Ramadan Day 9

Ross and I were sitting at the dinner table tonight discussing how difficult this Ramadan must because the days are SO LONG and SO HOT! I'm sure if they are living in Texas, they are staying in doors if at all possible. Anyway...here's day 9 info.
Link to 30 day prayer calendar(see day 9)

Iraq(from Open Doors)

Leader:  Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

Population: 30.7 million (334,000 Christians) 

Main Religion: Islam

Government: Parliamentary democracy

World Watch Rank: 08

Violence against Christians increased in 2010, with large numbers of believers killed and injured. There were a number of attacks on Christians in Mosul in the run-up to March's elections, leading to an exodus of Christians to villages in the Nineveh plains. Attacks on church buildings and Christian institutions increased in the second half of the year. In October 2010, at least 58 Christians were killed and many were injured in a bomb attack on a church in Baghdad.

Please Pray:

• That the Iraqi government will be able to restore a situation of peace without limiting the church's freedom
• That believers displaced by the violence will find a place to go to and won't have to flee Iraq
• The need for trauma counselling is high among young people. Pray that children who have lost parents will receive the care they need and will grow strong in their faith in Jesus.

Ramadan Day 8

We have had a busy weekend trying to get back to Denton and, once again, saying good-bye to family. It's always hard, but it's also becoming our normal. All that to say, I've not done a good job posting this weekend. So here's a few days worth of prayer for Ramadan.


Link to 30 days Prayer Calendar
Yemen(from Open Doors)

Leader: President Ali Saleh 
Population: 23.6 million (6,000 Christians) 
Main Religion: Islam 
Government: Republic 
World Watch Rank: 07

Islam is the state religion and sharia (Islamic law) is the source of all legislation. There is some religious freedom for foreigners, but evangelism is prohibited; several expatriate workers were deported in 2010. Yemenis are not allowed to leave Islam; those who do may face persecution from family, the authorities, or extremist groups. Insecurity caused by terrorist movements and separatists made Yemen very unstable in 2010. Four of the nine foreign Christians kidnapped in June 2009 remain missing.

Please Pray:

• That local believers can meet together in safety and that strong bonds of trust can be built
• For the two young German girls rescued in May 2010 after being kidnapped in 2009. There is still no news of their parents and baby brother - pray for a breakthrough.
• For the continued spread of the gospel through Christian radio programmes and other Christian media.

Maldives(from Open Doors)

Leader: President Mohamed Nasheed 
Population: 311,000 (few Christians) 
Main Religion: Islam 
Government: Republic 
World Watch Rank: 06

All citizens must be Muslims in this archipelago. Legislation forbids the practice of any religion except Islam; churches are forbidden; and the import of Christian literature is prohibited. New regulations governing religious practice were unveiled by the government in 2010, and stricter policies were also imposed on tourists after some were caught bringing in Bibles. The few indigenous believers are isolated from one other and are monitored both by the authorities and the locals.

Please Pray:

• That believers will have discernment and courage to witness to those who are earnestly seeking the truth
• For the many children growing up in broken families, without good role models to emulate
• Ask the Lord to provide ways for Christians to meet for fellowship despite the restrictions.

Somalia(from Open Doors)

Leader: President Sheikh Ahmad 
Population: 9.1 million (few Christians) 
Main Religion: Islam 
Government: Transitional 
World Watch Rank: 05

It remained very dangerous to be a Christian here in 2010. At least eight Christians were killed and a quarter of all Christians fled the country. The few Christians are heavily persecuted and must practise their faith in secret. The country has been without effective central government since 1991. Islamist insurgents Al-Shabaab control most of the south, and are effectively trying to wipe out Christianity from the country.  There are, however, indications that they are losing popularity.

Please Pray:

• For an end to the chronic political instability and fighting in this war-torn country
• For the handful of believers to grow in a healthy understanding of their faith despite such difficult circumstances
•  That God would open up new ways to reach Somalis with His Word.

Latest News

• New Christian Convert from Islam Murdered

• BLOGROLL

Ramadan Day 6

Link to the 30-Day Prayer Guide PDF (see day 6)

Country Profile: Somalia (From Open Doors)

Leader: President Sheikh Ahmad 
Population: 9.1 million (few Christians) 
Main Religion: Islam 
Government: Transitional 
World Watch Rank: 05

It remained very dangerous to be a Christian here in 2010. At least eight Christians were killed and a quarter of all Christians fled the country. The few Christians are heavily persecuted and must practise their faith in secret. The country has been without effective central government since 1991. Islamist insurgents Al-Shabaab control most of the south, and are effectively trying to wipe out Christianity from the country.  There are, however, indications that they are losing popularity.

Please Pray:

• For an end to the chronic political instability and fighting in this war-torn country
• For the handful of believers to grow in a healthy understanding of their faith despite such difficult circumstances
•  That God would open up new ways to reach Somalis with His Word.
• For an end to the famine in the Horn of Africa and help for the refugees both internally and across boarders, especially the hundreds of thousands that are displaced to the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.

Latest News

• New Christian Convert from Islam Murdered

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Ramadan Day 4: Saudi Arabia

Today we will be praying for Saudi Arabia both in the prayer calendar and on the world watch list.

Link to prayer calendar (see day 4)
Saudi Arabia (from Open Doors)

Leader: King Abdullah 
Population: 25.7 million (1.25 million Christians)
Main Religion: Islam 
Government: Monarchy 
World Watch Rank: 04

There is no religious freedom in this Islamic kingdom. Public non-Muslim worship is forbidden, and conversion to Christianity - seen as apostasy - is punishable by death. Most Christians are foreign workers; although they are allowed to worship privately on their compounds, they sometimes face difficulty. Twelve Filipino Christians and a priest were arrested while attending a service in a private home in October 2010. Saudi believers fear being open about their faith, even with their family. There were reports of several Christians being physically harmed for their faith in 2010.

Please Pray:

• That expatriate Christians would have wisdom in sharing their faith
• That isolated believers will have the courage to connect with other Saudi Christians
• That young Saudis living or working outside the country will hear the gospel and come to faith.

Ramadan Day 3

Last night after a time of prayer, we watched a video put out by Open Doors about North Korea. If you are interest in watching, click here and then click the video at the bottom. Today Ross and I will be praying for Iran, number 2 on Open Doors world watch list(rankings based on how persecuted the church is in that country). 

IRAN(from OPEN DOORS)

Leader: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Population: 74.2 million (450,000 Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Islamic republic 
World Watch Rank: 02

There was a sharp increase in the number of Christians arrested at the start of 2010. Although some were later released, pressure on the church remains high. Many of the approximately 350,000 believers from a Muslim background live in fear of harassment by the government. The regime lost credibility following the turmoil of the 2009 elections, and in an effort to distract attention from continuing protests against it, it is increasingly lashing out against Christians.

Please Pray:

• For protection for Christians in prison, and for perseverance for those under surveillance
• There is a huge need for Bibles. Ask God to supply His people with His Word.
• The majority of the population is under 30. Pray that many will be reached with the gospel and find real freedom in Jesus.

An Invitation

We (Ross and I) would like to extend the invitation to pray through Ramadan, both for the progress of the gospel in the Muslim world, and for the persecuted Christian Church.

Link to the 30-Day Prayer Guide PDF 

Country Profile: North Korea (From Open Doors)

Leader: Kim Jong-il 
Population: 20 million (400,000 Christians)
Main Religion: Atheism/traditional beliefs 
Government: Communist dictatorship 
World Watch Rank: 01

Nowhere in the world is Christian persecution so fierce. Christians have to hide their faith; Christian parents can't even share their beliefs with their children until they are old enough to understand the dangers. Owning a Bible could get you killed, or sent to a harsh labour camp. In 2010 hundreds of Christians were arrested. Some were murdered, others sentenced to labour camps. Despite the risks, the church is growing: there are an estimated 400,000 believers.

Please Pray:

• For endurance for the 50,000 and 70,000 Christians in labour camps
• For parents who want to teach their children about Jesus
• In 2010 Kim Jong-Un was elevated to second in command. Pray that the situation will change for Christians when he becomes the new leader.

Secret Believers

For anyone who wants a good read and to learn a little about Islam and Christianity in the Middle East, here is an inspirational story of how Muslims are turning to Christ and their lives after they do. This book is very captivating and easy to read as well as an eye opener to the persecution of Christians happening in the world today. Through their stories you will be challenged as well as encouraged in regard to faith, evangelism, and gospel-centered living. This book is on my top ten favs. Maybe even top five.

We in the west know little about persecution, but if you want to read more about persecution in the world today and the growth of the church, Open Doors International has a great website that has tons of information and resources to keep you informed. I highly recommend this website as well, especially if you are interested in learning more or praying during this Ramadan season. Click here to visit their site and enjoy. If you want to do your own sort of prayer calendar to include prayer for specific countries, you can go to the persecution tab and click country profiles and it will show a list of countries that oppress Christians and things you can pray for. This is how I was first introduced to praying through Ramadan, and I enjoyed learning current religious affairs in these countries and how to pray for them.

Ramadan Begins

Today marks the beginning of Ramadan. Why is that worth posting about, you may ask? Because Ross and I felt called to France largely because of the the large Muslim population(about 4.7 million), and as you may know Ramadan in their holy month. The equivalent in our culture might be the Christmas season minus the commercialism and Santa Clause and add in a large to/not to do list everyday. Over the past several years Ross and I have spent the month doing a fast of some sort and praying for the Muslim world and our Muslim friends. Last year in Denton we even had the opportunity to break fast with one of Ross' Saudi friends and his fiancé, which a huge showing of hospitality. All that to say, Ramadan is the most important month of the Islam calendar and a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY big deal in the Muslim world. Did you know that they are not allowed water during fasting hours?! Did you also know that in some Islamic countries no restaurant can be open during fasting hours and there can be no advertisement of food/drinks anywhere that may tempt an observer to break fast?

This year we are going to be praying through a 30 day prayer calendar and attempting some kind of fast. We haven't quite decided what to do this year because we forgot it was starting TODAY and we aren't in our own space yet and on our own schedules. If you would like to join us in praying, click here for the link.

I'll keep you posted on the fast. I'll be honest in saying it's not always my favorite month of the year because of fasting, but always an eye-opening one.

Hard but Good

Ross and I sort of laugh when we hear people in Christian circles talk about something in life being "hard but good".  Not that we think they are being fake, but just that most things in life can be considered 'hard but good' things. Well, for us support raising definitely falls into that category.  Throw parenting in to the mix and the feelings grow.

Most of this process has been very encouraging. Sure it has had it's moments of discouragement, frustration, and exhaustion. But overall, 90% of the time we've been amazed by what God has provided through our friends and family and network of supporters.

Since being back in Ruston, however, it's become harder for me. Maybe it's that I play a more direct role in the process and I struggle with doing the task well, maybe it's feelings of homesickness, maybe it's being discontent with the uncertainty of our days and future plans. Maybe, just maybe, it's God showing me a few (many) things. Things like my lack of prayer, time in His Word, my selfishness and impatience with my family, and most of all (from the words of Owen's Bible) His unchanging, never-ending, always and forever love.

Hard but good.

Our Big Fat Gypsy Life

Anyone seen that show "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" about gypsies in England....well our life be like that-minus the weddings. Well minus a lot of stuff, but ya know.

We moved out of our apartment in May and since have been on the road. Denton to Ruston to Navarre Beach, FL to Atlanta to Columbia to Myrtle Beach back to Columbia to Charlotte to Columbia to Clemson and Greenville and then back to Columbia. Whew! In the next week, we will be back to Ruston.

We've had some great time with family and had a few successful support appointments, so all it all it's been a great trip and all worth it!

The big question we get most of the time is when are we going to be leaving for France. The short answer is that we don't know...just waiting on the Lord to bring the support in. If anyone who reads this (all three of you) and you want to get our email updates, just send me your email address and we'll put you on the list!

Here a few pics of the last month. Enjoy!