One Quarter

"More love, O Christ, to Thee. More love to Thee." - Sung by North Korean Christians as their children were being hanged by the communists because the parents refused to deny Christ.

I thought this quote might be interesting to everyone, due to the recent events making the news about North Korea. In fact, I have found that since I have been working with The Voice Of The Martyrs over the past three months, I have seen headlines a bit differently.

At VOM, I receive daily information about what is happening to Christians in places like Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, and North Korea. Then, I log on to my favorite news websites and I read what the world media is reporting about these same countries. As I see the headlines and read the stories, I can't help but make a connection.

A couple of months ago, I heard a man who works in Iran speak. He told those of us who were in the room that he would like us to simply watch and pray. Watch for news stories on TV and the web about Iran. Then pray for the people there. He commented on how, in the midst of persecution, God is moving in a dramatic fashion in Iran. We, as Christians in the US, need to simply be attentive (watch) and pray for the people there.

I have applied this to not only Iran, but to other countries as well, including North Korea. When I saw (watched) headlines today about North Korea, I couldn't help but pray for the people there. In North Korea, there are people who know Christ and are being persecuted for it, and there are people who are living in spiritual darkness and need to know what Christ did for them on the cross.

As you go about your daily business, will you watch and pray for places like Iran and North Korea?

Like I said, Christy and I have been here three months. Christy is continuing with her work as Apartment Manager/Assistant To The Facilities Director. It has been an awesome opportunity to meet guests and volunteers from all over the world. I am continuing my work with the Bibles Unbound program and with Order Fulfillment. I love the crews that I work with along with the work that we do.

A busy time is coming up for both of us. In a couple weeks, VOM will be moving some of their operations out of their current warehouses and into a brand new facility! Everyone is very excited about the move, but at the same time, it is a huge task. Please pray that everything goes smooth and that important VOM work is not unnecessarily interrupted due to glitches. Christy and I are excited to be a part of this moment in VOM history.

I also want to point out a few things on a personal level.

• We had a great visit from Christy's mom, aunt, and cousin recently. One of the many highlights was going to watch an outdoor production of the musical "Oklahoma!".
• Our 8th anniversary is coming up on June 23!
• Please continue to pray for our house in Ohio to sell. God is providing for our needs in a tremendous way (partly through your support and prayers). We believe that God can sell our house in this tough economy.
• Christy and I are the "Missionaries" for a week of camp at Woodland Lakes in Ohio on June 21-26. We are honored. I wish so badly that I could be there for the week, but I can't. Please pray that the message of the persecuted church is communicated to the students at that camp through the literature I sent and through the web based communication that we'll be using with them. It's a bit unconventional, but I know God will work through it.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers.