Giulio Paletta/CSW
Fall/Winter 2018 connect& encourage
Write to people who suffer for their beliefs Change Lives. Today.
Writing tip You can find How to more tips for writing your cards connect & encourage at csw.org.uk/connectencourage Giulio Paletta/CSW
Many of the people on the following pages are victims of violence, intimidation or harassment. Get writing All of them need your encouragement. Using Connect & Encourage, you can stand in solidarity Is it ok to include Christian Will my letters actually with them in a very special way – by sending cards greetings and scripture verses? reach the intended person? and letters of encouragement. Most of the people in Connect & Encourage Although some letters may be intercepted, are Christians, and we encourage you to most will reach their destination. Even if the Receiving a personal letter reminds each person who gets write appropriate scripture verses and letter doesn’t reach them, it can still have a it that someone, somewhere cares about their suffering. Christian greetings. Writing relevant Bible powerful effect by reminding governments Connect & Encourage is ideal to use as a group, but we references is useful for non-English speakers that their case is not going unnoticed by the encourage you to use it wherever and however you can! so they can look up the same scripture rest of the world. Could you use it at a creative prayer night, as a youth group verses in their own language. Is it safe to include my name activity, or at a church mission event? Be as creative in your However, some are not Christians – we have and address on my cards? encouragement as possible! indicated this next to their names. Please be sensitive to this when writing to them. As long as you are happy to receive a People have been putting Connect reply, including your contact details isn’t & Encourage to fantastic use! If the person you are writing to is a Christian, a problem. In fact, a pen pal relationship it’s okay to send them cards that are with someone who is persecuted for their obviously Christian. However, if you want faith can be extremely inspiring! However, If they can do it, so can you! Be inspired by the experiences to be safe, or the person you are writing to you may receive letters requesting financial of churches and individuals using Connect & Encourage is from a different faith, cards with colourful help. Always contact CSW regarding these throughout the booklet. pictures or landscapes on the front are requests before you respond to them. always appreciated. Can I send letters to every What if I can’t write in the country where CSW works? person’s language? Keep in touch. Today. We have only included people in Connect & Even if the person receiving your card Encourage if we can verify they will receive can’t read English, receiving a card can still your cards safely. In some of the countries bring them hope and encouragement by how you’ve used it, and If you would like to order more where we work, sending letters and cards Share More reminding them that they are not forgotten. we’ll let others know so they can try copies of Connect & Encourage please could further endanger the recipients. However, if you can write in the language of Instead, please remember these people using it in the same way! call us at 877-279-8723 or the person – even if it is just a phrase or two email us at [email protected] email us at [email protected] in your prayers, asking God to grant them – please do! They will appreciate your effort. strength, protection and comfort.
2 Pray with us cswusa.org/pray To download more copies visit cswusa.org/pray/connect-encourage 3 connect&encourage Africa and the Middle East Africa and the Egypt Iran Nigeria In the past we’ve asked you to write cards Unfortunately it isn’t safe to write to many of The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin to Egyptians, but at this time it’s difficult the prisoners in Iran. Over the last few years Argak Kwashi and Middle East to ensure that cards will arrive in a timely we’ve seen a pattern of religious minorities Mrs. Gloria Kwashi manner. Please keep praying for Egypt being arrested on national security charges, though the situation has become more and in a number of current cases it could Dear friends stable, religious minorities are still a target. put them at risk if they were to receive cards Dr. Benjamin Argak Kwashi from other countries. I use Connect and Encourage on the first day of each month, asking God Eritrea to guide me as I open the booklet. Many Eritrean Christians have been forced It’s good to browse through the to flee their country due to the severe pages and to choose someone to oppression they face on account of their whom I can send that month. I love faith. As they waited for acceptance in third countries, they have established their to think of my small card reaching a own worshipping communities. They are lonely, hurting prisoner somewhere essentially refugee churches. Many of these The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Argak Kwashi, in the world, and I pray particularly Christians still live cautiously because the Anglican Archbishop of Jos, is a prominent for that individual during the month, Eritrean authorities have been known to and eloquent advocate for Christians in track down and harass people even outside northern and central Nigeria. His family was trying to picture their situation. of Eritrea. The cards you’ve sent have been subjected to two brutal attacks in recent Elaine Brown an amazing encouragement to many. years, but has made a full recovery. In Please keep writing! addition to writing to the family, please pray Pitlochry for their safety and strength in the midst of Ebenezer Foundational ongoing tensions in Nigeria. Healing Church GPO 16147-00100 The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Argak Nairobi Kwasi and Mrs Gloria Kwashi Kenya Anglican Diocese of Jos PO Box 6283 Jos Send hope. Today. Plateau State 930001 Writing tip Please don’t Nigera make any political comment on your cards to Iran.
4 Pray for Egypt Get our monthly prayer calendar cswusa.org/pray 5 connect&encourage Africa and the Middle East Nigeria Central Sudan African Our partner organization, CSW Nigeria, Christians in Sudan have faced severe works to promote religious freedom in an repression since South Sudan became an exceptionally difficult context and with very independent nation in 2011. The Khartoum Republic few resources. However, despite the many Bahri Evangelical Church is one of several difficulties it faces, its work is growing! The churches that’s experienced acute harassment,
head of CSW-Nigeria, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, with some of its buildings and land being During 2017 and the start of 2018, thousands Serefio Hervé was recently elected General Secretary sold to Muslim investors and its leaders being of people in the Central African Republic (CAR) were displaced, and hundreds were of the Evangelical Church Winning All arrested. Please pray for the church and write Catholic Cathedral Bangui (ECWA) denomination, one of the largest to encourage them via the address below: they killed during clashes between armed groups. denominations in northern Nigeria with a would love to hear from you. These continued even after the signing of a membership of over five million worldwide. peace agreement in June 2017 that held for a Please write to encourage Rev. Yunusa and number of days - both Muslims, Christians and Hey CSW, his team in their important work. those belonging to animist communities have been displaced. Churches of all denominations CSW Nigeria c/o ECWA Gospel Church are responding to support their communities We used Connect and Encourage as Lemu Road and they would be enormously encouraged by one of our units of study on global Tudun Nupawa your letters. You can write to churches in the justice issues. We spent some time PO Box 619 CAR via CSW at: Kaduna A protest at Khartoum Bahri looking at the persecuted church Nigeria Evangelical Church CSW and Connect and Encourage was PO Box 50608 a practical way for us to respond CSW Casper, WY 82605 PO Box 99, to what we learnt. The students New Malden, enjoyed the process - it was a small Surrey, KT3 3YF and powerful way to connect with the stories of those who suffer for Sudan Church of Christ their faith and on quite a personal This is the church that Reverend Kuwa Shamal level, to get in touch with them and and Reverend Hassan Abduraheem help initiate some kind of relationship. lead (you may remember them from their It was also a good way to engage in arrest and imprisonment on unjust charges in 2015, and subsequent release after prayer informed prayer too. & campaigning from CSW supporters). The Take care, church is now challenging a government decision to appoint an unelected leadership Suhail - Canada committee to run the denomination. You can write to them care of CSW at: vineyardschoolofjustice.org
CSW Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, CSW Nigeria PO Box 50608 Casper, WY 82605
6 Pray for Nigeria Get our monthly prayer calendar cswusa.org/pray 7 connect&encourage South Asia
South Asia John Dayal National Commission Farrukh Saif Foundation for Justice and Peace John Dayal is one of India’s most prominent (Pakistan) Salvance Jacob is a highly qualified and India voices on human rights and the situation able Christian lawyer who is National head of religious minorities in particular. He is a NCJP is one of CSW’s key partner of the FSF network of Christian lawyers member of several governmental bodies, in representing minorities – particularly Nehemiah Christie organizations in Pakistan. Headed by Cecil including the national Integration Council. S. Chaudhry, they are a well-organized Christians – who could otherwise find no The former president of the All India legal assistance. The religious minorities are institution with offices in all provinces and Catholic Union, he is also co-founder major cities of Pakistan. Please pray for the severely discriminated against in the Punjab Nehemiah is a human rights defender based and secretary general of the All India safety and security of the staff, especially courts. Salvance Jacob and others have in Tamil Nadu. He is the Director of Legislation Christian Council. those who travel to rural areas to conduct been frequently threatened with violence in and Regulation at the Synod of Indian workshops and training. Pray for Cecil and and out of the courtroom; still they press on Pentecostal churches, which has an oversight 505, Link Apartments and help those most in need. Please pray 18, I.P Extension others in leadership that they may guide the of 30,000 churches in India. He is a member organisation and work in the right direction. for protection, safety and wisdom in their of the United Christian Forum for Human Delhi 11092 work. Please do write to encourage them as India Please do write to encourage the NCJP staff Rights, an inter-denominational Christians at the head office in Lahore. NCJP offices they advocate for those suffering from false network that campaigns for freedom of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, accusations and the endemic prejudices in religion or belief. Nehemiah was a participant Hyderabad and Quetta will receive mail a broken justice system. at CSW’s South Asia ‘Defend the Defender’ Pakistan through the Lahore office. project where he was trained on international [email protected] advocacy. He is also the founder of the Calvary Christian Study Centre (CSC) E 64/A, Street No. 8 Christian Centre in Erode. Officers Colony Walton Rd. National Prayer CSC works to support churches in Lahore Network of Pakistan Pakistan gain a better understanding Nehemiah Christie Pakistan of the relationship between Islam and Emmanuel Khurshid is a passionate young 18/8 Iraniyan Street-1 www.ncjp-pk.org Christianity, and the particular nature of man with a heart for praying over the Lakshmi Garden [email protected] their calling as churches in a Muslim state. nation of Pakistan. He leads an extensive Rangampalayam, Erode The centre undertakes academic research Peace and Development network of prayer warriors around the 638008, Tamil Nadu into Islam and Christianity in Pakistan Foundation (PDF Pakistan) country who train others in intercession and their relationship. They also promote and prayer. Please pray for the integrity, dialogue between Christians and Muslims Romana Bashir and Arif Gill are experienced unity and expansion of the network. Pray to foster mutual understanding, peaceful workers in interfaith harmony. Their for Emmanuel’s young family and extended co-existence and promote cooperation in workshops on the subject, aimed at family in their various ministries. Pray for a nation-building. challenging the prevailing extremist generation of prayer warriors to rise around mindsets have been very successful. Pray for the world who would intercede in prayer The CSC would like to thank everyone who the safety and security of Romana, Arif and over Pakistan. sent cards to them with such beautiful their staff. Do write to encourage the staff as thoughts. They mean a lot to them! PO Box 682, their work actually changes mindsets and GPO Saddar Cantt, Christian Study Centre effects real change on the ground. Rawalpindi 46000 126 Murree Road House No. 1959/1 Pakistan Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan Indus Rd. No.3, Tariqabad, Rawalpindi Cantt. 46000 Pakistan [email protected]
8 Get our monthly prayer calendar cswusa.org/pray Pray for Pakistan 9 connect&encourage East Asia East Asia Pakistan Burma Dear CSW, CSW currently understands that raising the Lahpai Gam international profile of individual prisoners in Lahpai Gam is a Christian farmer who lived Pakistan may worsen their conditions so, on You kindly sent me some with this family in a refugee camp, working the advice of local partners, we’ve removed materials and pens for a letter as a herdsman. He was arrested by the them from this edition. At any time there are writing session with our Sunday Burmese Army and falsely accused of being hundreds of people in detention, without a fair a soldier from the Kachin Independence trial. We urge you to pray for them and their School. I am just writing to let Army, attending military training sessions families whenever you can. Michelle Chaudhry you know how the young people and carrying out bombings. During got on. We started all together Cecil and Iris Chaudhry interrogations he was brutally tortured. He Bangladesh with a short talk about how was forced to make false confessions to stop Foundation (CICF) Christians can face hard times or the torture. Lahpai Gam was charged with William Samaddar unlawful association and sentenced to two Michelle Chaudhry, the daughter of the late be put in prison, and how God years in jail. Cecil Chaudhry (Senior), is a key partner of William Samaddar is the Vice-President of wants us to remember them. We CSW in Pakistan. the Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha. posted 23 cards in total. Lahpai Gam is now free. Please keep In response to the growing and neglected The Baptist Church Sangha (BBCS) is the praying for him as he adjusts to life needs of minorities, Michelle set up a oldest and largest Protestant denomination Here is a prayer that one of the outside of prison and recovers from foundation in memory of her parents, who in Bangladesh: it was founded by Dr. William children wrote: his ordeal. spent their lives working to improve the Carey in 1796. Their mission is to spread Pastor Gam Seng and Deacon minority conditions in Pakistan. Pray for God’s word through the teachings of Jesus Father God, Michelle to have the necessary resources to Christ and establish a strong church through Thank you for people that stay Dumdaw Nawng Lat run her programmes and projects, and for the Gospel. The BBCS ministry is established strong in their faith even through Pastor Gam Seng and Deacon Dumdaw protection for the CICF staff. Please write to throughout Bangladesh and supports a Nawng Lat are two Kachin Christians currently Michelle encouraging her. wide range of activities, including a hospital, persecution. Thank you that in prison after they showed journalists around a leprosy hospital, three clinics and an we get the opportunity to send Michelle told us. “I want to say thank a Catholic church that had been reportedly educational program. The BBCS also runs you to everyone who has sent me cards. letters to them. Please help our bombed by the Burmese military. We’ve received over 200 cards from CSW high schools for girls and boys, a junior high letters to support people and school, 64 primary schools, a school for The men, who are members of the Kachin supporters. I’m so touched and it was to realise that they are very overwhelming for me.” blind girls, children’s homes with schools, Baptist Convention, were both convicted and four hostels. Bangladesh has recently appreciated for how well they do. under the Unlawful Associations Act for their Michelle and her team would be delighted seen a rise in violence targeting religious Please bless them with your Holy alleged support of the Kachin Independence to write back to you in thanks for your minorities, so William Samaddar and his Spirit to help them to stay strong. Army and under the Import Export Act for encouragement! If you’d like to receive congregation would welcome your letters operating motorcycles without a licence. a reply from them, please include your and messages of support as they carry out Amen address in the card. their vital work. Pastor Gam Seng and Deacon Elizabeth Dumdaw Nawng Lat are now free: 16C/1-A, Gulberg II, William Samaddar please keep praying for them as Lahore 54600 Bangladesh Baptist Church, they adjust to life outside Pakistan 33 Senpara Parbata, of prison. [email protected] Mirpur10 Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh www.ci-cf.org
10 Pray for Bangladesh Pray for Burma 11 connect&encourage East Asia
Another leader at the church, Pastor Su China Tianfu, was sentenced to one year in prison suspended for two years, with a further six Information courtesy of China Aid months’ residential surveillance, following Association and other sources. his trial on April 26, 2018. Both pastors were also fined over $1 million for collecting Gao Zhisheng ‘illegal’ donations from members of the congregation. Pastor Su Tianfu and Pastor Alimujiang Yimiti Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights Yang Hua have filed several appeals on lawyer, was given a three-year prison Pastor Yang Hua and Pastor Su Tianfu the basis that the money was voluntarily sentence for ‘violating the terms of his donated by church members and was only Alimujiang Yimiti probation’. The sentence related to his used to fund church activities. All appeals An Uyghur Christian from Xinjiang province, 2006 probationary sentence (three years’ Living Stone Church were rejected. imprisonment and five years’ probation) for Alim is being detained ‘solely because of his ‘subversion of state power’. He was released Living Stone Church is an unregistered Pastor Yang and Pastor Su would love faith’ according to the UN Working Group on in August 2014, but was put under round- Protestant church in China. Several church to receive cards and messages of support Arbitrary Detention. from you. the-clock surveillance. As a result of his time members have been targeted and the Alimujiang was working as a project in prison, Gao has suffered from physical government has tried to force Living Stone Both of them would greatly appreciate your manager for a British company, when and psychological health problems. church members to stop meeting: they prayers and letters! it was targeted in a series of closures of would welcome your messages of solidarity Gao disappeared again in August 2017. foreign businesses belonging to Christians and support. Pastor Yang Hua led Living Although there are conflicting accounts of #5-5-8 Dongshan Yi Jing Yuan in Xinjiang in September 2007. Alim was Stone Church until he was detained in 2015 his whereabouts, it is likely he is being held Da Xing Garden detained in February 2008 and sentenced for “obstructing justice” and “gathering a in some form of detention. He has not been Yun Yang District to 15 years in prison in April 2009, in a court crowd to disturb social order” and later seen since his disappearance. Guiyang , Guizhou, 550000 case that did not follow due procedure “illegally holding state secrets.” He was People’s Republic of China under Chinese or international law. It is not possible to write to him at this time, formally arrested in early 2016, and his but if you would like to encourage his wife lawyers told us that he had severe health Please also remember in your prayers Following a failed appeal, Alim was you can do so by tweeting encouraging conditions as a result of his ill treatment in Wang Yao and Zhang Xiuhong. Wang moved to a prison in Xinjiang’s provincial messages to her Twitter handle @GengHe. detention. Yao, the friend of a Living Stone Church capital, Urumqi. In February 2011 it was Please remember not to openly criticize member, was tried for illegally acquiring and announced that an appeal at the Higher Almost two weeks after his trial on Dec. the Chinese government when you write disseminating state secrets in connection People’s Court of Xinjiang had failed and 26, 2016, Pastor Yang Hua of Living Stone to her. Please also remember the family in to the case and given two years’ probation. his sentence Church, Guizhou, was sentenced to two and your prayer. Zhang Xiuhong is a deacon at the church was upheld. a half years in prison. In March 2017 Pastor and the church’s accountant. She was Yang Hua was reported to be “on the verge of In January 2013, Alim’s wife was informed You can read more about Gao arrested in July 2015 for “financial crimes.” In paralysis” as a result of severe inflammation that her monthly visits to her husband at csw.org.uk/gao February 2017, Zhang was sentenced to five in his legs. would be cut to one every three months. years in prison, later reduced to a three-year Pastor Yang Hua was released from prison on sentence, suspended for five years. She was Alimujiang Yimiti June 19, 2018 after completing a two and released Aug. 7 after spending more than Prison No. 3 of Xinjiang a half year sentence. According to friends two years in detention. No. 1339 and supporters, he is in urgent need of If you would like to write to them, please Dongzhan Road medical care and is suffering from several send your cards and letters to Wang Urumqi city health problems. Gao’s daughter Hongwu at the address above. Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Grace Geng Region 830013 People’s Republic of China
12 Pray for the people you write to Get our monthly prayer calendar cswusa.org/pray 13 connect&encourage East Asia
Nanle County Christian Church In April, Ngyuen Van Dai was sentenced Indonesia to 15 years in prison and a further five years In November 2013, over 20 members of under house arrest Nanle County Christian Church, Henan, Ahok In June 2018, Nguyen Van Dai was released which belongs to the state-sanctioned Three- Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as into exile in Germany. Please pray for Mr. Self Patriotic Movement, were detained after ‘Ahok’, was sentenced to two years’ Dai and his family as they begin this new members attempted to petition a higher in prison on false blasphemy charges phase of their life. authority about a land dispute involving in May 2017. Prior to this, he was the church. Lawyers representing the Jakarta’s first non-Muslim governor Nguyen Trung Ton detainees were repeatedly prevented from for over fifty years. In prison, he is Nguyen Trung Ton is an outspoken human meeting their clients and foreign journalists separated from his family, who have rights defender and Protestant pastor. In covering the case were also intimidated and received threats. Your letters would February 2017 Pastor Ton was kidnapped harassed. At the time of writing, most of the be a huge encouragement to Ahok, by state agents and was stripped naked, detainees have been released, but Pastor and would show the authorities that tied, beaten and abandoned in a remote Zhang Shaojie is in prison serving a 12 years the international community hasn’t mountainous location in the middle of sentence for fraud and ‘gathering a crowd to forgotten about him. disturb public order’. Pastor Zhang Shaojie’s the night. Both his knees were seriously daughter has said that he is suffering both Bpk Basuki Tjahaja Purnama injured and his lungs were damaged. He mentally and physically as a result of meagre Mafo Forps Brimab Polri was arrested July 30, 2017 on a charge of food rations and sleep deprivation in prison: Jl. M. Yasin attempting to overthrow the state. In April please pray urgently for his physical and Kelapa Dua Nguyen Trung Ton was sentenced to two mental health. Depok 16951 years’ imprisonment and two years’ house Indonesia arrest. Nanle County Christian Write to his family: Central Sanctuary, (Zhong Xin Tang) Old Theater of West Street Vietnam Nguyen Thi Lanh Nanle Country Yen co village, Puyang City Nguyen Van Dai Quang Yen Commune, Henan Province 457400 Quang Xuong district, People’s Republic of China Nguyen van Dai is a Thanh Hoa province, human rights journalist Vietnam who has been held in prison for over 600 days without trial. Or write to Pastor Ton via CSW The morning he was arrested, he was preparing to meet EU representatives Speak up for justice. Today. to talk about human rights in Vietnam. This was despite the fact that his work as a prominent human Writing tip Please rights lawyer and campaigner had don’t mention CSW or make Be an encourager. Today. already brought him under attack from the authorities: just ten days any political comment in earlier, Nguyen Van Dai had been your cards to Vietnamese Writing tip Please don’t mention CSW or make any political severely beaten by the police after people – this could comment in your cards to Chinese people – this could endanger them. attending a human rights conference. endanger them.
14 Pray for the people you write to Pray for Vietnam 15 connect&encourage Latin America
Latin Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet While we thank God for this great result, Colombia further action on this hasn’t really happened America Dr. Biscet was released in early 2011 after and the leader of Maranatha, Rev. Amado, Many church leaders in Colombia face serving eight years of a 25-year sentence told us that he’s worried the local severe persecution as the illegal armed following a deal brokered by the Catholic government will simply quietly drop the Being part of St Peter’s card groups that are present in large parts of Church. He was imprisoned because of case. He and his congregation would really “ the country often severely restrict religious his human rights work. He is now at home appreciate your cards, as it’ll help them writing group brings us together and activities. Consequently, church leaders and reminds us that we are a part of a with his wife, Elsa, but they feel very unsafe know they’re not forgotten. members of their congregations frequently so rarely go out except to attend church worldwide church. It is a privilege face the threats just for attempting to on Sundays. He is a devout Christian Primera Iglesia Bautista Maranatha to feel in some small way we can practice their faith. At the moment, it is too and pacifist, and was nominated for a Fomento 298 e/ Martí y Luz risky to publish the names and details of Caballero Ciudad de Holguin, encourage fellow Christians Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. CSW has been pastors currently under threat but we would supporting Dr. Biscet for over ten years. Holguin 80100 Cuba whose strength and courage far ask you to keep them in your prayers. exceeds our own. Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and Elsa Pastor Reutilio Columbie ” Morejon Hernandez Acosta Barbara Rose Cuba 464 e/ 8va y 9va In February 2012, Pastor Reutilio Columbie CSW Ambassador Lawton was beaten so violently that he suffered Our recent report on Cuba showed that Ciudad de la Habana brain damage. It’s believed that this attack harassment of church leaders and human Cuba was a direct result of his challenge to the rights defenders continues to rise. Please authorities over their arbitrary confiscation Send hope. Today. write to the pastors and their congregations Father José Conrado of his church’s truck. He was found to encourage them and as a sign of unconscious in the street after the severe solidarity. Rev. Toledano and his family Father Conrado is a Roman Catholic Priest beating, and now struggles with his speech Writing tip Please are currently homeless because of the who has suffered harassment and threats for and with memory loss. don’t mention CSW or make destruction of their house and confiscation speaking out against human rights violations and allowing the families of political prisoners to Pastor Reutilio Columbie any political comment in your of their property so for the moment please send cards care of Rev. de Quesada: attend Mass at his church. Casa #27 Cabaña de rodo-Monterrey cards to Cuban people – Moa, Holguin this could endanger them. Revs. Bernardo and Damaris Padre José Conrado Cuba de Quesada Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco Calle 4ta No 27 de Paula, Calle Fernando Hernández Dagoberto Valdez Versalles, Camaguey esq. a Piro Guinart CP 70600 Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus Dagoberto Valdez is a Catholic lay Cuba Cuba leader who has been the target of threats and harassment because of his Maranatha First Baptist activities in independent civil society, Rev. Juan Carlos Núñez Church of Holguin including working on independent Maceo 19 Christian publications. Las Tunas, Las Tunas We are pleased to report that Maranatha Cuba First Baptist Church is no longer Dagoberto Valdez under threat from being closed by the Polvorín #8 e/ San Juan y Raverio government. In addition, the process to Pinar del Rio CP 20100 legalize the construction of a new, larger Cuba church building to house Maranatha’s congregation has begun. Dr. Biscet
16 Pray for Latin America Get our monthly prayer calendar cswusa.org/pray 17 connect&encourage Latin America
Pastors Mario Felix Lleonart Pastor Yiorvis Bravo Denis Yaguajay Baptist Church The following pastors have all been targets Barroso and Yoaxis of harassment and threats and would be As part of a dispute over the ownership of much encouraged by letters and cards: It’s not safe for you to write to Mario Felix this church’s property, the local authorities Reverend Pastor and Yoaxis at their home at the moment, claimed that the church’s land was Ariandys Aguiar del Sol but you can still send them cards to the nationalized in October 1980 and that they address below. were planning to turn over the church property to two state-owned companies. Reverend Pastor Ariandys Aguiar Subsequently, the church property del Sol Iglesia Bautista ‘Antioquía’ de was confiscated and handed over to Potrerillo Ave. de Ranchuelo No.315 government businesses. The historic church Potrerillo, Cruces Cienfuegos, Cuba Pastor Bravo Denis building belonged to the Western Baptist Convention prior to the Revolution. Pastor Yiorvis Bravo Denis is the nephew Pastor Esmir of Pastor Gude Pérez, and part of the same Pastor Yuri Castellanos Perez Torreblanca Cortón church network, the Apostolic Movement. Yaguajay Baptist Church Pastor Esmir’s church was destroyed in July In Fall 2013, after trying to formalize the Calle Quintin Banderas #15 2014 – please write to encourage the whole transfer of his church’s registration from Yaguajay church family. Pastors Mario Felix Lleonart his uncle’s name, he and his family were Sancti Spiritus CP 65100 Barroso and Yoaxis subjected to a campaign of harassment. Cuba Pastor Esmir Torreblanca Abusive state-organized mobs surrounded Cortón Iglesia Estableciendo Pastors Mario Felix and Yoaxis the church building – the onlooking Pastors Rolando and el Reino de Dios Lleonart Barroso community of Camaguey was astonished Elizabet Ortiz Bode Micro 10, Distrito José Martí Christian Solidarity Worldwide DC to see scenes like it in their city. Shortly Santiago de Cuba, Cuba PO Box 30567 afterwards, the state orchestrated a media Over the last decade, Rolando and Elizabet Washington DC effort to discredit Pastor Bravo Denis and his have been involved in leading a steadily- 20030 USA uncle as common criminals. growing house church affiliated with the Eastern Baptist Convention. In July 2014, Pastor Onel Yiorvis Bravo Denis they started receiving anonymous death Pardillo Garcia Avellande 278 threats. This is often how persecution of Entre Esteban y San Martin church leaders in Cuba begins. Please pray Pastor Onel Pardillo Garcia and his church Camaguey CP 70100 for courage and strength for Rolando and have been under pressure and could use Cuba Elizabet, and for their church, as they deal prayer and encouragement. We can’t report with this new situation. many details of his situation at the moment Rev. Roberto Rodríguez but when possible we will give you further Pastors Rolando and Elizabet Ortiz updates in Connect & Encourage. In an answer to prayer, Rev. Rodríguez was Bode cleared of the charges against him. He Sta Ursula #54 Calle 97a No. 3802A e/38 y 38a, and his family continue to live in difficult e/ 1ra de Flores y 1ra de Villalon Loteria, Cotorro circumstances and have been unable to Reparto Asuncion CP14000 return to their home. Santiago de Cuba CP 90300 Havana Cuba Cuba Rvdo Roberto Rodríguez y Familia Princesa No. 52 e/ Laborde y Gene Cardenas, 42110 Matanzas,Cuba
18 Pray for Latin America Get our monthly prayer calendar cswusa.org/pray 19 connect&encourage Latin America
Pastor Tomaza Pastors for Change Apóstol Marcos Antonio Mexico Victoria Ayala Zellero Perdomo Silva Pastors for Change are an inter- Supporters can send cards of Pastor Tomaza Victoria Ayala Zellero and denominational group of church leaders Apóstol Marcos is a pastor from the encouragement to persecuted Christians her family were evicted from their home in the city of Bayamo who have been Apostolic Movement whose church was in Mexico, including those who have been on May 22, 2009. She is also part of the subjected to arbitrary detention, beatings destroyed in July 2014. Since then he has forcibly displaced care of the following Apostolic Movement and pastors an and threats when carrying out public had his house taken from him, turning him two addresses. Since there are so many, Apostolic Church in Central Elia, Las Tunas ministry, for example, during open air into a tenant, he has been imprisoned, his and new cases occur on a regular basis it’s province. They were originally told that the evangelism and street cleanup initiatives. family have been abused, and his children best to address them generally and let our house, which also served as the church, have been persecuted in school for being contacts in country distribute them. would be confiscated in July 2008, despite Aveida Granma pastor’s children. Edefico 22 the fact that Tomaza and her husband, Attn Luis Herrera Jorge, had lived there for almost 30 years Apartamento J Apóstol Marcos Antonio Jesús Menéndez Calle Gonzalez Bocanegra No. 16-C and were the legal owners. When they Perdomo Silva Presidente, Barrio de San Antonio, CP 29250 were finally evicted, the authorities gave Bayamo Ministerio Apostólico y Profético Cuba San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas them documents prohibiting Tomaza from “Estableciendo el Reino de Dios”, Mexico Santiago de Cuba, holding any religious services and the Rev. Arcadis Solano police chief threatened to imprison her for Cuba Dr. Jorge Lee Galindo ‘dangerousness.’ Finally, the authorities also Rev. Arcadis has been experiencing Ave Mirador de Queretaro #21 forcibly closed their carpentry shop, leaving Pastor Roinelbis Matos Pupo severe harassment from government and Interior 51 the family homeless and depriving them of Communist party officials for many months. Fraccionamiento El Mirador an income. Pastor Roinelbis Matos Pupo In May, three officials visited him in an Calle Justo Sánchez 53 entre El Marques, Queretaro attempt to intimidate him and show him Pastor Tomaza Victoria Ayala Zellero Ricardo Pérez y Libertad, CP 76240 he was being watched. As well as this, he’s Iglesia Apostolica Majagua, Mexico been receiving regular ‘warnings’ and has Cooperativo Agricultural Leningrado Ciego de Avila, even seen a neighbour taking photos of him. Victoria de las Tunas 67700, Government officials have also pressured Cuba Cuba members of his congregation. Despite this, Rev. Pastor Abel he is still determined to serve God and train Daniel Josue Perez Naranjo Gonzalez Matos others to do so, too. He specifically asked to be included in Daniel Josue Perez Naranjo, leader Coronel Mejias #18-Casa Pastoral-, Connect & Encourage and would love to of Iglesia Bautista Mision Bereana Alto songo La maya, hear from you! (Berean Baptist Mission Church) Santiago de Cuba Arroyon Chaparra Cuba Arcadis Rafael Solano Las Tunas Carretera Country Club, 77300 Nro 106 Km 1 Cuba El Caney Santiago de Cuba Cuba
20 Pray for the people you write to Pray for Mexico 21 connect&encourage Writing a letter Letter 1
We’ve included some sample letters Dear [name] here to give you an idea of what to write. A personal letter with details I was deeply moved when I about your everyday life can be a heard about your situation. wonderful encouragement, but I wanted to write to you and it’s also the case that sometimes a let you know that your story is template letter may be a safer option for some of our cases, or a good start being told all over the world for you to write your own message. and that people are joining If you want to write your own message, together to pray for you. here are some general guidelines: • Just write a little bit about yourself – [name] where you live, what the area is like, your family, your hobbies, and so on. Most of the people in Connect & Encourage Letter 2 are Christians, so you could write an encouraging Bible verse in the card, and some Christian greetings such as ‘God Dear [name] bless you’ and ‘May the Lord be with you’. • Even if the person who gets your card I pray that God grants you can’t read English, receiving it will still strength and courage to encourage them by reminding them that they’re not forgotten. persevere in this terrible • Writing relevant Bible references is useful situation. Please know that for non-English speakers so they can look you have not been forgotten up the verses in their own language. by the world. • If you’re happy to receive a reply, it’s safe Send hope. Today. to include your name and address on the cards. Many people have developed [name] rewarding relationships in this way, by Writing tip Many prisoners appreciate writing to and hearing from people who a postcard with a bright picture on it: try to suffer because of their faith. find something colourful and uplifting.
22 Pray for the people you write to Pray for the people you write to 23 Our manifesto #9 We believe your voice holds unimaginable power and can save lives.
As Christians, we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.
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