Freedom!

Hi everyone,

   Yesterday the last 19 Korean Christian aid workers held captive in Afghanistan have been released by their Taleban captors. Praise God for these brothers and sisters who have risked their lives to follow Christ and provide help for Afghanistan's victimized and oppressed peoples.

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200708/200708310 001.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/31/2020114.htm

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/08/30/hostages-korea.html

   Twenty three of our brothers and sisters went on this trip, unfortunately only twenty one of them are alive today. As we praise God and rejoice in their release let us pray for the families and friends of Bae Hyung-kyu and Shim Sung-min, who did not make it back to their homes in South Korea, but are instead going to much better and eternal homes in Heaven.

   Let us also never forget about the people our brothers and sisters went to protect- the people of Afghanistan- loved by God and created in His image- who are being murdered and maimed and imprisoned and displaced and impoverished by the Taleban, the Afghan government security forces and the NATO forces. They are the true victims, and they continue to suffer. For most there is no escape. As the 'war on terror' continues to rage, they continue to be the victims of all sides taking part in this sick conflict. Let us never fail to pray for advocate for and work for people who are victims of hunger and oppression and homelessness and other forms of injustice- as Jesus says in Matthew 25:31-49 He is present among them and what we do to them we do to Him.

   Cristo Vive!
     - Tomasz