Special thanks to our friends at Mission Network News. This appeared in today's email alert from MNN and you can also see the story online at their newly redesigned website.

This week while I was reading about our persecuted brothers and sisters in different parts of the world, I was reminded about the families of these precious believers. When you hear of pastors in India being attacked by Hindu extremists or house-church members beaten and tortured in China, do you ever wonder how their families must be hurting? I certainly do.

WDC Media News is quoting VOM's Todd Nettleton today regarding the escalation of persecution in the region of Uzbekistan. Just as in India persecution is increasing, it is also increasing in this area of the former Soviet bloc country.

Have you noticed that we've been focusing a lot on India this week? It seems like the Lord is trying to get our attention about this country. Even this morning when I was at my weekly prayer meeting with the leaders of my church one of the women who was there began talking about India and how hard it is for Christians there, and that's not really surprising when the population is overwhelmingly Hindu. This is a great opportunity to pray for India and to ask the Lord to bring in more of a harvest for Him.

I have been asking myself the question: why don’t we ever hear about the persecuted church from our pulpits? I have been a Christian for many years, but I have never heard a sermon about our brothers and sisters around the world who are dying because of their faith. I guess it is not appealing to tell congregations about the many hardships, torture and death of believers, but I know that it is our responsibility to obey what the Bible tells us. In Hebrews 13:3, we are instructed to “remember those in prison, as you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” If we think of our persecuted family the way the Word of God wants us to, there is no way we will not get involved. Since I started working for VOM my life has been impacted tremendously. I did not realize the suffering that our persecuted family faces daily because of their belief in Jesus Christ. I appreciate the freedom to worship that we have in America.

INDIA – On December 23, 2006, Hindu extremists burnt down a church and disrupted services in several Indian states. They continued their harassment and arrested carol-singers on Christmas Eve.

When the year ends we start wondering what changes have to be made in our lives for the coming year. Most of us want to lose weight, buy a membership to the gym or decide to take up a new hobby which will “enhance” our quality of life. Unfortunately, the excitement lasts until maybe March and then we fall off the wagon and slip back into our old habits.

During this time of year we hear people saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” We hear this phrase so many times during the Christmas season we run the risk of it sounding cliché. Sometimes the same words repeated often can be “tuned out” and as a result they lose their powerful meaning. There are so many things happening around us this time of year. The malls are packed with people looking for a good deal, tables are overflowing with food and families are driving hundreds of miles to celebrate this joyous season. In all the activity, I encourage and challenge you not to forget our family in chains.

Christianity Today has an article today titled Fleeing Nineveh about Assyrian Christians who are under persecution. Check it out here.

This week I thought we'd focus a little bit on what's happening in Uzbekistan. Here's some of the latest news we have.