Prayer Request- update

[depotoo]

this came from my sisters husbands niece. please keep this family in your prayers-

Subject: URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Dear Friends,

The brother of our friend is in prison in Iran. He was given a 3 year sentence, but is now being scheduled to appear in an Islamic court charged with apostasy which carries the death penalty. Please join us in praying for Hamid, and his family. It's been a grueling time for everyone involved, and our team has been praying tons over these last months. They've now asked for us to start sharing the situation with others outside of our ministry and asking for prayers for Hamid and his family. If your church has a prayer team ministry, please share this information with them.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Rich.

Thanks so much,

Kourtney


CIRCULATION CODE 3. OPEN. May be circulated to general mailing lists,
outside organizations, and quoted from freely in reports citing "Middle East
Concern" as the source of the information.


Dear Henri,

Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus

Iranian Christians have asked for our prayers for Br. Hamid Pourmand. He is
the lay leader of the Assemblies of God Church in Bandar-i Bushehr on the
Gulf coast of Iran. He converted to Christian about 25 years ago.

He has been in prison since he was arrested on 9th September 2004 along with
85 other members of the Assemblies of God Church in Iran. The others were
all released within a few days.

On 16th February he was convicted of deceiving his employer, the Iranian
army, about his conversion to Christianity. During the trial he submitted
documents in which his superiors acknowledged his conversion before they
prompted him to the officer ranks. Non-Muslims are not allowed in senior
ranks. The judge ignored the documents, and sentenced him to three years in
prison and dismissal from the army with loss of all benefits. The latter
meant that his wife, from a Christian background, and their two children
were evicted from their housing and lost their source of income.

Worse might follow. Next week Br. Hamid is scheduled to appear in an Islamic
court charged with apostasy and proselytising Muslims. In Iran, apostasy
carries the death sentence. Br. Hamid is the first Iranian convert to be so
charged since 1993.

Iranian Christians ask for our prayers that:
a. Br. Hamid will be released
b. Until then Br. Hamid will know the Lord's peace and presence throughout
his continuing ordeal
c. Likewise, his wife and two children will know the presence, peace and
gentle support of their Lord and Saviour each day
d. The authorities will see the light of Jesus Christ for themselves
e. International efforts would be effective in bringing about Br. Hamid's
release
f. Across Iran, many would, like Br. Hamid, be drawn to the light, life and
love of Jesus Christ, whatever the cost

[Skywatch_NC]

Prayers and thoughts from central NC sent their way! ((((HUGS))))

Eric

[depotoo]

thanks eric!

[Pburgh]

Prayers going up from the Burgh.

[yoda]

Prayers and thoughts from Northern Virginia. I hope he doesn't get the death penalty...

[Rainband]

Prayers on the way!!!!

[depotoo]

thanks for all the replies. will keep you posted if i hear more.

[HurricaneGirl]

Prayers coming from Jacksonville.

[wx247]

Oh my! Prayers from here, too!

Do keep us posted!!!

[zoeyann]

Prayers and good wishes from Louisiana

[azskyman]

This is an important story....and it deserves not only our prayers and good wishes, but also an update as things move along. Please keep us posted on anything else you hear.

[depotoo]

thanks again guys and as soon s i hear anything i'll let you know.

[Lindaloo]

Sending prayers! Please keep us posted.

[Dee Bee]

Prayers for strength, justice, and peace are on the way.

[vbhoutex]

Prayers rising from W. Houston for safety and justice.

[depotoo]

please continue to keep them in your prayers.
finally have an update -


Dear Friends,



I just wanted to let you know that we returned to France last night. Please keep us in your prayers. We have 8 days to go before we head back to the USA. We are also coordinating an extreme home makeover for our office manager that starts tomorrow. I am feeling anxious and can feel myself trying to do things in my own strength instead of turning it over to Jesus.



I also wanted to give you an update on Hamid. He is still in prison, and we haven’t received any new news. We just spent a sweet week with his family and were able to talk about him, pray with them and rejoice in what God is doing around the world as a result of what God is doing via Hamid’s suffering. Please continue to pray for them…esp. for Hamid, of course. Thanks for your care and concern. Fortunately, his plight is making world news (i.e. Chuck Colson wrote about him a few weeks ago among other things).


We look forward to seeing many of you VERY soon.



With Joy,



Kourtney

[sunny]

Prayers from New Orleans.

[Skywatch_NC]

Prayers and thoughts going out from central NC!

Eric

[depotoo]

thanks sunny and eric!

[Pburgh]

Prayers going out from the Burgh.