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!

Packing, Packing, and More Packing

Moving is hard work. Moving isn't fun. I can't believe when I was younger I wanted my parents to move because I thought it would be fun. I obviously was a silly 12 year old.

So we're hitting the road Tuesday for a summer of support raising. We are soon to be in Louisiana and South Carolina and surrounding areas. Here's to getting Owen VERY used to travel and a car seat!

Last Week

My grandfather past away on Saturday. He was 85 and had a hard last 10 years of his life, but it's always hard to say good-bye even when you know they are in a better place.

We'll be in Ruston this weekend for the funeral on Saturday morning.

This Easter Paw-Paw will be celebrating  and worshipping in Heaven.

Scratch That...It's Genetic

In a recent post, I showed a picture of Owen's best lightening McQueen impression. Well, we've decided it's less of an impression and more of a quirk inherited from Dad.

How to Eat Like the French

We had the pleasure of having some good friends and supporters over last night for dinner, and we decided to have a traditional French dinner much like we experienced when we were in Nice three years ago. So if you want to eat like the French, here's how:

1. Start with the aperitif. Usually it is some kind of mixed drink, much like cocktails here in the U.S. We started with champagne which is usually the drink of choice for special occasions.

2. Entrees or appetizers are next. We just had a spread of olives, pickled artichokes, and some blue cheese and garlic butter to spread on a bread. SO good.

3. Main course comes third. Coq a Vin was on the menu with a side of rice. A note if you do ever cook French food, it's not hard to cook any of it but it does take some time. Make sure you start early or do your prep work the night before.

4. Cheese and salad course is next. This is out of place seemingly to Americans, but it is actually very refreshing. Always go with a Camembert or Brie cheese because they are both distinctly French. We also had goat cheese rounds on a baguette with our salad.

4. Last comes coffee and dessert, which is usually fruit and maybe some candies. We had a chocolate pastry just because we like them along with clementines. Usually the French leave the table for this part of the meal and would retire to the living room.

Wine is served throughout all courses, and the French often eat very slowly. Put plenty of time between courses and serve smaller portions so that you don't eat too much. We didn't do that part so well, or we just ate too much. Give it a try, it's fun!

Or just come eat at our house!