When Hannelie Groenewald and her family left their comfortable home in South Africa to serve on the front lines in Afghanistan, they knew the danger. But God's call was clear, and they went in spite of the risk. Hannelie became not only wife and mom, but also teacher and doctor and cook in a country that isn't known for welcoming foreigners--especially women.

"Bob" and "Kasey" were living the "American Dream." Bob retired from a good job, but in retirement he began to experience what he calls a "Holy discontent." He felt God calling him to lay everything on the altar.

By now you know of VOM’s 2017 IDOP video called Hannelie and have read the October newsletter with her story.

VOM's Todd Nettleton was interviewed this week by Mission Network News' Lyndsey Koh for a story about the battle for Mosul, and especially what the freeing of that city will mean for Christians in the region. Here is an excerpt from the resulting story:

Recently, a few of us from The Voice of the Martyrs had the pleasure of visiting a long-time VOM supporter. 100-year-old Edna Bealle has been supporting VOM for 25 years.

God is at work in Iran! Nazanin works in a call center for Mohabat TV, one of our VOM partners broadcasting the gospel into Iran and surrounding nations via satellite TV and internet. Each day Nazanin and her team take calls from inside Iran. Many are from Muslims who want to know more about Jesus and even commit their lives to following Him. Other callers are Muslims who want to argue against the Christian message or convert the call center workers back to Islam. Some are even threatening and angry.

Most of us are aware – and concerned – of the refugee crisis surging against Europe’s shores, though media attention has moved on by now. Greek Coast guard members continue to pull desperate people out of the ocean almost daily, and huge refugee camps in Greece and elsewhere are home to tens of thousands of refugees, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.