Every Day Is Thanksgiving Day In North Korea-By Order Of The State

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (ANS) -- Thanksgiving is fast approaching-a day every year when Americans stop to give thanks.

North Korea (unlabeled graphic on Seoul USA's news release).

But according to a news release from Seoul USA, in the country of North Korea, Thanksgiving to North Korea's "Eternal President" Kim Il Sung must be given at every meal. 

"The best wall on every house in North Korea must have well cared for photos of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il," said Seoul USA CEO Eric Foley speaking in the news release. "At every meal families look up at the picture and pray, thank you, Father Kim Il Sung, for this food." 

While most Americans view the Hermit Kingdom as an atheist nation, Foley said in reality, it is perhaps the most religious nation on earth because one hundred percent of its citizens are required to worship Kim Il Sung. North Korea is the world's only "necrocacy" - ruled forever by its deceased eternal president. 

"This is challenging to Christians who refuse to worship anyone other than God," said Foley.

He added, "Those seen bowing their heads in prayer are considered seditious citizens and are persecuted."

Seoul USA said overcoming this idolatry is the mo st pressing issue for the North Korean church. The way they've done this is to rely on four pillars: The 10 Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, The Lord's Supper, and The Apostles Creed. Each of these is a protection against idolatry, and helps them navigate through NK's state religion known as Juche.

"As Americans thank God for our blessings and prosperity this Thanksgiving, let's also consider our need to combat idolatry in our own lives," Foley said.

He added, "We can grow stronger in this overcoming faith by learning from the example of our North Korean brothers and sisters in Christ. Reliance on the four pillars of worship is the key."

For more information visit www.seoulusa.org 

New edict raises red flags in Egypt

(File photos courtesy World Watch Monitor)

Egypt (MNN) ― On Sunday, a new edict went into effect that forbids gatherings larger than 10 people without government permission.

It sounds like it could be a new religion law in Central Asia. It could be a story from the former Soviet Union. But this story comes from Egypt.

Voice of the Martyrs USA spokesman Todd Nettleton explains the new ban. "They're basically saying, 'If you want to have a protest, if you want to have a gathering, you need to come to a government office three days before that, and somebody in the government needs to sign off of you having that gathering." The law imposes hefty fines and prison terms for violators.

Like the religion laws in Central Asia, the purpose behind the law was to restore order. In this case, it was to put a lid on the violent protests plaguing Egypt. Nettleton observes, "I don't think the purpose is to close down churches, but if you go to a particular area of Egypt where the local officials are opposed to the church, they can now use this law and come against the church."

The trouble is that one of the points of the law targets gatherings at places of worship. Again, it's understandable when you come at it from the perspective of a government trying to quell the uprisings of the last two years, notes Nettleton. "A lot of the protests that have happened over the last few months have started at a mosque, and then they've gone out from the mosque. So I think that is why it specifically says that in the law. But, obviously, a church is a place of worship, too, so we don't know what that's going to mean for churches in Egypt."

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak also tried to ban gatherings, but in the wake of his ouster in 2011, it was pushed aside.  The new ban is considered more restrictive, and rights groups are denouncing it already.
 
The law requires three-day prior notice for protests. Officials have the right to bar any protest or gathering considered a threat to public safety and order. Nettleton goes on to say that nobody knows what this means for churches preparing for the Advent and Christmas season. "Are they going to say if a church is established, if a church has officially documentation of their existence, then they're exempt from the law? Are they going to have to come one time and say, 'We gather for worship every week,' and the government signs off on it, or are they going to have to come every single week?"

Nettleton adds that throughout this three-year period of stress on the Church, new people are still turning to Christ. As the Church figures out its response to the new edict, he urges you to "pray for justice in the country, for the Christians there. We can pray for wisdom for them, and again we can pray for protection for our Christian brothers and sisters living in Muslim countries."

Ministry tackles unseen trauma in South Sudan.

(Image Yida Refugee Camp courtesy UNITAR.org)

Sudan (MNN) ― Ever hear the saying that goes, "You reap what you sow?"

Parts of Africa are experiencing that in an unbreakable vicious cycle of violence that has become a culture. South Sudan is no exception. The world's newest country, its birth didn't come quickly or peacefully.

After more than two decades of war, with two million dead and four million people displaced, literacy levels are low. And the war is not over for all. Hundreds more refugees are still arriving in the camps, and there are no schools. An entire nation has been traumatized, and the devastating effects of this generational trauma are sure to impede the stable and healthy recovery process of this nation.

But a ministry is part of trying to change that by sowing the seeds of peace through story-based trauma-healing workshops in South Sudan's refugee camps. The Seed Company, in partnership with the Bible Society in South Sudan and Samaritan's Purse, launched a trauma-recovery program.

Its emphasis on the recovery--from a physiological level rather than a psychological one--allows the program to be used across cultural boundaries.

There was an overwhelming response by the Sudanese people, and many had requested training in trauma awareness and a recovery methodology.

Mark Kordic with The Seed Company says, "When we've seen teenagers being forced to do unspeakable acts of violence, families separated, death and destruction and rape and other things occurring, our partners on the ground said, ‘We must offer hope for these families--especially the children.'"

That brought out a clear need, especially when the youngest survivors weren't doing well. Kordic asks, "How in the world can you process this when you're eight years old?"

Another challenge, he says, is, "How do we reach out to them in a language that they understand. The challenge is: there are 50 language groups in this refugee camp of 70,000 people."

The Seed Company started the first training in seven of the groups that have no Scriptures in their own language. "We'd love to reach out to a dozen more languages, and we can do that as people support these trauma-healing workshops. We'd love to reach more of the 70,000 people that are really suffering from unspeakable abuse."

The initial teams translated and memorized six Bible stories, five real-life stories, and six Bible verses which were set to music. In January, they began regular trauma-healing listening groups in the camp, where they told stories and led discussions about how God can heal pain.

As a result of this initial offering, plus a second training in the summer, Kordic says now "20 Christian congregations, amazingly, have been developed among seven of the 50 language groups as people respond to the stories from the Scripture in a language that they understand best."

Surviving war and war atrocities is huge. In hindsight, it's really the first step on a long road to recovery. Having a shoulder to cry on, so to speak, and someone who can offer hope makes a huge difference. "It involves song, it involves dance. It involves storytelling. And as folks go through the workshop experience, in which Scriptures are brought to life in their native language, heart language, it speaks to the way that they've always communicated."

In fact, as Christmas approaches, there's a clear difference in parts of the camp where Christ's name is known. Kordic describes the scene. "If you can think of the horizon of a refugee camp and stringing colorful cloth on clotheslines, it gives you a little glimpse of the change from a fear-based refugee experience to one that at least they can look forward to hope because Jesus has entered into their life."

There's so much more that can be done. So far, the trauma program is only available in seven languages. The Seed Company wants to expand that to cover all 50 language groups in the camps. Kordic acknowledges the scope of the project, but says everyone doing their own part will help it succeed. "There's never been a greater acceleration of the Great Commission than right now. Today. I would just encourage folks to consider joining the race to end Bible poverty."

Embracing Christ and tradition in Kyrgyzstan

(Photos courtesy Christian Aid Mission)

Kyrgyzstan (CAM/MNN) ― Kyrgyzstan is the first country in Central Asia to have a democratically-elected head of state. Unlike the rest of Central Asia, persecution of believers comes mainly from family, friends, and community. In rural areas especially, Muslim-background believers face enormous pressure to recant their new faith.

To be a traditional Kyrgyz practically equates with being Muslim. Identifying oneself as a Christian brings all sorts of challenges for new believers who experience misunderstanding, ridicule, and in some cases even abandonment by families who feel they have scorned their very heritage.

Nearly 90% of Kyrgyzstan's 5.5 million people consider themselves Muslim, according to Operation World. Most adhere to a form of traditional Islam that combines remnants of tribal folk practices with Sunni beliefs.

More militant forms of Islam, however, are perceived to be a threat to the country's secular government. To combat increased pressures from radical groups, Kyrgyzstan passed a law against extremism in 2005. Additional religious laws approved in 2009 tightened controls on all faiths but had an especially adverse effect on Christianity.

Proselytism, the distribution of religious literature, and private religious education were among the practices banned under the regulations. Most challenging was the mandate that churches and other religious groups have at least 200 adult citizen members in order to qualify for legal registration. The former law required only 10 members for registration.

Critics expressed concern at the time that the laws violated Kyrgyzstan's own constitution, which on paper upholds religious freedom. Fears persist that harsher laws will propel Kyrgyzstan down the same course as its Central Asia neighbors, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, where religious activities are highly restricted.

Despite cultural resistance and stiffening government regulations, GNM Mission has planted seeds of the Gospel in Kyrgyzstan for over 17 years. In 1995, GNM opened the first Bible school in Central Asia. Graduates have gone on to serve as full-time native missionaries or church leaders.

Gifts from Christian Aid Mission, your link to indigenous missions, help support the Bible school and evangelistic events. Three outdoor services, complete with music and dramatic presentations, attracted the curious as well as the faithful. As a result, more than 150 people received Jesus Christ into their hearts and 30 people joined home churches.

More than any other Central Asian people, the Kyrgyz cling to their traditional way of life. That poses both difficulties and opportunities for missionaries, who sometimes travel far into the mountains to reach isolated communities with the gospel.

In July, GNM sent a team of five workers to an impoverished village in the southern part of the country. There are few jobs and not much hope for the future for the area's young people. The missionaries sought to encourage residents with the good news of the Savior who will stand beside them in the midst of their suffering.

Pray that God would show believers how to be wise when sharing their faith with others. Ask God to comfort and lavish His love upon believers who face rejection, abuse, and isolation from their own families and friends.

Christian Convert's Fate Unknown in Iran's Karaj Prison

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

IRAN (ANS) -- Hossein Saketi Aramsari is an Iranian Christian who has been in custody since July 2013 in Central Detention House in Karaj.

According to a story by Mohabat Iranian Christian News Agency, Saketi's situation is currently unknown. He is currently being held in Ward 7 of Karaj Central Detention House where another prisoner of conscience, Behnam Irani, is also imprisoned.

Mohab News reported that human rights activists are saying Iranian Intelligence authorities arrested Saketi on July 23, in Golestan.

Saketi (known as Stephen by his friends), was transferred to Jajrom county jail, and then to the Intelligence Office in Bojnord, the capital of North Khorasan province.

After 15 days in solitary confinement, his case was submitted to the Revolutionary Court in Alborz county.

On Aug. 6, he was transferred to the Intelligence Office of Karaj, and held in solitary confinement in Ward 8 of Rajaei-Shahr prison until Oct. 26 2013. Ward 8 of the Rajaei-Shahr prison is managed by the Revolutionary Guards.

After his time in solitary confinement, he was transferred to the Central Detention House in Karaj.

He was later taken to Branch 6 o f the Revolutionary Court where Judge Mohammad-Yari officially charged him with doing evangelism.

While Christianity is increasing in Iran, especially in the past few years, Mohabat News said youth and family conversions have become a major concern for the Iranian security authorities and Islamic leaders.

Mohabat News said reports indicate that cases of those who have converted from Islam to Christianity has been processed faster in the last few months.

For more information visit www.mohabatnews.com

Facing another Thanksgiving without Her Imprisoned Husband, Naghmeh Abedini Relies On God's Strength

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

BOISE, IDAHO (ANS) -- Imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini's wife Naghmeh communicates his plight and the family's pain with such passion and poignancy that listeners are quickly transported into their world.

Naghmeh and Saeed Abedini in happier times

That's a reality that began when Saeed, 33, was suddenly detained in Iran for his faith. He had been in Iran in mid-2012, working on the administrative details for an orphanage he was planning in the city of Rasht. He was forced off a bus at the border of Turkey and Iran, his passport confiscated and placed under house arrest at his parent's home. The nightmare was about to begin.

On Jan. 27 2013, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, on charges of undermining national security because of his Christian faith.

Saeed was taken to Evin Prison, a facility for political prisoners, and recently transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison. He is now held in a ward for rapists and murderers, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents Naghmeh and her husband, who is now an American citizen.

In a recent telephone interview, 36-year-old Naghmeh, who lives in Boise, Idaho with their two children, answered a number of questions and began by sharing how God's strength is sustaining her in spite of high s and lows.

"I get a blow, and I crumble and I fall down, but giving up is not an option," she said. "My kids need me and Saeed is in a desperate place. I'm carried by God's grace and I couldn't function without Him."

However, Naghmeh added, "I'm an everyday mom and not a super hero."

House Raid and Imprisonment

Naghmeh recalled initially feeling, after initially learning that her husband was in some kind of trouble, that the situation would be resolved in a few days. She told me that she was "surprised, but not too worried."

The nightmare began on July 28, 2012, when Revolutionary Guards forced her husband off of a bus in Iran and put him under house arrest in the Tehran home of his parents. He was on his way visit his family and finalize the board members for an orphanage he was building in Iran.

But then things took a turn for the worse when, on September 26, 2012, five members of Iran's notorious Revolutionary Guard burst into Saeed's parents' house and took him away. Naghmeh learned the news from his parents, who still have nightmares about the raid. Along with Saeed, officials also took cell phones, computers and documents.

"That had to be one of the biggest shocks I had ever received," Naghmeh said. Not surprisingly, she couldn't sleep. It was a very long night.

Naghmeh wondered about the need for the raid, as well as the use of five people to carry it out. After all, she said, Saeed "was waiting-not in hiding."

It was a week before Saeed's family learned he'd been taken to the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran. While she was glad to learn where he was, she said this location was very hard for her to hear, as she told me that she had visited the facility as a child to see an uncle who was imprisoned and killed there.

"Everyone who was taken there never came out alive," Naghmeh said.

Telling the Children

Naghmeh didn't tell the couple's two children about Saeed's imprisonment until a few weeks after sh e found out where Saeed was being held.

"I put myself back together first," she explained.

Prior to telling their children, whenever she was working on the computer, Naghmeh said Rebekka, 7, and Jacob, 5, would keep coming over to her and ask to speak to their dad. They had been in frequent communication with Saeed by Skype while he was away. However, Naghmeh said she kept "putting them off".

Finally, things came to a head. Naghmeh said that with tears streaming down his face Jacob asked her, "'Doesn't daddy want to hear our voice anymore?'"

Not wanting them to doubt their dad's love, Naghmeh told him that while Saeed would like nothing more than to speak to them, but he was in prison and there and he had no access to a computers or Skype.

Both children had a lot of questions, and Naghmeh said they were all in tears when she told them that "bad guys" had taken their dad.

Naghmeh initially told Rebekka that her dad would be home by her seventh birthday, but added "All the promises I made (about he r dad's return) I couldn't keep."

Coping with Saeed's Absence

Rebekka and Jacob Abedini

Not surprisingly, Saeed's imprisonment has deeply affected Rebekka and Jacob and Naghmeh said their personalities have changed.

"They're traumatized. I don't see as much of the joy," Naghmeh said.

Rebekka has tantrums, Naghmeh said. She screams and yells, but wants to talk more about the situation than her brother. She wants her dad.

Jacob had been more reserved but recently said, "I would be the happiest boy ever if daddy came home for Christmas."

Who is Saeed?

Naghmeh said Saeed has become the face of the persecuted church. "He is a fighter who doesn't back down. He's not backing down in face of death, although it tortures him being separated from his family."

She added, "What sets him apart is his passion for what he believes in, even though it may cost him his life."

There are those people who say that knowing the unpredictable behavior of the Iranian government that Saeed should never have continued his visits to Iran, the land of his birth. Na ghmeh said he had to follow his passion to help Iranian orphans.

"I don't know if I could take away that passion," she continued. "That's what made me fall in love with him. I can't ask Saeed not to be true to himself. He saw the poverty and the kids out in the streets."

Thanksgiving

Naghmeh had a special request on her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/npanahi77?fref=ts&ref=br_tf). 

She wrote, "As Thanksgiving and Christmas is once again approaching with Saeed painfully missing from our midst, please join with the kids and I as we place empty settings for Saeed and the persecuted church to remember that they are in chains for Jesus as we enjoy our freedoms here."

She added, "Please speak out for Pastor Saeed and the persecuted church by leaving a place setting for him at your Thanksgiving dinner."

For more information about the plight face d by the Abedini family and how you can get involved, visit www.savesaeed.com