OPEN DOORS MAGAZINE

Hope in the Middle East 2020 | Issue 4

Threats Change Learning how to hope Jesus appears to Syrian sisters Hope Remains makes persecutors disappear

3 8 12 A Letter from the Editor Champion Threats Change

I know that my redeemer lives, and Pastor George (p3) is a wonderful that in the end he will stand on the champion of the gospel in Syria, and it earth. Job 19:25 is a privilege to support him and others Hope All Christians in the Middle East are in a land which so desperately needs it. particularly vulnerable because of their They are an incentive to us, too, to be faith. After facing years of war and Islamic champions and to press on in prayer. The extremism, the church there is like a boxer Lord can do amazing things if we will humble ourselves in this way. Remains who’s already done several rounds in the ring. They were just getting back on their We are now four years into our seven- feet, bloodied, bruised and unbowed, year global campaign, aptly-named when yet another huge opponent, in the Hope for the Middle East. Hope is what shape of Covid-19, took a swing at them. keeps people going – and knowing that At times like this, we may ask, “Where you have a champion, as Job did, is what is God?” But the answer, I believe, gives you hope. As our brothers and sisters resoundingly is: “In the church!” Our face the next bout of challenge, let’s help family in the Middle East have been able them to their feet and keep cheering them to withstand the previous rounds because on. The Lord is our champion, and is able we stood with them and God is with them. to do mighty things through us all. He has Your prayers, gifts and advocacy on their not given up on His beloved people – behalf have made a huge difference, and nor should we. enabling them not only to strengthen themselves but to show Jesus’ love to others.

Hope lives. Pastor George Moushi helps his church to be a Centre of Hope for the community through war, persecution, and now pandemic.

Abu Farid, member of the Alliance church in Qamishli, Syria, he was the first being in touch with Nisreen and had the privilege to share about Jesus（(p14)）.

- 2 - War. Persecution from Islamic State. The extremist ideology of Islamic State Economic collapse. Now Covid-19. is still a strong presence in the region, Beleaguered Syria faces threat after meaning many Christians don’t feel safe threat, but no evil can stop the church at home. Syria is still number 11 on the from being a centre of hope. Open Doors World Watch List of the most dangerous places to be a Christian. “I heard the explosion; when I looked back, I saw a big cloud of smoke near Just as Open Doors was planning to our home,” says Falit, remembering that scale back emergency food distribution unforgettable day in October 2019. and help people towards self-sufficiency He’d just headed out to the shops to buy instead, then came Covid-19. something for his pregnant wife. “I ran back and some Kurdish soldiers ran with me. The doors of the house were broken, “The Church in Syria... there was glass all over the place. When I arrived at home, my wife was shaking and could not see their afraid, crying a lot, because she thought I congregations suffer... Breaking bread. Pastor George buys was in the middle of the bombing.” bread in bulk to share with the more and do nothing.” vulnerable members of his community. Thankfully, God had protected Falit’s wife and unborn child. “My wife was in the only room that wasn’t damaged. The rest Faithful partnership of my house was destroyed,” says Falit. “Our daughter was born two days later.” The Covid-19 lockdown devastated livelihoods, and brought great fear of freely in the city, so I can provide for Church online Syrian Christians like Falit have lived in the further spread in Syria. The war almost the needy families. The need is not just As for so many of us around the world, constant presence of danger for years. completely destroyed the health system. material. Many people are weary and this has meant going to church online Yet they’ve not suffered alone. Your long- Thanks to years of faithful partnership afraid, so I prayed with them. I visited during lockdown. “We try to stay in term support has enabled Open Doors to from people like you, churches like Pastor some sick people and comforted them.” touch,” George explains. “I created a turn 110 ordinary churches into Centres George’s were in a position to take WhatsApp group. Everyone prays and of Hope, reaching out to help people immediate action to help the people worst Keeping in touch is critical for many shares their thoughts and feelings. Many like Falit and his family when they need it affected. of George’s congregation, because were encouraged that the church cares most. That’s 20% of the churches in Syria for them.” around 30% are believers from a Muslim – with an ambition to reach many more “When we saw the increased need, with an effective model of community we restarted the distribution. We gave background who have been cut off from Mourad (pseudonym) manages Open transformation. people food and washing detergent their family or usual support network Doors’ work through local church coupons. Our church saw that now was a because of their decision to follow Christ. partners in Syria, and is excited about the potential to expand the number of time to stand by the people, support them So George has found ways to become Centre of Hope churches becoming Centres of Hope. It is and show Jesus’ love in difficult times,” ‘family’ for those who’ve lost theirs. Pastor George’s Alliance church in says the pastor. a critical way for the church to fulfil its role Qamishli, Syria is now a Centre of as light in the darkness. Hope. Since the crisis began, George The lockdown restricted movement, has followed God’s call to stay in Syria meaning many Christians who work “We gave people food “The Church in Syria, like this church to keep the church alive. In that time, as daily labourers lost their income and washing detergent in Qamishli, could not see their he’s witnessed around 1 million believers overnight. congregations suffer and do nothing flee his country, reducing the number of coupons.” about it,” says Mourad. “People are Christians from 1.8 million to 800,000. “Because I’m a pastor I can move more hungry,” said another worker.

- 4 - - 5 - “Many were encouraged that the PLEASE PRAY WHAT IS A CENTRE church cares for them.” Pastor George asks us to pray: OF HOPE? Pray that the people stand firm in Jesus. “Some called me, crying because they Pray that the economy will recover. That Your support for Open Doors empowers have no food for their kids and families. war isn’t over yet – pray that Christians churches to become Centres of Hope We opened the Good Shepherd will stay in the country. Pray that their across Syria and Iraq. Centre only for two hours, to distribute basic needs will be met. I often see A Centre of Hope is an active local church food coupons, and around 80 families people searching the garbage bins for EMERGENCY EVANGELISM came.” AID trained and resourced to run projects in food in the streets. Pray that there will be their community. No two are quite the Pastor George has a message for job opportunities for the people. same, yet one vision unites them all: to everyone who has supported Syria for reach out with Christ’s love. years, as well as those who have given PLEASE GIVE recently during the Covid-19 crisis. Every HK$470 could provide a monthly The idea is at the heart of Open Doors’ He says, “Thank you for your help to food relief pack for a persecuted family long term campaign, Hope for the Middle make that possible. This is really a hard in Syria. TRAUMA INCOME East. Our goal: to enable the church to situation. Of course, we cannot help COUNSELLING GENERATION survive, remain a faithful witness and them with all their needs, but we can Every HK$600 could contribute to PROJECTS contribute positively to society. offer them the basics. Please continue medical care for a believer in Syria. to help us in this.” Projects help people rebuild their Every HK$710 could provide a kit of livelihoods and an earn an income winter clothes and blankets to help a for their family, after the trauma and family survive the upcoming winter. destruction of war. A centre might focus on a ministry to women, youth or couples. Bible study and discipleship strengthen the faith DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING of believers still facing hostility and persecution - Larger programmes, such as leadership particularly those who become Christians from a or the year-long trauma course, are Muslim background. shared between churches.

Christ’s love reaching the community

PROJECTS FOR PROJECTS FOR Each Centre of Hope builds on the WOMEN YOUNG PEOPLE strengths of the congregation to meet the needs of the community. The centres provide what Christians in the Middle East need most right now: a prophetic voice for justice and new perspective. Becoming a Centre of Hope helps a PROJECTS FOR PROJECTS FOR church to achieve their own vision of COUPLES CHILDREN being a beacon of light in their community. Without this support, made possible by your faithful prayers and generosity, more In Iraq, 65% of all churches (about 125 congregations) have Christians would lose hope and leave been transformed into Centres of Hope. In Syria, 20% of their country. Christianity in Iraq and churches (about 110 congregations) have either become a Syria would dwindle, if not disappear. Centre of Hope or are part of a larger programme.

- 6 - - 7 - Learning how to hope

Ready to flee, yet determined to stay, Dalia has overcome years of persecution so she can serve the church in Iraq. Now, thanks to your support, her church has become a Centre of Hope, running Bible studies for women in their homes.

The group of women who form the Women committee in Bashiqa, together with Dalia.

that followers of Jesus did not belong in meetings for women. She says, “We Iraq. In the middle of her uncle’s funeral, offer prayer and encouragement. With Dalia’s father received a phone-call from success, because last summer about 150 the murderers threatening to kill another women participated. Then I see that the member of the family if they didn’t pay a Holy Spirit is working. When I hear that huge sum of money. a woman is preparing a Bible study at home with her husband and children, it “There is no better makes me very happy.” place to gather than “We learned how to the church.” tell women about the Called to stay Lord Jesus, how to Dalia has remained in her Though her family have all left, Dalia country because she feels called serve them in love.” to serve the church in Iraq. remains in her country because she feels called to serve the church in Iraq. Thanks to your support and prayers, Dalia’s church has become a Centre of Hope. Open Doors has trained her to run Bible “Our suitcases are always packed, studies with other Christian women. in case we have to flee,” says Dalia, “Our suitcases are PLEASE PRAY describing her life as a Christian on always packed, in case “We learned how to talk to women in For strength and encouragement for the Nineveh Plain in Iraq. “I warn my Bashiqa about the Lord Jesus, and how Dalia and others like her who risk children to be very careful. My daughter we have to flee.” to serve them in love. We learned how to persecution because of their calling. studies in Mosul, where kidnappings and make contacts and convey hope.” explosions are often the order of the day.” her faith for as long as she can remember. That God would bless the work of her Fourteen years ago, her uncle was Finding hope Centre of Hope and that the women’s Dalia has experienced persecution for murdered by Islamic extremists, who said Bible study groups would flourish and After the training, Dalia and her group grow. began regularly organising Bible study

- 8 - - 9 - Hussam (25 yr) and his mother Maha (47), Your support has kept We wait in hope sitting in their modest family house. Hussam hope alive for Christians was the first who accepted Christ and he was in Syria and Iraq through for the Lord; he is instrumental to lead most of the others in his family to Jesus too. years of war and our help and our persecution. Thank you! shield. 2016 Hope for the Middle PSALM 33:20 East campaign launched to help the church in Syria and Iraq survive the attempts of Islamic extremists to destroy it

2017 Over 800,000 supporters sign the Hope for the Middle East petition, Long-term partner father Daniel, priest of congregations in Erbil and Kirkuk, presented at the UN by has hope despite the threats, urges you to keep supporting Iraq. Noeh, a young boy from Iraq 2016-2018 “You have been our Over 30,000 families in Syria and Iraq receive life- light in the dark times: saving food and aid don’t leave us now.” 2018 Over 1,000 Iraqi families Father Daniel urges you to keep supporting Iraq helped to return to their homes in the Nineveh Plains “My dream for the Christians in Iraq is to reflect the salt and light that Jesus talks about in the holy Bible. I think there is a 2018-2019 message in the midst of all war and conflicts, the message 16 Centres of Hope are that we do have a role to play here, the role to change opened across Syria this country. Maybe God has given us the role to build the peace in this country or at least to be part of the process of 2019 reconciliation in this country. Open Doors provides “So let’s implant hope in the hearts of our children and emergency aid for young people that they can have an impact on the Christians displaced community here. The supporters help us with that by funding by Turkish incursion in many hope-giving projects.” northern Syria OD has been supporting the church in Iraq through local 2020 partners since 2003. We aren’t planning on leaving soon You can help Syrian and - we will be there to support the church for as long as they Iraqi Christians survive need us. the Covid-19 crisis

- 10 - - 11 - “That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 CORINTHIANS 12:10 The family of Mathi moving back to their house in Qaraqosh. The family has been displaced for a long time, but now moving back to their own house. of us were crying. We were so afraid to Sozan (22 yr, 1998) holding a candle as a be killed. But then Jesus appeared to me. little light and looking at it. He said to me: ‘Don’t be afraid.’ Then the people all at a sudden disappeared, they “Thank you for In 2014 thousands of Iraqi Christians were even apologized. That can only be Gods threatened out of their houses by Islamic work.” showing my children State. When the area was liberated it soon became apparent that many houses Jesus appears to that we are not alone.” and churches were severely damaged. Syrian sisters and Sozan in the modest and basic house of her family, With your help we restored almost behind her is a petroleum heater. makes persecutors 2,000 houses of Iraqi Christian families. We restored essential facilities such as disappear churches and schools. Mathi wants to thank you from the bottom of his heart: Bombs falling around their house. “You helped us to show our children that Running to a safer place because of we are not alone.” people wanting to kill them as followers PRAY of Jesus. Jesus appearing to them and making persecutors disappear. Sozan Give thanks for the nearly 2,000 has lived it all. Sozan is a former Muslim families who have been able to who now follows Jesus. return to restored homes For Open Doors partners helping Mathi overlooks the street from “People in the neighborhood started his roof terrace. talking negative about us, as we were more Iraqi families to return and open about our conversion,” she says. rebuild their lives “One day, I think about six weeks after Ask God to protect the family of my conversion, I was out with my sister Mathi and the Christian community Arya. A group of men came to hurt us, in the Nineveh Plain from the spread to persecute us. We were afraid, both of Covid-19

- 12 - - 13 - International Day

Nisreen and her family of Prayer are one of the families supported with your financial help. The help is given to people who are part of the church and to others who are not. Hope for Middle East Nisreen carries the eat. I always used to cry out to the Lord and say: ‘Lord you are my children’s light of Jesus on her refuge’.” But again, when she stepped in that basement, Abu Farid, a volunteer of 2020.11.15 face the church, said that they didn’t put new As have so many Syrians have during the names on their distribution list. But this day past nine years of war, Nisreen’s family he gave her a package. turned into a needy family. “I was very tired, I was emotionally The church in Syria and Iraq has Although Nisreen is from a Muslim exhausted, I was crying and was very background, “I didn’t have a strong belief skinny, my look was different. I asked him remained a visible hope during in my religion,” she says. She was always for a cup of water and if I could sit down persecution, war, economic crisis – and attracted by what she saw of the life of for a while. He asked, ‘it’s Ramadan, Christians. “The love of Christ was planted aren’t you fasting?’ ‘I am not fasting’, now the pandemic. They cannot stand in me since I was little. I used to see how was my response to the man, this is not alone. Will you stand with them? Christian’s behavior is better than ours. my belief. Abu Farid asked, ‘Don’t you I’ve always liked Christians and I used believe in God?’ I said: ‘I have faith in to say to my parents ‘there is something God and I feel that He is always with me, connecting me and Christians.’” but not in the way Islam teaches.’ She heard about the food distribution of “Abu Farid talked to me about Jesus for the Alliance Church in Qamishli and went an hour and a half. At the end I asked: there for help. The church is one of our ‘You talked about Jesus and you said that partners in Syria to help people in need. He came for all people, is it possible that In your personal prayer time, your prayer I become a Christian?’ ” The first time was a big disappointment. group, cell group, or church service To get prayer resources: www.opendoors.org.hk/idop “They didn’t want to register me, as they Nisreen accepted Jesus that day, and couldn’t handle more families. But they returned home, with double joy: “I met said I should come back. I went back after Jesus and I got a food package.” twelve days. I was in desperate need at International Day of Prayer (IDOP) that moment, my children had nothing to

- 14 - - 15 - Will you stand with him today?

Pastor George stood with his community during war, persecution and聆聽他們的故事，相信 pandemic. 耶穌，準備為你的信仰

Who is by your side in a crisis? Who keeps global family.而死 Will you stand by their side you going when you face dark days? today? Christians in Syria have endured Every HK$470 could provide a monthly persecution, war – and now the Covid-19 food relief pack for a persecuted family in pandemic. Muslim-background believers Syria. who risk everything to follow Jesus have Every HK$600 could contribute to nowhere to turn. Displaced families lack medical care for a believer in Syria. their usual support networks. Every HK$710 could provide a kit of That’s why Open Doors is helping winter clothes and blankets to help a churches become Centres of Hope family survive the upcoming winter. across the Middle East. The church is the greatest support network. There in the Please act today: heart of the local community, rebuilding lives and livelihoods, providing trauma www.opendoors.org.hk care, discipleship – and most of all hope. They cannot do it without the long term support and faithful prayers of their Thank You！

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