International Christian Concern | August 2013

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PERSECU ION

In efforts to build the Church overseas, ICC funds the printing, smuggling and distribution of Bibles into China. This past quarter, we sent almost 10,000 Bibles that will be shared with underground pastors and house churches all over the country.

BIBLES TO CHINA Bibles to the Persecuted YOUR DOLLARS

AT WORK

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SHOPS FOR FAMILIES OF IMPRISONED CHRISTIANS IN INDIA Suffering Wives and Children

UNDERGROUND PASTOR SUPPORT IN BANGLADESH Underground Pastors

When seven Christian men were arrested at random on false charges, their families were left to suffer, as the “breadwinner” was no longer home. ICC has recently supplied each family with the content to run their own sustainable business: either a small miscellaneous shop or livestock. These small businesses and livestock will provide women and children a way to make sustainable income while their husbands are away. ICC is also providing funds for the Christians’ lawyers.

ICC currently supports four underground pastors and their families in Bangladesh, a country that is 98 percent Muslim. These pastors disciple and train other underground pastors and missionaries; run outreaches to Muslims seeking to know the Gospel; and disciple Muslim-background believers. They also work with the poorest of the poor, providing physical needs as well as spiritual comfort. They report that they are seeing a large number of converts among Bangladesh’s poor who are hungry for the hope of Christ.

While on location, ICC Regional Manager Ryan Morgan met with the leaders of a house church and underground Bible school. They relayed not only informa-tion on their ministry but also on a house church leader imprisoned in Xinjiang Province (name withheld).

The school, which has two locations, is secret and trains young aspiring students in both English and Bible. The students hope to eventually assist western teachers and missionaries with teaching in house churches across China. ICC provided Pastor J with enough funds to purchase new bilingual study Bibles for each of the 16 students upon their graduation. Check out our September issue of Persecution to learn all about ICC’s work in China!

CHINA: UNDERGROUND BIBLE SCHOOLS Underground Pastors

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AID TO CHRISTIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS IN CHINA Suffering Wives and Children

While on location, ICC Regional Manager Ryan Morgan recently met with a group of Christian human rights lawyers (pictured). These brave men and women boldly and publicly campaign for greater religious freedom for China’s estimated 160 million Christians. All have faced arrest, imprisonment, or harassment for their work. When house churches are threatened with closure or worse, these attorneys fight on behalf of religious freedom for Christians. In doing so, they invite the wrath of the government of China, including but not limited to: jail time, disbarment from their profession, and harassment for both them and their families. ICC is able to support this group monthly, allowing them to carry on pro-moting religious freedom in China and helping to provide for their families and loved ones when they are arrested, de-tained, and unable to work because of government harassment.

AID TO CHRISTIAN WOMEN IMPRISONED IN CHINA FOR PUBLISHING BIBLESSuffering Wives and Children

After founding a Christian publishing company with her pas-tor husband, Ruth ran the day-to-day operations, including obtaining a legal license for the business. However, she was later arrested on charges saying the license was fraudulent. Her husband was not informed; rather, when she did not re-turn home one day, he went searching at the police precinct. When the police refused to provide legitmate evidence for her arrest, he knew the charges came due to their recent publish-ing of Christian books and DVDs deemed “too bold” for the Communist party censors. In efforts to relieve her suffering, ICC provided funds for her to purchase basic toiletries and ad-ditional food for nutrition while she is imprisoned.

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RESTORING SIGHT IN SUDAN Community Rebuild

KENYA PASTOR RECEIVES MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Underground Pastors

ICC recently completed an eye camp, restoring sight to hundreds of people. This is the second eye camp of 2013; ICC funds about four per year. Christians have been caught in the middle of Sudan’s civil war, which has destroyed not only homes, but hospitals, leaving Christians who live in remote villages without access to medical treatment. These Christians suffer blindness due to cataracts. Our eye camps, on average, perform over 70 surgeries and 200 ad-ditional medical treatments.

Pastor Ibrahim Makunyi was shot and injured by suspect-ed al Shabaab sympathizers in February in broad daylight. His pastor friend, Abdi Weli, died in the attack; Pastor Ibrahim was seriously wounded and received medical treatment in Nairobi. Because of our donors, ICC provided funds to help cover the cost of his medical bills, halting his family from going further into debt. Pastor Ibrahim is an encouraging example to other pastors in the area who are worried about attacks themselves.

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