As you know many of the graduates of LTC serve in places where Christians are not welcome. They come to LTC to be trained and equipped and then sent back into Harms' Way in their country. This evening, June 9th, Sharon and I bumped into three of our graduates who serve under difficult circumstances. They had come across the border for some meetings here and we saw them at the local food market.
I had last seen them a year ago this month when I made a short trip to their country. I asked them how the work was going. They were very excited to report that a church had been planted in a new village with 16 families. But with the new church has come newer and stronger persecution of the believers. All 16 families have received notice from the local government officials that they can no longer live in their homes or in their village unless they renounce Christ. The have been driven out of their homes.
This is not an uncommon event for this country. However we had hoped that these types of events would lessen. They have not. I asked what the families would do or where they would go. The church leaders said they did not know, and that they are going back to their country in the morning to help and encourage these 16 families.
PLEASE KEEP THESE FAMILIES AND THE CHURCH LEADERS IN YOUR PRAYERS. The Christians in the country are strong and most remain faithful even in the face of harsh persecution. Pray these 16 families stay faithful, pray God provides them with a new place to live, and new jobs. Pray for the leaders, our graduates, who serve the churches in this country. Pray God gives them the strength to carry on and the wisdom to counsel.
Because of the sensitive nature of this event we will not be posting pictures or giving any details as to the location of this church and the church leaders. God knows. You pray.
Impacting SE Asia for Christ,
David & Sharon Filbeck
I had last seen them a year ago this month when I made a short trip to their country. I asked them how the work was going. They were very excited to report that a church had been planted in a new village with 16 families. But with the new church has come newer and stronger persecution of the believers. All 16 families have received notice from the local government officials that they can no longer live in their homes or in their village unless they renounce Christ. The have been driven out of their homes.
This is not an uncommon event for this country. However we had hoped that these types of events would lessen. They have not. I asked what the families would do or where they would go. The church leaders said they did not know, and that they are going back to their country in the morning to help and encourage these 16 families.
PLEASE KEEP THESE FAMILIES AND THE CHURCH LEADERS IN YOUR PRAYERS. The Christians in the country are strong and most remain faithful even in the face of harsh persecution. Pray these 16 families stay faithful, pray God provides them with a new place to live, and new jobs. Pray for the leaders, our graduates, who serve the churches in this country. Pray God gives them the strength to carry on and the wisdom to counsel.
Because of the sensitive nature of this event we will not be posting pictures or giving any details as to the location of this church and the church leaders. God knows. You pray.
Impacting SE Asia for Christ,
David & Sharon Filbeck