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
MAY 2015
Your Dollar$ at Work
Warm Coats for Printing Press A New Shop in Displaced Iraqis Provides Bibles Libya’s Market
S
Community Rebuild
ince June 2014, your gifts have allowed us to serve thousands of displaced Iraqi men, women and children. What started in the Iraqi summer heat with needs for water and shelter from the brutal sun turned into a cold winter for the nearly 200,000 Iraqi Christians who had been driven out of their homes. With your help, we were able to provide truly life-saving assistance to many this winter. One of the children you helped rescue was 9-year-old Isra. Months ago, Isra was jolted awake by pounding on her door in the middle of the night. ISIS had broken through her town’s defense and was bearing down on her home. Isra and her family were displaced in a matter of minutes. With nothing but the pajamas on her back and sandals on her feet, Isra ran out the door. After walking for almost two days, her family found a place to rest inside an abandoned classroom. That’s where you come into the story. Thanks to your gifts, we were able to give Isra, her family and hundreds more warm winter clothing, boots, blankets, heaters and the fuel they needed to survive a bitterly cold winter.
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
I
Bibles to the Persecuted
n 2013, a pastor in the Middle East wrote to ICC about the incredible need for God’s Word in his country, stating, “Before 1996, there were very few Christians, but now thousands of Muslims are coming to Christ and the number is increasing day by day.” For the continued growth of healthy churches, they needed access to God’s Word and other Christian literature. Carrying in a few Bibles at a time is dangerous and insufficient. Restrictions on outside shipments made ordering the Bibles difficult, and no local printers would print enough to meet the needs. With the partnership of many, ICC established a printing press that is now up and running and providing increased access to Scripture for the thousands of new believers. In just the first four weeks of operation, 15,000 copies of Gospel portions were printed — more than half of what the church had been able to obtain before in an entire year. We are excited about the many strategic opportunities that are now available for the believers in this country to have unprecedented access to God’s life-changing Word.
G
Suffering Wives & Children
amal was working in Libya to help take care of his family. He was on his way home to Egypt in August 2014 when his bus was stopped by Islamic extremists. He and three other Christians were forced out of the bus. At gunpoint, the militants forced the driver to drive away. That was the last Gamal’s wife ever heard from her husband or the other two men. There has been no word of their death and no demand for a ransom. With your help, ICC helped Gamal’s wife, Manal, purchase clothing that she and her father can sell from a stand at the daily markets. “I thank ICC so much for calling us, always asking about us, encouraging us, visiting us and making this project for us,” Manal said. “This project has helped us to overcome our bad circumstances. It has helped us to make income to meet the physical needs for me and my children. May God bless you. Thank you so much, ICC.” Her greater request is something that all Christians can do: “I ask ICC to continue praying for the return of my husband.” 5
Your Dollar$ at Work
Working for Peanuts: A Microbusiness Producing Peanut Butter Helps Support Evangelism Efforts
To help support Muslim-background believers, who are often cut off financially when they leave Islam, ICC is supporting a peanut butter producing business in Bangladesh that is run by recent Christian converts from Islam.
B
Underground Pastors
angladesh is a Muslim-majority country where it remains difficult to effectively evangelize the country’s Muslim population. Among the more difficult challenges is the financial and social consequences many Christian converts from Muslim backgrounds face due to their conversion. In many cases, these converts are cut off both socially and financially. Conversion can mean losing a job and losing a family all in a single day. To help meet this challenge, ICC has partnered with local ministries in Bangladesh 6
to initiate small, income-generating projects that can be used to help support recent Christian converts from Islam. Through ICC’s Underground Pastors fund, ICC was able to provide assistance for a small business run by several recent converts to Christianity. The business produces peanut butter. Below is the testimony of one convert benefiting from this Peanut Butter Project: “My name is Omar. I was born and brought up in a Muslim family in Bangladesh. I heard the Gospel for the first time in 2012. I had a lot of questions about Jesus and Mohammed and attended some Christian discussions in 2013 and then accepted Jesus as my Lord and
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Savior.” “This February, I decided to help out with an outreach ministry, but I did not have any financial support for my own food and living expenses. One day, a pastor proposed to me to work with the Peanut Butter Project. I agreed and started work with this project. I thank God for the Peanut Butter Project. So far, I got 2,900 taka ($39 USD) in just one month and one week.” “My family would not help me financially. They don’t want me to be able to do mission work. The Peanut Butter Project gave me confidence that, as a Bangladeshi missionary, I could earn and do mission work.” MAY 2015
Your Dollar$ at Work
Martyr’s Widow Finds Success Running Lumber Business
I
Suffering Wives & Children
n August 2013, Janet’s husband was brutally killed by a mob of extremists in southern Egypt. ICC partnered with the local church to meet her immediate needs after the house was destroyed and Janet was forced to live at the church. We didn’t stop there. With your help, we wanted Janet to be able to care for her family and her future. ICC helped her establish a small business distributing lumber in her city.
After more than a year, the company continues to grow and she is known to the majority of her village as the primary source for lumber. She continues to reinvest in the business and earn an income. “My project is very good now, and I’m able to earn good money from it,” Janet said. “I thank ICC so much for helping me start this project. This has helped me to spend my time in a useful thing, to feel the value of myself and make a monthly income to meet my living expenses.”
Encouragement to Overcome
N
Suffering Wives & Children
abil Mahrous Ibrahim was one of the few Christians still living in Egypt’s South Sinai region early this year. In the early morning of January 31, five Islamic extremists entered into his home, killed Nabil in front of his children and robbed the family before disappearing into the dark of the early morning. ICC met with Inas, the wife of Nabil Mahrous, just a few days after the attack. “I and my three sons thank ICC so much for visiting us, praying with us and encouraging us to overcome our adversity,” Nabil said. “Thank you for bringing a food package to us and giving us help. We appreciate that so much. We ask ICC to continue praying for us. May God bless you.” A visit to pray and care for a grieving family in the days following an incident is often just the first step of helping them through an incident of persecution. ICC’s Suffering Wives and Children fund is used to help meet both the immediate and long-term needs of suffering families.
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
7
You Can Help Today!
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
SEND DONATIONS TO: ICC PO BOX 8056 SILVER SPRING, MD 20907 OR ONLINE AT WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG OR BY PHONE 800-ICC-5441
GIVING TO ICC VIA YOUR WILL Provide now for a future gift to ICC by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. If you would like more information on giving to ICC in this way, please give us a call at 1-800-ICC-5441.
© Copyright 2015 ICC, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce all or part of this publication is granted provided attribution is given to ICC as the source.
International Christian Concern (ICC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (all donations tax-deductible). ICC makes every effort to honor donor wishes in regards to gifts. Occasionally, situations arise where a project is no longer viable. ICC will then redirect those donated funds to the fund most similar to the donor’s original wishes. ICC uses 7.5 percent of each restricted donation to carry out the mission of its segregated funds. facebook.com/persecuted
@persecutionnews