India: Hindus Incited Against Christians at Major Gathering

The Narmada Samajik Kumbh, a major Hindu rally that drew nearly 2 million people to the banks of Narmada River, came to a close on Feb. 13. The incendiary rhetoric against Christians at the gathering in Madhya Pradesh has incited fear and pushed Christian leaders to ask the government for protection.

Father George, a Catholic priest in charge of Mission Mandala, said that most of the anti-Christian speeches at the Kumbh were directed against Christian missionaries. In particular, the last speaker said that Christians are here primarily to carry out conversions. He said, "Christians are like bed bugs, who hide under the guise of so-called missionary work, and drink the blood of the innocent vulnerable people and bed bugs should be killed or else they will continue drinking blood."

Though Father George pointed out that people seemed uninterested in these talks, he expressed concern about the impact this Kumbh may have on Christian missionaries.

[Source: Asia News]

Pray that the hate-filled words of the speakers will fall to the ground and die and that they will not take root in the hearts and minds of the people. Pray for a hedge of protection around Christians and missionaries in India and for Hindu conversions to Christ.

"Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us." Isaiah 8:10

VOM provides assistance to persecuted believers in India by supplying Bibles and other resources. VOM's Families of Martyrs fund is used to assist families who have lost loved ones in attacks.

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Indonesia: Christian Churches Burned

On Feb. 8, radical Muslims clashed with police and burned two churches in Indonesia to protest the "lenient" sentence given to a Christian convicted of blaspheming Islam. Antonius Bawengan, 58, received the maximum, five-year sentence for distributing books and literature that allegedly spread hatred about Islam.

A crowd estimated at more than 1,000 people attacked police with stones outside the courthouse in central Java, saying the man should have received the death penalty. The mob then set two churches on fire, burning the roofs, and damaged a third.

In a statement posted on the U.S. Embassy website in Jakarta, Ambassador Scot Marciel said the United States "joins the vast majority of Indonesians" in deploring the violence. He encouraged the Indonesian government to continue to foster tolerance and protect the rights of all
communities.

Source: Voice of America

Pray for a hedge of protection around Christians and churches in Indonesia. Pray that the Christians will not shrink back in fear but persevere in Christ. Pray for a Muslim awakening in Indonesia, for many hearts to turn to God Almighty.

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:5

VOM provides various forms of assistance to Christians in Indonesia, including discipleship training and transportation for pastors.

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Egypt: Christians Killed During Political Crisis

On Jan. 30, just days after the demonstrations to reform or overthrow the Egyptian government got underway, Muslims in the south of the country took advantage of the general chaos to break into two homes belonging to Coptic Christians and butcher every man, woman and child they could find. The Muslim assailants massacred 11 people and seriously wounded four others.

Survivors of the attack told the Assyrian International News Agency the attackers were aided by Muslim neighbors of the Christian families.
Fear is spreading that if Egypt falls into the hands of the radical Muslim Brotherhood, godfather of extremist groups across the region, the 10 million Coptic Christians in Egypt will face severe persecution, or worse.

Source: Israel Today

Remember Christians in Egypt and other countries in the Middle East where persecution is escalating due to Islamic radicalization. Pray that they are constantly aware of God's presence, protection and provision. Pray for a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Middle East, that many will come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

VOM assists Christians in Egypt through its Family of Prisoners Fund, Christian radio broadcasts and discipleship training for Muslim converts.

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Somalia: Christian Mother of Four Slain

Asha Mberwa, a wife and mother of four, was killed for her Christian faith on Jan. 7 near Mogadishu by al-Shabaab Muslim extremists. Asha was arrested the previous day by the insurgent group, according to a relative reporting anonymously to Compass Direct News. She died when the militants cut her throat in front of villagers who came out of their homes as witnesses. The relative, whose location was withheld for security reasons, said he had phoned her on Jan. 5 trying to make arrangements to move her family out of the area.

"Al-Shabaab extremists, who control large parts of Mogadishu, were able to monitor the conversation and confirm that she had become a Christian," the relative said. Asha reportedly feared that she and her family were in danger.

Asha's relative said a "good Samaritan" in Mogadishu was caring for her children, ages 12, 8, 6 and 4. Asha's husband fled to an unknown location after Asha began receiving threatening messages.

Pray that the Lord will bring comfort and peace to Asha's family, especially her husband and children. Pray for God's protection over Christians in Somalia as al-Shabaab is determined to rid the country of its Christians. Pray that somehow, whether through dreams and visions or through personal witness, the Lord would reveal himself to the Muslim militants and turn the tide of hate.

"And you shall be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 13:13

The Voice of the Martyrs assists Somali pastors in areas of intense persecution. – February, 2011

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