Persecution Blog

No Guarantees for Refugees

Are you tired of stories about Syrian refugees? It’s been all over the news since Paris was attacked and around 130 people were killed in three separately coordinated attacks.

Our Christian brothers and sisters in places like Iraq and Syria face extraordinary dangers every day. There are strongly-worded articles both for and against allowing refugees to resettle in the United States. On one side, we argue for compassion and love. On the other, we argue for our safety.

So what should we do? As a starting point, it is helpful to be aware as one can about what Christians in the Middle East and other parts of the world face. Just as the attacks by ISIS terrified people in Paris, so too are people facing Islamic extremists around the world. No one is really safe, and it is God who measures out our days.

Additionally, keep in mind that we can still help Muslims, Yezidis and other refugees seeking safety (here or in other countries). If you are compelled to offer immediate assistance, there are a number of things that you can do to reach out to Christians facing Islamic extremists and to share the love of Christ with those who are suffering. VOM is sending Action Packs as well as Outreach Packs to places where Iraqi and Syrian refugees have many needs.  For Christians, it is to know that they are not forgotten. For Muslims, it is to know that God really does love them.

“Ann Kay” is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.

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VOMRadio: VOM Standing with Displaced Christians in Iraq

Tens of thousands of Christians have been displaced by the advance of the Islamic State in Iraq. Many families were forced out of their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

This week on VOMRadio, Todd and Adam discuss traveling to Iraq to deliver aid from VOM to those displaced Christians, hearing their stories of suffering and seeing first-hand how God is working even during this time of upheaval and suffering in Iraq. We’ll also discuss how listeners can pray for and support these believers.

 

You can watch Todd's video diary from the Iraq trip that Adam and Todd are discussing here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4. You can learn about the launch of VOMRadio here, and listen to all episodes.

Help Reach Syrian Muslims for Christ

Syrian Christians have asked for care packages to share with their Muslim neighbors.

The Voice of the Martyrs has distributed Action Packs to persecuted Christians in countries like Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan for many years. These care packages, filled or sponsored by Christians in the United States, contain clothing, bedding, toiletries and other items of need.

Now our front-line workers in and around Syria want to share these packs with Muslim, Syrian refugees as a demonstration of Christ’s love for them. They believe these packs will help open the door for the gospel.

We are excited to come alongside these faithful Christians in this incredible outreach opportunity, and we invite you to help us equip these front-line workers. Through a network of workers in and around Syria, VOM hopes to distribute 10,000 Outreach Packs. You can join us in one of two ways:

1. Fill Your Own Outreach Pack

You can receive Outreach Packs from VOM, fill them yourselves with items from an enclosed list and return the packs to The Voice of the Martyrs for distribution. Your $7 donation for each Outreach Pack covers the cost of the bag, shipping to you and final distribution.

Fill a Syrian Outreach Pack(s)

 

2. Sponsor an Outreach Pack

You can sponsor Outreach Pack(s) to be filled in the field (you will not receive an Outreach Pack). Your $30 donation for each pack covers the cost of all items in the bag, the bag itself and distribution.

Sponsor Syrian Outreach Pack(s)

Thank you for joining us in this outreach to Muslim, Syrian refugees. The Outreach Pack ministry is a great project for families, youth groups, Sunday school classes or even your entire church.

Fill an Action Pack for Persecuted Christians

We are thankful that because of your support, The Voice of the Martyrs is making a difference in the lives of persecuted Christians.

Through VOM's Action Pack program, you can bless a Christian family in crisis. We are currently sending Action Packs to Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan. When Christian churches or villages are attacked in these countries, VOM responds by providing affected believers with Action Packs and Bibles. Action Packs, which include basic necessities, are often the first bit of practical help VOM can provide.

For every $7 you donate to the Action Pack program, you will receive a special, pre-printed vacuum bag to fill with items you select from the list included with the bag. After filling your Action Pack, you mail it back to The Voice of the Martyrs and we distribute it along with a color Gospel storybook, "He Lived Among Us."

Read how Dominic M. used her birthday as an opportunity to get others involved in the Action Pack ministry:

"With my 17th birthday coming soon, I wanted to do something different. I felt that God wanted me to involve myself in the Action Pack ministry. I decided to have people bring money to be used to purchase and fill Action Packs, instead of buying me gifts. When I told my parents, they told my pastor. Now, my church will be involved in promoting the Action Packs. I am amazed that God used a unique idea He gave for a party to involve an entire church in supporting the persecuted church. I am just amazed at God's planning. You never know what might happen when you obey Him."

Our ministry to the persecuted church is not possible without obedient servants like Dominic and you. Thank you for taking the time to get involved! Click here to order your Action Pack today!

Have You Sent an Action Pack Recently?

This morning as I was going out to get my morning cup of coffee my neighbor was walking by my driveway with her grand daughter and her little dog and so we decided to talk for a few minutes.  During our conversation my neighbor asked me if I had a vacuum cleaner with attachments because she said that she had some bed comforters that she wanted to ship to the Philippines and needed to suck the air out of the plastic bags that she was going to pack the comforters in.  I told her I did and would be happy to let her use my vacuum cleaner.

As a result, this got me thinking about my mother because she used to love to clean (seriously, I think it was a hobby) and also because ten years ago when my mother died, I took her clothes and vacuum packed them and shipped them to The Voice of the Martyrs using their Action Pack Program.

And since I haven't mentioned this wonderful program in quite some time, I thought that I would just let you know that the Action Pack program is one of the easiest and one of the most important missions aspect of The Voice of the Martyrs.

How it works is pretty simple.  All you have to do is order an Action Pack and then we'll send a special pre-printed vacuum bag back to you that you can fill with the items listed on the sheet that comes with the bag.  

Right now Action Packs are needed for Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan.  Also, once you pack your materials and send it back to The Voice of the Martyrs, we'll also include a color Gospel storybook, He Lived Among Us, so the message of Christ is always shared.

Please click here to learn more about how to order your Action Pack and then take "action" and you'll be a blessing to others and share the love of Jesus in this unique way.

Iraqi Refugees Receive VOM Action Packs

As you watch this, please consider putting together an Action Pack today. It's easy and you can do it yourself or you can do it with friends from your church, bible study or even your neighbors.

This video shows the joy and hope that you can bring will such a simple act. Click here to get involved in the Action Pack program today.

IRAQ: BELIEVER KILLED IN KIRKUK

On June 7, a Christian businessman was shot to death in front of his home in Kirkuk, Iraq, according to VOM Canada. Those who witnessed the murder of 34-year-old Hani Salim Wadi described it as a “targeted killing.”

Several Christians in Kirkuk and Mosul have been attacked in recent months, and Christians in Iraq have expressed fear of renewed violence. Chaldean Archbishop Emil Nona said, “We are seeing another, the umpteenth, attack against Christians. The violence continues without relief.”

The killing of Hani Salim Wadi is the latest in a series of attacks on Christians in Kirkuk. In April, three Christians were killed and three others wounded. In one attack, assailants slit the throats of a Christian woman and her daughter-in-law, killing them both. In another attack on Christians, gunmen shot a father and his three sons. One of the sons died instantly and the others were wounded.

Since 2003, Christian leaders, churches and businesses in Iraq have been targeted by Islamic extremists, and many believers have fled the violence. In October 2008, more than seven Christians were killed and more than 200 families displaced. The Christian community in Iraq is estimated to be only 3 percent of Iraq’s 26 million people, or about 800,000.

Pray for Hani Salim Wadi’s wife, daughter and extended family as they mourn their loss. Ask God to guard the hearts of Iraqi Christians against fear so they can continue serving him with boldness.

VOM supports persecuted believers in Iraq in a variety of ways. In 2008 we provided 300 Action Packs to persecuted and displaced believers in Mosul.

If you'd like to help with an Action Pack, please click here and learn how you can support the mission of The Voice of the Martyrs today.

Action Packs for Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan

Last night I was at my midweek bible study and I was so excited because as we were going through our lesson the cool topic of how we as a group can minister to others came up.  As the discussion progressed I was so happy to bring up The Voice of the Martyrs and how all of us as a group can minister along side VOM.

The two ways I shared with my friends were about the Action Packs program and the Prisoner Alert program.

Today what I want to highly encourage you to do is consider doing a special project with our Voice of the Martyrs Action Pack program.  It's easy and it's fun.  Here's the gist of what the action packs do. (In case you've never heard of the program.)

First, check out our special page for Action Packs.  On this page you'll find all the information you need and  you'll be able to pick the country you want to send your action pack to.

Second, pick your country.  Right now we have Pakistan, Iraq and the Sudan.

Third, consider the items VOM asks you to put together and if you don't have everything, this is where you can ask your friends or coworkers to help you.

Fourth, order your action pack package from VOM so you can gather all of the items you've collected and then ship them back to VOM so they can send it to the country you've chosen.

It's really that simple and it's really that easy and it's really FUN.  So what are you waiting for...put your faith into action today!

The Joy of Receiving an Action Pack from The Voice of the Martyrs

Todd shared this information in the VOM Facebook group, and I thought our blog readers would like a glimpse behind the scenes of a recipients  of the action packs.  Pretty cool!

This distribution happened in Pakistan and the picture the child is holding is of the people who sent the Action Pack.  If you want to send an Action Pack please click here to learn more. You can send an Action Pack to Pakistan, Sudan or Iraq.

Time to Send an Action Pack to Pakistan

Did know that The Voice of the Martyrs  has sent more than 6000 Action Packs to Iraqi Christians in the last two years?  It's true and we are so thankful for all of you who have participated in this most important ministry.

Action packs provide basic necessities to believers who have been terrorized by Islamic war.  And I want you to learn more about how you can help today.

Please visit our special Action Pack page and help us get more Action Packs into Pakistan.