Such coordinated violence has long-term consequences which will be felt for years to come.  It will take a long time to restore peace, not to mention families rebuilding lives that have been devastated.

But before any rebuilding can occur, the violence must die down, and even now - two weeks later - the violence continues.  AsiaNews is reporting that it is even continuing in the refugee camps!  In fact, the persecutors are getting even more devious in their destruction, making sure that they only destroy a family’s possessions, not their house…because the Indian government is going to reimburse all those that lose their homes.

This violence is just one outbreak, a tragic symptom of the underlying religious hatred that constantly plagues India.  Continue to pray for Orissa Christians!

Click here to listen!

You can read the background of this prayer request in today’s Weekly Reminder. The violence started about two days ago, and has continued; pray for these Christians!

For more information–

Deaths Mount as Violence Spreads in Orissa

Carnage Continues in Orissa: Reports of 150 Houses and 20 Churches Destroyed

Aftermath of Swami’s Killing: The Christian Victims List

And if you would like to be an even bigger blessing to the needs of the persecuted church, you can become one of our “clipboarders.” If you are willing to tell your friends, family, and church members about the banquet on October 2, I would love to send you a clipboard full of sign up sheets so that they can sign up on the spot to attend. Last year our clipboarders were unbelievably powerful advertising agents - and the result was spectacular!

Would you be a clipboarder?

Bangladesh: Christians Flee After Attack on House Church

Bhutan: Missionary Asked to Renounce Christ

China: Christian Book Store Owner’s Condition Deteriorating in Prison

Shia Weihan was arrested four months ago for selling unapproved Christian books, and his condition continues to get worse as he languishes in prison.

Ethiopia: Muslim Mob Attacks Christians

Extremist Islam is growing in Ethiopia, sparking increasing violence. Ethiopia is not unique in this regard; the Muslim presence throughout northern Africa is causing problems in many countries. Pray for northern Africa!

India: Missionaries, Bible College Students Beaten, Tortured and Jailed

Iran: Christian Couple Dies from Police Attack

Last week, Iranian secret police raided a house church service, brutally beating, arresting, and interrogating many. This is the latest update from this tragedy.

Saudi Arabia: Plans to Deport 15 Christians

The crime committed by these believers was that they held a church service. The were arrested, had possessions confiscated, were mocked and interrogated - and now that they have been released, they face deportation.

As I’m sure you can guess, a banquet like this is not cheap, and we are looking for sponsors who will assist us in off-setting the costs. Since we believe in giving all the money raised that night to the needs of the persecuted church - our normal 100% promise - we must independently raise this money. A sponsorship is an investment of sorts; it gives us the ability to go out and raise even more money for the work that we are doing.

Will you consider sponsoring? Our sponsorship “levels” start at $500, but you can give towards the banquet in any amount - just designate the word “banquet” on your check or in the memo line of your credit card donation. Thank you for investing in this great event and the blessing it will be to suffering saints all over the world!

To download a 2008 sponsor pack, click here.

Laos (PDF)

Pakistan (PDF)

(And you can see the whole list here.)

July 16 - The moments that make it all worth it.

July 9 - Testimony of a persecuted Iraqi Christian.

(And remember, you can always read past issues of the Weekly Reminder in the archives!)

We had three days of medical clinics, and our doctors were able to see around 80 patients, primarily Iraqi refugees with little access to doctors and medications. We packed medications with us, thanks to generous donations made by our sponsors, and those medications were used to meet the needs of those our doctors saw. What was left – thousands of dollars of worth of medications – was donated to local Christian clinics.

But the real ministry we did is not reflected in these numbers, but in the individual lives of those who were blessed.

One elderly lady was so grateful for what we were done for her that she clung to Lori, our nurse who was doing her medical charts, and started crying “Habibi, Habibi,” which translates as “beloved.” The grateful thanks of so many are impossible to duplicate in writing, but it was, and is, touching to see how much of an impact we made on each others lives and what we each can gained from this trip.

The success of this trip was made possible by the prayers of the saints, and by the interworking of the Body of Christ. While in Jordan, we worked with a variety of other ministries, each of which played a different, vital, part in the blessing. I can’t help but be excited when I think of how this working of the Body as a whole will lead to future ministry potential; the Body working to serve the Body – that’s what we are all about.

I’m not a doctor, but my lack of medical expertise has not stopped me from seeing the blessing that our medical staff has been to these Iraqi refugees. They’ve seen a multitude of illnesses, from the chronic to the acute, and prescribed dozens of medications (and donated thousands of dollars worth to vital local ministries!).

But I think the most important thing they have done is to pray for each patient. These men and women need so much more than medication; they need the healing and the peace of the Great Physician, and we have prayed for each one, child and adult alike. Their smiles and tears have made sure we know that our work is not in vain.

And we have pictures!

Two spirit-filled men who “just happen” to be doctors.

Lori is not just a nurse, but a friend to all she comes in contact with.