Good morning world wherever you are today. Thank you so much for joining us. You are joining myself, Reverend Ben Cooper and we have Sandra Robson with us today we are just across the mics to each other. It is very noisy here today. So I must keep emphasizing this is real. This is live, this is raw. These podcasts we are in our small studio, the church is being renovated and there are builders everywhere. So we apologize for the noise that's happening, the banging the noise, the voices, whatever you may hear in the background, this is raw recording. And we thank you so much wherever you are across the world, but we are into the persecuted church, as we do with Sandra ministry is vast, it is wide, it is very, very deep. And we appreciate Sandra, the years that she has been very obedient to this calling. And today we're looking at persecuting Christians in flight Sandra, good morning. Good morning. Thank you so much, Sandra. Alright, so last time, we were looking at children at Christmas, and I was going through some things, how they're suffering, but also how God is, you know, working through them and how people are supporting them. We talked about, and dad's been in prison, because being murdered, martyred or killed or kidnapped, and also that some of them were displaced, and were refugees. And so we're going to look at that today. And just a few things that we talked about last time. So we were looking at a couple of stories about some children, and how they had been supported in, you know, in, in their Christian faith and through the tragedies through the difficulties and how they're shining for Jesus. And some of the things we said was about that these are the church and they are the future church and how we need to invest in them. And so the first thing was Bibles and Christian materials for children to encourage them in God's word. And we saw how these children were using those things. And then children's programs and summer camps for fellowship and community. And this time of year, we're praying that they will be able to have the Christmas things going on. Obviously, we know that COVID is still around and about and trying to cause issues. But anyway, we pray that in some way, and the cards and things to just bless these children, will will be there and encourage them. Also emergency relief and aid to sustain families through the crisis. And then another thing is training for Sunday school teachers and schooling to help develop the children and give their God given potential, even in camps. And we talked about schools that have been set up as well, trauma care to show God's love to persecutor children, and short term respite or long term shelter for vulnerable Christian children. And we know about that. And Columbia, we know about the children's centers where some children have to go to be protected when their families are being threatened. So we looked at those things. And we did talk about how some of them, say, have had to leave where they live, and are either in camps, internally displaced, or they're actually in another country. And I thought, well, it is quite apt. And I just felt prompted, and to carry on with this. Thinking about Jesus. I think we mentioned last year thinking about how God said, you know, you've got to leave, you know, Bethlehem and you need to go to Egypt, because there's people who are after you. And so some Christians have had that experience where God has prompted them said you've got to go, you know, it's time to go. And as much as they haven't wanted to, and they have had to, you know, they fled in a night they've just had to leave things behind or they've been forced to and through conflict through their villages being destroyed through war and through violence. And we're particularly looking at refugees and Africa, Syria, and Iraq. Wow, Sandra. So this is, this is mind blowing, isn't it? When we talk about children, it seems to take all this to a different level, doesn't it? When you when you really think that children have lost parents, they've been stripped of everything they've been put in camps and being moved around their being, even the bullying that goes along with everything. I can't actually grasp it. It. There's a there's a maybe a system that I have in my mind that just seems to block that surely this doesn't happen to children, because where we live within the UK, I know we might well, I don't say we but okay, let's say me, I moan a lot about the government. One thing's for sure is physically we are very, very secure and safe. When you've got government that will just do whatever they got to do. And there's so much bloodshed. Then, on top of that you put children into this mix, it goes beyond the natural thought pattern of life. So looking at the pictures that Sandra has in front of us, and just going a little bit deeper. We really need your prayers, the refugees really need your prayers. This is so so important that children are displaced, moved around shuffled about losing their families, brothers sisters, from such an early age, aren't they? Yeah, I mean, you know, the, the figures are shocking. I mean, it says the UN estimated that at the end of 2020. So I haven't got the numbers for this year. 2020 82 million people were forcibly displaced globally. And that's double the number displaced in 2011. And a lot of these are internally displaced people. And so, for example, they say Syria 700,000 Christians fled during the years of civil war 700,000. Yeah, and that some of them are trying to return, but it's very, very tricky, and still very dangerous. And in a rack, up to 90% of the Christian population have left the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. And this has caused instability, violence, and yeah, and a lot of them remain displaced in Kurdistan. And I'm going to give some stories that they've been to these camps. They're some of the people, the partners have released International. Yeah. And they've asked, you know, people have given their stories and so I'm going to show you real real real life. Yeah, real, real people. Right from the rear of what's going on. Yeah. But again, it's always a missed all this turmoil. There is such a heartwarming, yeah. Glow. Yes. Thank the Lord. Yeah. And in Nigeria, jihadist continue to wage war against believers in North and Central Nigeria. 1000s have been killed hundreds of 1000s that now live in camps for displaced people. And I mean, even this week, that has been terrible things going on. And, you know, in Burkina Faso, as well, I mean, it's just awful. I mean, you know, and the, you know, the people in authority just don't seem to be doing anything. I don't know whether they can't or they don't they skirt or whatever, or there's some sort of collusion, they say it's, it's awful. And, and, you know, we really need to speak up for the Nigeria. But in the new year, I am going to bring a whole report that Barnabas have done and it's really interesting and gives a real insight into what is going on. And it is a complicated situation variant intense. Yeah, it's complicated situation. But we need to be aware of the involvement of China and Russia now. In really in Africa. China remash. Yes. Yeah. China in Africa. Yes. They are. They are doing things yes. They are. They yeah, there's they're exploiting certain areas areas. Okay. Yeah, we'll find out where interesting is. Yeah. So I feel to I've just had report was just sent to me. And I was looking at it last night and I thought, no, leave this to that, you know, the new year. This is what I needed to focus on now. But yeah, Ethiopia. We know about the conference. worked there in Tigray forcing 10s of 1000s of people including persecuted Christians from Eritrea. Then you've got a a Tria. We know about that. Somalia, 3 million simoleons are displaced. I didn't realize it was that many, 3 million, 3 million. Yeah. And they have been driven into Kenya. And then, of course, the issues in Kenya now. And Iraq, we've done that one a ran prison authorities, a little bit of a glimmer of hope there for the underground church. They've just announced that people meeting in home groups will are not It's not against the law now, in home groups. So when we mentioned the underground church, that is a church that is completely off grid to the authorities. Yeah. And they're seeking refuge in neighboring Turkey. And we're referring to Iran, as in there are no churches standing, I believe, is that correct? That's right. Yeah. No Christian churches flat. Yeah, so only only allowed in, you know, and how well, they have been meeting houses. And now the authorities are saying they can meet in houses, and they won't be prosecuted for security. So we'll see how that goes. And why. Why Why am I why why is that? Why is that turned out? It's yeah, it's official, and it got out the door. See how I haven't got all the details on that. I was just like a news flash. Okay, that came up, came through on the email prayer. And then Afghanistan. Obviously, we know what's going on there. And how many have fled there. Pakistan, Christians live as second class citizens, and they are fleeing violence to Thailand and other countries. And then North Korea, they've been fleeing into China. But of course, yeah, they've been trying to stop that as well. So that gives you an idea of what's going on, and how Christians are being moved around to different places. So when I look at the West, when I look at the westernized church, I'm actually starting to get a little bit lost for words, I'm starting to get a little bit Oh, frustrated, because this is the real church to me what I see happening here amongst the adults and the children, or, like me, Tifa gritted sometimes, Lord, help me give me strength. In the West, we are just so blessed. And I think we have abused the blessedness that God has given us. And that has turned us when I say us, I should say, big handful of denominations away, when you've got our sisters and brothers and the young children crying and running to the Lord, under complete regimes that are destroying their families, their lives. But God is moving, isn't he? When you when you look at the statistics, when you look at the pictures, when you look at these articles, when you look at these real life stories, it's a wow moment that there is there is a move of the Holy Spirit. There is a clear move of a supernatural God there is a clear move of of the power of God's word. Yeah, there is protection in complete and absolute carnage or evil. Situations God have mercy on certain governments around the world, that Sandra, this is we have to protect ourselves as well, don't we? Because I'm just thinking of you. When you read everything. You have to make sure that you are protected and you don't get too caught up. When you look at certain pictures and certain stories, we pray that God will strengthen you. Okay, Sandra? Yeah. So well, we've seen that you know, that, in some cases, you know, in Nigeria, they want their particular groups, Fulani, and others want to take over the land. And so they're pushing Christians out. In other cases, it's that they just don't want Christians to meet and they're threatening now they're saying if you meet in a church, then you know, you expect trouble. They want churches closed, closed down, and other places they're wanting churches closed down completely, obviously, in China. That's happening, but in the we're talking about people having to flee and in those cases, it's, you know, Nigeria and Syria and Iraq that were affected, and to push Christians out, as we saw with ISIS them wanting to create this Islamic State. And that's how happening. This is a thing with Africa and all this area is basically this desire for an Islamic states. A lot of it is to do very fluid from it from nation to nation. Yeah. country to country, province to province. Yeah. There's one drive behind this. Yeah. So they were saying, because the way Afghanistan went, it's in bold, and yes, it has our yes to think you've done that we can do this, we can take this on. And it's a misunderstanding of what Christianity is, and this is it in these stories. It's the one on one that makes a change, either God turns up what he does, what I mean is, he's given them dreams and visions, as we said, on the run, and they suddenly met the holy God and realized who he is, and about Jesus and him dying on the cross. Or they've met a Christian who's fled and then talks and tells them or they're on the run, or whatever. But it's the it seems to be the word Christian, and their idea of what Christian is, and like we just said, The West has not held the Western idea of Christianity. And so they, you know, and that is a big problem. You know, so it's like, knowing Jesus and being a follower of Jesus, it you know, is the import is the important thing. And like, like you just said that being a follower of Jesus, we are, we are certainly in this nation in the West, where we have to be very careful how we use the word Christian. I'm Stein and I have for a while now, actually, even from the pulpit. I am a believer in the holy God of Israel, I believe, from Genesis to Revelation, because it can get very misinterpreted can't it and that's it. And that's what's happened. And Amin you know, those things about you know, they see the prosperity gospel, rock, you know, that, you know, that Christians are greedy, and all this has manipulators. So then, you know, young people see this and think, oh, Islam is so strict, so holy and so pure. And, you know, Christians are just, you know, they lie, they compromise, they do what, you know, but they talk about grace, and I don't know this Jesus, was he real? Or was he just a prophet? Or what? And so all this gets mixed up. And, and sadly, you know, yeah, believers who really, truly believe in Christ are persecuted. But through that comes, comes the real awakening of the Holy God that is in charge of heaven on earth. He is the King of kings, and he is the Lord of lords. So we need to make sure that we press in for the displaced children, these displaced adults, the refugees, you know, what's happening in Syria, Iraq, all these places around the world, there is the same pattern that is happening. You look doesn't it doesn't seem to be what label is on on the on the turf of the nation, because there is a same drive when you when you fold everything, and you unpack it. It is the same press. It is the same outcome. Yeah, it's it's a lot about religion versus Jesus. That's what system versus Jesus. You know, like communism versus Jesus. Yeah. In ideology versus Jesus. Yeah. occultic activity. Yeah. So this, I was, I managed to hear this guy, this Jamal. He has set up what they call helping hands. And he felt very much directed by the Lord, to set up support, because all these refugees were coming into this area of Kurdistan. And I had part of his Zoom meeting. I didn't manage to hear all of it, but it was, it was really good. And his heart for the people is just just beautiful. So basically, he spoke to this lady, and now now, and she's a Christian widow. So it doesn't say how her husband died. But anyway, she was involved. She was in a city that was involved in the Civil War. and Turkish forces invaded her district in 2018. And she said they were under attack for three months. And the conditions very harsh. They were dead bodies in the street, and they were left there for days and the power cuts and contamination and lack of Food. And she said one night after the city was encircled entirely, there was just one route left to escape through areas controlled by the Syrian regime. But the road was very dangerous. So my son, that's why I picked it up, because we're talking about children. So my son, and I packed our bags. And with a miracle from the Lord, we fled the city. Think about that a moment listeners. Yeah, think about that, you know, over here in the UK, we're flying around the shops trying to get shopping done. And we've got parents, one way out of the city, one way to freedom. If I don't get through this, this gateway, if I don't get through this door, if I if I don't leave now, yeah, pack a bag, and go. And this is table, the whole on her my good. Old but because of all she's been through, she says it's affected her health. She's been in a camp, but she isn't giving up. And as I read the story, she's actually training and I don't know how it doesn't say how old her son is. But you know, you know, just just, you know, shows you, you know, the trauma and her and the effects that it's had. But she's still holding on to the Lord. And she said 10,000 people were running for their lives with her 10,000 people, and they were Yeah, and they were crossing. And there was a bomb attack, which caused the Kurdish forces to leave their positions, and the road became clear, and they just made a run for it. And they eventually got to Syria and control town about 20 kilometers away, but they still felt not safe. Again, smugglers come into the picture. Yeah, and they were taken to another city. But they they heard that militants were attacking Christians and Yazidi families, and that we could be killed or kidnapped or ransomed. So they ran again. And they managed to travel to a Kurdish area in northern Iraq, and they hoped for better treatment and assistance. And they got to the Capitol, which we've heard before. Era, era, era. Era, arable Yeah. and settled in our situation was not good because of the high cost of living and lack of job opportunities, but we never lost hope. Since God is always for us. Just word again, hope we never lost hope. And after a while, we were introduced by some Christian brothers and sisters, to helping hands and Jamal and says, uh, he says a Christian children, adults and elderly, all refugees deserve the right to be treated as valued human beings. We provide support to refugees and internally displaced people from Iraq and Syria, who fled their homes and now live in poverty. Many have lost family members and cannot provide for their children. We provide food packages, housing, education, vocational training to hundreds of refugee families fleeing from war and persecution. While COVID-19 has limited our movements, it has not stopped us from getting supplies to the needy in our region. And this lady says, I'm now learning to sew. This encouraged me to find work and meet the financial needs of my family. And she said, I've also joined a discipleship group that was crucial for me to know more about the Lord. Wow, what? Since 2018 So what a powerful story real life Yeah, real life, hearts on the run, but finding hope in dark situation, finding life. You know, the barrel of the gun has been chasing them for years, but their freedom freedom is so powerful brothers and sisters, wherever you may be, and probably most of us that are listening to this or in the West. I just pray that we really just value our freedom, freedom, you know, yeah, and you know, it's just beautiful the way that, you know, she did, she did find help, but she is such, you know, an inspiration to others because what she's been through and that she says, I'm holding on to the Lord and show that you know, as like, you know, encourages and has a knock on effect. And then there's this guy, right? He I think there was somebody in his family who did believe but because of what happened he stopped believing this is it. And this is NASA na sublessee Or, and he said, I struggled with Christianity for many, many years. In my childhood, I grew up in a Christian orphanage, and we had to go to church every day before school. Whenever I went to see my grandmother, she would explain to me about our Heavenly Father and His love and care. She told me stories from the Bible and how God provides for our food, clothing and all our needs. As an adult. However, I blamed God for having a difficult life as a child. And my grandmother said, he was my heavenly Father. But I didn't experience this because I had lost my father. And then he said, One day in Damascus, I was in a conversation with a friend and I told him, I didn't believe in God. But he started to talk to me about God's love and invited me to his church in the city. He insisted, in the end, I decided to go with him. And yeah, and he said, I devoted my life to God's service. I prayed and invited my new brothers to church. Every day, I used to go out early to distribute Bibles to displace people from other parts of Syria. Some of them accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior, then the security situation in Syria became worse. And because of my evangelical activities, evangelistic activities, I did not feel safe anymore. So my whole family was forced to move, and this time to north of Iraq. And, yeah, I'm going to drop a scripture and so on. Okay. The word has come up quite a bit this morning. Isaiah 40, verse 31, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be fine. This is so powerful these stories. God is moving. God is giving people energy I don't know if that's the right word God has given people certainly hope. God is driving a God is releasing God is bringing freedom. And Sandra has a picture she's in a magazine on page eight what one is that Sandra, this is releasing voice magazine for this October to December. Okay, Sandra, could you just hold that up for me? Yeah, that's how his town was that's how it you know, this this we are looking at war on pictures completely destroyed rubble homes live. You imagine what was in them apartment blocks, we imagine what was in them, you know, they would have had photos that have had their livelihood there. They would had their their schoolwork, they would have had the pictures they would have had absolutely everything. And when you look at these pictures, it just it's just miles and miles and streets and streets are just war torn buildings that have just been blasted apart. Oh my goodness look and they want to build and yeah, so even the the rebuilding of these cities we're not talking about one or two houses are we We're looking at streets we're looking at mile after mile of building that has been torn to pieces by the evil of men have mercy. So said that he to match Jamal, and they provided them with food and shelter and pastoral care. We were also invited to join a course about discipleship and spiritual growth. We needed that since we were going through difficult circumstances. He says he's also received training to be an electrician and he hopes in the future to support himself. I cannot forget the significant role of this organization is positive impact on my life and indeed my whole family we pray that the Lord will bless the work of this ministry as they help displaced family spiritually and practically my older glory and honor beats War God Amen. turnarounds massive turnaround How can we support that as as listeners how can we support this Sondra so we would find this these articles in the this magazine? Yeah, and I mean you know obviously prayer is a big thing and then they do have their Christmas cards but obviously that's you know a bit late but they do have gifts and things if you wanted to get gifts for people other times the year there are some fantastic books that they have online that are really good you know be you know any any time yeah there are resources out there that we can yeah can tie into and there are ways that we can support Prayer is the key yeah for is the number one but so many people like to so a financial seed as well and you can do that obviously yeah, you just need to go online maybe look at open doors their their main website and look at release International and Barnabas Fund and everything and let's never forget the old Trans World Radio the great work that they do It's just there. It's just we got it. We got it we guys. Okay, persecuted and conflict continue to force Christians to leave their homes to flee as refugees. What a image I'm looking at a parent, a mum, yeah, with a little with a little child that got a dummy in his mouth. And he's crying, he looks distressed. And you can see the pain on mom's face. Please, God have mercy. These precious believers and their families need your prayers, and gifts to survive, and to rebuild their lives. Many live in poverty and face uncertain future. There we go got the information. There we are on page nine, we're on page nine. And we are in release International, you will be able to find the same information online. And it's very easy to find just type in release International. And it comes up straight away. The voice for the voiceless. The information Sandra is is good. It's on point as it always is with you. And we just pray that God will continue to move in these these recaps. Because we just recap in and we're looking and God is driving this very powerfully. God is working out his plans. Yeah, the gospel will continue. Prayer is a must be uncountable amount of people praying into this Lives for Refugees. Yes. And then we see those those miracles, you know, when we say about, you know, you know, people having dreams and visions? Yes, yes. You know, we pray for those things. And also, we do pray that they will be able to go back, they want to go back to their homes, they don't want to be in different countries. They want to go back to their homes. I mean, in one way, and we know that it is spreading the gospel, because like when I was looking all that information about how some from the Muslim faith that come to faith, yeah. And it was because they got displaced, and they were in a different country. And now they formed a group, a secular country, which wouldn't have been there and there's like a church and so no, so all things were things work. That's right, I said all things. God is working through all things, all things, very powerful script. Yeah. But we pray that they will be able to go back there will be safety and security. And one thing that is happening, which is interesting, again, it's on a local level, is that some places are realizing how they're missing the Christian inputs. And and that's a reason that in Iraq, that they're sort of encouraging them to come back, because they realize they're very important to the makeup of the land and the community. And, you know, and they're missed. Yeah. And so they are making away. But obviously, it's still a delicate situation. But I thank the Lord for all those who have gone back as we say we've given a few bricks. We have a we have right, yes, that was historical moment, isn't it? So, you know, and and it's continuing. And I just felt that it needed to be remembered. Although the stories fade out of the media, everything is still still going on. There's always no stories, isn't it, but the stories seem to be pretty much the same. To a degree, what we have is just the names changing, because the persecutory drive is the same, isn't it? It is one goal. And the goal is to eradicate believers in God, the God of Israel. So the drive is the same. The ways that it is done is the same we see as we jumped from nation to nation, province to province, town to town, you know, the barbaric ness of of certain human groups. I don't even want to use the word human, you know, such extremists there is it there is the same drive. And above this this drive. It seems to be such a super when I say I'm not referring to a supernatural I'm referring to a drive of evil that comes to a liar doesn't know there becomes a frenzy there becomes hysteria there are spiritual, very dark drive that is overlaid this Yeah. Because this is not built into human beings. This is not in the fabric of our makeup. This is this is driven by a supernatural darkness. You know, it is more than than than the human mind can cope with. When you look at when you look at witch doctors when you look at black magic when you look at The occult world when you look at idolatry to worship lifting up foreign gods, when you when you bring all this together, you are invoking spiritual entities that are powerful, and have more strength than the human body. But we remember is greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. And I just want to reference the Scripture, Sandra, we just touched on that Romans 828. And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. Yes. And to them who are called according to His purpose. So one thing that we need to remember is very clear this morning, is that our brothers and sisters have been called, they've been chosen. They're in God's hands. Yeah, but there's another side to that story, isn't there? Why, God? Why? As they persecuted me, yeah. So will they persecute you? So it's Scripture all the way through, isn't it? Yes. Yeah. And so they take comfort in the fact that Jesus was displaced, too. So certainly, you know, those things in the in the story of his life, you know, also most definitely gives them, too. And that started off at the beginning when he said, No, no room at the end. It started as an infant, no room, no room. And then we know that as his ministry bill, as he as he started, you know, he was ostracized, he was put aside, he was chased out. This is our God is gone. But we pray, we do pray for those who persecute as he tells us to pray, as many, as we say, have come to know Him as their Lord and Savior. And, yeah, we know that it is a spiritual battle that you know, there is that there is sin, and they are lost, and they are in darkness. And they are in religion, and they have turned away from the true and living God, or, you know, they've been messed up to not know who he is. So we do we do pray for those who persecute, as well as we pray for our brothers and sisters that they will have a safe time of this year, and they will be able to celebrate. And, and that, yes, that, you know, just thinking of that reality of like you said about no room at the end. I mean, we dress it up a lot, don't we dress it up and turn into a lovely nativity. But when you really analyze what that was, that was the point. That was the point when that innkeeper said no room at the end? Yes, I know. I get we are looking at the birth of Christ. But when you peel back and you look beyond the fabric of the Nativity, when you look at that, that young life that mum that dad were being persecuted, yeah, from the kick point straight from the bat, the Word became flesh, he made his dwelling amass, he comes into the world. And straightaway we see the King, the King of all kings being rejected. And you know, and just such a was a miracle, you know, really find in that stable situation. You know, but that's how people are living. That's exactly how they're living. Yeah, our brothers and sisters are living that way. But the hope is in their heart, praise God, Jesus is with them. Emanuelle he is there, God is there in the camps. He is there. When they're fleeing, he is there. You know, in the countries they go to. And and, yeah, we just thank you, though, that you are there with them. And we send our prayers to help them and encourage them, bless them, Lord, that the finances will be there, that the food will be there that the warmth will be there, the shelters will be there. We thank you for those that you are calling to help. We can't be there in person, but you have people there who can. And we thank you for those who will come to know you through that what is going on, Lord, as hard as it all is as hard as we don't understand, though, that you see a bigger picture than we do. And as we said, you are at work and all things work together. So we just thank You, Lord, that for all those who are doing things to help the refugees to help those displaced. And we thank you for our brothers and sisters themselves and the children and the the witness that they are and the stories that we just read that are multiplied again and again and again. Lord, we just thank You that we can share these this morning. And we just bless your holy name and we just praise you in Jesus name, amen. Amen. Amen. Sandra, we thank you so much. We thank you From the very bottom of our heart for coming in and sharing everything that goes on, you can find all this online. It's so easy, so easy to find this information. It's on the websites, there's three great places you can go to Barnabas, open doors, release International. And let's not forget our friends at Trans World Radio that doing such a great job. May God bless you and strengthen you, thank you but even listen to Sandra Robson and myself, Reverend Ben Cooper, we thank you from the very depth and the very bottom of our innermost being. Please share all these podcasts out wherever you are today across the world. Have a great and wonderful day. Remember you are loved you are blessed and you have freedom. In Jesus name. Amen.