Kids of Courage

Turkish Children

A worker from The Voice of the Martyrs recently visited a Christian in Turkey. The worker said Turkish Christians often face “smart” persecution.

“Sometimes believers in Turkey do face violent persecution,” said the worker. “But they also face ‘smart’ persecution.”

One example of smart persecution happens when Christian workers are treated unfairly on their jobs. They may not be hurt physically, but can be burdened by bad treatment from Muslim bosses and workers.

In other cases, officials hassle churches and missionaries with bothersome rules, hoping they will give up their work for the Lord. At school, teachers and students may try to get kids who have become Christians to return to Islam. (Islam is the religion of Muslims.)

“It is called ‘smart’ persecution because it works,” said the VOM worker. “And also because it is easy for the persecutors to deny that they are doing it and for officials to ignore it.”

Note: May 19^th is Youth and Sports Day in Turkey. The holiday honors Ataturk, a past leader of Turkey. Pray for children and youth in Turkey.

The Voice of the Martyrs recently received a letter from David, a teenage Christian in a European country. David had received the Stephen’s Test of Faith DVD from VOM. His letter said:

“Thank you! When I started watching the DVD, I could not stop until I finished it. So I went to bed after midnight.

“I have a speech disability. I became a Christian at a Christian camp. I was so shocked after I watched the DVD. Christians in the DVD did not quit believing in God and proclaiming the name of Jesus, in spite of their persecution!

“I used to be afraid to carry a Bible with me. But after I watched the DVD, my Bible is always in my backpack. I would like to give copies of the DVD to two friends of mine. They are like I was. They believe in God, but feel it is hard to carry the Bible and witness.

“May God bless your mission.”

To Discuss: Are you ever afraid to talk to others about Jesus? Reading or listening to stories about courageous believers can help give you strength to be bold.

In some countries where The Voice of the Martyrs works, the government makes it difficult or impossible to build church buildings. Sometimes Christians in those countries meet secretly in house churches.

VOM friends in one restricted country take church to the people instead of inviting people to the church! They travel from place to place, sharing and teaching the truths of the Bible. They encourage Christians who may never have the opportunity to meet with other Christians.

But police officers at checkpoints might stop cars and find Bibles and other Christian materials, and arrest the traveling Christians. So the Christians pack the materials on the backs of animals! The animals can carry the Christians and their books over mountains and across farmland, away from roads and checkpoints.