The SG Notebook » Persecuted Church

VOM Photo Contest

Nanna — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:03:48 +0000

This is interesting: Voice of the Martyrs is having a contest for their Facebook fans (over 46,000 btw) where you enter by taking a picture of your family reading the VOM newsletter. It seems they’re looking for creative photos. I thought it might be a nice activity for your family. If you think so, here’s the link to the details at the persecution blog:

Enter VOM’s First Ever Photo Contest

Blessings, Maxine

Vietnam Tidbits

Nanna — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:56:02 +0000

Here are a few facts about the little country of Vietnam. Perhaps you could talk about it for a geography lesson, but mostly you may want to use this information to talk about one more place which desperately needs the gospel. I hope you are guiding your children into a greater awareness of and concern for the needy children in restricted and hostile nations. I sincerely hope your young ones will not be caught up in the trap of this society’s obsession with me-ism. I bring these articles and situations to your attention as a source of encouragement for you to touch their tender hearts. I hope it helps. More information is at the Kids of Courage site. (Note: If you come across this post at a later time, the article at KOC may be different than the one for this date. You will still find an article that will give you information on some country where children live in a persecuted situation.)

Capital
Hanoi

Size
In area, the U.S. is about 30 times bigger than Vietnam. Almost 30 Vietnams would fit inside the U.S.

Time
At 6:00 a.m. U.S. Central Standard Time, it is 7:00 p.m. in Vietnam.

Religion
Many in Vietnam are Buddhists, many are spirit worshippers, and some follow no religion at all. The government controls religious activities. If churches do not register with the government, the members of the churches can be arrested and fined. Christians from minority tribes are treated unfairly. Some tribal Christians hide their Bibles and read them in secret. Some also worship or baptize new Christians in secret.

Pray for Vietnam!

For His Glory,
Maxine

No Birthday for John

Nanna — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:00:38 +0000

How excited do your kids get about their birthdays? Of all the events of a given year, I’d venture a guess that for your children, and most children, their birthdays are at the top of the list for excitement. And well it should be. It’s the anniversary of their birth, a cause for celebration.

Imagine a child who doesn’t know when that special day is. Soon we’ll be posting fresh new Speakables (our writing activities for children) and as always, included will be the “Child of Courage” category. Our source for this Speakable so far has been the monthly child who is spotlighted at the VOM Kids of Courage site. Since I didn’t get to do it this month, I thought I’d link to a recent article about a little fellow in Sudan who “thinks” he is five years old. Imagine that: He thinks he’s five but can’t be sure. When you read this article (I hope to your children) you’ll see why. I hope reading this article as a family will help the youngsters in your home appreciate better what their lives are like, but more than that, it would be so good for their character growth if reading about John will stir up feelings of compassion and a desire to pray for this little boy and others like him. I sure do hope this is so. And as it says at the end of the article, pray with your kids that those who fight against peace in southern Sudan will come to know the Prince of Peace.

Check in later in August or early September for a fresh new writing project about another child or children of courage in the face of persecution.

For His Glory,

Maxine

Action Packs Bring Joy

Nanna — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:41:28 +0000

We’ve talked about the VOM Action Packs before on this blog, so I thought you might like to see this post at the Persecution Blog which has a behind the scenes photo of some children receiving them. This is just a reminder to you that this is an excellent way for you and your children to get involved and help.

Remember Gao’s Family

Nanna — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:24:34 +0000

I had talked a couple of weeks ago about teaching our children that life is not always going to be easy for our families, and that they are included in that. I don’t know whether or not you know about the Chinese family which is going through a time of intense trial. I encourage you to read about them and about the father of the family, who is currently being held and probably tortured. Please remember to include this man and his wife and children in your family prayer times. It is SO important that we not neglect to have our children know about these things. Also, if you have not signed the petition, please do.

Here is a wonderful opportunity for teaching about a modern day Christian hero who is making history right now.

If you have time, this post at the Persecution blog is worth your reflection. It should make all of us think about our Christianity, especially those of us who are in the western Church. The Lord knows we need help.

For His Glory,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

News From KOC

Nanna — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:06:16 +0000

Those who have known us for a while know how we feel about the Kids of Courage website. In fact, our Child of Courage Speakable is always based on an article from that site. I can’t tell you how important it is to have your children feel something of the weight of what others their age are going through by way of suffering and/or starvation. It’s a necessary part of their upbringing, I would say, and I think you would agree that it would be a great flaw in our parenting if we allowed them to view life only from the vantage of “what’s in this for me?” Stacy at the Persecution Blog talks a little about the KOC site and also has a link to the location where you can sign up for their newsletter.

Surely this newsletter would have a good use in your home school, Sunday school, Christian school, and family life. Also, let us help. We always have a child from somewhere in the world featured on a Speakable. The current one is here if you want to use it for a writing project. Don’t forget to click on the blinking “push pin” to go to the bulletin board where you can always find short think questions about the Speakables.

Blessings for the Lord’s Day tomorrow.

Please Pray for Persecuted

Nanna — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:43:56 +0000

Today, November 9th, is the International day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Please remember our suffering brethren today in your homes and churches. More details are here.

Too Cute

Nanna — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:29:34 +0000

This picture was posted by Stacy at the Persecution Blog and I couldn’t resist it. In this time of much needed prayer for our country, as well as for persecuted saints in other countries around the world, you might want to go over to that blog to read some motivating quotes about prayer.

Pastor Bike Freed

Nanna — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:32:21 +0000

I forgot to come back and give the praise about Pastor Bike’s release. Read about it here.

Free Pastor Bike

Nanna — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:27:16 +0000

I’m short on time today but do urge you to go read this post. We can’t do much for our persecuted brethren in other countries, perhaps, but we can pray and we can sign petititons like this one. Please help out those who are trying to have this man freed.