‘We Weep but Never Fear’
By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News Service
LAKE FOREST, CA (ANS – November 24, 2015) -- Dear Friends:
Greetings
to you all from Norma and myself. I am sure many of your living in the
United States are giving thanks to God at this time for being able to
live in a country that allows us to worship the Lord freely. And that
also applies to many of you also living in “free” countries.
However,
I am sure the people of Paris felt secure as they went about their
business on Friday evening, November 13. For some, they were attending a
concert, others a soccer game, while more were just having a pleasant
dinner. But for 130 people in Paris, a typical Friday night ended in
tragedy as members of the Islamic State terror group, also known as
ISIS, struck in a barbaric way.
This
photograph at a Paris memorial carried the words: “We Weep but Never
Fear.” What a wonderful sentiment that we can all hold onto.
It
is terrible to say that Islamic State is causing tragedy after tragedy,
to Christians living in Iraq and Syria, with their beheadings and other
vile crimes against those who don’t agree with them.
Our
dedicated team of writers at the ASSIST News Service have been daily
bringing you these stories for one reason; so that you can prayer for
the people that are being affected by these terrorists. We’ve also
brought you many other stories from my birthplace, Nigeria, where Boko
Haram, who are affiliated with Islamic State, are murdering many
believers and torching their churches and school at regular intervals.
So
how should we act in these times? We must remember those who are
suffering so much for simply following Jesus Christ, and we should give
thanks that we, living in freedom, have the privilege of binding up
their wounds through prayer and aid.
It
has been about 20 years since Norma and I felt led of God to start the
ASSIST News Service, with a main aim of bringing you news about our
courageous persecuted Christians around the world, and I can say with
confidence that we cannot remember a time as violent as this.
In
some cases, we at ANS are the only “voice” for many of these believers,
and they plead with us to keep bringing their stories so we can pray
for them.
However,
as we are getting busier and busier with all the violence going on in
our world, and our wonderful team of correspondents who have been
working so hard to bring you these important stories, I mentioned in my
previous e-mail that our ASSIST finances are at an all-time low, and
Norma told me that if it stays as it is, we only have enough cash in the
bank to continue for up to two more months. I am sure that none of you
would like us to close, as there has never been a more important time
for us to keep the stories coming your way.
We have received a few much-appreciated gifts since my e-mail, but we still have a long way to go.
So
how can you help? Well, of course, we need your believing prayers, but
also, if you feel led, a financial gift would be so appreciated. All of
our team are volunteers, so that means we can keep our running costs to a
bare minimum. But we still have all kinds of costs to meet each month,
including phones, travel, Internet costs, and office rent.
So please consider making a year-end gift to ASSIST to allow us the privilege of continuing. All you have to do is to go to www.assistnews.net
and then scroll down the page to DONATE and you can put in your gift
(tax deductible in the US). If you prefer to send a check, just make it
out to ASSIST and mail it to PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609, USA. (If
you are sending a check, I wonder if you would mind sending me a short
message about it at assistnews@aol.com .
We
again thank you for reading this and responding in the way the Lord
shows you. Every gift will help us continue to bring these vital stories
into your in-box, and by helping, you will also be telling our
persecuted brothers and sisters that you really care for them.
Sincerely in Christ,
Dan Wooding
Founder of the ASSIST News Service
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