For an acquaintance in the Middle East, a Christian from a Muslim background, the cost has been high. The phone rang late last month, with "Ted," our close friend and Middle East ministry colleague, requesting urgent prayer. "Eric, you remember 'Ali'? He and his wife have just been arrested."

Eric did remember Ali. He had helped train Ali a few years ago when Ali, like other "underground" Christian leaders from a Muslim background, attended a church planting training RUN conducted clandestinely in Europe.

Trained to be an engineer, Ali lost the privilege of working in his field once his Christian faith became known. Despite the injustice, he and his wife were bold believers, leading a house church in their home. This is a daring act in their country where Muslim conversion to Christianity is not tolerated.

In late September Ali and his wife, Fatimah, were arrested because of their Christian activities. Their home was searched and possessions confiscated, including their computers and Christian literature. Before the police took them away, Ali was able to call his mother to come get their young child. After several weeks with many people praying, they have been released. Our colleague was able to contact Fatimah, who told him, "it's not over yet." Though released, their movements are severely restricted. They are forbidden to hold meetings in their home or leave town. Almost everything they own has been confiscated. The official inquiry seems to have been aimed at the Christian meetings in their home and not an investigation into their foreign connections (overseas believers with whom they interact for training, etc.).

Fatimah told Ted that they had not been physically harmed, but that the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on them was crushing. She told Ted that Ali and she found it very difficult to physically summon the strength even to stand. As far as they can determine, they will not be able to continue any of their work for the foreseeable future. The overwhelming pressure and scrutiny seems certain to persist - severely limiting the work they would be in any position to do. Their faith and commitment remain strong, but the arrest and imprisonment have severely weakened them physically and emotionally.

Please continue to pray for them and for the many Christians from Muslim backgrounds who pay a high price for their faith in Jesus.
 

Ablet is a mature "You" believer with excellent English skills and a passion for radio broadcast evangelism who needs our help. He had to flee his homeland last spring and lives in asylum, with his young family, in a country where they never intended to land. Yet the Lord is using him significantly as he now works alongside missionary colleagues preparing audio broadcasts to reach his own ethnic group, millions of unreached "You" people living half a world away from him.

Grateful for the provision of a "safe place" and able to continue his ministry work, Ablet and his wife have found living in their new homeland challenging. They have no financial means so must live with a host family, in a remote place, where Ablet's wife struggles to communicate in a second language.

Regarded as a key man with a strategic ministry role, colleagues asked us to share this need with you and invite you to consider how you might be able to serve the Lord by supporting one of His choice servants. To find out more about the need and how you can help, please email us at run@runministries.org.