Our hearts have been broken as we have seen the recent events taking place in Iraq.

With the fall of Mosul and Tikkrit by the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), the over 35,000 Christians who have lived in this area for 1800 years were given an ultimatum:

All Christians must 1.) Convert to Islam, 2.) Pay the ‘jizya’ tax that renders them ‘dhimmis’ – i.e., second-class citizens granted limited protection if they hand over half an ounce of pure gold, 3.) Death by the sword. or 4.) Leave with the confiscation of all they own. They had until noon, Saturday, July 19th to decide. 35,000 Christians chose to leave with just the clothes on their back, most on foot (see pic above).

Those who were able to escape had their homes, cars, clothing, businesses and finances all confiscated or abandoned. They need food, clothing and shelter. We are working to provide these necessities to those who are now refugees in Kirkuk and Erbil.

We are working with my friend and our ministry contact, Francis, in Erbil. The questions we have asked in regard to aid are as follows: 1.) What are the needs of the evacuees? 2.) How do we get the resources of food needed? 3.) Are there Christian food merchants that we can source the food through? 4.) Is there need for water? 5.) Is there need for clothing? 6.) Is there need for shelter? 7.) What assets do we have on the ground? 8.) Can the churches assist with the distribution?

Francis’ response was simple: “We have all that you need. The resources are available, there is the simple need of finances. Come help us“

The immediate need is for $20,000 to provide food. Followed by another $6,000 for a shipping container with clothes to be collected through the ministry, and $4,000 for logistics. We invite you to respond to this crisis and reach out with Indigenous Ministries to our Brothers and Sisters in Iraq. Can you help us help them?

Thank you for your prayers for the Christians in Iraq and your partnership.

“What man is a man that does not leave this world a better place?”

One of the most incredible stories for Indigenous Ministries this year is that Miriam has been found alive! We thank the Lord! Many of you prayed with us last year as one of our own Indigenous Ministries’ Egyptian team member, Miriam, 24, was kidnapped, abused, and weeks later, her family was told she had been beheaded. We were heartsick and deeply grieved as her disappearance was just 1 week before her marriage. She served with our ministry 8 months teaching Arabic to girls literacy courses, computer and Biblical training. This is all banned in Islam in Egypt.

MIRIAM FOUND ALIVE

Just yesterday, I received word from our team lead in Egypt that Miriam was found in Cairo. She has been a captive, her head was shaved, she was beaten, brutally abused and was forced to convert to Islam. But she is safe. She escaped her horrible captors and is being kept in a safe place until her case is heard this week before the civil rights court for these human rights violations. The court will give her Christian status back to her because of the violations. Her abductors have been captured and will stand trial. Miriam is shaken, physically healing and recovering from her ordeal. She is, however, in another horrible predicament. She cannot return to her family and village at least for a year because of what has happened to her. She will be challenged with the emotional and physical scars and the stigma on her.

HELPING MIRIAM

She will have to live elsewhere until her issues are settled. I am working with our Middle East Coordinator, Pastor Philip, along with my wife, Dee, the Director of Beautiful International to find a safe country we can send her to. We will not abandon this precious young woman who loves the Lord and has served with us in ministry. Of course this picture above is not Miriam, but a symbol of women who are abused and whose lives Beautiful International are touching and reaching with the Gospel. I’m asking for an initial $5,000 to help pay for Miriam’s human rights attorney and send her to a safe place for at least one year. This will buy a plane ticket, room, board, counseling and livelihood training for her. This won’t cover everything but its a start; it will be an encouragement to her.

Specifically this is what we can join together to help Miriam: Pray for Miriam that God would grant her peace of heart.Pray for a place where we can safely have Miriam healed, ministered to Pray for those that abducted her; that they would renounce their sin and trust Christ as their Savior. The Lord reminds us to pray for those who despitefully use us. Would you stand with Dee and me and our ministry team in Egypt in prayers and financial support as we reach out to help in this crisis? We are asking the Lord for $5000 right now to be able to respond to this need. Thank you and God bless you.