On July 24, VOM’s Web site was deliberately attacked forcing us to take the site offline temporarily. Our network engineers say the attack originated outside the United States. We have to believe the intent was to silence the online voice of the persecuted church.

As you may imagine as the Olympics draws nearer the press is covering the happenings in China more. A few days ago you may have read the story about how the Chinese have decided to censor the Internet during the games. This action has outraged many - read the story here. We will also have more reaction about this story from around the blogosphere in an upcoming post.

He heard the decree from his window: “For the next thirty days, anyone who prays to anyone other than the king will be thrown to the lions.”

In case you have not visited VOM’s Bibles Unbound Web site recently, I wanted to highlight the new Covert Operations. A covert operation provides a unique opportunity to provide New Testaments into closed or hostile areas where mailing Bibles is not possible. This is a great addition to Bibles Unbound. In these dangerous, hostile or closed areas, Bibles are delivered by believers who are aware of the challenges of getting the Word of God into these areas. Praise God there are faithful, courageous believers willing to risk all in order to ensure Bibles get into the hands of those who desire them.

Today Voice of the Martyrs issued a great email alert updating us on the success of our Olympic Prayer Band promotion. Praise the Lord for the success and interest of thousands and thousands of people!!!

In our continuing coverage of the Chinese Olympics, I found this story interesting. It appears that the athletes will be receiving a book from Luis Palau called A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian.

On July 20, Pastor Abraham was assaulted by Hindu extremists in Haveri district, Karnataka state, India. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in India, “During a worship service at Friends Mission Prayer Band Church, in Konvallichawla village, 20 members of a radical Hindu group assaulted Pastor Abraham in the presence of his family and congregation. During the attack the mob destroyed all the Christian literature in the church, including Bibles.”

In an article from Christian Today we read the awful story about a Chinese couple who have been forced to live on the streets following repeated harassment and intimidation by government authorities.