Hello and welcome thank you for joining us here at Elim church. You're joining myself Reverend Ben Cooper with sound erupts on this morning. As we just dive into the world of the persecuted church as Sandra brings before, each and every one of us across the mics this morning, a quick recap and then we'll be going straight into some very interesting articles that Sandra has but wherever you are today never give up there is always hope. God is with you. We thank you so much for everybody that's joining us, sharing with us on the social networks and every platform that we push these podcasts out on we thank you that all those on Amazon music, I Heart Radio, Buzzsprout, Spotify, and many other social networks that you will find these podcasts just very simple, very easy to find us just type into the search engines Reverend Ben Cooper his podcast and it will pop up before your very eyes, over 260 podcasts that we have done and they are moving very quickly across the world. Good morning. God bless you whatever your timezone is today. Whatever your situation is. Never give up. Never give up we have Sondra rivers. Good morning, Sandra.
Sandra Robson:Good morning.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Thank you so much. April
Sandra Robson:the first
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes, its the first of April, isn't it? Yes. So good to have you with us today. It's been a bit of a stretch because obviously everything is going on here. And with your work situation, but God is with us. We are back in our recording studio as we just gather around these mics and we look at an update a recap on what's been happening Sondra, could you share with us, please?
Sandra Robson:Yes. So last time I was here, we were talking about women, and that they were doubly persecuted because of their gender and their faith. And we that things that open doors are doing that they have this campaign see change. And I just wanted to update you on that, that we were talking about the fact that there was an organization that had come together with open doors to have this invitation for MPs to hear about what's going on with women. And for a panel. And we were asked to invoice our MPs. And of that 33 MPs have now been aware of this report that was launched there. And have also been asked to sign a parliamentary petition. And the idea of this is to get the issue discussed in parliament. And so they're very encouraged by this. I think 25 Initially, actually looked at it on the day. And now they've got 33 and just encouraging us really to get involved to you know, still tell your MP. And you can pass on the report to them, email it to them through open doors. And yeah, so it's very encouraging. And because as we know, as the situation at the moment, what's going on Ukraine, the MPs focus is very much on other issues at the moment. And so to be able to actually have 33 people who were, you know, interested and sent somebody to really think about this is very good. And we thank the Lord, that they're on board. And, you know, also we know that the religious envoy, she's very much involved with this as well. So that's that update. And then I was just looking at different things. I thought I would try and get an update on current news. Yeah, from the persecuted church. And it seemed that North Korea was one of the, you know, points that I should raise and that you know about North Korea is now not usually it's number one on the World Watch. Number one for a long, long time. That now is set number two, but we the it's still a very, very difficult place to be a Christian. Afghanistan has taken over from North Korea as being number one. But we have the sad news that March 22 It was confirmed that secret bit levers had been found and killed. They were taking part in worship. And, yeah, and for that they have been killed. So the report that came out, and the news report was that several dozen believers in an underground church were discovered and executed. And they've paid the ultimate cost of following Jesus to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 121 was the comments. And apparently it's part of a major sweep against the underground church in a particular area of North Korea. And it's believed they began to worship and the security guards broke in and arrested everyone. Yeah. But what I thought was amazing was the first part, several dozen believers, that's a big number. We don't think that many meetings gather in, you know, under such severe
Reverend Ben Cooper:oppression, and yeah, well, that you're gathering and your life is being threatened and they've paid, we can hear what's happened to them. So we clearly understand. I don't even like use the word consequence to the gain, had, the Scripture is exactly as it should be, you know, to live is to die and to diet it gain in it when you look, when you look at the Scripture, what it says about being a believer, you we are expected to lose one's life for one's faith, really. So that's that's it, the totality of of what we are looking at across the world. Afghanistan is number one, North Korea is number two, Somalia, three, Libya, for Yemen, number five. So as you look at the map, you can find this quite easily, but our heart and our prayers are for those that are really in true persecution, real true persecution, because Sandra's bought saying is very harrowing. We know that goes on. But as several dozen that is a big, that's a big amount.
Sandra Robson:That is a big amount. And, you know, they've they've been missing for quite some time to get to that sort of, yes, that's what I was thinking well established. Yeah. So I mean, that's an encouragement in the fact that they were able to meet together that obviously, appears that others have joined them, you know, so there's been converts amongst them. Yeah. And so, it also, the other part of it is they've lost their lives, but also that over 100 members of their families have been sent to political camps. Now, they might have no belief at all. And they might all be, you know, quite in with what the government, you know, and following Yes, the leader worship. So, you know, perhaps for some, they will suddenly think, Gosh, my relative was a Christian. What did that mean? I mean, they, they probably will be told, this is why you're here, maybe they won't, but they maybe would start to wonder, but obviously, they are in a terrible situation. And they do that is as a fear tactic to punish the loved ones as well. Yeah, yeah. And apparently, there are been greater controls and restrictions since COVID. And they've used that as something to tighten up things. And apparently, I didn't know this. I missed this anti reactionary thought law was enacted in late 2020. And this tighten the controls over external information, which includes videos and radio broadcasts, and increased the punishment for perceived infringements. So even more, it's even more difficult for church leaders and members to worship and pray together. So they're attacking again, just like China, trying to prevent any form from the outside world. They're just really just totally trying to clamp down and prevent anything. But there are still people who are able to get broadcasts. And as again, they're under great penalty. You know, the could be found at any time. Yeah. But God is covering them, and we pray for them to be covered in prayer. And there was a letter from one of the believers who's a church leader, which you can read. It's in open doors, it's online. And it was basically looking at John 1427. But I haven't got that Bible reference with me. But anyway, we could maybe look at that again. And then on the other side, so the is very sad, as we've said, but they've gone to glory. And, you know, they, they have witnessed. And for those that had to carry out the killings, you know, we pray that they saw something in these believers, and that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. And also that there are 10s of 1000s of believers alive through networks in China and the safe houses as well. And that's what I want to have a look at next, because open doors have done little thing in their booklet, their their magazine for January, February 2020, about those who were exiled because of finding something you know, to do with being a Christian. And in this case, it was because she owned a Bible, and it is quite miraculous. And she believes it's so powerful that she has been sent to hard labor and was not killed. Okay. And it's amazing that she's actually use this to reach others. And again, to form an underground church. Wow. Now whether these two things are linked together, I don't know. But they're very
Reverend Ben Cooper:interesting. They're very close together, don't they? This is in Barnabas magazine,
Sandra Robson:this no, this is still open,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we're still an open door. Just for the reference. If anyone wants to follow this story, we are in open doors, it is so easy to find open doors online. And you just can quickly just type in open doors.uk Very simple. And you will pick these these fantastic factual stories out there are really, really important. They're great prayer points. And I do like to try and make sure that we get the reference of where they're coming from. So this one is we're coming out of open doors, and it is a great bit of literature. They do a great lot of even their Facebook, their Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. You can follow so much. It's really important that we follow them on the socials. There's a
Sandra Robson:lot of stories they do on YouTube really encouraging testimonies. But the bit I've got here is a new news release. That's North Korea. And that was March 22. Yeah. So if you look for North Korea, March the 22nd, then you will find out that information about those secret believers, and the letter. And but this part is from taken from the magazine about this young woman called be a Bayes maybe. But that's not her real name. That's a name that is a North Korean name. Yeah. So basically, she spends her days working in the fields until she meets their quota. And if she has time, for short breaks, she heads to the woods to gather mushrooms and plants to fill the gap in her meager rations. And also that because of the harsh punishment she's under, and the terrible food shortage in North Korea, and that's the only way she can survive. So they, these people who are sent to exile are given rations that enable them just to stay above salvation, size. And so her she sees her real work, starting at night, when she covers the windows with blankets, and there's a small candle and she sits in a tight circle with others, and she takes out a book. And she knows that man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. And she tells them that amazingly Yes. Although there's tight restrictions, and there are guards, and watching all the comings and goings, and you can't, you know, get out onto the road without this blockades and things. Yeah, somehow she managed to get out and get over to China and stay in a safe house. Which you think could only have happened with an angel it could only be like I think like a piece of experience because something the roads are closely monitored and guarded. believably she managed to escape.
Reverend Ben Cooper:How can that be Lord something are miraculous. Yeah, beyond human understanding. Amazing stuff Sandra.
Sandra Robson:But she was under tremendous risk of doing that. And they have to cross the river. And then again, this is very highly guarded. And the security has intensified since COVID. If they are found, there'll be sent back, or be interrogated and imprisoned or even killed. So when she arrived in China, she was able to find shelter and Lord again, you know, go How does she know about this? She found a safe house. And you know that brother John, hurt, it's not his real name. He was able to support her, give her food, medicines and fellowship, they suggested that she stayed there for some time. What was her response? No, I need to go back to my people, and feed them and give them what you've given me.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I need to go back. Yeah. How much time to say that to even do that to even facilitate and even to put yourself into that position, I've got to go back.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And so by is used, used to leading her underground church in whispers aware that being caught could mean death. In the safe house, that all changed. She sang worship songs, and prayed loud prayers. She read the Bible openly with fellow believers experiencing fellowship in a way that is impossible in North Korea. And you wouldn't blame her if she had said that she wanted to stay but no, instead buy returned home with the food and medicine she'd been given. And the precious Bible, she said all these with our underground group of believers, these gifts will sustain the faith of these North Korean Christians for years.
Reverend Ben Cooper:It is absolutely amazing what goes on.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And said that their vision is not just to survive, it's to survive, strengthen, and equip, and go. And
Reverend Ben Cooper:I'm actually speechless when I read and sound has been reading this, and I've been looking on open doors and you see things that's going on. And I've got to be honest, that that story that Sandra brought to the mics at the very beginning of this podcast of those those believers that was taken for their faith, you know, it really brings things into perspective. For me, it really pulls me up. And I just pray that God will awaken the church within the UK to pray, to pray, to pray, and to continue to pray for our sisters and brothers around the world that are in real persecution. We are in quite a dangerous and volatile position here because we are wrapped in cotton wool, really. And it's quite dangerous that we are quite removed from the real church of Jesus Christ. And it's quite a dangerous place to be. God is with them. God is always guiding them and leading them we can see this through the stories and for openings on open doors, and Barnabas and all the other great ministries that are out there that support and help and bring these believers to a safe place. The Safe House is the centers that are around for safety for them. And I just pray God have mercy on the church in the UK, Please, Father, please, Lord.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So he says that he's actually been able to increase the supplies to North Korea that they've received significant support through this year. And they're increasing the amounts we're providing, even during such difficult times, God continues to show us his faithfulness. And he says, you know, keep on praying, don't give up. There we go ongoing prayer and giving support vital long term support for believers from the country where faith costs the most. If you don't support us, we can't go and minister. So thank you says, brother John, you make a team with us when you obey Him. God does not neglect your hearts and calling thanks to all the supporters who pray and supporters from around the world. Courageous Christians, like they truly know what it means to follow Jesus, no matter the cost. And the cost has been enormous to her. Yet she considers her sufferings a blessing, as you will see in this letter. Thank you, Jesus. So she's this. So they know that she got back because she said, managed to get this letter out that she got back safely. So
Reverend Ben Cooper:that was the understanding that she was safe. Yeah. So you have the letter there that they actually printed it. Yeah.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So they've got her letter actually, in her language, and then it's been translated. Dear friends, we are well and peaceful With God's grace and your concern We give thanks to the father who's doing mighty works. I am so overwhelmed to write you this letter, we received the greatest love and concern which cannot be returned back. We live firmly in the suffering March. As always. Whenever I open my eyes in the morning, I feel the presence of our father. Right now we are only received materials from you. But we expect the day to come when we can return those back in God. From the perspective of other people, our life of suffering must seem like a curse life. However, this suffering is a blessing from our father, who allowed us in our life because it is a shortcut to the Father. He knows our suffering and listens to of prayers. We thank our Father who has done such great things to prepare life for us. We who receive His amazing grace keenly realize and understand His words, Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the Father. That means any life that follows his word is a blessing. The thing I give thanks for most is that Father God uses me to work as his servant, I decide desire to dedicate my life into death to glory him. Brother, I have no one request, please send our gratitude and appreciation to those who send these support materials to us. I bow to them with a thankful heart that stay healthy and fight strongly for the gospel alized North Korea, take care bear your sister in Christ,
Reverend Ben Cooper:what a letter to all those. I'm paraphrasing a bit here what she said all those that look at us and see these occurred. Well, actually, it's a blessing, a shortcut to the Father. A quick way to the Father, Lord, please, please have mercy on the church in the UK law, please open our eyes. The persecution is not a curse. It's a blessing. Our lives are fret threatened every day in every moment. It's not a problem. It's a blessing. It's a shortcut to the Father.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. The presence of the Father. Sure, we don't really get it. We don't really we don't they know the presence of the Father. Oh, this is just and she's near a heaven.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Oh, Lord, please, Father, I asked you, Dear God, please move within the church in the UK. week in week out, we do this on the persecuted church and everything else in between the conversations over the mics that we see in here come through, you know, that's, that is the real church of Jesus Christ. That is the real pinnacle, that that is the the glory that is where God that's where the Holy Spirit are not saying God's left the UK. I'm not saying that. But when you look at the two different places, when you look at the data, when you look at these letters, these handwritten letters completely coming out with faith, power and authority. This is not a curse. This is a blessing. We are blessed in persecution. And they're seeing miracles. They are CSR says they are seeing miracles.
Sandra Robson:They are living the Bible just as in that time. Yeah, with, you know, after Jesus night, you know, with pizza and imprison and all that's things and then just that, you know, they could be killed at any time, couldn't they? I mean, you know, if you think about Nero and the Emperor and all that, yeah. So that similar situation. It's the same in Afghanistan as well. I,
Reverend Ben Cooper:the Scripture that comes to my mind is from the great writer, Paul, when he says I know what it's what it's like to be in welfare. Whether to be hungry or no or it's like to be in want to not have one he says, I have found it. Absolutely. A position of in Christ is everything in Christ, everything. I know what it's like to be shipwrecked to know what it's like to be deadbeat. And I know what it's like to be well fed to be hungry. But I have I know what it's like to have peace amongst all this sort of stuff. Gosh, if there's a there's a writer that went through persecution, it was that it was that that guy that apostle, yeah, and you look at what we're looking at at the moment and it's quiet, quiet quiet in here today normally and quiet Larry, and quite loud on these podcasts. But Sandra's ones really bring you to a place of thinking they bring it to a depth of what is the church doing in the UK? Where actually are we spiritually? What is this about?
Sandra Robson:But I think also it's about thinking about this mean we know that the challenges are coming. We're hearing it on the news day after day. A things that were our stability is now being shaken in different ways from delicious. Different angles. Yeah, yeah. And you know, but I've been thinking about and what is in here is Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Father. Well, I think that's what we need to let,
Reverend Ben Cooper:let's rest on that. Let's read on that a moment. phones are ringing phones.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, so I think, you know, that's it, you know, appreciating the Word of God, and the reality of the Word of God, and how this woman went all that way to get medicines and a Bible. And I mean, she's putting herself in such danger. I mean, the reason that she's in this place is because she had a Bible before. And now she's gone back and got another Bible gone back, you know, and I just pray for her, you know, her protection. I pray, you know, that, that, you know, some of these guards and people are affected, and they are blinded to what is going on, there has to be angels that I mean, it says, The Lord and camps around, you
Reverend Ben Cooper:know, the Lord encamps know that he could
Sandra Robson:call her home one day and say, That's it. Your job is done here. Yeah. You know, just as those believers were found,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I think you got to remember Sandra, Psalm 91, For he will command his angels concerning you to lift you up in their hands, that you will not strike your foot against the stone. God, God commands his angels concerning concerning those that are real believers. Yeah. And like you said, How did I get from A to B without being called? How did I get from this position to that
Sandra Robson:seem like Phillip and the and the union? There? And then he was there transported?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, it's just you've had this moment that is undescribable. Within the human language, you can't find the word and you can't find the the logic you can't find the science and you can't put it all together, but somehow for a supernatural move of the living God, God is protecting and God is moving his children around. Yeah, underground underground.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. I mean, there's amazing
Reverend Ben Cooper:stories, the underground church, how have power for you that, that we will gather underground, we will gather, no matter where we're going to gather, we gather under a tree we gather in a field, we're going to gather but one thing is for sure, we're going to have fellowship together. And we are going to really seek the Lord. You know, I come back again to the UK, I'm afraid to say. And I think about all the lockdown measures and all that sort of stuff. How, how bizarre how bizarre that the church, the church listened and reacted to certain measures when you've got the persecuted church has a rifle at them. And they are not going to stop no matter what. There are certain nations that have their churches actually disappeared, flattened, gone, bulldoze it over. The authorities have flattened the churches, and they are not allowing any gatherings of worship, but the underground church is growing is moving. It was coming together, it is moving together. But as soon as the authorities talk over here, the church reacts to whatever it will do whatever the government say, how are we really the Church of Jesus Christ? Or are we just an organization? What are we in this nation? I have to ask the question, you know,
Sandra Robson:where is the line?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Where is this line? Where is this line in this nation? Are we really the church? Or are we just an organization controlled by policies and agendas? Are we or do we record these these brothers and sisters represent God? They are. They are there. They're in there in the thick of this. And it is quite a heavy pressure when we come to these podcasts. But the question is I do is are we the church in the UK? Can we actually say? Yes. When you see what's going on? You know, Chandra, what else we got? Interesting stuff.
Sandra Robson:Um, well, I've got some prayers for North Korea, I think. Yeah. Well, we'll leave Afghanistan. Yes. So next time. It is a lot but just be aware that Ramadan starts on the second of April. So we're almost there. And that means a higher pressure for believers that have come out of Islam, because they're expected to do certain things. And when the family see they're not doing these things, questions, questions start to be asked but it's also an opportunity for us to witness but they have to be very careful about and then lose a lot of wisdom about that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Imagine put yourself in that position that you've been brought up in this culture this religion all your life. Yeah. And suddenly this event is going to take place. And am I going to stand for what I am now? Or am I going to fold into what is expected of me? There will be uncountable amount of believers in Christ that are in this position of following the tradition of Ramadan are having to make a very wise and a very godly decision of how do I react? What do I do?
Sandra Robson:Yeah, sadly, there are more killings at this time of year because people find out. But yeah, I mean, you know, the some do choose to continue to do go to prayers, but they're praying to Jesus, and some have decided that they will have family gatherings. But we'll then witness, but we'll try not to bring a wedge between their their family, you know, they want it to be seen as a positive thing. And many are very devout and have a desire to follow God. And they just don't know. So we pray, and I, I've been doing this and I've, you know, other things that I've, you know, that, that I've heard coming back from these areas of the world after, you know, the prayers are that many hearts have been open. So, and this year, the prayer for 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world has been going 30 years.
Reverend Ben Cooper:30 years. So look at that quickly. Yeah. So where can we find this? How can we
Sandra Robson:on this? Well, again, online, I mean, open doors, were saying about it, but it's not from open doors. It's another organization, but they're connected with lots of different groups. So you know, just look on online, 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world. And it just gives a real insight to what's going on in different parts of the world and helps you with your prayers. Because we remember that Jesus said to pray for our enemies, and not all these people, as we say, our enemies, yes, we think about the terrorists, and we think about the extremists. But there are just people who have been brought up to believe. And Mohammed, Mohammed is the only way and that Islam is there. You know, just that's the way it's always been. But they are questioning things because of wars, and unrest and other things that are happening in their countries, which is turning things upside down. And so, you know, we pray for them. We pray for them to find the truth and for the truth to set them free. And so yeah, so I'll be doing that. And it's particularly looking at the forgotten people. And so yeah, I'll be finding out a bit more about that. And Excellent. Yeah. So do pray for our brothers and sisters as they make these decisions. And thank the Lord for the the witness of his underground church. And yeah, look forward to bring in the things that about, yeah, Afghanistan, and I, you know, and if we get a chance, I'm not sure just depends how things are going up to Easter holiday now. Excellent. You know, but I do wish everybody a Happy Easter and that they remember, you know, what happened, and you know, how, how great that was, you know, that our sins are forgiven. And the resurrection as well. That, you know, new line, and that these people really know it, and they know the difference. They've met Jesus, they have lived in religion, and then they meet the living gods, and there's no turning back.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. So wonderful stuff. And just that booklet, what Sandra was looking at, I've just typed into the search engine, it's so simple. All you got to type in is 30 days of prayer. It comes up 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world. Very interesting. It's online. It great bit of information, praying into it and over it and through it. Fantastic bit of information that we're armed, armed with, you can get it online, you can buy it online, you can download it online, it gives you all the information. And we would urge you to pray into this. They've got the PDF form there. You can capture this really, really simple and it's good because it will guide you in prayer. It will it will target the area that needs to be targeted. Which which is really important because obviously it's very could be hostile ground going into ground that we're all familiar with and it will teach you show you on the way forward. So, yeah, if you're online now, wherever you are, you can quickly jump into this. And you can find that simply by typing in 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world, Sandra and you brought enough we've got a good foundation to start again from we got a lovely lot of information. You bought a lovely letter to the mics today. We literally just spun out a time again. But we was going to go into Afghanistan. But obviously conversations have quickened and move forward, and we will maybe God, if the Lord Terri's we could do that next time because there's a lot of things happening in in Afghanistan is suddenly increased up to the World Watch List straight to number one. And we pray for our sisters, our brothers, we pray for the Muslim world out there, we pray that God will move very, very powerfully in Afghanistan, and that we will see miracles and hear miracles. But there's one thing for sure, wherever there is strong, heavy persecution, you know, without any shadow of a doubt, the Spirit of the Lord is growing the underground church is growing at a rate that cannot be measured. It cannot be measured by statistics. It is growing it is exploding. It is moving in religions of the world. It is a what I find absolutely fascinating it is it is not requiring a building. It is not requiring the bricks and mortar that we rely on so much within the UK and the West to call church churches happening. Literally under the ground churches happening in in the back of the vehicle churches happening within a home Bibles are being hidden under carpets in floors. This is this is really radical stuff. What is happening, God is gathering his children. And I asked as we come to a close and I'm gonna ask Sondra she will bring us to a prayer in a few moments. I would ask every leader every believer within the UK Can we really call ourselves the church? Can we really when we analyze and when we look at what's going on on Sunday mornings? Is it Are we just an organization? Or are we really the face of God? Are we really bring in cleaning sound doctrine from the pulpit? Are we are we really preaching the message of, of Jesus Christ for salvation? Are we are we really the church? You know, that's a question that's really bubbling around and I think that just before Sondra prays, one one area that that I need to look at very strongly is work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Are we saved? God is moving. We are living in very critical times. We are at the end of time God is with the persecuted church. God is walking the shores of the UK but are we the church? Sondra, could you bring us to a close please in a prayer?
Sandra Robson:Okay, so we'll join with Brother John, who is supporting North Koreans and he says thank you God, who loves North Korea, you are always with North Korea and believers when when we suffer. You feel their pain. You comfort them and give them wisdom to survive. You provide their daily bread. God the North Korean churches have been surviving for a long time. They are relying only on you and their difficulties. Use them to transform North Korea. Let them be a voice to the world and share the gospel to the world. Let us be obedient to God's calling us supporters and missionaries. Let us be part of God's ministry. We praise you and worship you God that you never give up on North Korea or North Koreans. Amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you so much wherever you are across this world today. We thank you so much for joining us here. Just hear across the mics you've been listening to Sondra rubs and myself Reverend Ben Cooper, as Sandra as brought lovely information, a beautiful letter today and she said that wonderful prayer. May God bless you and strengthen each and every one of you. God is with you. God is with me. God is working within the UK. God is working within the persecuted church God is saving. He is the holder of the keys. I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail. He is building. Let's follow Jesus. Thank you so much. You can find us on Buzzsprout Spotify. I Heart Radio and all the other platforms Amazon music, Apple Music, all the socials. Please share this stuff out. Please We would love to hear your comments and your feedback, but never give up. There is always hope. Have a great day in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. God bless