To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13
CHINA — Student Expelled for Confirming Faith in Christ — China Aid Association- Psalm 140: 12–13
- I know that the LORD will maintain The cause of the afflicted, And justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence.
On Oct. 20, Chen Le, a high school student, was expelled from Xinjiang High School for refusing to denounce his faith, according to China Aid Association. The High School Division of the Huashan Middle School expelled Chen after he signed a document confirming he was a Christian. ChinaAid reported that Chen Le does not regret signing the document confirming his faith in Jesus Christ. He continues to stand courageously for his faith, even though his expulsion means he is barred from college entrance exams. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for Chen and his family during this challenging time. Praise God for his faithfulness. Ask God to protect and encourage him.
INDONESIA — Police Use Force to Evict Bible Students — VOM Contacts- Matthew 5: 10–12
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
On Oct. 27, The Voice of the Martyrs contacts reported nearly 1,000 students at the Arastamar School of Theology face eviction from a West Jakarta former Mayor’s office, where they were living temporarily. The day before students received the eviction notice from the High Court of West Jakarta, local government authorities cut off electricity and water to the site, leading to student demonstrations. “That day … a thousand students were demonstrating outside of the building and making [a barricade with their bodies] to prevent the police troops, local government security troops and High Court officials from going into the building and destroying the building,” VOM contacts said. “ The riot began when some people from the back row of police troops [threw] stones against the students; then the students repelled it by throwing plastic chairs and stones against the police troops,” VOM contacts added. Local government authorities have told the students to leave the building by Nov. 9 because the building will be destroyed. In July 2008, Muslim extremists destroyed the Bible school campus with Molotov cocktails. They also attacked the students with acid and machetes as they were being evacuated from the burning buildings. The staff and students from the Bible school’s campus were forced into temporary shelters all over the city including a camp ground in Kampung Pulo village. Pray for the students’ encouragement and protection. Praise God for their unwavering witness.
INDIA — Christians Targeted in Violent Attacks — VOM Contacts- Hebrews 10:32–39
- “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “ For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
