Every Girl Needs A Pretty Dress

I started following the story of "The Persecuted Church Next Door" several months ago. I have linked to all of the posts about their story. Well, here is another one.

Go to Kristin's site and check out the latest in this story.

Persecuted Church Update

There is another update on The Persecuted Church up at We Are THAT Family.

If you've been following the story of this family from Uzbekistan and their ministry you'll want to check it out.

If you haven't read the story yet you really should. It is amazing. You can find links to the entire story over on Kristin's blog.

Persecuted Church Updated

There is a new update on Igor and Katerina and their ministry to Christians in Uzbekistan over at We Are THAT Family. Don't miss it. And don't forget to pray for them.

The Persecuted Church

Kristen at We Are THAT Family has written a new post on The Persecuted Church Next Door. I know several of you have been reading the story of her Russian friends so I wanted to make sure that you caught the latest installment.

The Persecuted Church-Meeting Them Face to Face

Head over there and read the post and then look below for a copy of the comment I left on her blog. After you've done all of that reading, do some writing. Leave me a comment letting me know what you think.

My comment on Kristen's blog:

I've really enjoyed reading about your brush with the persecuted church and I admire your hospitality and open spirit. I also think it is great that you are trying to help them financially and with a home shower type of thingy....BUT....they already have the simplicity that you are seeking for your own family. They have no attachments to material possessions and can be content with the little that they have. Isn't that what the rest of us are looking for?

Why would we want to burden them down with all the trappings of the American life that we so desperately want to shed ourselves? They should of course have a comfortable home to live in but I think there is a fine line to be walked here. Nobody needs to be encouraged in materialism no matter how pure the reasons.

We should all probalby sell about 50 things out of our own homes and give them the money for their ministry instead of buying them things to fill up their own home.

Just my thoughts on the subject. Keep up the good blogging.

Note:

Kristen replied to me by e-mail after I left this post and reminded me that this couple lost everything they had and that the things they need are as simple as a trashcan and a winter coat.

So....

Am I right or wrong in my views on giving to this needy couple?

How much is too much?

Would you rather have everything you have now or have close to nothing and a flourishing full time ministry for Christ?

Can you have both?

The Persecuted Church

One of the blogs that I read pretty faithfully is "We Are THAT Family". Kristin shares stories from her normal, crazy life. This is one of my favorites and here is another one. She is an amazing writer. I laugh out loud almost every time I read one of her entries.

Until today. Today I cried.

She has recently met (right in her home town) some refugees from Uzbekistan that were forced to flee their home and families because they were sharing the gospel. As they share their story with her, she is sharing it with us on her blog.

I would really encourage you to read the amazing story of this family and their faith. It sounds like something from 1950s Russia, but it happened just a year or two ago. There is also information on the blog about how to monetarily support this family and the work they are still trying to accomplish in their country even from thousands of miles away.

To read Part One of the series go HERE.

To read Part Two of the series go HERE.

To read Part Three of the series go HERE.

To read Part Four of the series go HERE.