Hello, and welcome to Elim church Swanley you're joining myself, Reverend Ben Cooper for today's podcast, The Good morning, wherever you are today, we thank you so much for joining us, as we gather with Sandra for the persecuted church, the the podcast this morning comes out every week, we thank god to all the listeners, wherever you may be, we're just going to go back, we're going to have a recap with the prisoners of faith, we're going to go into China and Pakistan and Iran, and remembering the Indian campaign that's been going on and everything that's going along with that. And also, we're going to be looking at refugees as well, which will be a very interesting subject. So we thank you for joining us, wherever you are today. across the world, we thank you so much for sharing these podcasts. May God bless you and strengthen you in the mighty name of Jesus. Sandra, we thank you for coming in today. For the summer holidays, you're on a bit of arrest as the schools are closed. We thank you very, very deeply with Thank you very deeply from the very bottom of our heart coming and joining us today and sharing everything sounder where God is leading you. And we really bless your life in the name of Jesus and good morning, Sondra, how are you?
Sandra Robson:Good morning. I'm all right. Thank you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:you all good.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, there's a lot going on that. Yeah, we are quite quite busy. So I'm glad to have time to do things.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes. Bit of rest time for you a bit of downtime. Yes, yes. Yes. Starting to be able to rest it takes a bit of time, because you've been so busy. And you know, with the teaching and everything you know, and you suddenly stop and you feel really tired. I've ever felt quite fatigued. Yeah,
Sandra Robson:but now I'm getting past that and starting to enjoy.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Excellent
Sandra Robson:time off
Reverend Ben Cooper:Grab your breath.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:grab your breath, have some rest. Well, Sandra, we go. Last week we use. And the week before as well, I believe wasn't we time he escaped us. And it went so quickly. We've been looking at prisoners of faith. So can we, we hand over to you this morning. And as you take us a bit further and just tidy up and clean up and go backwards and forwards and to see where the Lord is gonna lead us this morning. But we just want to say once again, thank you to all the listeners around the world for downloading and sharing these podcasts and everything that's coming from this, it's really important to the sisters and brothers that we're speaking about, that their story gets out and the information gets out and it will change. God is moving. God is setting the captives free, you know whose son sets free, is free indeed to sound on. Let's go without any further ado, Sandra is going to take us into what she has for us this morning.
Sandra Robson:Yes, that's so true that God is setting the captives free. And we're going to see that in what I'm saying. I know that we were talking about prisoners, but also the refugees, he's been setting people free as well. And there's some very exciting stories coming out of some very difficult, harrowing situation. But you know, God is amazing. And he is really at work. And every time I read things, I think, Wow, how big our God is. And it really encourages me when I read and things that I know. And I do pray for all those who are listening, that it lifts you up. And it really does encourage you. And I know God wants you to know these things, to encourage you, to empower you in your prayers. And we do we are so grateful that God has given us this opportunity to share these things with you. And thank you for passing them on to Amen. And so prisoners of faith. Well, we've looked at China, we know there's many there. And we know that you know, God is at work there, even though the authorities try and shut things down, that we find out things and that they have opportunities to share their faith even in very difficult situations. And that's our prayers matter to them. And in Pakistan. And we are seeing glimmers of hope, as I said, with things to prevent the blasphemy law being misused, pray that that will really take effect that it will really be seen to be working and preventing people from being falsely accused. And so we will pray, we pray for that. And we looked at that. And in Iran, and we are going to look at around about we looked at the prisoners and the situation there and how many if they are coming from the Muslim background, and then come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, how they end up in prison and the effect of that and just how they want to strike, quash the gospel and prevent them from really taking on but even in that, you know, God is at work and we know that you know there are many who are here. Hearing the gospel in prison, but also going to talk about what happens after prison, maybe sometimes they do have to flee and become refugees. So we'll be looking at that as well. And reminder that the engine campaign is on without doors. It's been all this month. And one of the things they've been asking if you do go on their website is there is a video of people being Christians being attacked by some muslim extremists. And they would like you to send this video to the Minister for Asia. And apparently, 2000 people so far have sent this video to the Minister for Asia, you can pass it to other people as well. But particularly, they want this video and the information to be sent to a minister for Asia, in the government, in our government, so that it will go up higher the agenda and as they say, pictures speak louder than words. And it is it is shocking to see me know if you see this video what they would are doing, and to innocent people just standing by Christians just talking and said, okay, they attack the
Reverend Ben Cooper:where abouts is this video on the social networks. It's what
Sandra Robson:you just go to open doors, or
Reverend Ben Cooper:we go on to open door. Yeah.
Sandra Robson:And if you become like, you know, I subscribe, not such Well, you know, to me, and I say I want to have information. So if you give them your email and you say you want to have information about this particular campaign, then they will send you the video and then you can attend.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay, im with you, Yeah,
Sandra Robson:yeah, yeah. But there's other information there as well. And I looked yesterday, and they've got a whole part where all the prayers for every day of the month. So that's really good to look at because it's very targeted, targeted, very strategic. So you can really see what's going on in India, what the real needs, so of our brothers and sisters, and including what's happening through the pandemic as well. So that is very good resource. And I was looking at that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay, brilliant.
Sandra Robson:So, now refugees, well, we're looking at some things that we really need to pray about and remember. And then I want to tell you some stories of what's been going on since 2019, with the refugees in the refugee camps up to date, so how things started and then how they are today. So first, we're going to go to the Ethiopia sit situation, just update you on that. With t gray, we were talking about how there were Christians who had fled from Eritrea because of persecution, and they were in tea gray, and how there's been this fighting going on. Well, apparently, there is still sporadic fighting going on. And there are severe food shortages. And some services such as banking, transport communication have not fully resumed. And that was a report in January 2021. And the situation is continuing. And there are two refugee camps in Tigray in the region of North Ethiopia. And they've both been attacked in the conflict. And some refugees have been forcibly repatriated with a a Tria. And that's very sad to hear that they went, you know, to find shelter, and to find safety. And now they've been attacked, and they've been forced back to Eritrea. So we do really pray for that whole situation. And as we know, some of them did get to the capital of Ethiopia and found safety, but many didn't. And something that I've read recently and heard recently, some worrying development is that we had the good news that prisoners had been released from the Eritrean prisons of prisoners of faith had been released, men and women, but it is now coming to light that some of these are being used in the army. For this conflict, they are now transcripting. Some of them, some of the refugees, some of the refugees, yeah, some of those who they've released from prison, okay? It's still they still try wanting to get more evidence. But it was released international on UCB was saying that they hoped that it wasn't a ploy that they were releasing these people from prison because they needed more in the army because they haven't they have found that summer. And so it's it's something that needs to be looked into.
Reverend Ben Cooper:This Sondra,
Sandra Robson:well, this is a Trier
Reverend Ben Cooper:in Eritrea,
Sandra Robson:Eritrea. Yeah, people flee to Ethiopia. But there's this conflict Tigray. Some of it is over, but there's still sporadic fighting, but it's come to light. Maybe the reason because we've been all same praise God that lots of people have been released from prison in, in Eritrea. But now, they they're wondering, the Christian community are wondering, Is this real? Is it actually that they want them out of prison so that they can reuse them? and put them into service in the army? Because Recently, there have been some arrests of
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:Army.
Reverend Ben Cooper:ive got ya
Sandra Robson:Because they won't do what they've been asked to do.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:Because they're people of faith.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Right.
Sandra Robson:So now they're wondering if there's some connection
Reverend Ben Cooper:oh dear I see what you say. Yeah. Very, tricky
Sandra Robson:very sinister. So they have now gone from the frying pan into the fire, but God knows. And you know, that he, through these these guys is giving compassion?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah. Yeah.
Sandra Robson:But obviously, then, if they won't do what they're supposed to do, then I mean, then others have been sent back to prison. So it's a very short situation, but there's something going on.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Goodness gracious.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow. That's very interesting.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's quite sinister, isn't it?
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:In in prison, you know, behind bars. Actually, what we'll do, it will look good. But we've released them.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:actually, we've put them into the army.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So they become our goodness. Don't bear thinking about Does It Really? What what? You got to say that very sinister?
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:quite a brutal thing to do. And
Sandra Robson:yeah, so they are out for a little while, and then they sort of pick them up again. So you know, you go in, but obviously, some of these people are older. So you know, but the camps as well, you know, picking up Christians from there,
Reverend Ben Cooper:usually, for their own gain.
Sandra Robson:Yes. Yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:As always, as always, somewhere along the line, it's always for their own gain.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, it makes me Sorry. It makes me very shivers.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes, yeah, that's me so well. There's an area there's an area for all you guys and girls lift listening out there. You know, when we think about this, what time to push into prayer, when when we hear these stories, we just pray about them, we just lift them up before the Lord, we bring all before the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and we never give up. The information we give out through this can be very heavy and very hard. It's in that is fact it's true, is open information for everybody. And this is very important for Christianity, I believe within the west to understand what's happening to our sisters and brothers and for us to prepare for, for persecution has to prepare and God will strengthen us for what's coming across the shores of the UK that you will strengthen us. So this is really important because they are in the front line. And we need to lift our Christian brothers and sisters up across the world, bring them to the Lord, because who the sunsets free is free indeed.
Sandra Robson:And also, you know, what has been done in darkness when it comes to light, it can be dealt with or it can be dealt with. So as I say this is still being investigated, but it is. Yeah, they're saying it's a worrying development, if it is so. So the next thing is my Amar, and CSW are particularly looking at this, and many people have had to flee into the jungle, and others are refugees in Bangladesh. And as you know, they're not the Bangladesh people aren't very happy about that. They don't really want them there. I mean, yes, we know that some of the Muslim but there are Christians as well. And so there's persecution going on there. But again, God is looking after his people and we just pray that those who are wanting to get to them for good to support them. We'll get there and also Barnabas. I wrote an article there, and there was a Christian worker Who had reached these people in the jungle, and he was reading the Bible to them. And they managed to have, I also was watching something in a remote part of my Mr. Which touched my heart was a children's camp, they'd managed to have this children's camp. And before things have, you know, gone further, so I'm not sure when that was, but there was a children's camp, and they were all praising God. And so, again, you know, there are pockets, yes, there is terrible what the army are doing, they're trying to crush any resistance is awful. But again, you know, God is providing sustenance, and we need to pray that those that can, you know, get to these people will, and they will bring what the Christians need, and that they will strengthen our brothers and sisters. And again, you know, behind the scenes, we know that the Christians involved in trying to bring about some stability in the country, and we pray for that as well. So that's some of the ongoing stories that, you know, I wanted to bring to your attention,
Reverend Ben Cooper:really interesting stuffs. Sandra got a lot of information in front of us today. And we're all ears, we look, we're all ears as we listen, as we take in what Sandra has for us. And we thank God for this information that's out there. This is free information, you'll find it on release International, you'll find it on open doors, you will find it a CSW and not too sure about that site myself, I can't really comment too much. And you will hear this across the different platforms that support prisoners of faith and the persecutory. Christian I suppose you can really there's not there's not really you can title it as a prisoner of faith for a refugee or someone that's being persecuted This is a bit of a muchness isn't it really when you bring it all together, we know that it's the world of the persecuted church and the suffering church but but running alongside of that prisoners of faith and because obviously they get put in prison. And everything that goes along with it refugees when they when they get taken out of the prison that they're pushed off, so they lose everything. So it all goes together doesn't it is quite a fine line that you can't really separate too much between the distinction between a prisoner of Pfeiffer refugee and a persecuted Christian, they all seem to blend together then three don't know they seem to move together impacts on them.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, well, you've got conflict against particular, particularly Christians, as in Syria and Iraq, where they have for their lives because of ISIS, and have become refugees and are still refugees, or they are displaced people. You've got people who end up in prison, but then are Harris and Harris and Harris, and their families are threatened. And so they end up having to flee the country. Such as in Iran. And again, where else we say Yeah, well, yeah. Also, yeah, from Eritrea, as well. And you do get people who try and make their way here.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:We're gonna have a little Think about that. At the end and in our prayers.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay.
Sandra Robson:And But, sir, yes, so yes,
Reverend Ben Cooper:very, very real.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, we need to pray about our government and how they, you know, where then, you know, now we are not within the EU and the way they do things and how they're thinking about asylum seekers, and about immigration, that it is fair, and those people who do need shelter, and help, will
Reverend Ben Cooper:will get that
Sandra Robson:get that. And that's so important. And it's a very difficult thing I know and it's terrible when we see those people being manipulated into you know, people giving them hope that if they hope Yes, they get on a boat and you know, paying these people money, and then you know, so many of them.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, yeah.
Sandra Robson:terrible situation
Reverend Ben Cooper:terrible situation and we need to pray for that. And as we will at the end of this podcast that we're doing, and we just press on. So refugees, you got a prison for faith. So displace Christians, it all runs very, very close together. And obviously it starts off with persecution. And then when persecution comes in, then you get the imprisonment and then from the imprisonment. If If and when they get released, they can become a refugee. And then obviously, running along very close with that you got the displacement. So it's, it's a big, it's a big hit for them, isn't it? It, they lose it Well, I can't imagine what it's like to be a prisoner of faith, to be tormented, to be starved to be pushed in a corner to be beaten, to be whipped, to have your life threatened to even have your life taken away to have your family taken away all for the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's what we're talking about all for the gospel of Jesus.
Sandra Robson:Yes. And it's amazing some of the responses that are coming back like Andrew Boyd from release International, you know, he's talking, being to camps now in Syria and Iraq. And he was speaking to somebody on Transworld radio. And he was saying that people who who are now refugees won't be the same going back to Syria or Iraq, because they have been through appalling things. They've lost relatives, their homes, their possessions, and trust in their society and culture.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay, so this is Andrew Boyd from released international speaking to Transworld radio.
Sandra Robson:Yes, yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay. I wonder if we can pick that interview up somewhere. I would imagine that you can pick that up maybe.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Back listen to that. Yeah. probably pretty interesting to listen to this. Andrew Boyd have released internationally.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Speaking on Transworld radio,
Sandra Robson:yeah. I found this on their site because I put in refugees or Christians the flight because that's their little campaign and Christians in flight. And that's where I found this information.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay,
Sandra Robson:so, so the, yeah, the radio. mp3 is on the release international site.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay, so the mp3 is there. We can listen to that.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Excellent. We'll find that. So there's a bit of information, you know, it's really, really good. What these these sites out there, you know, released international open doors and, and that great ministry that Sandra's just mentioned a couple of times Transworld radio Barnabas and funding, and everything that pushes and steers us towards the the refugee, the persecuted Christian, we need to support them in prayer. And there are ways that excuse me, there are ways that we can support them. So I would we would advise not just me, but Sandra as well, we would advise you to go to the, to the sites, God will draw you to the right one to go to and have a real good read ransack that site because it's full of information that's full of information. And it's well updated. It's always updated. It's very live, it's very fluid, it runs very smooth. So any of them sites, you will you will get all this as well, you know, hope will come through, you know, hope will reveal itself. Hope will come through. So when we never give up. Okay, Sandra, thank you for that.
Sandra Robson:So they're going to be different people if they go back, but many won't go back. He was saying and they don't want to go back. And they're too they're too fearful to go back. They don't know what they're going back to. And so you're talking about Lebanon, so many Syrians have ended up in Lebanon, okay, and they want to start a new life. Now. Apparently, the population of Lebanon is 6 million.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow.
Sandra Robson:And yeah, oh, yes. Guess how much of the population is now refugees?
Reverend Ben Cooper:quarter.
Sandra Robson:One, six of the population are refugees. 1 million,
Reverend Ben Cooper:1 million
Sandra Robson:1 million refugees there now.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And that's Libyan Libya,
Sandra Robson:Libya,
Reverend Ben Cooper:Libya,
Sandra Robson:Lebanon, sorry. Libya, Libya, Lebanon.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:And he was saying just to give you an idea of how many This is, he said, that is the population of Birmingham, London, Manchester and Portsmouth put together
Reverend Ben Cooper:6 million population,
Sandra Robson:yes, 6 million population. And a sixth of that is now refugees.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That is mind blowing.
Sandra Robson:And he was saying that it's very awkward because the Syrians have been in conflict with Lebanon for many years. And so to now have the Syrians coming over to for help, is, you know, very awkward. And many of them are being shunned. However, the churches are supporting them.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Excellent.
Sandra Robson:And people are living under trees or outbuildings. And they are. Yeah, they're resented by the general population, many refugees have had to and have just, you know, they've been refugees more than once. So they've, they want Yes, they've had to flee twice. And so that's another thing that, you know, they settle and then a trouble occurs like we've heard, you know, with Kurdistan, so they've got to run for their lives. Again, it's so but at the moment, things are pretty settled in a very difficult, you know, very basic living conditions, but the church are doing as much as they can do. And amazing things are coming to the ears of pastors and to also release International. And he said, What's amazing is is becoming commonplace. Many refugees have had an encounter with Christ on their journey. These the people now who had no Christian background, so now they are refugees and Christians. Before they came. Yes, they weren't. Okay. You had Christian refugees? Yeah. They you had Christians who fled. Yeah. And you had ordinary people who fled fled the fighting because they saw their loved ones being killed, and they ran their lives. Okay. They didn't agree with ISIS. Oh, you know, and they were just ordinary people, and they just run for their lives. Women, children, not not many men. But yeah, some families did get out completely, but many were killed. So they've got no Christian background. And he's saying hundreds, possibly 1000s are saying they've had dreams and visions on the road. from Syria. Wow. Yes. And I've got transcripts of this. Wow, that's
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes. That's really interesting. That show biblical Oh, yeah, we've got biblical
Sandra Robson:quite a few here
Reverend Ben Cooper:tie. Of course, it is, you know,
Sandra Robson:so, but isn't it because you think,
Reverend Ben Cooper:yeah,
Sandra Robson:well, I mean, I don't suppose it matters that much where it is, but I was when I was reading, I was thinking, well, Lord, You met Saul. So on the Damascus the other way. And so this is from that, that transcript and then I've got a few more words, okay. So, right. So one woman desperately escaping where their children, she told the pastor, all of a sudden, I saw Christ ahead of me on the cross. She didn't know at the time was Christ. She's been told since then, that's what it was. So she said, I saw ahead on the cross, and I was so happy. Andrew Boyd from release international said, He's spoken to a lady call her Sarah, who was escaping with her two, five children. She had lost her husband in the fighting. And she had a dream. I dreamed a very long, dark road. And she said that she thought it was an angel who extended her hand and said, Don't be afraid, for I'm with you. I woke up shivering and was crying so hard. She went to a church to get help, and she saw across and people told her this is Christ. Jesus has revealed Himself to you. They said, Now updating it right so that was a while ago. Now there's another story about her here. And it says God is revealing himself to refugees in amazing ways. Says release partner in Lebanon, Pastor Timothy, many hundreds say Christ is veiled himself in dreams, even on the road from Syria. One woman was desperately escaping with their children and said, all of a sudden, I saw Christ the head and me on the cross. Now I'm doing this, to confirm that it's this is in two places. This is the same story, but he's got more information about it. And I was so happy. I was full of joy and peace. Now she was for an hour every Sunday to get to church. Wow.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow. So Christ is revealing himself.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:to people on on the road.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, yeah.
Sandra Robson:And I only have that little bit. And then as I say, I've looked elsewhere. And I found the same story. Now. This is the actual pastor talking, as opposed to this just being just secondhand.
Reverend Ben Cooper:firsthand,
Sandra Robson:right, and saying that she walks to get to church an hour every Sunday. And then this, this other lady Sarah, who is her Sunni Muslim background, had to flee Syria with her five children when her husband was killed in fighting. I dreamt about a very long, dark road. And at the end of this road, I saw an angel he extended my hand to he extended his hand to me and said, don't be afraid for I am with you. I woke up shivering. I was crying so hard. When I started telling people at the church about this vision, all of them told me this is from Christ, the Lord is with you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Certainly,
Sandra Robson:for her.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yep,
Sandra Robson:saras relatives persecuted her. Right? So she's come as a refugee with her relatives. And they're persecuting her for her faith in Jesus. And she's had to escape again.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Goodness, wow.
Sandra Robson:But even now, she says, When I remember the story, I remember the Lord is with me. I believe this truly,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I believe, what a beautiful scripture that is, I believe,
Sandra Robson:yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So there we have, we have a few accounts there very clearly of Christ revealing himself to people on the road, you could call it a domestic, a Damascus Road experience, we know that God called outsets also why you persecute me, but this is the reverse. And what we mean is, these are these are people prisoners of faith for looking to get away, whether they're persecuted or whatever it or however, is a non Christian. So we're hearing different stories as well of, of Christ revealing himself to people that have never even heard of Jesus. But But Christ is revealing himself whether they are a Christian, a believer or a non believer, or a refugee or not a refugee, someone from a different faiths a different faith background, Christ is revealing himself to them on this on this road experience.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And he's that encouraged them. So
Reverend Ben Cooper:yeah,
Sandra Robson:point of need and desperation, whether
Reverend Ben Cooper:they are a Christian, or non Christian.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:whether they've been a refugee or not, God is a speaking across the platform of humanity.
Sandra Robson:And those are the prayers.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's right,
Sandra Robson:those prayers for the neighbors, you know, those Christians who were there, you know, and then I, when I think about it, we're all neighbors, and they've all ended up running together. And they've joined in together, right. But they've been praying for their neighbors to come to Christ.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Well,
Sandra Robson:they've been praying for the neighbors to come to Christ. And within this chaos, and within this crisis, God has answered those prayers. Not only that, but he is giving them sustenance to carry on like this lady, she says, because she had this encounter, she can continue.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen.
Sandra Robson:By the persecution.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, despite the pressure,
Sandra Robson:these people who have come out from other faiths, and now encouraging the Christians and encouraging God, because they've had these visions, they've had these dreams, that I was just so real, and, and, and, and help them is the manna from heaven. That's as continuing, but they're obviously again, they need our encouragement, they continue to need our prayers, and they will go and tell others because
Reverend Ben Cooper:yeah,
Sandra Robson:in their lives from from such trauma, and here, again, this is in Iraq, I'm going to read you about this worker in Iraq.
Reverend Ben Cooper:just before Sandra, launches into another reading, we've got about 15 minutes. But this is the very scripture because I think I'm also being led by my spirit into the text where Christ meets the to walk in on the Emmaus road.
Sandra Robson:Yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And it says, and it says their hearts were beating fast. They did not they did not Yeah, they did not recognize him, they was kept from Christ being revealed to them for a set time. But it says their hearts were burning. And that's what we see through these testimonies, these great stories of the refugee, whether you're a believer or non believer, whatever they, however they are, as a human being Christ is revealing himself to people in a very distinct way at the moment, and this is on the road is a journey.
Sandra Robson:And it is such a testimony. Because just like at the time when when you know Jesus rose again, and many were testifying
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:he was real.
Reverend Ben Cooper:He has risen, we have just seen
Sandra Robson:these, these are being written down. People what they are saying backed up. And you can't say that all these people are crazy.
Reverend Ben Cooper:No. And it says the scripture that Christ revealed himself to 500 or more at the same time. So when obviously he can, we did not get into theological debate on that, but we you can get that. So this is happening. Now.
Sandra Robson:These are the signs and
Reverend Ben Cooper:these are the sign of the wonders for the power of prayer. And so we always speak how powerful prayer is, you know, we do listeners, and we appreciate your prayers, but this is just this is given us reinforcement to say, Come on, let's pray again. Let's keep praying even though we can't be with these prisoners of faith even though we can't be with the refugees even though we might never see their face until we get to glory. What is really interesting is the power of prayer. Is is changing people's lives. God is is a is a God of tightening doors, literally opening doors and he revealing himself on that road.
Sandra Robson:But the thing is where they can't have a Bible where they've only had the koran
Reverend Ben Cooper:they are seeing the living word Yes, they are seeing it, saying the word
Sandra Robson:This is the cross, this happens. And this you know, I'm here. So this
Reverend Ben Cooper:is really interesting because where we have the authorities snatching the Bibles, and maybe their devices where the electronic word is given, no one can no one can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. So you can imagine on this road, they've got maybe no mobile, mobile phone, they can't get it electronically. There's no way of getting a Bible. So what does God do? He reveals the living word.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:he is the living.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:and the life you know, no one comes to the Father except through me. So this is an A minus road experience. This is a soul experience with a bit of a reverse spin on that. But God, Christ, the Holy Spirit is using the their journey, their their journey, their walking journey, to reveal himself to them. And that is the same for us today. as we journey God reveals himself
Sandra Robson:and those key words, isn't it? Do not be afraid, I am with you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And he says that to the disciples
Sandra Robson:do not be afraid I am with you.
Reverend Ben Cooper:The Scripture says, Is it a ghost? He says do not be afraid it is i?
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:it is I do not be afraid. I am with you.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So he the here we have the living word. The living Christ, revealing Himself through visions and dreams and right before these, the persecuted church before their very eyes when they got no Bibles. They've got no way of hearing it. They got white nowhere saying it within their physicality, but God is revealing the word. And there's a download of that is to Christ. And look at them to on the Emmaus road. We're burning. Their hearts were beaten so far witness witness Christ is revealing himself. We are in the last days
Sandra Robson:in the in this one. Again, it's released International, but they're now looking at Iraq and they are partners in Kurdistan in the north north of Iraq. And Jamal, at Wally LI add a wi
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:please. God is at work in the middle of the crisis. As he explains to Andrew Boyd. Jamal says they suffer, they run they have nowhere to go. The only place to go is to God. We see many people come to Christ because this is the only solution for them. We see how many people really come become open to hear the gospel, who become open to get in touch with God. We find it much easier for people who are under persecution to give their life to Jesus. We don't pray for persecution. But this is how the Lord works it out. Wow. We have a lot of stories, testimonies of people who came to Christ just by dreams and visions by walking in the night. Yes, it is true. I remember this lady. She came to live in the neighborhood country near Iraq, Kurdistan, she had a dream and the dream, she told. And the dream told her you need to go to the city which is in arable, and you need to go to this street and this house. And if you go there and you knock on the door, you will find someone who will tell you something about me. And she came from the neighboring country to Kurdistan to the city of arable. She went to the street. She believed you know that God told her that that dream. And she knocked on the door. And guess what? You know, it was the one of it was the house belonging to church planters. Where the people were worshipping the Lord. She knocked on the door and the lady opened it. Yes, we are Christians. And from there, she gave her life to Jesus. And she shared her story with the people in Kurdistan.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow. That's a very, very emotional story. Given clear instruction, where to go what time very specific, very onpoint and her destination was safety. Oh my lord,
Sandra Robson:and more than that more than home on this earth, an eternal home
Reverend Ben Cooper:an eternal place of rest.
Sandra Robson:And apparently this group have been helping refugees since 2003.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Give clear instructions on where to go.
Sandra Robson:And again, it shows for our brothers and sisters, that you know what God says about working faithfully for the Lord and just continuing and not concerning and how he will work it. And they just did it and did it. And they didn't see any, you know, anything coming of it. But now, he says that, we started helping refugees in schools, we provided food and all that stuff, the government, they noticed what we were doing. And they started wanting to know about more, and what we were doing. And they were really impressed because we a small mission, a small, we were doing so much. And so they started to give us more and more open doors for us to reach refugees. And now we've got, we've got permission from them to distribute food, to enter camps, even to give the distribution of the Christian books in every camp and everywhere we go. And even they gave us a thank you letter from the government saying thank you for what you are doing. And they were even put about our mission in the newspaper as well. And what we're doing, and the government's are notice how good works, and they're doing things to help us get permission. And we thank God for this that we can share the gospel.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amazing. Unbelievable. Absolutely.
Sandra Robson:Have you got time, these last two stories?
Reverend Ben Cooper:We can just quickly very quickly, are we are we hold on? Are they long stories?
Sandra Robson:No, it was just sort of continuing. These refugees now even for that have gone to these places who felt desolate, who felt isolated. As we said, they've had to flee from Iran, they've come to faith, and then they've been relentlessly persecuted. And many have fled to Turkey. But they felt isolated. And so God has made away now through open doors that weren't that they didn't Syria, you know, these centers of hope, while they're now going to extend them into Turkey, and this summer, as a community center for these Iranian refugees is going to be opened not just for the Iranian refugees, not for all of them. And this particular guy, who, as I say, I look at this DVD, and it's his story, and it's kurush KOUROUSH. And he had to had to flee. And he just he said, Lord, You brought me to this place, you must have brought me for a reason. I can't see that reason yet. But he is going to lead this. And he is so happy about it. And they're encouraging us to get involved in encouraging him, let kurush know that you're praying for him by joining in our letter writing campaign. And you can find more about that on open doors UK. org slash app slash letter. And then the next one was about Lebanon, Pastor Nihad and how many people have come to his church. And some of them are Christians, Kurdish Christians, and that they want to do things and how they are looking to help those who have been caught up in that explosion. You know, the explosion that happened? Yes, and Beirut. And they've been going and they've been helping there. And people have said, Why are you coming? Why are you helping us? Why? Because again, they're enemies as far as they see. And it's so because of the love of Jesus there, you know, being able to share the gospel. And so these people who have nothing and now giving what they have, and it's just so beautiful. And so I wanted to finish with that, because I was praying and saying, Lord, you know what scripture goes with this. And I felt this was the one I'm particularly thinking of this church who failed it. And that group in Iraq who failed, I felt they had little, but it says, Then the king will say to those on his right hand come, you blessed of my father, because remember that they are being harassed and persecuted for doing what they're doing. inherit the kingdom prepared for you for the foundation of world For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you look took me in. And that's what this church and these people are doing. These Christians. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick. And you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me Then the righteous will answer him saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry? and wet and feed you? or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in? Or naked and clothed you? Or when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you? And the king will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did, to one of the least of these, my brethren, who did it for me, there we go. And I pray, Lord, I thank you, for those who are doing that. And I pray that you will strengthen their hands and their feet, they will have the resources they need, that they desire to do that, to be your hands and feet, to close those who need to be close to love those who needs to need that love to give food to those who need, particularly with these people who've been caught up in the in the bomb attack. That happened. And so the explosion, and also those with the COVID, as well. And all these things, lord, thank you for my brothers and sisters, despite they're being persecuted, that they are being salt and light, and they are giving of themselves Lord, and that yes, that they are looking at to eternal, the joy of eternity and that say others will be with them in eternity because of these small things that they do. And they know that they are doing it for you, as you say in your word here. That what they do for the the these refugees who has seen as the lowest low that they are doing it for you. And I thank you for that, Lord. And I thank you that we've been able to share these wonderful stories of what you are doing so many miracles, so many wonderful things, and they encouraged us to not give up and to keep on praying and to see everything that we can do. And as we have time to do it. In Jesus name, amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Thank you, Lord. Yeah. Sandra, thank you so much for sharing your heart and, and what God has placed on your heart this morning. And we thank you to all the listeners around the world for sharing this podcast and listening to Sondra Robson. You've been listening to myself, Reverend Ben Cooper, as we've just opened so much up this morning. And there is so much to pray for in the world of the persecuted church, the refugee, those that have been slain for Christ, prisoners of faith, so much information. You will find that on Transworld radio, you will hear about it on that, that platform you will get it for release internet International. You're going it through open doors and other places on the internet. Thank you so much. If you need any more information, you know where to find us. And you've been listening to Sandra Robson and Reverend Ben Cooper, thank you so much for your time today. Stay safe and we are at the door. Thank you. Bye bye.
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