News at ABWE
Underground, but Uplifted
Dima*, a close friend of ABWE missionaries serving in Central Asia was dragged into the police station last month, where he was interrogated, threatened, and beaten. He was detained overnight in a filthy cell, and the next day he was given the runaround in the courtroom. Currently, Dima is in hiding, moving from house to house and awaiting trial for his involvement in religious activities. His family of believers, also under scrutiny for religious activity, remains strong in the Lord and senses His uplifting Spirit.
Seven other students were arrested with Dima. Two of them have since renounced their faith in Jesus Christ. We believe their lives were threatened, along with the lives of their relatives.
The family of another Central Asian pastor, previously arrested for sharing the gospel, continues to receive death threats. His house church of 15 to 20 people has not been able to meet together for over a month due to recent raids meant to break up such religious groups. On a regular basis, the homes of believers in Central Asia are being stormed and ransacked by secret police looking for religious paraphernalia.
Believers in underground churches are shaken, yet they persist in finding other ways to fellowship together. They would not ask you to pray that the persecution would stop, but rather that they would remain strong in the Lord while they suffer. They realize that times of great church growth happen under the most severe circumstances.
The greatest concern for missionaries serving in the lands of the persecuted church is deportation. They risk being kicked out of the country and not being allowed to return.
But, national believers have nowhere else to go. They must stay-- and they stay with gladness. These men and women are heroes of the faith. Please pray for their spiritual strength and pray for ABWE missionaries who are striving to be an encouragement to them.
*name has been changed for security purposes.