Numerical Expositions: Genesis 2:19

And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them:  and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

-- Gen. 2:19 (KJV)

A logical reasoning tactic that you can use against those who rely upon the theory of evolution is the naming of all of the animals.  All of the zoological names of the animal kingdom were made by man.  The names of mankind are also made by man as well.  If mankind evolved from animals, then animals needed to have the capacity to designate names to each other.

Animals do not have a calling.  Every person in mankind has a specific calling upon this earth.

Numerical Analysis:  The numerical pattern for this verse is 2,1,3,9.  (2) To be delivered, realize that God has created the animal kingdom.  (1) To follow God, realize that He has created the animal kingdom.  (3) To stay in the Spirit, realize that animals were not given a designated calling from Him.  (9) To overturn evil, realize that mankind has dominion over the animal kingdom.

Pakistan seeking to amend blasphemy law

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Pakistan is set to introduce new legislation will curb the misuse of the country's notorious blasphemy laws. The Pakistani government has finalized a draft bill that will now be presented to the parliament for approval. If approved and implemented, this legislation would mark a watershed moment for Pakistan in combating the widespread abuse and violence that has become synonymous with the country's blasphemy laws. Pakistan's blasphemy laws, Section 295 A - C of the country's penal code, make it illegal to incite individuals' religious sentiments as well as specifically punishing the desecration of the Quran and defaming the Prophet Muhammad. Punishment under these laws can be as severe as life imprisonment or execution by the state. The proposed legislation, prepared by the Interior Ministry and reviewed by the Law Ministry, aims to curb the misuse of the blasphemy laws on multiple fronts. First, the legislation would combat mob violence and extra-judicial killings, often incited by religious leaders following accusations of blasphemy, by declaring the state as the only body responsible for punishing individuals found guilty of blasphemy. Second, the legislation would introduce harsh penalties for individuals who file false accusations of blasphemy. Finally, the legislation would introduce a mental element to the crime, something which Section 295-C currently does not meet. In the case of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, prosecutors would be required to show an individual had deliberate intention to blaspheme in order to find that individual guilty under the law. ICC and other human rights observers have documented the widespread abuse of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which are often used to settle personal scores, eliminate rivals, or persecute religious minorities. Approximately 14 individuals are on death row for being found guilty of blasphemy, including four Christians. Another 19 individuals are serving life sentences. According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, 52 individuals have been killed extra-judicially since 1990. Pakistan's Christians and other religious minorities are disproportionately accused and convicted under Pakistan's blasphemy laws an often face spats of communal violence following a blasphemy accusation. As noted by Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, "When a Muslim is accused of blasphemy, it is just that individual who pays the consequences. But if a Christian is accused, the entire Christian community is held responsible." If passed and implemented, the legislation would be a monumental step taken toward reforming Pakistan's blasphemy laws, an effort that has gotten politicians assassinated by the country's religious extremists in the past. The new legislation could potentially go a long way towards securing the country's heavily persecuted religious minorities. ICC's Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said, "Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan have been terrorized by the widely abused blasphemy laws for decades. In many cases, such as Joseph Colony in 2013, Gojra in 2009, and Lahore earlier this week, accusations of blasphemy have led to all-out communal violence being perpetrated against entire Christian neighborhoods. For Christians accused of blasphemy, the threat of being murdered outside of court is more likely than being executed by the state. In November 2014, a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan was beaten and burned alive in the brick kiln they worked at after being accused of blasphemy. This legislation being proposed by Pakistan is a real step in the right direction. However, just passing this proposed legislation will not be enough. The legislation must be properly implemented by Pakistan's courts and local police in order for it to have its desired effect. Without the proper enforcement, this new legislation will be nothing but another piece of paper to be ignored."  For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia:  RM-SAsia@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Broken promises of Modi

International Christian Concern (ICC) has marked one year since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a political coalition led by the Hindu nationalist Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP), took power in India's government. Last year, the NDA won a clear majority in India's general elections, placing BJP and its figurehead, Narendra Modi, at the top of India's federal government. Since this rise to power, Christians and other religious minorities in India have endured a sharp escalation in religiously motivated attacks by radical Hindu nationalist groups, something minority communities feared following BJP's political success last year. Attesting to the fears of Christians and other religious minorities, human rights observers have documented 43 deaths in over 600 cases of religiously motivated violence, 194 targeting Christians and 406 targeting Muslims. This escalation in religiously motivated violence led the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to label India a "Tier 2" religious freedom violator in its annual report released last month. In that report, USCIRF noted concerns about the operation of Hindu nationalist groups and forced conversion programs, locally known as "Ghar Wapsi," as well as attacks on churches and hate campaigns against religious minorities. According to a report released by Evangelical Fellowship of India in February this year, "Human Rights and Civil Society groups have documented 147 incidents of religiously motivated attacks in 2014, and at least two people killed for their Christian faith. Reportedly, local police seldom provide protection, refuse to accept complaints, rarely investigate, and in a few cases encourage Christians to move or hide their religion." Rev. Dr. Wilson Vijay Kumar Singham, moderator of the Independent Churches Union of India, told ICC, "The amount of insecurity on the faces of the minorities has enormously increased in past one year under Modi regime. The Prime Minister's claims and actual delivery of justice by his Government never matched." Dr. John Dayal, spokesman for the United Christian Forum, added, "The hate campaign [against minorities] is well documented. The Evangelical Fellowship of India and Alliance Defending Freedom recorded 44 separate cases of hate speech by prominent politicians which merit criminal charges against them. But most cases go unreported or unrecorded by police." Fr. Cedric Prakash S.J., director of PRASHANT, a Centre for Human Rights, Justice, and Peace, told ICC, "Religious Freedom in India has been under severe attack this past year. We have seen systematic and consistent targeting of religious minorities all over the country." Fr. Prakash observed that, "Although the future is very bleak, there is a way forward. The minorities are united and work together in an inclusive way with all men and women of goodwill in the country. Surely there is hope." ICC Regional Manager William Stark said, "The past year for Christians and other religious minorities in India has been tough. Religiously motivated violence and intolerance in India have escalated under BJP and Modi's watch, despite their attempts to deny this fact. Attacks on Christians and their places of worship has increased, forced 'reconversion' campaigns have spread, laws that would restrict religious freedom have been proposed, and the delivery of justice to victims from religious minority communities has been denied. For the first nine months in power, Prime Minister Modi and his government remained silent on the issue of religiously motivated violence despite the dramatic escalation that took place under his rule. United States President Barak Obama even publically admonished India twice for the rise in religiously motivated violence over the past year, prompting the prime minister to finally speak out in support of India's religious minorities. India's government must do better. Christians and other religious minorities deserve to be secured after this year of insecurity." For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia:  RM-SAsia@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Example of sharia law in Ethiopia

Aman Kuni was crammed into a tight jail cell with barely enough room to sleep on the floor, but that was only the beginning of the terror that he would face for his faith in Christ. Just five days after being released from prison in Asella, Ethiopia, he was forced to kneel down, with a pistol pressed between his teeth, and was given the mission to kill two pastor friends, or else his children would die.   "I was commanded to follow the instruction of four covered, armed, persons who spoke in the Oromo language. I was also slapped two times and asked to kneel down. They put their pistol in my mouth and gave me instructions to kill pastors Girma Hippo and Endezina," Kuni told International Christian Concern's Ethiopia staffer.   Kuni was instructed to accomplish the mission in three months' time. If successful, he was promised an easier life abroad, but if he refused, the masked assailants vowed to murder his three children. His wife's Muslim family had already forcibly taken them away from him, and now he faced this terrifying threat.   Christians Imprisoned on Trumped-Up Charges   On April 25, an estimated 15 police officers surrounded a Christian worship service in Asella about 100 miles south of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. The congregation of the Meseret-Kiristos Church had just witnessed the baptisms of 40 new believers in Christ.   "We were gathered for sharing and encouraging each other with the Word of God," Kuni recounted. "After we finished the service, police imprisoned us. Some of our friends ran away when they saw the way we were harshly handled," he added.   Witnesses reported that the police harassed several worshipers and four new converts from Islam fled the scene. Police later arrested them also at a nearby bus station. The number of arrested Christians also reportedly included three church leaders.   The men were held at a police station for two days until they appeared in court where the judge ordered for the case to be investigated.   Kuni and his friends were charged with "holding illegal meetings in secret locations," and he remained unsure about how long he would stay in jail. The men insisted they had fulfilled all of the legal obligations to hold their meeting, but all Kuni could cling to was his faith in Christ.   "Our main crime was preaching the Good News," Kuni said.   During the investiagtion, Kuni said he and the others were taken to court twice with no tangible evidence found against them. They were moved to the Assela prison where they were detained for two more weeks.   "The overall situation in the prison is very difficult. More than 168 inmates are stuffed into one small space. The Christians each have just enough space to lie on their sides at night. One of them has to sleep in the area they use as a toilet," an anonymous source said.   The men were released May 12 on 250 dollars bail each. Kuni says his faith in Jesus helped him to endure this difficult persecution.   "We count ourselves as privileged to be imprisoned like Paul," he said   Kuni said the court warned their accusers to produce evidence or the charges would be dropped. During the investigation, officials reportedly confiscated documents about church membership. Church leaders fear the persecution will add immense burden on the vulnerable community, particularly on the new Muslim converts who are already facing pressure from their families to return to Islam.   Kuni claims that three Muslim government officials were behind the arrests: Asella Mayor Yusuf, town Security Officer Shemsedin, and Arsi Zone Police Commander Adam.   "If the case is not approved with evidence and dropped the court, it seems those officials were using the government institutions to attack Christianity," ICC's Ethiopia staffer said.   The cost that Kuni has paid to follow Christ has been steep. With charges pending over his head, his family estranged, and his children threatened, he now prays for strength and protection for his family during this difficult time.   "For the past five and a half years, I was struggling to care for these three kids," he said. "Now, I am just praying to God to provide them a safe place."   For interviews, contact Troy Augustine, Regional Manager for Africa:  RM-Africa@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Priest abducted by ISIS in Syria

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Father Jacob Murad, a Syriac Catholic monk and Superior of the Mar Elian Monastery, was abducted by Islamic militants. Mar Elian, in the town of Qaryatayn, was preparing for an influx of people displaced by the capturing of the ancient city of Palmyra by ISIS (or Islamic State) jihadists. Located 40 miles southeast of Homs and 60 miles southwest of Palmyra, Mar Elian is in an area of potential advance for the militants opposing the Assad regime. "ISIS's advances in the Homs Desert will allow ISIS to stage for future attacks into the Syrian central corridor,which could create opportunities for other anti-Assad forces to advance on additional fronts," said the Institute for the Study of War in its May 20 update on control of territory in Syria. Since the conflict started in 2011, Qaryatayn has been a frequent site of clashes between the regime and opposition forces. Several hours before being taken, Murad had refused to leave the monastery, despite the threat of the Islamic State group in the region. "As the priest and pastor, I will never leave this place so long as there are people here, unless they hunt me down," Murad replied to Father Ziad Hilal of Homs who had encouraged him to leave, according to AFP. At least three armed militants arrived at the monastery by motorcycle and at gunpoint abducted Murad and another Christian, believed to be Boutros Hanna, a deacon in the church,  La Croix reported.   Just hours before his abduction, Murad warned of the brutal advance of ISIS militants towards Mar Elian. "We live in a difficult time when a lot of tension because the extremists who call themselves 'Daech' [Arabic initials of ISIS] approaching our city Quaryatein after their domination Palmire or they kill many people by cutting the heads...it's terrible what we live...today we are, tomorrow we do not know...life becomes complicated. Please pray for us, Jacques." He wrote in the email posted by The Association of Friends of Mar Musa.   The Mar Musa Monastery is the sister site to Mar Elian Monastery and was led by Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, who was himself kidnapped by ISIS in Raqqa, Syria on July 29, 2013. He was reportedly executed, but some had reported he was still in ISIS captivity. Despite their role as mediators and promoters of dialogue, numerous priests have become targets of Islamic extremist groups in Syria.                                                                                                                      Murad was born in Aleppo, Syria, and "has devoted his life to spread love, message of brotherhood, tolerance, justice and coexistence among all Syrian people and solemnly embraced the principle of dialogue with the Syrian Muslims community," according to the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights. Murad and the Mar Elian community have been providing sanctuary and aid for hundreds of those displaced by the conflict, including more than a hundred children.   Todd Daniels, regional manager for the Middle East, said, "We are heartbroken to hear of the abduction of Father Murad and Boutros Hanna. Their abduction demonstrates again the nature of Islamic extremist groups who are not only seeking to establish an Islamic State, but are intent on stamping out Christianity as well. Father Murad as a result of the love of Jesus shown in the Gospel has dedicated his life to love and serve the Syrian people and this is the antithesis to the extremist Islamic ideology represented by the jihadists of ISIS. Our hearts and prayers are with Father Murad and we urge the Syrian government and the international community to pursue all available options to secure his release."   For interviews, contact Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East: RM-ME@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Muslims steal land in Ethiopia

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Muslim mob in Deder, Ethiopia, has attacked a Christian man and forced him out of his home on the threat of death. Local Muslims want to appropriate his land so that they can build a mosque.  Their actions are despite recent court rulings that guaranteed his property rights. Fikere Mengistu's family has owned their land for more than 90 years, but a mob of more than 20 Muslims in Kufanzik village remain intent on forcibly building a mosque on the Mengistu farm in defiance of the law. Muslims make up the religious majority in the area. They have destroyed his fence and have looted his possessions. In addition, the local police are complicit in these attempts to steal his land. "Their first plan was to kill my husband," Mengistu's wife, Haregewoyan, said. "Now, he has escaped from the area. We are fasting and praying for God to rescue us from this forceful action,"she added. ICC provided legal assistance to Fikere Mengistu to retain his land when Muslims previously attempted to steal it in late 2014. He won the legal battle, but now they've returned and are attempting to take it by force. The authorities are letting it happen. In the past, he has faced threats from local police officers, has been forced to pay bribes, and has been imprisoned simply because he is a Christian. The harassment started when Mengistu built a house for his 93-year-old mother two years ago. Fearing that the village's 38 Christians would use the house to gather for prayer, dozens of Muslims began to occupy his land and would remain for weeks at a time shouting "Allahu akhbar," meaning "God is great." They even destroyed his elderly mother's home as they attempted to drive the Mengistu family off their land and use it to build a mosque. The Muslims claimed Mengistu's land belonged to the government. However, courts at the state level (East Harerghe Zone level), and the district level (Deder) both upheld Mengistu's land title in November 2014 and April 2015, respectively. Despite the court decisions, Deder Police Commander Abadir Yuya claimed they were not valid and needed to be reviewed. Since then, the mob has continued harassing the Mengistu family. "We did our best try to defend our faith based on the law of the country and with all our resources, including ICC budget, to pay for our legal expenses. Muslims are out of the control of the government and the law. What can we do?" Mengistu said. The Muslim rioters have resumed construction of a mosque on the Mengistu property and have designated the structure as a voting precinct, having placed a ballot box there for the upcoming national election, Sunday, May 24. ICC's Ethiopia staffer says the mob has employed this strategy in an attempt to legally justify continued construction. "They are expanding their new mosque and building fences," Mengistu's wife said fearfully. She remains with her five children, aged mother-in-law, and 30 other Christians praying on the property."Please help me protect my land and secure my family and the fellow Christians," she continued. The main culprits perpetuating the illegal construction include Zone Police representative Abdi, militia leader Heder Abdi, and District Administrator Tajur Shami, who ordered the militia to protect the project. ICC is working with the Ethiopian Lawyers Association to advocate for the Mengistu family's property rights. Progress has stalled until after the election because government officials remain focused on election-related issues at this time. ICC urges all concerned readers to contact East Harerge Zone Administrator Asegid at +251-91-574-44-56, the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice at +251-11-554-18-68, or Ethiopian Ambassador Girma Birru at (202) 274-4570 and express their desire for justice and protection for Mengistu and his family. ICC's Regional Manager of Africa Troy Augustine said, "The continued harassment of the Mengistu family in Deder is unacceptable. Governing authorities in the region are charged to uphold the Ethiopian law and the decisions of the courts instead of bending to pressure from the religious majority or worse, participating in the persecution of Christians through illegal activities. These men should be stripped of their authority if they fail to uphold the Ethiopian law and religious freedom guaranteed for all Ethiopian citizens in the constitution." For interviews, contact Troy Augustine, Regional Manager for Africa:  RM-Africa@persecution.org  # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

India denies USCIRF annual report

"We are the sufferers," said Pastor Christopher, a victim of religiously motivated violence that took place last month in India's Telangana state. Joining other Christians in India, Pastor Christopher has raised concerns over the Indian government's attempt to deny the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) Annual Report which labeled India a "Tier 2" religious freedom violator. After the report was released, the BJP-led government reacted sharply, slamming the USCIRF report publically questioning its validity and authenticity, despite the fact that attacks on India's Christian community continues to escalate. "Tier 2" Violator of Religious Freedom USCIRF released its annual report on April 30, placing India amidst more than 30 countries that meet a "systematic, ongoing, and egregious" standard for failing to protect religious freedoms. Because of this, USCIRF labeled India as a "Tier 2" country of concern, a status India has maintained since 2009. Specifically, USCIRF noted concerns about the operation of Hindu nationalist groups and forced conversion programs, locally known as "Ghar Wapsi", as well as attacks on churches and hate campaigns against religious minorities. Government of India's Response The government of India reacted strongly to USCIRF's Annual Report. External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the Indian government will "take no cognizance of this report." "Our attention has been drawn to a report of the USCIRF which has passed judgement on religious freedom in India," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. "The report appears to be based on limited understanding of India, its constitution and its society." These statements made by the India government were made despite the well documented fact that Christian persecution in India has dramatically escalated under the Modi regime. As the USCIRF Annual Report noted, "Christian communities, across many denominations, reported a sharp increase in harassment and violence in the last year, including physical violence, arson, desecration of churches and Bibles, and disruption of religious services. The perpetrators are often individuals and groups associated with the RSS and VHP and operate with near impunity." According to a report released by Evangelical Fellowship of India, "Human Rights and Civil Society groups have documented 147 incidents of religiously motivated attacks in 2014, and at least 2 people killed for their Christian faith. Reportedly, local police seldom provide protection, refuse to accept complaints, rarely investigate, and in a few cases encourage Christians to move or hide their religion."   India's Christian Community Responds In an interview with ICC, Bishop. Rt. Rev. Pran Ranjan Praricha, Founder and President of the India Evangelistic Association, said, "The situation on the ground is far from what the government and its representatives are claiming. Muslims and Christians are feeling increasingly unsafe under Modi's regime." "[Despite] Modi's repeated assurances to protect minorities of this country," the Bishop continued."His actions [do] not match to his words." Pastor Christopher, who serves as rural pastor in remote village, was personally attacked several times over the past year, with the latest incident taking place on Easter Sunday. On Easter Sunday, Hindu radicals deliberately placed a saffron flag, a symbol of Hindu victory, inside his church compound. When Pastor Christopher raised an objection to the saffron flag, the radicals beat him and dragged him and his assistant pastor to the police station to falsely charge him with a crime. Reacting to the Indian government's response to the USCIRF Annual Report, Pastor Christopher said, "Our rights have been denied. We are discriminated against and treated as second-class citizens when it comes to [the] delivery of justice. The local authorities misuse their power and fringe elements are never brought to justice for their acts [because] they enjoy government impunity." Dr. John Dayal, Spokesman for the United Christian Forum said, "The government of India, [specifically] the regime of Mr. Narendra Modi, has a guilty conscience and knows that the world knows its record in human rights. The world knows how the regime's political allies, the Sangh Parivar, assaults and attacks religious minorities, tribal and Dalits with targeted violence. This explains the government's state of denial when reports like that of the USCIRF Annual Report expose the reality and the truth." "Even when Mr. Modi seems to be reassuring religious minorities of their security," Dr. Dayal continued. "He has never once, not one single time, castigated the RSS and its leaders who mouth obscenities and threats of violence and disenfranchisement against Muslims and Christians. No one has been sacked from government or party for hate speech." As the old saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. In a sense, this has been the case for the reports of Christian persecution in India. As the government of India continues to deny the true state of affairs for religious minorities in India, Christians and other religious minorities will likely continue to suffer attacks, harassment, discrimination, and hate speech. Unless Prime Minister Modi makes good on his promises of religious freedom soon, persecution and religious intolerance in India will only continue to escalate. It is not far-fetched to foresee India making the jump from a "Tier 2" religious freedom violator up to "Tier 1." For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia:  RM-SAsia@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Four placed in jail for mocking ISIS in Egypt

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that four students were ordered to remain in prison in Beni Mazar, Egypt for an additional forty-five days at a hearing held today. The four were taken into custody on April 9, when their parents delivered them to the police station, following a series of riots and death threats against the students, their families, and other Christians in Al-Nasriyah village. While on a school trip, the four students recorded a video in which they can be seen mimicking the brutal actions of the jihadist group ISIS that brutally beheads its victims, as it did to 21 Christians on a beach in Libya, while professing religious piety. When the video was discovered by some of those in the village violent protests broke out from April 7-10, as World Watch Monitor reported. The imprisonment of the four students and the teacher quelled some of the protests, though a few Christian homes were still attacked with Molotov cocktails, even after the five were detained. On April 17, a reconciliation meeting was held in which, to limit the outrage of the Muslim community and to protect them from continued attacks, Christian leaders condemned what had happened and formally banned the teacher, Gad Younan, from the village "in order to preserve his life and to calm the situation in the village," according to the document published by World Watch Monitor. A hearing was held on April 22 and again on May 4, in both cases the students had their imprisonment extended for an additional 15 days, one of their attorneys, Maher Nagib Hanna, told ICC. At the May 4 hearing, the judge ordered Younan to be released after paying bail of 10,000 Egyptian Pounds ($1,300). The police refused to release him for an additional ten days, Hanna told ICC, because he was banished from the village according to the reconciliation meeting on April 17, the police required his family to come and sign a vow promising that he would not return again to the village. "My brother is a servant in the church, he served the people in the village, he didn't intend to defame Islam," Samir Younan told ICC'a Egypt Representative. Gad is now living in hiding. with his wife and two children, while waiting for the final hearing when he may be convicted and could face as much as five years on the charge of defaming Islam. The students are set to remain in prison for another month and a half where they continue to face harassment and threats. "One of the Muslim prisoners told the students that the police stirred them against them and said to them that these Christian students insulted Islam," inciting them to harass the students, Hanna told ICC. Today's decision to extend the imprisonment of the students came as a surprise to their legal team. "This verdict was unexpected, and the case of the teacher and the four students is considered the first contempt of religion case in Beni Mazar court," Hanna said.  "Their verdict doesn't depend on applying the law in this case, but on the climate of this case and the point of view of the judge. The judge considers that the accused committed a great crime in that they insulted his religion (Islam), so his decision depends on his personal opinion and the climate of this case and satisfying the other angry Muslims, not the law," he continued.   Accusations of defaming Islam continue to plague Egypt even since the election of President Sisi. As ICC reported in 2014, Kerolos Shawky was charged with blasphemy for liking a Facebook page. He remains in hiding, but has been sentenced to six years in prison. Christian convert Bishoy Armia Boulos continues to languish in prison under charges of blasphemy related to his conversion to Christianity. On May 5, Michael Mounir Beshay was convicted of defaming Islam and sentenced to one year in prison. Todd Daniels, regional manager for the Middle East said, "The continued imprisonment of these four students is a terrible miscarriage of justice and shows the need for serious reforms to fully protect the rights of Egypt's religious minorities. The change must come both from the bottom up - putting an end to violent mobs protesting outside of homes, burning property - and from the top down - a judicial system that does not act simply to quell public outrage. While Egypt has an important role to play in countering violent extremism in the region, it must address the issues of extremism it has domestically. We urge the Egyptian legal system to rule on the case of the four students and the teacher according to the law, and not merely bending to public pressure to convict." For interviews, contact Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East: RM-ME@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

Numerical Expositions: Genesis 2:18

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

-- Gen. 2:18 (KJV)

Suicide rates have skyrocketed in this new millennium because our society has become more isolated due to the advance of technology.  Take the extra effort to reach out so that depression does not settle within your heart.  If you do not have anyone to reach out to, then contact me on twitter.

Numerical Analysis:  The numerical pattern for this verse is 2,9,1,8.  (2) To be delivered, listen to what the Lord God says.  (9) To overturn evil, do not isolate yourself.  (1) To stay in the anointing, realize that everyone needs help.  (8) To have a new beginning in God, realize that everyone needs help.

Living in the North Korea of Africa

Although she no longer lives in a cell, "Alice" is still not free. She spent more than six years locked in a cage in an Eritrean prison for her faith in Christ under one of the most repressive regimes against Christians on the globe. She was finally released in February 2015, but her voice has been silenced, her mind has been traumatized, and she is left trapped in her own home under the ever present eyes of the government that jailed her. "She can't do anything. People can visit her and she has to say, 'I'm good.' That's all," said "Jane," an Eritrean friend of Alice who now lives in the U.S. She continued, "When she came out, she said everything was wonderful and good because she's being controlled. Now she can't say anything." This is Alice's story: one of hopes and dreams seemingly dashed, but redeemed through her faithful ministry, facing some of the most difficult kinds of persecution. The "North Korea" of Africa Eritrea is one of the most trying places in the world to be a Christian. The country became an independent nation in 1993, breaking away from Ethiopia with overwhelming majority support from the population, but its government has always feared that Ethiopia aims to reconquer the land. The result is that authorities repress, jail, and torture anyone they consider to be a threat to the state, which includes Christians who don't attend registered Orthodox, Lutheran, or Catholic churches. The United Nations Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has designated Eritrea a "Country of Particular Concern (CPC)." USCIRF defines these countries as ones "where particularly severe violations of religious freedom are tolerated or perpetrated," and where violations are "systematic, egregious, and ongoing." "Released religious prisoners have reported to USCIRF and other human rights monitors that they were confined in crowded conditions, such as in 20-foot metal shipping containers or underground barracks, and subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations. Evangelicals and Pentecostals released from prison report being pressured to recant their faith in order to be freed. Persons detained for religious activities, in both short-term and long-term detentions, are not formally charged, permitted access to legal counsel, accorded due process, or allowed family visits. Prisoners are not permitted to pray aloud, sing, or preach, and religious books are banned," said the USCIRF 2015 Annual Report regarding Eritrea. The report estimates that between 1,200 and 3,000 people in Eritrea are currently in jail for their faith, the majority of which are Evangelical Christians. Because of these abuses, Eritrea has been commonly called the "North Korea of Africa." Alice was one of those prisoners. Ministry Repressed Alice deeply yearned to bring the Good News to the people of her home country. Born in Eritrea, she emigrated to the U.S. in the early '90s when she was a child and lived in the United States for almost 20 years. However, she felt God calling her to return home in 2008. "Her heart was burned to serve people... how they were hungry. Then, she started to teach Bible studies, and these sorts of things," Jane said. When Alice attempted to leave Eritrea in 2009 to renew her passport, authorities arrested her at the airport. Everything was taken from her and she was thrown in jail. It was as if she had just disappeared. There were no charges filed, no lawyers, no trial, just an indefinite prison sentence that began on January 24, 2009. Alice's family did not know her whereabouts for an entire year. Even after hearing of her imprisonment, her specific location was kept secret for five years. Her mother drowned in tears, wondering each day if her youngest daughter was even still alive. "It was hell. Her heart broke, but she could not say a word because everything is [watched], so they had to be careful about what they said," Jane shared. Ministry Redeemed While the Eritrean government attempted to snuff out Alice's preaching of the Good News, God had bigger plans to flourish her ministry while she was in prison. The details of Alice's specific trials remain a mystery, but the Lord who knows her suffering used it for the salvation of sinners. "A lot of other prisoners before her, when they come out, they told us that some Muslims were converting to Christians... Their life is a witness, so we saw the fruit from someone when they came out," Jane said. Jane said Muslim inmates turned to Christ in their darkest hour, when they faced the most brutal abuse. Alice's faithful preaching of the Gospel gave them hope. "God gave her favor inside to tell in boldness, and then convert people. When people got beaten there was a lot of wounding, but no treatment. Nothing! So you need something, you are in desperate [circumstances]," Jane said. "She is another Paul, or Silas... God had a reason to use her for so many people." Like Joseph who was imprisoned unjustly in Egypt, God used Alice's sentence for good. "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20 (ESV) Alice Freed from Jail Alice was released from an Eritrean government prison in February of 2015 and Jane was one of the first friends she wanted to tell. "I was in here when they called right away. When she just came out, she told them, 'Can you tell her. She has to know.' And then, a lot of people, when they heard that and then they called me to tell me about her situation. I was so happy!" Jane said. However, Jane also said that she must still endure trials ahead. Alice is under strict government watch, has to censor what she says, and is not permitted to work. Alice hopes to return to the U.S., but has no foreseeable way out of Eritrea while under government surveillance. International Christian Concern urges readers to pray for Alice and thousands of other Christians who are facing unspeakable torture in jail for their faith. These brothers and sisters plead like Paul for the Church to "remember my chains."  For interviews, contact Troy Augustine, Regional Manager for Africa:  RM-Africa@persecution.org # # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.