As we all know, persecution comes in many forms, sometimes it involves Christians being martyred, and other times it's not as life threatening. Today I wanted to highlight a few news items I found interesting coming from America. These focus more on attacks on prayer, free speech and vandalism at churches, and while they might not be persecution at the level we see in communist or Islamic nations, there is definitely hostility to the gospel, and in some cases people who are supposedly following the gospel, who are doing some very wrong things.

Today we have another story from Mission Network News in which VOM's Todd Nettleton shares about how common it is for Christians to be accused of proselytism when they are doing humanitarian aid work. Click here for the full story.

This week Todd, Mark, and Mary Sue talk about Iran, Vietnam, and China. Also, we get an update on VOM’s PSP program.

You may also read more at China Aid.

Today I'd like to ask you to write a letter to Tohar Haydarov, who was arrested and put in prison in Uzbekistan in March of this year. Please take a few minutes to pray and write a letter or encouragement, because it could make a huge difference in Tohar's case. Below is more information from our Prisoner Alert page. Click here to write your letter now.

I recently read this story about Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM’s founders, in the book In God’s Underground. This excerpt is long, but I think it’s worth the read. I love the picture it shows of the Wurmbrand’s hearts.

On July 18, government security forces arrested 15 Christian converts traveling to the city of Bojnoord to meet with other believers, according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN).In what appeared to be a coordinated effort, security forces stopped the Christians’ bus in Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan, Iran. Authorities boarded the bus, arrested 15 believers and took them to the Ministry of Information’s central detention center. According to FCNN, the believers were subjected to harsh and inhumane interrogations. After being held for a week, 13 of the Christians were conditionally released after signing promissory notes and posting bail. At last report, the two remaining detainees, 48-year-old Reza and 23-year-old Ehsan Behrooz, remained in detention because they refused to sign any forms or post bail. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with persecuted believers in Iran. Pray that the Lord will strengthen these new believers as they face this trial. Pray that the two remaining detainees will be released without charge and that their strong testimony will lead others to consider the source of their peace and strength.

Over the weekend I was following this horrific story that many have been talking about in the last 48 hours. If you haven't heard, over the weekend it was reported that ten Christian aid workers working with International Assistance Mission, were brutally killed by the Taliban.

Update: We thank our friends who have helped in the campaigns below. Your support helps families of imprisoned Christians know that they are not forgotten. It is not too late to help. You can still request postcards to mail to Esther's mom.