I have a self-righteous pride in knowing that I never forward emails. Stupid? Yes. But still, this means that when I bust out of that pride...something big is happening.
Right now, something big is happening. My perception of the church is growing, busting out of every barrier it has ever known. I have hung out with the most dedicated believers I have ever met in Thailand. I have sat through many Thai worship services where God is called Phrajao and the only words I can understand in the worship songs are "Hallelujah" or "Amen". I have sung worship songs in Spanish also. I sometimes like to use the Hebrew "Abba" to talk to my Heavenly Daddy. I am beginning to understand that the Body of Christ is a GLOBAL body. So I forwarded an email...about Asia Bibi.
Asia Bibi is a mother in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for being a Christian. I cannot imagine that...in America we are still so free! But life in Pakistan is very different and very real. Today as I sit typing on my laptop, she sits trusting Jesus in a cell, sentenced to death.
Please pray for Asia, her children, the other believers in Pakistan and please sign the petition at http://www.callformercy.com/!
Honestly, I don't know if a petition will bring about her release...but I figure its worth my time to help out my sister in Christ...and your prayers are even more worth it.
Here's Asia's story:
Asia Bibi, a Christian wife and mother in Pakistan, was arrested by police on June 19, 2009, and charged with blasphemy after she engaged in a religious discussion with co-workers. Many of the local women, including Asia, worked on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees. Her family was one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families. During their work, many of the Muslim women had pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam.
On June 19, 2009 there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith. The Muslim women told Asia about Islam, and, according to VOM sources, Asia responded by telling the Muslim women that Jesus is alive. “Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins...Our Christ is alive.” She told them. Upon hearing this response, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia. Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey.
Local Christians informed the police, who took Asia into protective custody before the Muslims could carry out their plan. Christians urged the police not to file blasphemy charges, but the police claimed they had to go forward because of pressure from local Muslim leaders.
After a lengthy trial, on Nov. 8, 2010, Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a judge. The judge also fined Asia $1,190 (U.S.) and told her she had seven days to appeal the decision. Her attorneys filed the appeal promptly, and now wait for the Lahore High Court to rule. If the appeal is rejected, Asia would be the first woman to be lawfully executed under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. She remains in prison, waiting to hear the high court’s ruling.On Jan. 4, 2011 the governor of Punjab province, where Asia lives, was assassinated by a member of his security team. Though a Muslim, Salmaan Taseer had spoken out repeatedly in favor of a pardon for Asia Bibi and for a reexamination of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Governor Taseer also met with Asia in prison. On March 2, 2011, Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of Pakistan’s cabinet and another person who had spoken out on behalf of Asia Bibi, was also assassinated for his support of her.
The Voice of the Martyrs has supported Asia Bibi and her family since the time of her arrest. In July, 2011, VOM launched www.CallForMercy.com in an effort to gather 1,000,000 signatures from around the world asking for Asia’s release.
In the end, I'm thrilled my perceptions are changing! I just wonder what walls I will bust through next?
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