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Christian Martyrs Still Persecuted And
Dying Today In Many Countries
From Emails Received April, 2008

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April 29, 2008 - Martyrs Notes About Philippines, India, Singapore and China

Pray for PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINES - Attacker Shoots Two Pastors and Wife; One Pastor Killed - VOM Sources

On April 15, Pastor Vic Vicera, his wife, Beth, and Pastor Noli Saturnino were shot at when an unknown assailant stormed Pastor Vic’s home in Mindanao, Philippines, and started shooting. Pastor Vic was killed in the attack. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "Pastor Vic and his wife, Beth, and Pastor Noli were having a conversation early that evening. They were talking about their plans to minister in a Muslim tribal area, when suddenly the killer came in and started firing at them." VOM contacts added, "Pastor Vic got four gunshots, two at the upper part of the knees that went through his navel and two shots to the lower part of his knees, the bullets remained in his stomach. Beth, his wife, got two gunshots, one in her palm and one in her leg. Pastor Noli got one shot in his leg; the bullet went through his leg." Pastor Vic was killed, and Beth and Pastor Noli are being treated by doctors. Even though VOM contacts could not confirm the reason for the attack, they reported that Pastor Vic lived among Muslims who wanted him to join Islam, but he refused. Pray for believers in the Philippines who face persecution because of their faith. Pray especially for the family and congregation of Pastor Vic, who have lost a father and pastor. Ask God to heal Pastor Vic’s wife, Beth, and Pastor Noli. Pray the testimonies of these faithful believers will draw their persecutors into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 107:35, Psalm 23

Pray for INDIA

INDIA - Pastors Beaten by Militants in Andra Pradesh - VOM Sources

On April 14, three pastors-who were distributing Christian tracts to children in the town of Devarkonda, Andra Pradesh-were beaten with sticks by approximately 50 Hindu militants. Pastor John Kumar's hand was broken and the other two pastors were severely injured in the attack. Pray for healing for these believers. Ask God to give them and other church leaders in India the wisdom to know how to shepherd the believers through times of suffering. James 1:5, Psalm 91

Pray for SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE - Couple Charged For Distributing "Objectionable" Christian Material - VOM Sources

On April 14, two charges were lodged against a married couple for distributing a Christian publication in Singapore in March and October of last year that allegedly cast the Muslim prophet Mohammed in a "negative light." Ong Kian Cheong (49) and Dorothy Chan Hien Leng (44) are charged under the Sedition Act for "promoting feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore." Cheong and Hien Leng were also charged under the Undesirable Publications Act, which defines "objectionable" material as an item which depicts "race or religion in such a manner that the availability of the publication is likely to cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups." The couple was alleged to have been distributing an evangelistic tract entitled "The Little Bride." Pray the charges against Ong and Dorothy will be dropped. Pray the Holy Spirit will cause them to forgive their persecutors. Pray for continued opportunities for Christians in Singapore to share the truth of Christ. John 15:18-19, John 14:1

Pray for CHINA

CHINA - Bookstore Owner Re-Arrested in China - China Aid Association

On March 19, Shi Weihan (37), a Christian bookstore owner, was re-arrested on charges of "illegally" printing and distributing Christian literature. Weihan was initially arrested on November 29, 2007, and was released in early January, due to "insufficient evidence." He is being held without access to his family. His wife is concerned for his health in prison as he is a diabetic. 2 Samuel 22: 31, Isaiah 40:29-31 2 Samuel 22:31, Isaiah 40:29-31

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