Editor’s Note: Miriam Eva is a volunteer with VOM. She traveled to the Middle East on a short-term basis with another mission organization that has a focus on the Muslim world. Though VOM works in the Middle East, we do not lead volunteers on trips there. However, we can connect you to good partner organizations that do. Let us know if you are interested.

“But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 (ESV)

Karlygash continues to wait and pray for the release of her husband, Yklas Kabduakasov, who is serving two years in a labor camp because of his Christian faith. Yklas, a former Muslim, was arrested in August 2015 for “inciting religious hatred.” He began serving the prison term in December 2015, but Karlygash hopes for an early release. She and their four children have not been able to see Yklas much because visitation is limited to a few hours every two months and the prison is 280 miles from their home. Please pray that Karlygash and the family will remain strong and find comfort during this time.

VOM Radio host Todd Nettleton recently travelled to meet with persecuted Christians in the Middle East. This week he shares highlights from the trip and stories of some of the Christians that he had a chance to meet, including a former prisoner in Iran, a pastor working with refugees from Iraq and Syria and a Turkish believer who shared the challenges of raising children in an overwhelmingly-Islamic culture.

The Voice of the Martyrs USA is part of a worldwide family of missions that were started through the influence of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand. SDOK is VOM’s sister mission in the Netherlands. Stef is SDOK’s children’s publication and website.

“When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Psalm 91:15

“Like that the Lord said to me, ‘They are persecuting Me. Will you lend Me your body? It is Me they are persecuting. Will you love them? Will you love these that persecute you?’ It was in that moment that He started giving me the strength of the Holy Spirit to withstand.”

The United States and Cuba have resumed diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of animosity. President Obama recently visited Cuba. But has anything changed for the church or for Cuban Christians?

ISIS wasn’t on my radar screen until the day in June 2014 when the violent Islamist group entered Mosul, Iraq. I’d been closely following the devastation caused by Islamist groups in Syria, but I never dreamed it would overflow into Iraq, driving thousands of Christians out of Mosul and eventually many more out of the Nineveh Plains.

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:10 (ESV)