"22 missionary families will be executed today"

** The following post written on Feb 26 2009 at 7:55PM**

Dear all,

Earlier today, I've received the below text message:

"Please pray for 22 Christian missionary families that will be executed today in Afganistan. Please spread to others fast"

I was devastated and did not know how to respond to it emotionally. It was hard sitting through the orchestra as I constantly had to fight back the tears in my eyes. I used the limited free time during orchestra (while other sections were being drilled at) to pray for those families, that whatever situation they are in, they may glorify the name of our father, and that they may be comforted under all circumstances by the vast love of our father. I had an urge to go to Afganistan to continue the work...

After orchestra, I went to the library and googled "22 missionaries" in search of more information, and it ended up being a mixed result-- there was only one post made yesterday from a personal website about it. There was nothing on VOM or any other places. Below is the link from the website that I found:

http://worldperiscope.blogspot.com/search/label/Afghanistan

I think there are two possibilities to this breaking news:

1) The media (including VOM) is slow in reporting such news, or/and
2) The text message is a hoax, but it has raised the awareness of the difficult task in being missionaries, and it has united Christians all over the world into prayers for God's workers (check out VOM to learn more about few of the many things missionaries and Christians face throughout the world-- http://www.persecution.com/ )

If such news is true, and I'm convinced that these horrible things happen too often that they are not publicized and updated enough, I pray for peace, love, and joy in the families' heart, that they may be above reproach even at the time of their death, and that God's will may be done and valued above all human desires.

If such news is false, I want to shout praises to God and pray for all the missionaries around the world, that whatever they encunter, they can take joy in it.

My thoughts after this event:

Although being in the music school seems like the most useless thing sometimes (private lessons and practicing/ nothing really to do once getting out of school), I want to glorify God in whatever environment/situation I'm being put into and do my best. Right now, as a music student, I want to strive to the best of my ability to make the best music I can make because I believe that one day I will be used by God, and God's workers should be above reproach and beyond. I want to start preparing myself now so I won't look back one day and regret the way I spent my time at IU-- I want to be the best violinist I can be for I do not know where God will lead me and how He will use me in the coming days of my living life.

"Therefore, go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

We go because Christ first came for us. We die because Christ first died for us. It's not superiority, it's conviction. It's love for this world. My life is His' and I pray to be used.

Praise the Lord, always.

Love,
Anna