PERSECU ION International Christian Concern | May 2014
s m i t c i V n e t t Forgo Children: The Forgotten Victims of Persecution. Read their life-affirming stories inside!
INDIA
Delivered from All Distress NAVEEM’S STORY He’s just like any other little boy. He is nervous on his first day of school. He plays football (soccer) and cricket with his friends. He plays on the playground and does his homework. He is giddy with excitement on his birthday; however, his “birthday” is an arbitrary date that was picked because no one knew the actual date. You see, Naveem was orphaned when his parents were martyred for Christ. He was an only child of Christian parents. They were very poor and lived in Orissa, India, just like Ranoj (page 5). In 2008, when he was just a toddler, a massive wave of violence and persecution hit Christians in Orissa. Their homes were burned down, sometimes with believers inside. Christians were beheaded and others buried alive. Hundreds lost their lives; thousands lost their church buildings and meager belongings. During this wave of persecution of Christians, Naveem’s parents were invited for tea by their neighbors. The tea was poisoned and both of his parents died quickly. Naveem was left an orphan and life would never be the same. ICC, along with a partner in India, found Naveem along with 13 other Christian children orphaned from the Orissa this violence. They now live together and receive wonderful care. Our partner says, “They are raised as siblings. They care for each other and are a family.” Some of the children, including Naveem, were so young when their parents died that they hardly remember them, but they remember the feeling of fear and being alone. When asked about his life before coming to live at the ICC home, he said,
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“I was very scared. How would I eat? What would be my future? But God delivered me from all distress…” Having lived in the care of ICC for years now, these 14 children receive a top-notch Christian education, a safe place to live, loving adults to care for them, strong discipleship, and the first birthday parties of their lives!
“I WAS VERY SCARED. HOW WOULD I EAT? WHAT WOULD BE MY FUTURE? BUT GOD DELIVERED ME FROM ALL DISTRESS…”
Despite the sorrow they have faced in their young lives, they are now full of joy and their smiles are infectious! These littlest survivors of persecution have destinies written by the Father Himself. They are being raised to love the Lord and to be the next generation of spiritual leaders of India.
THE REALITY OF PERSECUTION IN INDIA: The 2008 attacks in Orissa were unprecendented; up to 300 Christians were murdered and 50,000 displaced from their homes. Today, Christians continue to suffer from this massive outpouring of violence that has forever changed their lives. Lacking proper housing, sanitation and food, as well as living with constant threat from radical Hindus, they live on the precipice of financial disaster. Because of partners with ICC’s Kids Care fund, these children have a bright future.
You can help today! 800-ICC-5441
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YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN DELIVERS FLOOR SPEECH ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION USING ICC GRAPHIC Advocating for the Persecuted
Rep. Bradley Byrne uses ICC data on persecution while addressing the House of Representatives.
Last month, ICC had the opportunity to raise awareness among members of Congress and the U.S. public on the incredibly alarming decline in the Christian population across the Middle East. Congressman Bradley Byrne from Alabama spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives using an ICC supplied graphic to illustrate the massive decline in the Christian population of the Middle East over the past century.
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70 CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS ASK PRESIDENT TO PUSH FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN SAUDI ARABIA Advocating for the persecuted ICC worked with various human rights organizations on this project.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s fourth most restrictive government in terms of religious freedom; every faith, except Sunni Islam, is illegal. In March, ICC led a coalition of religious freedom organizations to sponsor a congressional letter to President Obama urging him to address human rights and religious freedom in his meeting with the Saudi King. Our support letter was delivered to every member of the House. As a result, 70 Representatives wrote to the President urging him to address religious freedom during his visit to the country. The story was also picked up widely in the media. These media outlet’s also carried the story: Voice of America, Fox News, Daily Beast, Al Monitor, and Charisma.
FAMILIES OF PERSECUTED BELIEVERS ON THE FRONTLINE RECEIVE AID IN CHINA Underground Pastors
Pastor Ma
Early last year, Pastor Ma’s (name changed for security) house church was invaded by intoxicated police officers. When Pastor Ma confronted them, they beat the pastor so severely, the pastor had a heart attack. ICC provided much needed support to Pastor Ma and her family while recovering.
You can help today! 800-ICC-5441
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MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO FAITHFUL SISTER Save Our Sisters
Two ICC-supported pastors in Pakistan visit Amina in the hospital shortly after her husband burned her with acid.
On January 4, Amina Bibi (name changed for security), a female member of an ICC-supported church group in Pakistan was attacked by her husband and severely burned with acid. Amina’s husband was not a believer and did not like that she was attending church every week. He often beat her to discourage her faith. On that fateful night in January, things came to a head and Amina’s husband decided to permanently injure his wife because of her faithfulness to Christ. ICC assisted Amina and her family by providing her with funds for the medical treatment she needed due to the acid burns she received from her husband. ICC will provided local ICC supported pastors with funds which have and will continue to provide for the medical expenses Amina and her family will incur.
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SUPPORTING THE HURTING IN SYRIA Community Rebuild The conflict in Syria is entering into its third year. The needs for this wartorn country are massive. ICC put out a call to support Christian refugees outside the country and those who are still inside. With an incredible response, ICC was able to work with partners and local churches to provide food aid and basic supplies for more than 30,000 people. One of our partners reported: “The local churches are grateful for your support of this ministry of compassion and they did a great job and served with dedication. Your help with winterization was so important, as it suddenly became very cold and in the East there was about one-and-a-half feet of snow within just a few days.” Pray for God’s continued peace to be known in Syria.
Some recipients of ICC’s aid. Please continue to pray for persecuted Christians in Syria.
You can help today! 800-ICC-5441
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NEW LIFE FOR BLASPHEMY VICTIM IN PAKISTAN Hand of Hope: South Asia Peter* was falsely accused of blasphemy in Pakistan and subsequently his shop was attacked by an angry mob and destroyed. Peter went into hiding, and his family suffered due to the loss of income. ICC moved the family to a safer place in Pakistan and provided a small business to help the family get back on their feet.
A GROWING BUSINESS FOR AN EGYPTIAN WIDOW Suffering Wives and Children Nancy’s* husband was killed by an Islamic mob this past summer for his faith. ICC helped Nancy to open a small business to sustain herself. Four months later, Nancy is seeing her business grow and improve!
PRAYERS FROM THE FRONTLINES Africa Often times, the most severe persecution comes from a person’s own family. After a young man’s family discovered his faith in Christ, they beat him and tried to poison him. He is currently in hiding from his family. Please pray for his protection. *Names have been changed for security. 8
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YOU CAN HELP TODAY! SEND DONATIONS TO: ICC PO BOX 8056 SILVER SPRING, MD 20907 OR ONLINE AT WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG
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.
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