Aug 11, 2009
Here is an update ... keep praying and alert your prayer groups ...
Dear Friends,
This morning I was forwarded the following encouraging update from Philip Zodhiates, forwarded by Clay Sterrett, concerning our sisters in Jesus Christ in Iran, Maryam and Marzieh:
"In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court today in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ.
Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.
On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of 'apostasy.' However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh's only crime is that they have converted to Christianity. Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. 'We love Jesus,' they replied. He repeated his question and they said, 'Yes, we are Christians.' Mr. Haddad then said, 'You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.' 'We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,' was their reply. Mr. Haddad's questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, 'We have no regrets.' Then he stated emphatically, 'You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.' They stood firm and replied, 'We will not deny our faith.'
During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, 'It is impossible for God to speak with humans.' Marzieh asked him in return, 'Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?' Mr. Haddad then replied, 'You are not worthy for God to speak to you.' Marzieh said, 'It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.'
Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, 'We have already done our thinking.'
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.
Both women are back in Evin prison tonight. During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches.She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.
Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so. After today's court session they said, 'If we come out of prison we want to do so with honor.'
Maryam and Marzieh's case is a clear and harsh violation of human rights and religious liberty by Iran's authorities. They deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charges so they can pursue a life of freedom."
Please keep these two precious saints, and all the saints living in Iran and the rest of the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Communist nations in our daily prayers. Keep reminding your local church to pray for our persecuted brethren. We are one Body, the Body of Christ. If one member of the body suffers, the entire body suffers. Let us not "dwell at ease in Zion," or "reign as kings," while we have this brief privilege of living in a prosperous and free nation. Amos 6:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:8
This morning I was forwarded the following encouraging update from Philip Zodhiates, forwarded by Clay Sterrett, concerning our sisters in Jesus Christ in Iran, Maryam and Marzieh:
"In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court today in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ.
Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.
On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of 'apostasy.' However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh's only crime is that they have converted to Christianity. Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. 'We love Jesus,' they replied. He repeated his question and they said, 'Yes, we are Christians.' Mr. Haddad then said, 'You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.' 'We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,' was their reply. Mr. Haddad's questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, 'We have no regrets.' Then he stated emphatically, 'You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.' They stood firm and replied, 'We will not deny our faith.'
During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, 'It is impossible for God to speak with humans.' Marzieh asked him in return, 'Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?' Mr. Haddad then replied, 'You are not worthy for God to speak to you.' Marzieh said, 'It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.'
Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, 'We have already done our thinking.'
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.
Both women are back in Evin prison tonight. During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches.She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.
Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so. After today's court session they said, 'If we come out of prison we want to do so with honor.'
Maryam and Marzieh's case is a clear and harsh violation of human rights and religious liberty by Iran's authorities. They deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charges so they can pursue a life of freedom."
Please keep these two precious saints, and all the saints living in Iran and the rest of the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Communist nations in our daily prayers. Keep reminding your local church to pray for our persecuted brethren. We are one Body, the Body of Christ. If one member of the body suffers, the entire body suffers. Let us not "dwell at ease in Zion," or "reign as kings," while we have this brief privilege of living in a prosperous and free nation. Amos 6:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:8
Gratefully your servants in Jesus Christ,
Court and Sandy Wood
They overcame
him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death"
Revelation 12:11
Revelation 12:11
6 killed in Pakistan as Muslims burn Christian homes
- Story Highlights
- Fighting broke out as Muslims torched 40 to 50 houses
in Christian enclave
Muslims enraged over an alleged desecration of Quran at a Christian wedding
Muslims burned 15 Christian homes on Thursday
Pakistan predominantly Muslim, but has a small Christian community
updated 2:32 p.m. EDT, Sat August 1, 2009
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Six people were killed in Pakistan on Saturday when Muslim demonstrators set fire to houses
in a Christian enclave and fighting broke out, local police said.
Pakistani human rights activists in Lahore protest on Saturday the anti-Christian violence in Gojra village.
Police said Muslims were enraged over an alleged desecration of pages in the Quran at
a Christian wedding last Saturday, and held a rally to protest. The Quran is the Muslim sacred text.
The Muslims went to the Christian community in Gojra City, 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Lahore, and burned 40 to 50 houses. Muslims and Christians exchanged gunfire.
Police said efforts to settle the concerns with dialogue so far have failed.
On Thursday, 15 Christian houses in the region were also torched.
Pakistan is predominantly Muslim but has a small Christian community.
Meanwhile, police in Islamabad reported Friday that an al Qaeda member thought to be involved in several attacks was arrested.
Bin Yamin, a senior police official in Islamabad, identified the suspect as Rao Shakir Ali.
Police believe he was involved in strikes on targets such as the Danish Embassy, a rally of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chauhdary, police, and a hotel.
The suspect is a resident of Sargodha, which is 165 kilometers (about 100 miles) northwest of Lahore and has a house in Rawalpindi that has been used to facilitate insurgent acts, police said.