Hello and welcome to our podcast here Elim church in Swanley. You are joining myself Reverend Benjamin, Lana Cooper. And as we gather together at this hour we are looking at the suffering church. We just want to say good morning to Sondra. Hello, Sandra and welcome after we've had our Christmas break and the New Year break, and now we've had the lockdown measures, but we are still smiling.
Sandra Robson:Good morning. Yes. And Happy New Years, everybody.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Happy New Year. It's lovely to have you with us this morning, Sandra. We're looking and we are going to backpedal a bit today, are we
Sandra Robson:Yeah, yeah, reminding people what we were doing last, which was looking at children and youth in the persecuted church. Yes. And we saw that there's over 100 million under 18 across the world. And we particularly looked in depth look at India and Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Sri Lanka, and so on Central African Republic, Nigeria and Colombia, and to give ideas of what those children were going through. So then I do an update on some of it. And I may bring a further update, and in a week or two, yeah, and as different organizations and produce their overviews for the past year and things, so I'm getting some of it. So, going back and I talked about the brick kiln children,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we did Yes, I remember what was very, very interesting that the children working in the brickfilms how they work the hours they work, and what have we else? What else do we have there?
Sandra Robson:Well, it's very good news. And this is through the Barnabas project, particularly, and that they have on the cover about how they have released many, many families. And I'll be talking about that in a bit more depth later. So it's 1261 families have been freed in the last year from bonded labor. Wow. And part of that is also to open schools. And I just wanted to particularly highlight this very heartwarming and piece, which is about a child from one of those families. Okay, and her name is Roshini, and her parents are one of many of these brick home workers and they couldn't afford to send her to school. Sure. And she really wanted to to go to school, she really yearned to study and this is what she said, I used to pray to God to fulfill my desire. And he heard my prayers when this school got opened by Barnabas Fund in our village
Reverend Ben Cooper:beautiful
Sandra Robson:and she now attends one of 33 Barnabas supportive schools for Christian brick killing children in Pakistan, which is a safe place for them to learn. And she's, you know, she's just so pleased and happy. And isn't that wonderful, that she asked God to let you know, give her an opportunity to learn Praise God. You know, God has made a way for that to happen. And what an effect that's going to have on her. Yeah. And her education. Pride. Yeah, she pride, have faith. And that's what we were talking about these these young individuals have a really strong faith, you've got to remember they're living in very difficult situations they're living in really, I mean, no, say, yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:the situation that we would never ever understand.
Sandra Robson:No.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah. And mine tries to understand it. We try to get a picture of it, as we look at this picture that Sandra has in front of us, but
Sandra Robson:yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:but we will never get to that position that look at what she's wearing.
Sandra Robson:Very poor. As you know, we said that floors all the you know, Christians are treated that way. You know, you have the lowest of the low jobs. And you know, so but her family what makes me think is her family must have instilled this fact. Yeah, Jesus is alive. And Jesus answers prayers. And she's picked this up as she's, she's continued to pray.
Reverend Ben Cooper:But found,
Sandra Robson:do you know it's that just for listeners to think about the stark landscape. We are living in a very stark, very, very bleak landscape at the moment. But isn't that wonderful? That is the That is the hope the road hope we talked about this little girl, in spite of everything, this is the impossible being made possible.
Reverend Ben Cooper:As the scripture says, We serve a God, the quarter things are not as though they
Sandra Robson:absolutely are really going to see that powerful we are absolutely. And we want to tell you about the things that have happened, and things are happening, and the things that are yet to come, don't be so. So just to encourage people. So that's a wonderful testimony, through prayers, and forgiving that God has put on the heart of people to do these particular things. And please pray for protection in that because there are stuff going on. Barnabas funds are under a lot of pressure at the moment. Leadership is under a lot of pressure at the moment and from different angles. Yeah, and so do pray for the people on the ground, who are doing these things. And the other thing and open doors, we talked about the children's centers, and the centers of hope. And next week, I'll bring you there's been an update from you know, the girl that we talked about who lost her dad in Colombia. She has written a letter a thank you letter about her Christmas. And the centers of hope that are in Syria and Iraq, how they were able to function and we praise God for that. So now this this year 2021, we're going to overview first, persecution and 2020. What What happened, and I just felt to go through just like a diary of, you know, what, what has happened? key events that have happened. So yes, in January, we had COVID. And talked about, didn't we? We started in China. And and wonderfully, wonderfully, you know, again, this is the contrast this is the Oh, what do you call it the
Reverend Ben Cooper:I would simply say the power of God, working in such a bleak situation. The impossible but yeah, it's possible. The darkest, darkest days, when you look around the world of what's happening at the moment of everywhere, America, Asia, the world of the suffering church here in the UK, God is shining down. Yeah, there is a rice like a lack of sun like the sun shining through. When it's been raining, that there is a ray of hope.
Sandra Robson:It's the opposite to what you think would happen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:It's the opposite. It has to be,
Sandra Robson:you know, it's the opposite. And this is the wonderful thing about the gospel is that is when you look at
Reverend Ben Cooper:it gives hope
Sandra Robson:it says and the Chinese Christians came out, we didn't see we didn't see that. We won't say that. But they came out they they collected things. And they were they were giving masks away. They did everything they could they saw that window of opportunity as people were fearful. They said, right, this is our opportunity. And they had no concern for themselves. I don't know what happened to some of them. I know some of them have ended up in prison. I know other people have been, as other things have happened. You know, I don't know, you know, how many suffered from COVID themselves. But the fact was, they did everything they could in that time. They helped those people. Yeah, sadly, the authorities prevented it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:It's a way to do that.
Sandra Robson:But there was a window of opportunity. And they use that they went online, they they they they gathered online, they did everything until the you know the, to the powers that down every way every place until it was how it should be. Yeah. And so that is the start of the year was a wonderful Chinese brothers and sisters. And I'm going to actually look at what happened in China. But there's a say this is a diary of events. So January, it was China that we looked at the Christians particularly then as we go on as we came into lockdown and things happened here. We then opened doors highlighted the fact that PGP and food aid was not reaching India was not reaching parts of Asia, and different places. And the update on that is that through that call the letter emails to MPs, the things said to particular, you know, governments and things like that, that in the end to through this is through open doors, but there are other things as well. And 283,000 Christians were supported in Asia alone, Really? Yes. Through Christians rising up and saying, right, we've got to do something about this. And so they said, Yeah, so there's a lovely, I'm going to read about, you know, people giving thanks. But you know, really, I mean, you know, it's very humbling. So so that was a word that a lot of a lot of workers from the different agencies, Christian agencies, were putting themselves at risk through. Well, February, March, April, May, June in those places, to see that those people received aid in the different different countries. And then wonderful news on the 14th of July, Sudan abolished its apostasy law. This was big news.
Reverend Ben Cooper:funny that you don't hear that on the news.
Sandra Robson:No, no.
Reverend Ben Cooper:It's very interesting what you hear on the news in the UK and across the westernized world. Yeah, we got that Sandra. So this is big stuff.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, it's his big stuff. And I'm just going to go in date order. So I'll put that aside a moment. And then July as well. And now this is a story and again, I I'm bringing this to bring balance about what's happening in Nigeria, and how God is at work. And if something you could have missed, I could have missed it easily. But I then saw in the roundup of news in the Barnabas magazine, Fulani Muslim rescues Nigerian Christian missionaries dumped by kidnappers. Yes, that is significant. That's
Reverend Ben Cooper:a big miracle.
Sandra Robson:That is like the Good Samaritan Good Samaritan. And so yeah, I'll read it to you. It says the Fulani Muslim man came to the rescue of two Nigerian Christian missionaries dumped in the bush by kidnappers on the 15th of July. After they had enjoyed two months in captivity. He found the pastor and the other person Samuel Mabus, exhausted and hungry and gave them shelter. The man had been kidnapped in Niger state on the 17th of May. They were abandoned by their captors without food and spent two days trekking in heavy rain across unfamiliar terrain. At one point, they had to crawl on their stomachs to evade armed militants. The rescuer took looked after them for two days before taking them to church leaders. In gusau, the capital of Sam fara state, which neighbors nyga Niger, is it Niger? Yeah. So I just thought that was just like, yeah, that's very, very powerful. And those small stories, those small
Reverend Ben Cooper:stories, to me, they are big, really big news. That is just a powerful move of God. Yeah, putting someone in their pathway to Christians. Yeah, dumped in the middle of the wilderness, left to die. And God will always provide COVID always bring bring you from,
Sandra Robson:from an unexpected place. very unexpected. They could have seen as their enemy most definitely the thing is that we have to realize and this is what I've learned through listening to the different webinars I've been involved with, with the different organizations about the Fulani and how it's moved to, there's a militant part of this, like an like an armed section of people who are Fulani. So, you know, we need to remember it's not offered for larvae. There are people who don't want to be involved on a baseball. And so we thank Lord for using that guy.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's a great story. Oh,
Sandra Robson:yeah, I was really, really encouraged. Real News. And then we had in August, sadly, the teen that teenager was so stoned to death in India. You know, again, there are things going on there.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Interesting. Doesn't make the nose
Sandra Robson:No. And, you know, things yeah, we really need to look at India and pray for India. There's a lot of stuff. You see things hotting up
Reverend Ben Cooper:this year, very, very warm out there is a spiritual climate. We need to pray. We do need to pray for India. We need to press him.
Sandra Robson:So August, Hong Kong. Now we've never had to think about Hong Kong, persecution. But now is the start of that. And national security law was introduced and we're now starting to see arrests and Not saying who exactly they've arrested, it's a mixture of people, but whether they had Christian tendencies, but they are people who are looking to human rights and to see a freedom of speech and all these justice freedoms. So I'll tell you about what happened in December if people have heard about that. So in August, that was a day. You know that that happened that day and national security law was introduced. September was when 30 years of rule under Islamic law ended on the third of September by assigning of the A chord for Sudan.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Gi Do we have the
Sandra Robson:abolish abolishing of the apostasy law? And then in September it was then that it's now not under Islamic rule.
Reverend Ben Cooper:You know that but in between that you had Hong Kong? Yeah. Starting so where you've got one on one coming to the to the right side of the cross? Yeah, there is there is good movement and then from freedom and persecution starting to almost not not disappear, that mean disappear. But you can see there is a bit more a relaxation, but then suddenly, you find another nation is started. Yeah. So it's, it's, it's happening in pockets everywhere. There's a bit of freedom, a bit of a bit of a breath of fresh air and opening. Yeah. And then another part of the world. There was a closing down. Yeah, so it's like a pair of lungs breathing out and expanding.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So this is the the report about the Sudan. It says, a deal ending Sudan 30 years of rule and under Islamic law and Islam, as the official state religion has been agreed between the transitional government and the rebel groups. And apologies about when I spit say names, and Prime Minister Abdullah Kham doc signed an A chord with the leader of Sudan, People's Liberation Movement north, and
Reverend Ben Cooper:Abdi does tires on the ocean is so difficult.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, I'll hear you. Well, on the third of September in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, the state shall not establish official religion says the agreement, gnosis and shall be discriminated against based on their religion. What do you okay in less than a week after the government signed a piece of code with an alliance of rebel groups on the 31st of August, ending decades of conflict in Darfur? And the border states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan that's major, which Yeah, left hundreds of 1000s dead and millions more displaced. Islamists have called for the government to be overthrown describing it as a war against virtues. So there is there are pockets and still, there is still danger. But the spiritually, things have shifted. Okay.
Reverend Ben Cooper:There's a spiritual shift in the atmosphere.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So we pray for them. And we pray that the Christians will really take hold of this and love their neighbors and people, because I think also people are tired of the walls and everything they mean.
Reverend Ben Cooper:exhausted, yeah, you can you try to imagine all these nations that we're reading about when you've grown up as a child in a war torn, and also you've got persecution, you've got your mum and dad always worrying about talking about Christianity. Not only that, you're you're living with dirt floors, you're living in a village. You You're, you're you're living in very harsh conditions. It must be draining. It must be draining on yourself.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Alone, having your life friend above everything else.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. I mean, I, you know, over the years reading the reports, you know, the, the bombing attacks and everything and people fleeing just with their suitcase trying to get across the border.
Reverend Ben Cooper:We can't we cannot imagine what that must be like, yeah, unless someone a refugee has been all the way through that and they can come and sit and tell us. Even when we hear the stories and the testimonies of what's happened. Yeah, we still cannot get our physical and our mental and our understanding into that sort of position. What that means. Yeah, so cotton ward in the West.
Sandra Robson:I mean, I I just I was saying to a friend, how privileged I've been that times. I did quite a bit of traveling through, you know, my university and different things that I've done. And sometimes God brought me across people I never expected you'd ever meet. And one occasion that I thought about because of this was when I was at Euston station, and my train had been delayed. And I had so it was it was about, you know, wintertime, and I decided I would get a coffee. And there was this lady. And she seemed to be in some Distress. And I remember the Lord saying to me to offer a coffee. And I did and you know, where she came from?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Nowhere was that Sudan. come from Sudan. She
Sandra Robson:came from Sudan. So she was
Reverend Ben Cooper:opened up.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, she was a student from Sudan. She was a Muslim. But yeah, we we ended up talking at this time, just this table. Yes. quite some years ago.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Contact?
Sandra Robson:Yes. And at that time, obviously, the conflict stuff was going on. Yeah. And she was saying how she was so sad for her country
Reverend Ben Cooper:or nation.
Sandra Robson:And she, she said, you know, that my neighbor is now my enemy. And she said, I don't want that. She she said to me, she said, you know, we used to live in peace. We used to have, you know, she never used to think about it and never have to worry. And so she, you know, just talking to her. And I just found that a privilege because I think, you know, we hear a lot of things in the news. And there can be different angles, but to actually meet somebody who's lived. Yeah, he's part of that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Still going through that in our mind, even though
Sandra Robson:I mean, obviously, it's some years ago now can't remember
Reverend Ben Cooper:the story when you hit the station.
Sandra Robson:So and, you know, and to think now, she said, I hope one day and that day is come and I yeah, hope. Yeah, I hope one day, and we did talk about Jesus. And we did. And I can't remember now what, why she was, you know, in London, I think she was studying or something. You know, she said she was ever so grateful for the fact that she could be.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, yeah, sure.
Sandra Robson:And obviously, then I had no thing about doing this or appreciating what people were telling me about garden.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I think God was preparing you,
Sandra Robson:you know, and when they said about us appreciating our freedom, freedom here,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we have a lot of freedom,
Sandra Robson:you know, and even then I don't think I really
Reverend Ben Cooper:know we don't we don't appreciate it.
Sandra Robson:But I did. I did think about that. You know, anyway, so just to get that in perspective, you know, and those, it's those stories that matter, those blue matter,
Reverend Ben Cooper:human contact.
Sandra Robson:And so now we go to October, and past a pastor was released in Nigeria. That's good news. I haven't given his name because again, for security
Reverend Ben Cooper:reason, be very careful.
Sandra Robson:And at the same time, 69 prisoners were freed from Eritrea. But you they still in that? Christians have to be very wary.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Still conditions.
Sandra Robson:Yes. Because, because some people show joy at that they were arrested on the spot five mothers arrested
Reverend Ben Cooper:because they was smiling.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. Because they were joyous.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, the freedom. Yeah, it's got you every way.
Sandra Robson:So I'll bring more on that. But that was something that happened. And so we praise God for that. But they're saying that there are reasons why that happened. And so you've got to take that with caution. Be careful. Yeah. And then November, and it was the International Day of Prayer. And that was very powerful. Yeah. And God used that very powerfully, and brought people together and helped us to understand a lot of things that were going on in the world. And we thank God that we were able to meet together, that the countries through the internet we're able to convey different stories. Yeah, and get we got firsthand encounters I met one of them was with a teenager of a pastor who had been taken away from his family and how it affected him. But how, through other Christians supporting him how he standing strong in it. And, you know, so that was one of the things and also updates on Nigeria and seeing that how God is at work and how Christians have gone into places where white you safer angels with fear to tread, you know, if they're going into places where you never would have thought they would go. And that is why there's a bit of a backlash because Muslims are hearing the gospel, not what they thought it was. But the reality a bit like Abraham who said, This isn't the Jesus, I was told about
Reverend Ben Cooper:this isn't Jesus,
Sandra Robson:yeah, people are going in and saying this, you know, giving the gospel. So pray gospel, there are these converts now, and they are in safe houses. And under a lot of pressure in in Nigeria. And so when we hear about these other attacks, it's because you know, they realize that somebody has been become a Christian and being converted. And so there's so that was quite amazing to hear that was going on. And then in December, Booker Rahm, and I think, you know, they wanted to make sure that we know they're still there, and that what they can do, sadly, kidnapped 300 boys, more, and 300 are still missing. But then they, the authorities did, and secure the release of a number of them. But there were concessions made and ransom What? Yeah, there's some other things that haven't been detailed. And then in Indonesia, for Christians were killed. And so that was an it like an Islamic State attack. So to be aware of that. And then on the 10th of December, again, this is something that could get buried under all the news, but it's a good thing, but also difficult. And Professor tougher. Who I was praying for? This is some that somebody who this is from 2019, or possibly 2000. Yes, 2019. And he started off an orphanage for unwanted children in Nigeria, and then he was arrested under false charges. So he's been released now. But those children are all scattered at the moment. And so I'll go into more detail. But praise God, yeah, he has been released, and we pray that freedom will be all the charges will be dropped. And on the 21st of December here, good news, we talked about how there's been that that resignation of the last Special Envoy. And now we have a new special envoy on freedom of religion and belief. And that is Fiona Bruce. And she's been very much involved with the world watch list. Yeah. Over the time, very well known, present. So she's an MP who's been chosen to look at freedom of religion and belief. And, and so
Reverend Ben Cooper:that's good,
Sandra Robson:that's good, that we have somebody so praise God for that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:There's a lot of prayer points.
Sandra Robson:And I think, next time, I'll go into more detail of this detail, I think this will be where we might start with a lot
Reverend Ben Cooper:of information. It's good news, though.
Sandra Robson:Yes, I do as a as a diary. And people can, you know, jot things down, they want to also we have the declaration of humanity has also been launched, which is fantastic. And that's to do with women and violence. And, and, and lots of people have signed on to it, too, to say that this is not right. And that religion should not be used against women against to sexually violate them or or, you know, do other things.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So this has started. Yes. This has actually started it
Sandra Robson:has started a lot as I need to.
Reverend Ben Cooper:There's a lot of information. That is a big issue on its own to deal with that. Yeah, maybe we'll do a podcast in a few weeks. We'll get our head around that one.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, it's important that
Reverend Ben Cooper:you know, human trafficking, using religion against women. Yeah, is completely unexpected. Trouble and pray to God that there is a law and there is movement in this area. So yes, it's gonna be an add on. Yeah. To what say doing
Sandra Robson:so yeah saying that you know that they are that women are doubly persecuted and that needs to be addressed and now it is being addressed. So jewelry up to Christmas there were raised in China on Chinese churches. Yeah, they banned the celebration of Christmas in public places.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Did I see something as well about the new covenant Church
Sandra Robson:of the early Ranger?
Reverend Ben Cooper:church? Yes, that that was I read an article about that as well that they was coming under the hammer even more. Yes, they are. They are being squeezed that ministry that and we need to pray for that. Yes. It was it called early rain covenant church.
Sandra Robson:Yes, that's right. Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we must. We must pray. You know, we keep praying, keep praying, keep praying. We're hopeful. But there is a press. Yeah, the press.
Sandra Robson:And Bob foo has come under attack as well. And so there. That's another concern that they're now looking out from China, and saying those that have gone out of China, who are still voicing human rights issues, that they're warning them that we
Reverend Ben Cooper:were watching, we're watching and we're after watching? Yes. And so why don't you come back? Well, they if you come back, but we're watching and we're listening.
Sandra Robson:It's more than that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And it's they are, you know, even though these people are in different countries, they've been
Reverend Ben Cooper:warned.
Sandra Robson:And they're now under police protection. And so that's very sad to hear. But they are telling the truth.
Reverend Ben Cooper:This is what you get for when you tell the truth. So
Sandra Robson:and Indian Christians received a warning letter about celebrating Christmas and such like, so that is what happened was the year that was is the year Yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And what a powerful year it's been.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we've got this arching, unforeseen enemy lurking in the open air across the world labeled as COVID-19. But really, it's a plague. It's a plague. It's an endtime plague. There's a lot of things
Sandra Robson:and it's been used by government.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes. Who
Sandra Robson:wants to crack down on Christianity?
Reverend Ben Cooper:It's an easy weapon to use. It's
Sandra Robson:been weaponized, sadly, it
Reverend Ben Cooper:is a weapon to come against Christians. Yeah, the doors are shot. Yeah. But the church isn't shot, the church is alive. Nothing can hold God back. The kingdom of God is advancing. Yeah, Word of God is moving more powerfully than we've ever seen before. Yeah, as the darkness gets darker, the light gets stronger. So we understand very clearly what scientists say about darkness. Darkness is just the absence of light. When the light comes in, darkness flees. That's right. Yeah, light comes in darkness has to flee.
Sandra Robson:So let us be encouraged. And you know, the prayers have been answered. And, you know, we can we are still a voice. We can you be a voice for the voiceless. And we are making a difference. And I've only, you know, getting the bare bones. Yes,
Reverend Ben Cooper:there's so much more there
Sandra Robson:is absolutely we have a latter that's been smuggled out of China, for North Korea. That's, you know, giving good news about what's going on in North Korea. And what's happened. There's other letters as well that I have, and which we will do in the following podcast. Just to say that on the 13th of January, open doors, launched their new world watch list, and please pray that many MPs will attend. And last year, they had C.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So this is the voice in Parliament.
Sandra Robson:Yes, yes. And 123 MPs came to hear about what's going on. And the obviously it's all going to be virtual this year. But there are going to be representatives from persecuted church telling them about different stories yes
Reverend Ben Cooper:firsthand in Kansas.
Sandra Robson:and up to date, people in this country 2500 emails have been sent out to MPs to, to come. And so they are open doors are just saying, Please pray. And you know, and that, yeah, that the MPs will actually connect with this. Especially because now we're in lockdown. And there's a lot of pressures on them. And please pray for the MPs. But that's something we can do in this country. Because it's very important and to support and Fiona Bruce, because she will be a key person, a person and to remember it is a privilege to be part of supporting the the persecuted church, our church, we're one body, and we are building his kingdom in hostile places. And that's what it's going to be about, as I showed you that picture from North Korea. And what how it will be just, you know, what we what we're hearing is amazing when you see that barbed wire,
Reverend Ben Cooper:when you look at that picture, it really brings it home. Yes, yes. It really drives that home. That picture is a very powerful. Yeah. image of what is happening.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:it's in black and white. Yeah, very, very powerful.
Sandra Robson:And just
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, sorry, Sandra, but the the church, the underground, the suffering church, the persecuted church is really moving. It is. It really is. Wherever it is coming. Wherever it is coming under attack. It is it is moving. Yeah. It can't be squashed. It's growing.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And I just bring you this. You know, we talked about that Christian girl who's who'd been married off. Yeah. And they were, they were asking for her release, while the the was a move on that. It's still ongoing. But just to finish with this that brave, you know, Christian brothers and sisters campaigned, and and also, you know, some people around the world also, you know, because it was highlighted. They did say, No, this is wrong, this is outrageous, needs to be done. And so again, prayer has been very powerful in this and it says the High Court in Pakistan in November reverses decision to validate the marriage of 13 year old girl to a Muslim. And it's ongoing. And they've they've now brought charges against the man that
Reverend Ben Cooper:that is that is a miracle alone that he's got to the court.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, the court ruled that Sam rs arzoo should remain in a government safe house until she reaches the age of 18. As a bit sad, but you know, they're they are concerned for her safety. While the court banned the husband, as are from visiting her there is a concern that others may try to intimidate her. Okay. But they are saying thank the Pakistani people, they're saying thank you for all your prayers, and pray for the protection of her and her family and for other Christian girls, and that there will be a change in the law.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Praise God. This is good.
Sandra Robson:Yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Is it really good news, there's hope in the most darkest place, ever imagine I wanted to bring that update because
Sandra Robson:we talked about it last time. And I wanted to
Reverend Ben Cooper:we did we spoke about that a lot, didn't we? Yeah, one point we really we really looked into that. But Sandra, you've really brought a lot of information. This is. This is good stuff. It's great to have you with us this morning. As we are getting back to looking at the suffering church. We'll be back next week, God willing, and we will elaborate and we will dive into a little bit more but thank you for sharing a year. Just a quick overview of Sandra this morning. We just pray for Sandra as well. We pray that God will guide her and strengthen her as God opens our eyes to the suffering church and the listeners and myself we it's really important that we engage in these ministries, open doors, Barnabas Fund CSW and refresh my mind since internet Yeah, come on. Trends World Radio, those that are getting the message out. There's so much to remember we need to pray into these ministries. So the press and lift up these ministries as they're they're bringing us real fact real news. Yeah, thank you. gospel of hope the gospel of hope orphanages are being built schools are being built People are being released chain breaking. Jesus is moving in a live songs. And we are privileged to listen and to sit to be here and it's warm room and test. We thank God for your ministry. We pray that God will strengthen you. And we will see you next week. You've been listening to myself, Reverend patron, Linda Cooper here in elim church. And we've had Sandra this morning. Looking at the suffering church, we thank you that you've joined us as we've discussed, these highly important issues of Christianity. This is the real church, not the fluffy church in the West. This is the real church, the persecuted church is where we are seeing the Holy Spirit, our God, our King move in areas where we would probably be very worried to live, but God has given them grace. God is blessing them. God is helping them in the most difficult time of their life. And we are privileged just to be able to see and to listen. So Sandra, we thank you. May God bless you and strengthen you. We will catch you next week. Thank you everybody, for listening. Please share everything we do here in Elan church through the world of podcasting. Please share it think through buzzsprout, Spotify and all the other platforms that we are on for the world of podcasting. Have a great day. Stay safe, stay in the Word of God and stay under the blood of Jesus. God bless and thank you