“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name...” (Phil 2:5-9)

Dear brothers and sisters,

Try to imagine what it cost Jesus to leave the glory of heaven to come this close to us here on earth! What did he not take upon himself to redeem us? What, in comparison, is the suffering that God, in His love, puts us through? And through it we can be bridge builders to people who are in acute suffering. Our measure of suffering is always only a fraction of what Jesus took upon himself for us. In His suffering we find comfort and courage to be able to do good even in difficult circumstances, while fixing our eyes on Jesus!

• AFGHANISTAN: The situation is, as known from the media, extremely precarious. The Taliban's seizure of power in recent weeks has radically changed the situation. The Taliban are becoming an acute threat to converts. They show zero tolerance for converts, whom they consider "apostates" worthy of death. May Jesus continue to hold His protective hand over these brothers and sisters! Some especially threatened brothers and sisters have been brought to safety abroad.

• ISLAMIC WORLD: Despite all the terrible news that is out there, we do not want to forget the positive things God is doing. We give thanks that in many countries of the Islamic world the number of Christians from an Islamic background has grown in such a way that networks and (house) churches are possible. Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Iran, Indonesia and the „Stan" countries, for example, sometimes have large numbers of congregations. This makes life much easier for individual converts. CM promotes the establishment and maintenance of such networks and congregations. Thus, it is much easier for a convert who has lost family, job, home, and the entire social network due to his conversion to build a new existence in his home or neighboring country in his new family, the Body of Christ.

• CENTRAL ASIA: We give thanks for the courage shown by converts. An example of this: A senior brother paid a visit to the person in charge of religious affairs in his country. He said to himself that he did not want to live in fear, but to establish clear circumstances. So he went to the highest representative of Islam in his country and informed him that he had left Islam and had become a follower of Jesus. The cleric was so stunned by this openness that he did not know how to react at first. Our brother went on to say that he also had a congregation of other converts in his house and also told him the address and the times when they meet "so that the authorities would not have to search long." In doing so, he emphasized that he was a loyal citizen of his country and wanted only the best for his country and his people. The official surprisingly stood up, hugged our brother, and said not to worry, that he realized that the latter was a good person and not a danger to the state.

• YEMEN: Pray for the suffering Church in Yemen. In that war-torn country they face compounded problems, not only where to find food, shelter, and medicine, but they also face the animosity of the state and society in general. You can also provide monetary support through CM (see below).

Thank you for supporting us in prayer. 

Shalom- Peace be with you-

Yassir Eric and co-workers

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