We'd like to quote the verse above in challenging the church here in the Philippines to financially support the needs of the persecuted Christians worldwide. Paul encouraged the Corinthian church then to give for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who were in need at that time, and to imitate the church in Macedonia who gave generously for them out of their poverty, even pleading with Paul to be part of such ministry (II Corinthians 8:1-4) to other family members and saints of the body of Christ.
Now if the early Christians can do it, so can the 21st century believers like us! Scroll down and see how you can be part of "strengthening what remains!" (Revelation 3:2)
Help the North Korean church!
The letters we receive of North Korean Christians tell it all: the country has descended in a large ‘survival of the fittest’ society! A little food is distributed among the residents of the capital Pyongyang and possibly a few other large cities. But probably more than 90 percent of the population are starving to at least some degree. Open Doors’ sources state that people are dying of starvation in the provinces Hamkung, Yanggang and Jagang.
North Korea is in a desperate state, economically, socially and health-wise. Every civilian’s first task is to survive. Also, Christians struggle to stay alive. Since our job is to strengthen the Church, we need to support the Christians in providing in their basic needs.
Many Christians who benefit from our continues relief aid project share the food they receive with people who have even less. In this way, they are light and salt for their surroundings.
Medicines. Because
of the extremely bad living conditions North Koreans suffer from diseases that have disappeared from the Western world. Think of:
- Tuberculosis (it is estimated that 5 percent of the total population suffers from this disease)
- Malaria
- Cholera
- Schistosomiasis
- Typhoid fever
- Dengue fever
- Hepatitis A and B
Medical facilities are almost non-existent and the few that are actually working are useless. The few medicines that hospitals and clinics receive are very often sold by the staff on the black markets. Patients are often diagnosed wrongly. TB patients are told they suffer from a cold. When they go home they often contaminate their families. Medical instruments are old and unhygienic. Anesthesia is not available for patients. The people have completely lost their trust in the health system. Instead of getting professional medical advice they go the black markets, ask the salesman for medical advice and use whatever medicine they get.
Annually, thousands of people (also many Christians) die because of malnutrition and diseases, our Christian sources tell us. In almost every letter we receive of North Korean church leaders there is the desperate cry to bring more medicines to the country.
This year, Open Doors Philippines continues to one with the North Korean church. We are raising P100,000.00 to help contribute in helping them survive physically, emotionally and spiritually. This worldwide fund-raising aims to target 56,000 North Korean believers 5X this 2013. Contact us now if the Lord is touching your heart to be part of strengthening them!
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Click this image and read some thoughts about the supporting the persecuted church:
OTHER FUND RAISING EFFORTS:
SHOCKWAVE T-Shirt (all sizes) - P250.00
OPEN DOORS YOUTH Lanyard - P100.00
MY HEART BLEEDS Baller - P60.00
MY HEART BLEEDS Prayer Journal - P250.00
ONE WITH THEM Wristband - P50.00
Books range from P100.00 - P350.00
Save for the Children of the Persecuted Coinbank
CONTACT US on how you can avail these items!
TRIBUTE Paintings still available!
After a successful launched last February 1, 2012 in the Art Center of SM Megamall, ARTE PINTURA's world-class paintings are still available in their gallery in Shaw Boulevard! Add us on Facebook (Open Doors Phils) to see more pictures and contact us if you're intrested to buy! Proceeds are still for the benefit of the persecuted church worldwide!
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Raised Funds for 2012:
P120,000.00 was raised for our first participation in helping the Christians in North Korea. By God's grace, this amount was completed during summer last year.
P85,000.00 was raised to help train house church leaders in China. Open Doors' work in this country is in its way of strengthening the persecuted church to help fellow persecuted church. A large portion of this was raised from our regular donors during Supporters' Gathering 2012 in September.
P55,000.00 was also raised by God's grace for the persecuted church in Southern Philippines to nurture and equip MBBs through regular discipleship trainings. In communites where religous pressure is a daily experience, Open Doors seeks to strengthen these believers so that they will not turn away from the faith.
