A few weeks ago we asked you to join us in writing more letters to Pastor Youcef, so that we keep the pressure on his captors and keep them aware that people are watching internationally what is happening with Pastor Youcef, and also because we want to genuinely offer encouragement to Pastor Youcef and let him know that we are standing with him in prayer and hoping for his release.

Last week we challenged you to join us in helping us write 12,000 letters to Pastor Youcef who is in prison and has received a death sentence for being a follower of Jesus Christ. This week I am happy to share that 113 more letters have been written to Pastor Youcef and I'm convinced we can reach our goal.

Our friends at the American Center for Law & Justice continue to stand on the frontlines in getting the word out about Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and his impending death sentence. As a result, of the ACLJ's great work, now the Tweet for Youcef campaign has reached Brazil.

Today I wanted to give you an update on our letter writing campaign for Gao Zhisheng who is serving time in a China prison for defending Christians and for being a Christian. A few weeks ago we asked you to help us reach a goal of 5000 letters written to Gao, and I'm happy to share with you today that, as of the time of this writing, 5010 letters have been written!

For the last few weeks we've been asking you to help us reach 5000 letters for Gao Zhisheng who is in prison for his faith in Jesus Christ and defending Christians. Gao has been tortured for his faith and his case is well known internationally. For background on Gao, please visit www.freegao.com

Journalist and Christian activist Li Ying was released from prison in China on Dec. 25, 2011, just three years shy of completing a 15-year sentence she received because of her work on an underground Christian magazine. Li was arrested in April 2001 along with 16 others from the South China Church.

Earlier today The Voice of the Martyrs found out through some of our friends, that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's life is in imminent danger. Once again the authorities in Iran, have offered him a chance to save his life and recant his faith in Jesus Christ or face death.

Last week we encouraged you to take a few minutes and write Gao who has been suffering for Christ in prison for over 200 days. I'm happy to share that another 276 letters were written to Gao, just last week!! Amazing! You all wrote more letters last week than in the previous few weeks before that. Thank you so much!!

A few weeks ago we shared with you that we would like to reach 5000 letters written to our dear brother Gao, who is still in prison suffering for his faith in Jesus. I'm very happy and encouraged by the response of all of you who have taken the time to write. We have had an additional 207 letters written to Gao in the last few weeks! Praise the Lord!