Daniel Turns 13

Yesterday was Daniel's birthday - and now we have three "teens" in the house!! :-)

He had a fun day buying cinnamon rolls with dad . . .

 

eating a special birthday breakfast . . .

 

opening presents . . .

 

 

trying them on . . . :-)

 

reading cards from family and friends . . .

 

driving his four-wheeler (well, actually, he's in the process of buying it from dad) . . .

 

and shooting his new lever action .22 that he bought a few weeks ago!

 

Oh, and he also got to pick out his birthday supper and his birthday movies. We watched Herbie Goes to Monte Carlos (with Dean Jones as a young man) and Mandie and The Secret Tunnel (with Dean Jones - now a Christian - as a 78-year-old man). We really enjoyed them!!

Happy birthday to my favorite 13-year-old brother! :-)

 

Honduras Missions Trip Movie

This is a video I just made from our June missions trip to Honduras. It's kind of a first draft - Mr. Allen Rainey (head of SonLight Power) is going to check it out and give me his thoughts. I'd love to hear yours too!



Song by J.R. Varner
Performed by the Alzen Family

Persecuted, but Not Forsaken

While on the subject of Christian persecution, I thought I would post an article I wrote for school a few years back . . .

Persecuted, but Not Forsaken

By Hannah Kenney, age 16

2 Corinthians 4:8-11

Did you know that right now, as you are reading this, there are Christians all over the world being persecuted? Did you know that they’re not just being teased or ignored for their faith, but are being tortured and imprisoned too? And did you know that it is not only the adults that suffer, but the children as well? As you read this article, I hope you become more aware of what our brothers and sisters around the world are going through, and realize what you can do to help them!

Most people in America have warm beds, clean running water, and enough food to satisfy their stomachs. But in other countries, many Christians go without those basic needs. Maybe the father of the family has a poor job, or no job at all. Even worse, maybe he has been murdered for his ministry and left a wife and children to fend for themselves. They may even be starving and cold right now. But despite the difficulties our brothers and sisters face, they will not be distressed when they trust in God.

Isn’t it wonderful to meet with other believers without fear of being stormed upon by the local police? It’s interesting to think of that happening in America! But in countries like China, it’s downright dangerous to hold an “illegal” church meeting. Any minute the house or church building might be broken into by loud voices and swinging electric sticks. The leaders – and maybe some members of the congregation – might be forced to pay fines, go to prison, or be beaten for obeying God. But if these Christians find their strength in the Lord, they will not be in despair.

Imagine . . . you’re riding your bicycle down a dusty Indian road, singing a hymn of praise on your way to evangelize the next village. All of a sudden, three men armed with clubs and knives jump out from behind a large rock. With a wild yell they knock you over, and within an hour you have arrived at your Heavenly home. But when the people in the village hear how you have sacrificed your life, they want to know why, and the seed that your blood watered grows into a flourishing church. Isn’t it wonderful how the Gospel and its workers are cast down but never destroyed?

You can help these Christians who are suffering for their faith! The Voice of the Martyrs is an organization started by Richard Wurmbrand (now with the Lord), who spent 14 years in Communist prisons for being a servant of God. VOM helps our persecuted brothers and sisters in many ways. By donating the money God has given you, you could fill an Action Pack with clothes for the poor. Or maybe you could help feed a struggling family. You could also help VOM print books and other reading material for Christians to read or pass out to unbelievers. You could even write an encouraging letter to a Christian who is in prison! Let’s help our brothers and sisters know that, even though they are persecuted, they are not forsaken!

You can visit The Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.com or write them at: thevoice@vom-usa.org or P.O. Box 443 Bartlesville, OK 74005-0443 to receive their free monthly magazine.

VOM Prayer Update

This is a copy of the latest prayer update from the Voice of the Martyrs. You can go to their website, scroll down, and you'll see where you can sign up to receive these weekly updates on e-mail.

Voice of the Martyrs

weekly prayer updates

"Prayer is the coupling of primary and secondary causes. It is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightning bolt of heaven." John Piper

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." Matthew 5:11-13

VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 30, 2009
On Tue. Oct 27 2009 at 12:19 PM Moderator wrote:
PAKISTAN – Imprisoned Believers Appears in Court – VOM Sources

On Oct. 14, Asia Bibi’s husband, Ashiq Masih, her daughters and VOM contacts met her for 15 minutes before her court appearance. “Asia is in strong faith. Her eyes were hopeful. Praise God,” VOM contacts said. Asia told VOM contacts she prays everyday at 3 a.m. “I thank God that the jail administration has good behavior with me,” she said. “I don’t have trouble from them, but I miss my daughters and family. Please arrange my soon release from this jail.” Asia’s daughters were visibly upset when they met her. “The little daughter was continuously asking her mother ‘Mama when are you coming back home?’” VOM contacts said. Isha, the eldest daughter, cried and hugged her mother and would not let her go. Isha pointed to the veil on her mother’s face and said, “I want to see your face, remove this cover.” It was a sad scene. The court rescheduled another hearing for Oct. 27.

On Oct. 17, Sandul and Gulsher Masir had a court hearing, but again the investigating officer did not appear. Another hearing was scheduled for October 26.

Continue praying for these believers. Call on the Pakistani government to insure that the rights of Christians like Asia, Sandul and Gulsher are protected.

2 Timothy 3:10-12

UKRAINE - Church Bombed in Ukraine - VOM Canada

On Oct. 14, a homemade bomb was thrown into the Calvary Chapel church building in Kaharlyk, Ukraine. The building is also the residence of Pastor Wayne Zschech and his family. At 7 a.m., Pastor Zschech's wife awoke to the smell of smoke. Fire officials were called to the scene the blaze which caused minor damage to the building. The six people asleep in the church at the time of the attack escaped without injury. The assailants spray painted "Out with Sects" and "OYH," an abbreviated name for a Ukrainian Nationalist movement, on the church wall. Pastor Zschech later said, "We pray that the Lord would call people to salvation and that he would build up his body. We rejoice in being chosen worthy to suffer for the sake of our Lord and His Gospel. We do also pray for safety but hold this prayer out with open hands." Thank God no one was hurt in this attack. Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and come to faith in Christ.

Psalm 140:12-13

CHINA - Update: Chinese Pastor Released - China Aid Association

Praise God! On Oct. 12, Pastor Hua Huiqi, was released from prison, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Hua was arrested by Chinese officials on Sept. 17 and thankfully, he was not physically mistreated during his detention. Upon his release, however, officials reportedly threatened to harm his 13-year-old daughter if he "caused any trouble." Pastor Hua, who is recovering at home, has urged the international community to continue praying for his ailing Christian mother, Shuang Shuying, who has also faced imprisonment. He has also requested prayer for his dying brother, Hua Huilin. Thank God for this family’s faithfulness and ask God to heal those that are sick. Pray the Holy Spirit will encourage and minister to them.

Matthew 5:11-16


Suggested Links

www.Persecution.com
The Voice of the Martyrs Official Homepage

www.VOMBooks.com
The Voice of the Martyrs Online Store

www.PrisonerAlert.com
Write to a Christian Prisoner in their own Language

Pray for the Persecuted

ParentalRights.org . . .

. . . recently had a video contest. The winners were just annouced and you can see the videos at this link (and no, I never did get around to entering)!

Here's the winner of the commercial category . . .

Apples, Anyone?