The following two news items talk about how a Chinese citizen of North Korean descent provided humanitarian aid to two Christian North Koreans in 2002, and how he was finally able to get asylum here in the United States. In some ways this story is unbelievable, and in another it's the sign of the times.

Doing some research this morning for this blog, I came across this very well written article from Raymond Ibrahim of Jihad Watch. The full article is worthy of being read. Click here to read the full article. Here are a few snips from it, worthy of thought.

Please take a few minutes to offer up this family and the Rev. William Reyes in prayer. Pray for their peace and comfort and for a break in this case. Missing someone is hard, but not even knowing where a person is, is even harder. Thanks for praying today for this dear family and situation.

I wanted to share with you this gem of an article I found written by By Steve Zalusky at the Daily Herald. I found it inspiring, and I hope you do too. Read the full article here.

The following news is from our good friends at Mission Network News.

“Before we finish this funeral service,” her words rang out clearly to the thousand people in attendance, “I want to tell you what my husband told me before dying. He asked me to tell all his murderers that he goes to heaven loving wholeheartedly everybody, including his assassins. He has forgiven all for what they have done because Jesus loves and will also forgive them.”

We have some good news to report today via our friends at Open Doors and BosNewsLife. They are both reporting that three elderly Christian men have been released on bail from a military prison camp and police facility in Eritrea.

This is from our friends at Compass Direct.

The following news is from AsiaNews.itThe police and town authorities oppose a funeral for a man because his wife and son are Christian. Later they allow it, but in practically concealed form. Christians sentenced to prison solely because they gather together and pray. Persecution expanded against those who do not adhere to the country's official religion, Islam.

The following was a press release distributed today from Gospel for Asia.