Your sister in Christ!
Donna
Colombian Kogui Christians Escape During Temporary Release for Christmas
Indigenous Kogui Christians in Colombia, detained by authorities because of their faith in Christ, were released temporarily on December 21.
Upon their release, local authorities forced them to sign a document
promising to report back on January 10, but they determined as a group
not to return.
The thirty-three men, women and children were held last October against their will because their Christian beliefs
were considered a threat to indigenous traditions. The main
constitution of Colombia gives everyone the right to their own
religious beliefs, but local authorities in indigenous areas are given
a somewhat autonomous rule. Christians in Bogota are attempting to help
draw national attention to the situation in hopes of bringing about
their official release. But, if the Colombian government rules in favor
of the local authorities, they would be able to confiscate the
Christian homes and lands. This would leave them without any means of
income and would place a ban on all Christian activities.
Father,
we call on you to grant wisdom to the government officials and bring
about justice for these Kogui Christians. Soften the hearts of the
indigenous leaders toward Christians. And protect those who are in
hiding that no further harm will come to them.
"Jesus Christ shed His blood
on the cross for us, and the
blood which I shed today
is nothing in comparison."
One
brave believer described holding a Christian service in her house with
her family. “I did not hear the knock at my door that grew into loud
banging.... I quickly hid my Bible.”
A local official burst in
with two men, demanding to know why the door wasn’t opened immediately.
They carried out an extensive search of the house. “Then one of the men
discovered my Bible. He quickly concealed it and told the other men,
‘There’s nothing suspicious here. Let’s move on.’ My heart was
pounding.”
The next day, the man returned alone. He returned
the Bible and said, “I myself am a believer.” He said he thanked God
for the opportunity to meet another Christian and asked me to pray—and
to be extremely careful.
Another Christian was carrying Bible
study books on his bicycle when a guard demanded to search his bag. As
the brother removed his bungee cord it snapped and hit his leg, causing
a painful, bleeding cut. The soldier stopped the search and urged him
to find a doctor.
“I completely forgot about my pain,” this
fellow believer says. “Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross for us,
and the blood which I shed today is nothing in comparison. My life is
not dear to me if God wants it for His mission.”
There is no other place in the world so isolated, so spiritually dark and systematically inhumane as North Korea. Several million have died as a result of imprisonment and food shortages caused by the government’s isolationist policy, which led to the collapse of the food distribution system and poor harvests.
North Korean Christians are singled out for their loyalty to Christ instead of their dictator Kim Jong Il. Though many have remained strong in their faith, they struggle against despair. Some have the strength to pray for the salvation of their leader and simply desire to worship God freely.
Moved
by their courage, it is time for us to use our freedom on behalf of
these believers living in utter isolation! Our goal is to get 50,000 standing with and praying for 50,000 North Korean Christians.
But it all starts with you! First, you can download the prayer calendar to inform and inspire your prayers. Then help open the eyes of others to the reality of persecution in North Korea by:
Thank you for rallying with us to support our brothers and sisters living as lights within the darkness of North Korea's borders.
Sincerely, 
Carl Moeller
