A few days ago I posted a story that I picked up from the Catholic News Agency concerning some news that bibles were going to be banned in China, from the athletes, during the 2008 Olympics.

CAIRO, November 7 (Compass Direct News) – Egyptian police this week released two Christian rights activists detained for three months. A host of journalists, lawyers, clergyman, family and friends gathered at the Cairo home of Adel Fawzy Faltas last night to celebrate the acquittal and release on Monday (November 5) of the Egyptian head of the Middle East Christian Association and an associate. Faltas, 61, and colleague Peter Ezzat, 25, had been held on unsubstantiated charges of insulting Islam and tarnishing Egypt’s reputation abroad. Faltas had conducted an online interview with a controversial convert from Islam to Christianity only days before his arrest on August 8. Sporting a wide grin, shorts and tennis shoes as well-wishers pressed around him at his 8th floor flat, Faltas said, “I was always a free man. When you respect yourself and what you are doing, then you are free.”

Pakistan (MNN) -- Next, Pakistani Christians are bracing for more sectarian violence, after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency. Voice of the Martyrs' Todd Nettleton explains: "He has suspended the country's constitution and essentially put the army in control of the country at this point in time. We're hearing reports of opposition party members being rounded up. So this very much is a concerning situation in Pakistan. Obviously, the Christians there could potentially be caught up in the middle of this upheaval." Ministry may be affected. Until public order is restored, Nettleton says, "Right now, any kind of a large gathering is suspect. So any kind of a large church meeting would be suspect to the government. Right now, I think that Christians are keeping their heads down and waiting to see what comes out of this. We need to pray that they'll be safe; we need to pray that they'll be protected; and I think we can also pray that this can be a time of ministry." Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10543

According to a Catholic News Agency report it appears that bibles are on the list of prohibited objects at next years upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The reason? They are a "security" risk. In fact, apparently no religious symbols will be allowed to be present with any of the athletes at the games.

ISTANBUL, October 25 (Compass Direct News) – Muslims who attacked a Pakistani church and declared religious war against Christians from mosque minarets have apologized for their actions, human rights workers said.

Yesterday one of my fellow persecution bloggers shared with you the controversy in China about whether or not bibles should be smuggled into China. Some say no - and others like me say - yes. And if you read this blog all of the time, you know why we say YES - bibles do need to be smuggled.

I am very happy to share with you today that one of the prisoners of the faith has now been released. I would ask that you continue to pray for this dear saint because he is faithful and still being threatened.

Hello Everyone...

One of the great blessings of my role at VOM is to be able to draw on the expertise of our friends around the world, people who see up close the persecution of our brothers and sisters in restricted nations; people who know what’s happening on the ground in restricted nations because they are there!

A few weeks ago I shared a video of some Chinese Christians praying for the coming 2008 Olympics to their land. I remember feeling touched in my spirit as I watched the video because if the Olympics were being held in America we wouldn't have to worry about being persecuted. We have so much to be thankful for here in America!