March 22, 1997
On Friday, March 21 I attended meetings of the Voice of the Martyrs international convention which happened to be held here in Indianapolis. What an experience to hear the stories of persecution in primarily Islamic countries! I was drawn to attend because of my working with Sabbatarian Christians in Tajikistan who are suffering at the hands of Moslem Fundamentalists.
The Voice of the Martyrs is a thirty year old Oklahoma-based organization which specializes in working in challenging areas of the world such as Iran, Indonesia, China, Pakistan among many others. They say that when the missionaries start to leave, they are ready to begin their work. Admirable people.
The Indianapolis conference was well-organized with inspirational speakers and workshops to discuss stategies for working. On the stage were two large screens for video and slides. In the audience there were a number of children attending with their parents. Flags of the different countries were draped from the ceiling. The atmosphere was upbeat.
The two sessions I was able to stay for featured speakers from Iran and Albania. I'd like to share some of their comments.
The first speaker was pastor Roubik (first name) who has been living in Burbank, California the last three and a half years. His full name was not listed because of fear of repercussion in Iran where much of his family still lives.
Roubik is Armenian/Iranian. He mentioned how during the times of the Shah of Iran Christianity made some inroads--even during the days of the Ayatola Khoumeni because of his aversion of the Communists. But, since 1991 grave persecution of Christians has ensued particularly by the Shiite Moslems. Pastors have been killed. Roubik's own brother was killed. In Islamic countries you become fair game for execution by anyone for proselitizing. You are not allowed to preach in Farsi, the dominant language spoken.
Roubik commented how the persecution has brought people of various beliefs together. It sometimes takes an outside threat to force people to lay aside differences and relate. It brought to mind how in our free western culture where we have the luxury of safely preaching and writing--that we many times are hamstrung in being able to talk, share, listen, relate to those even who are close to point of view. Is life-threatening persecution the only thing that will unite people in this lifetime? Maybe so.
Some of his experiences were being on the front lines of the Iraq/Iran war in which one million men died. His job was to repair telephone lines.
The work in Iran has been done in secret with people meeting in houses and then forming churches. He spoke about how we sometime rely too much on our prosperity with its glitzy media with to preach the Gospel. We have gotten away from living by faith. In persecuted countries you see that power of faith working--it costs nothing. One of the greatest needs in Iran are Bibles. People copy entire chapters of the Bible by hand so they can have the Word of God to read. Roubik mentioned that living in prosperity does not bring happiness. Some of the joys, he recollected, were working in challenging situations brought on by persecution.
He concluded by saying that it was difficult not to be bitter towards those who caused him so much hurt and persecution, but that we have to give our bitterness over to Christ.
Next Chris Dakas, a man of Greek origin, spoke of his work in Albania. He is not a pastor, but has done much to promote Christian literature and work in a Moslem country neighboring Yugoslavia. Albania under fifty years of Communism was one of the most sheltered societies of modern times and religion was forcibly forbidden.
During the Communist times the first way that the the Word of God was sent to Albania was by sending helium-filled balloons from Yugoslavia covered with scriptures.
After Communism passed Chris went to Albania and was able to acquire a building putting in a non-smoking coffee shop and the only Christian bookstore in the capital Tirana.
Chris Dakas spoke about immersing himself in Albanian society. He spoke of the innocence of the people. His next-door neighbors were Moslem Fundamentalists with whom he developed a relationship and learned about the mind-set that Islam had towards non-Moslems. So much of it was radical propoganda.
Churches in Albania started in homes later becoming congregations as they grew to sizes of 80-100. He recounted how they would often read scriptures offering God's protection such as Psalms 91 out loud. It was a for survival.
The latest crisis in Albania is over the financial pyramid scheme that was actually a money laundering scheme. 80% of the population was involved and most of their money is lost. The outrage has caused the people to turn on foreigners. But, in the midst of this, he said that those professing Christianity have been lights to a dark society and gave several inspiring examples.
He spoke, too, about how they were able to evangelize through being caring and relationship-oriented. In doing the work of God, he mentioned, caring people are the most important asset. Don't forget that.
I was moved to tears by the accounts of both these men who were truly courageous. I wish that I can be like them in doing the Work of God.
Victor Kubik