Iranians, Lithuania, USA, October 2008
We'd ask for your prayers yet again for our Iranian brothers and sisters who have converted from Islam to Christianity. The Iranian Parliament is currently in process of passing a bill which makes the death penalty for conversion to Christianity even more easily and widely applicable than it currently is. Another feature of the proposed legislation is the provision to prosecute Iranians outside of Iran for this 'crime'; and also to prosecute people like ourselves who are active within Iran yet from bases outside of Iran. That of course has major implications in terms of international law. It has also come to our attention that the spirit of this proposed new legislation is already being practiced against our brethren, not least two of our Iranian brethren currently in Turkey recently. You can read more about the legislation at http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/archives/text.php?ID_news_items=424 . Truly the world is getting in the grip of powerful forces of evil which seek to persecute the true children of God.
But despite that, God's desire to save will not be thwarted.
Some of our first baptisms in the former USSR were performed in Lithuania in the early 1990s, and it was a very pleasant experience to revisit those baptized during that period and find them strong and mature in faith- we enjoyed true fellowship, reassurance, mutual comfort and genuine fellowship in Christ with a number of very faithful and stable brothers and sisters in Lithuania this weekend. We also were able to visit MANTAS, a young man of 25 who is now understood to have Lupus for the last 10 years. Earlier and better diagnosis could've saved him, but sadly this wasn't available. Lupus is a disease of the auto-immune system, whereby the immune system turns against the body; it's now destroying his kidneys, liver and heart. He can only walk a few paces before suffering heart problems. Staying indoors all the time is very depressive. Our brother gave a wonderful confession of faith, expressing in sober and heartfelt words how he desired to fully give his life over to the Lord and be baptized into Him. We were much encouraged by our brother's attitude and were delighted to baptize him into the Lord and the sure Hope of resurrection and the Kingdom. We have ordered our brother some fairly expensive medication which hopefully will assist in at least slowing down the disease and give him some better degree of energy and feeling. We do ask for your prayers for him. We took him out to a cafe and shared with him news of others who share the hope of the Kingdom, who likewise are [like all of us, really] on borrowed time and just simply longing for the Lord's return and the Kingdom.
Photo: Our new brother amidst the rather depressive Soviet era apartment blocks where he lives:
Meanwhile in America, the great response to the Gospel encountered by the Tacoma brethren continues. Here's a report from Brother Charlie Klennert:
"Hi all,
I had the pleasure of going down to the Portland, Oregon area to baptize an old friend of mine this past weekend. I have been talking to him about the things of God for over 3 years now. With the economic worries in the USA the way they are, he called me up with no hope mentioning the crisis over and over again. I once again stated my beliefs, that yes you are right there is no hope, unless you believe Jesus is soon to return to establish the kingdom (Daniel 2). We discussed things at great length and detail. He expressed his desire to be baptized so he too could share in the hope of Israel. So we now have a brother MONTE! I went down and baptized him on September 27th, 2008, in the Clackamas River. And it was quite cold! He specifically asked if he could remain anonymous, he just wanted to be baptized into Christ. He is afraid that his mental illnesses may be difficult and hard for people to understand. I obliged his request and brought him to many passages in the new testament of other people with mental issues who recognized Christ straight away (legion, etc.). He thought about that for quite a time, with a smile of understanding. To see the joy and love in his eyes at that moment was incredible! He is no longer as alone as he thought he was he has God and an understanding that Christ was a man like us, tempted in all ways as we are, able to sympathize with our weaknesses.
Here is a picture of MONTE with a rock he brought back to his trailer as a memento of his baptism, as well as a picture of him at our simple breaking of bread service:
So please pray for our new brother, it took many years of conversations with him to get him to the point of surrendering to Christ. With the economic woes, and wars, etc. happening today, more and more people seem to be heading the call to understand what the scriptures have to say. The simplicity of our doctrine is the life changing joy we all can live with and share with all of those around us!
Brother Charlie Klennert, www.tacomaecclesia.net
"
This really is all such positive encouragement to us all to get out there, in whatever context, in our own lives, and engage with men and women in order to show them the face and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful Hope of the Kingdom.
With love in Him
Your brothers and sisters of Carelinks