Update from Court and Sandy

Greetings!

Please forgive my not responding sooner concerning Maryam and Marzieh, the two young saints who are in prison in Iran. We have been exhausted from moving and are still trying to get settled while I prepare for an extended visit to China and the Philippines.

We have no further news concerning these precious saints. Prayers were wonderfully answered in that they gave faithful and courageous declarations of their faith when facing their accusers. They were not formally sentenced and were returned to prison to "think it over." They stated "we have already thought it over and remained committed to Jesus Christ."

Please continue to pray for these precious young women, for their health, their faith, and for the thousands of unknown believers in the Muslim nations who are persecuted every day, and live under a raised sword.

Also pray for Rifqa who is a recent convert to Jesus Christ here in the United States. She is 17 years old, and has fled from her parents in Ohio state to be with Christians in Florida in the Orlando area. Some of you may have read or heard reports of her plight. She is fearful that her father or brothers will kill her for her faith in Jesus Christ and for forsaking Islam. This fear is real. There have already been two "honor" killings by Muslims just in the state of Ohio during the past ten years. Many more "honor" killings are happening throughout the US. Most are not reported as "honor" killings by the police.

Thank all of you for your prayers and love and support during our move to Bristol, Virginia. We are exhausted but have felt the Lord carrying us by the prayers and love of His people.

I will be leaving for China and the Philippines in just a few days. If you are able to send a gift to share with our brethren, please call or email me and I will take your gift with me to share with your family in Jesus Christ. This is the closest model of New Testament giving. Helping our brethren, and taking that gift and sharing it in a responsible manner with our brethren to help with food, clothing, and medical needs for the Body of Christ.

I hope before I leave to respond personally to each of you who have emailed and written over the past several weeks with such encouraging and strengthening words. I cannot tell you how much this means to us. Without your love and help we could do very little. We are only your stewards and servants of the Lord.

Very gratefully your servants in Jesus Christ,