Kids of Courage...From Voice of the Martyers

One day, Pastor K’Be’s children were watching TV in Vietnam where they lived. Their father’s picture appeared on the screen! They were excited!The TV announcer said their father was a “criminal.” The report said he was guilty of “crimes” against the government of Vietnam. Their excitement disappeared. The government wants to control Christian activity. They do not want Christians to have activities outside of churches that are registered with the government. Pastor K’Be preached at church meetings that took place in people’s homes. Not Ashamed The government put his picture on TV to shame him. The Bible tells us that the apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NIV). Pastor K’Be wasn’t ashamed either. The government also wanted to warn people who saw the TV report to stay away from Pastor K’Be. But it only made people more curious. They looked for answers about what Pastor K’Be believed, and they found out about Jesus. “The government is helping to spread the gospel,” said Pastor K’Be. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,” (Proverbs 19:21, NIV). Encourage your children to pray for the persecuted Church...

Thanksgiving in North Korea -9/20/09

Take from Kids of Courage, which is part of Voice of the Martyers

Few Bibles
The man hiked to a place some distance from his home. He walked as quietly as possible to a secret spot on the ground that he knew well. After looking around to see if any strangers were watching, he knelt down in the dirt. He gently lifted a piece of sod out of a hidden hole in the ground. He brushed away leaves, then carefully removed a sack. Now he could read the Bible inside the sack.

Most Christians around the world do not have to go to so much trouble to have their devotions. But the Christian hiking in the woods lives in North Korea. People who own a Bible in his country can go to jail for years. The government punishes people for following Jesus.

Few Worship Services
“We can’t meet on Sundays,” said a North Korean Christian. “We only meet once or twice a month.”

Christians meet together in secret. If more than three people gather at a home, suspicious neighbors might report them to the police. Thankfully, Jesus promised, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 18:20).

The Christians sing hymns together very softly so the neighbors will not hear. One elderly Christian had a special hymnbook. Her father gave it to her many years before. In the past, people in North Korea remembered the Christian teachings that missionaries brought to the land. “I am going to heaven,” the father said to his daughter. “Keep this book and we will meet together in heaven.” She kept the hymnbook for 60 years; then she gave it to another Christian.

Thanksgiving
Last November, Elizabeth, a North Korean Christian, joined with a few other believers for a worship service. She noticed one child in the group whose shoe was torn open. His foot was frozen. His family did not have enough money to buy new shoes.

The house had no heat. Sometimes the family skipped meals for many days in a row because they had no money for food. “The food problem is worse this year,” a North Korean Christian said. “And it was really bad last year.” Bad weather has destroyed food crops in North Korea. Also, government leaders do a poor job of getting food to those who need it. Many people are poor, hungry, and sick.

It is difficult for sick people to get medicine in North Korea. Soap, toothpaste, and other items that help keep people healthy are also scarce.

You might expect the Christians in North Korea to be sad about all their problems. But this group of Christians had gathered for a Thanksgiving celebration!

Elizabeth sang a hymn for the group. “The room was full of thanksgiving and the grace of God,” said one Christian.

“We have nothing to give to God except our hearts,” the Christians said.

Their Thanksgiving celebration had no turkey and dressing, no fruit and vegetables, and no pumpkin or apple pie. But Elizabeth said,

“Our hope is not more food, but to go to a church and worship in freedom.” Please remember the thankful North Korean Christians when you thank God for your own blessings.

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).

Voice of the Martyrs-Kids of Courage: North Korea: Daniel 9/8/09

Do you remember how old you were the first time you saw a Bible? Maybe not. Most American Christians were so young when they first saw a Bible that they can’t remember it.

Daniel is a 13-year-old North Korean boy. People in North Korea are not allowed to own Bibles.
Daniel remembers when he first saw a Bible. He was 12 years old. He first heard about Jesus when he was 12, too.

A Hard Life
Daniel is an orphan. Many people in North Korea do not have enough food to eat. North Korean orphans are especially hungry.

“My mom and dad died when I was 8 or 9,” Daniel said. “My sister and I lived as wanderers in the streets of North Korea. In the winter, we stayed in alleyways, train stations, and bus stations. When we lived like this, people said to us, ‘You are dogs and pigs.’ Life was bitterly sad. We longed for our parents.”

Daniel and some friends escaped to China by crossing a frozen river. They had no shoes, so they walked barefoot. Daniel’s feet were very cold. After walking on the ice, he lost his toes because of frostbite.

Food for the Hungry
Daniel was grateful when Christians in China gave him food to eat. But he was also hungry for the word of God. The Christians shared the Bible with him and showed him a movie about Jesus.

Now Daniel studies the Bible every day. He even memorized Psalms 1 and 23. “I like Psalm 23,” he said. “It teaches me that no matter where I go, God is with me. He provides everything I need.”

Danger in China
Not everyone is happy that Christians are now taking care of Daniel’s needs. The North Korean government does not like it when their citizens escape to other countries. Chinese police officers try to catch North Koreans and send them back to their home country. In North Korea, those who have tried to escape are punished harshly in prison.

“It’s hard not to go outside and play in China, even though it’s dangerous,” said Daniel. “When I see the Chinese police, I pray.”

Someday Daniel would like to go back to his homeland and share Bible stories with North Koreans. But he is not ready yet. He wants to study the Bible more.

Here is Daniel’s prayer:

“Father God, I thank you that you have brought me here. Please lead me so that I can go back to North Korea and spread your Word well. I pray in the name of Jesus who saved us from our sin. Amen.”