This and That

“This is nothing compared with the suffering and persecution faced by others,” Dr. Rebekka Zakaria said to Open Doors U.K. “Compared with the Lord’s love and what He has given me, it is worth it.”

On May 13, 2005, Zakaria, Ratna Bangun and Eti Pangesti were arrested for allegedly converting Muslim children to Christianity through their “Happy Sunday” program. The Sunday school program – which included Christian songs, games and Bible studies for children in the neighborhood – was popular among Muslim children.

[…]

The Christian women reportedly transformed the prison environment during their stay including cleaning the facilities and cells, gardening and even painting walls of the room they used for church meetings bright yellow and blue, according to Open Doors U.K.

They are also credited with calming the women’s section, which previously was filled with quarrelling.

[…]

“We still need your prayers,” Zakaria said, according to Open Doors USA. “First, please pray for the congregation. We are still looking for a place to conduct worship services. We might hold them in Haurgeulis, just like before – and I’m sure God will allow this to happen – but Muslim radicals are still scrutinizing us. We must be very cautious about this.

“Second, please pray for us and our family; pray that we would stand firm and strong in the Lord, in whatever we do.”

According to Open Doors USA, lawyer Aris Wibowo said the women will be on parole until February 2009.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country with about 85 percent of its 220 million people saying they are followers of Islam.

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Nicole and her husband Todd, who conceived through IVF, said their first weeks of parenthood had been nerve-racking.

Mrs Ryman said: “We’ve been on top of the world because we didn’t think we were going to have them both.

“We’ve had a few scares on the way but they are pretty well going forward now and I know I’m going to be able to take them both home.”

She is expected to take Byron home at the end of next week. Lincoln will stay in the hospital’s newborn intensive care unit for another month.

Dr Parag Misha, who has been looking after the twins, said about Lincoln: “The chance of survival I gave him was less than 30% because he was so small.

“Hopefully he will soon start gaining weight much more quickly and get nearer and nearer his brother.”

The dust storm – known as a “Haboob” – gathered over Khartoum, the capital of Sudan in north east Africa yesterday.