By Matt Chancey
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Cor. 13:4-8a
In the previous months, the media has not presented us with many images of love on display around the world. On the contrary, there have been non-stop scenes of fear, hatred, and violence. If an alien visitor had arrived in March for an extended visit to planet Earth, he would not have a favorable impression if his opinion was shaped by what is considered “news” by the six corporations that control 90 percent of what we see and hear.
But just because we don’t see much love on display in the news, that doesn’t mean love isn’t very much at work. Incidentally, the very nature of love is work. Love is always active in order for it to be real love. That is why we say, “Love is a verb.”
This year has been very hard for most people, and it’s far from over. The economic forecasts range from terrifying to cataclysmic depending on which “expert” you ask. But for Persecution Project, we are on track for having the most productive year of ministry (a.k.a. LOVE) in our history. We would appreciate your prayers that God would continue to open doors for us during the final six months of this year.
We began 2020 with a set of optimistic goals for Safe Water, Medical, Relief and Shelter, and Discipleship projects. Not only have we been reaching these goals, we’ve been doing so in many cases ahead of schedule.
To be sure, we’ve experienced all kinds of delays and challenges in other areas. Everything from printing schedules, speaking engagements, travel plans, etc., have been delayed, canceled, postponed, etc. Our annual audit for 2019 was only recently completed due to Covid-19 delays. We’re only now just able to send out our 2019 Annual Report.
But in the areas where it truly counts— the communities of the persecuted— Persecution Project has been hitting our targets… often in record time. Thanks be to God! Your love for the persecuted in Sudan has been very, VERY active.
To encourage you in your prayers and giving, we have enclosed photos of some recent ministry outreaches.
Please keep Sudan’s Nuba community in your prayers. There are still many unknowns concerning the future security of the region.
Also, many of your friends may still be “locked down,” and needing encouragement. Please ask them to visit www.PersecutionProfiles.com to watch our films featuring the heroic courage of our spiritual family in the Nuba mountains.
It’s so easy to be distracted by bad news. But love is far more interesting, productive, and present than we often realize. Active compassion is love in action— and love NEVER fails. That is not just good news… it’s the best.
