Our great friends at Compass Direct have a story today that is highlighting some hope that is coming into North Korea. As you all may know, if you read this blog frequently, North Korea is not friendly to Christianity or Christians. North Korea has been named as one of the top nations who persecute Christians for many years in a row. However, we know the Lord in Heaven is in control and is working out His plans for His good.

Reading this story today from our friends at Farsi Christian News Network , just grieves my heart. I know we are to expect persecution as followers of Christ, but to be honest, some days it really grieves my heart. I think today, it's grieving my heart because I see so many Christians not taking their faith seriously, who have freedom and then there are stories like this, where it is evident that a brother and sisters are suffering for their faith in Jesus. Please don't take your faith in Jesus for granted...please read on.

On March 16, The People’s High Court of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region rejected an appeal from Uyghur house-church leader Alimujiang Yimiti, according to ChinaAid Association.

We have good news from China Aid today, as they are reporting that on April 17th, Pastor Dou was released a little bit early from his one year Re-education Through Labor Sentence, which began in June 2009.

On March 9, Sung Cua Po, a Hmong Christian, fled into the forest with his family after authorities ordered their expulsion, according to Compass Direct News.

As some of you may know, we have been covering some of the prayer battles in the city council meetings across the country. One of the most popular, in recent days, is the battle to keep prayer in Lancaster.

Yesterday Maryam and Marzieh went back to court and initial reports from Elam Ministries says that they were both released after the court hearing, but the case is not settled.