Happy Pakistan Day

Happy Pakistan Day to all our Pakistani friends !

and for the rest of us a request to pray for the 'Land of the Pure'   that it would live up to its name and calling: 

'Rab Khudawand Badshah hai, O Jelal da Badshah hai'

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 

Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 

Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty — he is the King of glory.  (Psalm 24) 

Pakistan Zindebad - Long live Pakistan ! 

Pray for Christians during Iranian New Year

 As their country celebrates the Iranian New Year, Iranian Christians have requested our continued prayers for those affected by the recent wave of arrests of Christians in Iran, and for longer-term detainees.

 

They rejoice that some have been released on bail. These include Davoud (arrested in Ahvaz on 23rd December and released on 8th March) and Sharifeh, Masoud and Nima (arrested in Shiraz on 8th February and released on 14th March). In addition, they give thanks that Giti, a 78-year old detained in Isfahan for three days in February, this week received back all of the property confiscated when she was arrested. This included her passport, pension book, computer, mobile phone and Bibles and other religious materials.

However, at least 27 believers are understood to remain detained across Iran, because of their Christian faith or activities.

Following a series of raids in February and early March, five believers remain detained in Shiraz, three in Kermanshah and at least seven in Isfahan. Among those detained for more than a year are Yousef (arrested in October 2009), Noorallah and Farshid (both arrested in December 2010). Several who have been released on bail await court hearings. Alireza, a believer released on bail in 2010 but convicted in November 2011 of 'actions against national security,' was re-arrested on 14th March while attempting to flee from Iran.

Christians supporting these believers request our prayers that:
a.  Each of those detained for their faith will know the presence and peace of Jesus
b.  Those detained will be released soon and restored to their families
c.  Others facing court hearings will be acquitted, or the charges against them dropped, and that bail payments will be returned
d.  Believers across Iran will know the Lord's wisdom and protection in meeting together, and will be enabled to live without fear
e.  All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.

Open sources used: FCNN, Mohabat News, Present Truth Ministries
Information supplied by Middle East Concern 

Cagayan de Oro floods

A further update today from Eric and Sandra in Mindenao. Water supply is a critical need as the main water supply pipe for Cagayan De Oro was destroyed in the flood and the authorities are trying to get water in by tanker lorries.  But there is intermittent supply in some parts of the city.   Eric is involved with his local church in receiving and setting up at least one water filtration unit as part of addressing this need. For this he is coordinating with Marlon  (who is based in Manila ) who is arranging for the supply of this unit in the next 1-2 days.

 It is now known that over a 1000 lost their lives in the flooding.  There are so many urgent practical relief needs and Eric and Sandra are hoping that some of their friends and supporters can send in some support through CMS to help in the local response. Please continue to pray 

In maybe 90% of the city, everything is normal and normal life goes on.  

In the remaining 10%, people are crowded into schools and sports centres 

for shelter, they spend their days recovering whatever they can from 

what used to be their homes, queuing for water or food or other relief 

goods as they come, bathing at the side of the road and presumably 

trying to think about what they will do now.  Many will also be mourning 

for loved ones.

Yet through all of this I (Eric) am amazed and humbled at how calm and 

how cheerful people are.  People are chatting and laughing as though 

everything is normal.  They form orderly queues and wait patiently their 

turn.  If they miss out this time they just say, OK we;ll wait for the 

next lot.  I have yet to hear a word of anger or even irritation. Yet 

these are people many of whom have lost everything, including members of 

their families and who are unlikely to have a house of their own for 

months or even years.

Water is a major problem now in much of the city, they are using fire 

engines to deliver it.  One of the major supplies used to cross the 

river on a mini version of the Tyne bridge.  It is now a twisted heap of 

steel.  It must have been a massive rush of water to do all the damage 

it has done and so dramatically change the shape of the river.  

Everything is covered in a thick layer of mud, we helped some friends 

recover what they could from their house, absolutely everything

Eric has been asked to help one church assemble and set up a water 

filtration unit which is being lent by a church in Manila.  We visted 

one of the possible sites for it today and met one of Peter's school 

friends.  His mother told us he doesn't want to go outside wandering 

around any more now.  He did go down near the river with Peter though, 

so hopefully is fear will subside.  The filter is due to arrive tomorrow 

or Friday.

There are many needs, both short and longer term.  Different churches 

and organisations are helping however they can.  Pastor Lapiz (who leads 

the bible study in our house) church is feeding about 500 people a day 

in the nearest relief centre (a covered basketball court) and they plan 

to continue as long as they have funds.  We have given them a box of 

clothes and a sack of rice.  They are cooking 150kg rice a day costing 

about £70 plus some meat (in total about 30 - 35p per person per day). 

People also have needs for basics like saucepans, water containers, 

basins etc.  Sandra's sister is sending some money for us to put 

together bags sweets and fruit for the children for Christmas.

If you would like to make a donation to help people please send it to 

CMS, marking clearly it is for the Cagayan de Oro floods.

Floods in Mindanao

Following floods in Mindanao on the weekend including Cagayan De Oro, we have received this news from Eric and Sandra Read, our mission partners there:

Dear all

You may have heard on the news about the floods here last night. We are safe and being 2 or 300 ft above the river are well awaya form the flood zone. The first house we were living in has probably been affected.

We woke up and looked out this morning to find the river very visible (normally we can only see a short stretch), the remains of houses, trees flattened and people sitting on roofs and stuck on small islands. The wind was strong and the rain heavy last night, certainly the worst we've experienced here, but not as bad as they get in Luzon every year. However, a dam burst further inland and sent a wall of water down the river, which reached Cagayan about 1.30 am. The electricity had already gone off earlier in the evening and there was virtually no warning, people were suddenely inundated and in darkness.

We went down with a few clothes and some food for people and to see if we could help. We picked up a family at the side of the road and took them to some relatives. They had to go on to the roof of their 2 storey house. All they had were the clothes they were standing in. The husband had just come out of hospital after pneumonia, so his wife was worried it would make him sick again. Some people were standing around looking dazed, others were walking, yet many were still able to laugh and smile, despite what had just happened to them.

Please do pray for those affected, many have lost everything, over 100 people were killed here and nearly as many in Iligan, 50 miles west of here. Temporarily people are staying in schools and sports centres or with relatives. We are helping some friends rescue what they can from their house and move it tomorrow.

Thank you for your prayers and love


Eric & Sandra

Playing for Change Day 17th September

Playing for change Day Saturday September 17th. Let's get involved with something musical that promotes peace .... Let us know what you are up to via the AsiaCMS Facebook group

Please join the 1st annual Playing For Change Day on September 17, 2011 - a global day of action where musicians will perform on stages, in cafés, city squares, and street corners worldwide to raise money to support music in the lives of young people.

Whether you are a music lover, a musician, or a venue owner, there are many ways you can participate in this amazing event! Please visit playingforchangeday.org for information about the day and events that are taking place all over the world.

Play a Song. Build a School. Change the World.

]More Details here

Iranian pastor faces execution

Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s Execution Imminent

This information comes from Paul B via CSW via Lausanne Conversations more info here

Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani who has been sentenced to death for apostasy faces execution any moment. Now that the Iranian Supreme Court has upheld his death sentence, he could be hanged anytime. Please pray for him, his loved ones, Iranian Christians, their oppressors and Iranian Muslims.

The international community needs to put pressure on the Iranian government and it starts with us. Similar death sentences were commuted in Afghanistan due to the international pressure.

Apparently, “Freedom to change one’s religion is a fundamental right which Iran pledged to uphold when it signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” The world should hold Iran accountable.

The workweek in Iran is Saturday to Thursday. The fact that it is the weekend in most countries doesn’t mean offices in Iran aren’t open. Please use Twitter, Facebook or whatever means is at your disposal to spread the word about Pastor Nadarkhani’s plight. His life should be spared and his freedom granted. Please pray for Pastor Youcef!

2 Corinthians 4:8-10: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Iran's High Court Upholds Death Sentence for Pastor

By Amy Shank | Christian Today Reporter

The death sentence for a pastor found guilty of apostasy in Iran has been upheld by the country's Supreme Court.

Related

1 Obama Admin Urged to Defend Iranian Pastor Facing Execution

2 Iranian Pastor Has Visible Marks of Torture, Says Wife

3 Iran Arrests Evangelical Leader; Shuts Down Church

4 Iran High Court Urged to Reverse Death Sentence for Christian

5 Iran Arrests 9 Christians for Evangelism, Reports State Media

"The ruling has deeply worrying implications for all Christians in Iran, and is yet another indicator of the regime's disregard for basic human rights and freedoms," Christian Solidarity Worldwide Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said.

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was arrested in October 2009 while attempting to register his evangelical house church in the city of Rasht. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, his arrest was connected to criticisms he made about the Muslim monopoly on the religious instruction of children in Iran.

He was initially charged with protesting but the charges were later changed to apostasy and evangelising Muslims, and he was sentenced to death last year.

CSW has received reports that the death sentence has now been upheld by the third chamber of the Supreme Court in the Shia holy city of Qom.

Pastor Nadarkhani, who belongs to the Church of Iran, has been held in Lakan prison since his sentence was passed.

His lawyer filed an appeal last December but has now confirmed that the appeal was unsuccessful, although no official notification has been issued by the courts so far.

Johnston said it was a "devastating outcome" for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family and the Church of Iran network.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them," he said. "CSW condemns the decision to uphold this verdict in the strongest possible terms. The death sentence for the charge of apostasy is not codified in Iranian law."

Johnston said the Iranian regime often enacted death sentences without advance notice to prisoners' families, lawyers and sometimes even the prisoners themselves.

He called upon the international community to urgently put pressure on the Iranian regime to rescind the "unjust" ruling.

"Freedom to change one’s religion is a fundamental right which Iran pledged to uphold when it signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," he said. "Iran must therefore be urged adhere to its commitments under international law.”

House churches have come under intense pressure in the last year, with a wave of random arrests and increasingly anti-Christian rhetoric.

In May, high profile Iranian cleric Ayatollah Mesbah Yadzi reportedly chided the authorities for failing to stem the growth of house churches despite stepping up their efforts.

He called for better discipline and supervision of those authorities tasked with suppressing the churches, and suggested that the government set up a central system to monitor and coordinate the suppression of churches.

ELAM have produced a briefing document of other Christians under arrest in Iran

Unfailing Love pt 1

Lord, your love is an unfailing love.
Light bulbs fail, but your love never fails, never dims.
Fuses fail, but your love never fails, never cuts out.
Seals fail, but your love never fails, never leaks away.
Brakes fail, but your love never fails, never wears away
Your love is an unfailing love.
Students fail, but your love never fails, it ever hits the mark.



This was posted by Tim Ross on Facebook I have no idea who wrote it.