I know we’re past Christmas, but this article couldn’t wait. There was so much hub bub in the press this year regarding trying to ban Christmas from more U.S. government buildings and more right out assaults against Christmas in the
U.S.  However, it is a slippery slope when the government or groups of people begin to take away our religious and human rights freedoms.  It all begins with taking down Christmas decorations from government buildings, airports, and malls, and then can quickly accelerate into outright abolishment of celebrating Christmas or even practicing your Christian faith.  This is what happened in
China many years ago. With Christmas and Christianity banned, this is how this year’s Christmas was celebrated: Christians in several parts of
China were behind bars on Christmas Day after a police crackdown on worship services and Bible study, a Christian advocacy group said Thursday, December 25.

In one of the latest incidents, officials of the country’s main law enforcement agency, the Public Security Bureau (PSB), raided a house church Christmas party in Yucheng

county of
Henan province on Christmas Eve, detaining nine Christian women, said US-based China Aid Association (CAA), which has close contacts with the believers.

They, “were reenacting the nativity [scene] on the street, and police charged the women with “organizing illegal religious activities. ” The women, including Yue Zengyun who led the group, are currently being held at Detention Center of Yucheng County,” “The PSB officers demanded the family members pay a fine for the women to be released,” the group said.

Tensions began December 22 when security forces of several agencies and Religious Affairs officials interrupted a Bible training gathering affiliated with the house church in Dianlong village , arresting 19 students and two pastors, CAA said. They were released several hours later after they were interrogated, “forcibly photographed and videotaped” the group said, adding that several books were confiscated.

The next day, December 23, authorities forced church leaders Zhu Jianguo and Cheng Donglai to send the students home and “read a statement of the government in which they claimed they were notified that Cheng Donglai illegally ran a school, then pronounced the school abolished,” CAA said in a statement. “Government officials also announced that they would demolish or sell the building used for the Bible training.”

Officials allegedly photographed and videotaped all materials at the site and threatened church members that anyone touching the materials would be in punished. “The

County
Bureau of Religion posted sealing tape to shut off the house church building,” CAA explained. Both church leaders reportedly expect to be summoned by local police soon.

Earlier in on December 21, a house church in Yili city in
China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region, was reportedly banned. “Pastor Xie Xianhua, who leads the church, was warned he could face arrest if he continued his house church service,” CAA said, adding that it is still investigating the case.

The latest raids are viewed as a setback for rights activists who had urged
China to improve religious rights after the recent Beijing Olympic Games.
China’s government has denied human rights abuses, saying it only targets “illegal groups” and what it considers as “dangerous sects”.  

Where is the future of the
United States headed regarding religious freedoms? Only time will tell. But I tell you the truth, we are on a dangerous and slippery slope when we allow groups of Christmas protestors to take away our rights to celebrate our Christian Holiday. Those groups of people have an agenda to take away our religious freedom and human rights.  If you don’t practice Christianity or don’t want to celebrate Christmas, then don’t! No one is forcing you too! But don’t force those that do practice Christianity and celebrate Christmas to stop.   No religious sect or group of people have the right to take away another’s rights to celebrating their religious holidays or practicing their faith.   

For many of us, lighted Christmas trees awaken our tender holiday hopes and memories: quiet moments of family togetherness, child-like anticipation of special gifts, and shared celebrations across generations.However, there is another story in each strand of Christmas lights, told in the little paper tag on the cord, Made in China. Chinese pastors and believers, imprisoned for sharing their faith, perform much of the tedious manual labor. For these Chinese pastors and believers, the same Christmas lights are a harsh reminder of prison, pain and beatings.

The Facts

 Most of the world is unaware of the torture that Chinese believers suffer.

• While
  China presents a picture of increasing religious tolerance, Christians face constant harassment and the most intense persecution in the world.
• Since September 8, 1999, the Public Security Bureau has classified house churches in
  China as “illegal cults.”
• Christians are often thrown into prison without trial.
• Prisoners exist on 500 calories per day, the equivalent of two small bowls of soup and one roll.
• While in prison, believers work hard labor for 16-20 hours per day and must try to meet impossible quotas.
• When believers do not meet quota, they are beaten and sent back to finish the job, even if they must start the next day’s work without sleep.
• Some imprisoned believers have reported receiving only one glass of water each day; it was their choice to drink it or use it for a shower.

What is so Torturous About Making Christmas Lights?

Imagine sitting on cold or muddy ground with only a huge box of lights and wire in front of you. Without tools of any kind, you must assemble 3000–5000 lights per day. Quickly, your fingers become numb and bloody. Your teeth serve as your only crimping tools. Even as you work to complete your tasks, you know that you will be beaten severely if you don’t get it all done.

Should We Boycott the
Sale and Use of Christmas Lights?

These Pastors say no, let the lights be reminders to pray. If believers aren’t making lights, they will be mining coal, making syringes or bricks, or performing other forms of hard labor. They turn their focus onto the eternally significant message of Christ, and we are asking you to do the same.

In the Midst of this Hardship, How Do They Persevere?

 While we pray diligently for their release, many persecuted believers testify, “I want the world to know I am willing to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ.” Even in prison, they share the Gospel with others. Many even leave prison tearfully because they leave behind new believers that they led to Christ while in prison together.

Despite the rise of suffering, the Chinese underground church has experienced its most dramatic surge ever, with upwards of 80 million believers following Christ today. The brave servants declare, “We are not about self, but rather we are about the

kingdom of
God and bringing Him glory!”

BE AN ADVOCATE:

 You can help support these prisoners of faith by the following ways:-         Support the families of the prisoners left behind. You can donate at: http://worldserve.org/Donate.html -         Help send Bibles at www.biblesunbound.com

-         You can write prisoners letters and scriptures that get translated into their language at www.prisoneralert.com

And most of all, when you see the Christmas lights, remember our brothers and sisters in prison for their faith, and pray for them.

Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Want to help people in
Pakistan? The Giving Zone, based out of Seattle, WA, is helping organizations in
Pakistan whom have asked us to send 10,000 Action Packs as soon as possible. These Action Packs with basic living items inside are a huge blessing for people in need. The Action Packs are specially designed, preprinted vacuum bags that are filled by you with blankets, clothing, towels and other new or gently used items. Each Action Pack comes with instructions about what can be placed inside.When filled, these Action Packs are placed in a container and shipped to organizations in
Pakistan.  These workers have committed to carefully distribute these Action Packs as an outreach to Muslims and also to Christians currently in need. Pakistani Christians do the work and take the risks. They just need concerned people here to send them the Action Packs.”This is a great miracle that people of God came to my house and gave this wonderful gift to me. I can say these                               To donate towards sending Action Packs , donate at The Giving Zone.  At The Giving Zone website, you can donate not only cash, but also your frequent flier airline miles and visa/mastercard reward points that will be converted to a cash equivalent donation for the Action Packs. Just go to www.GivingZone.net, click on Projects, and click on Action Packs.  It doesn’t have to be the holidays to give. They send the action packs all year long.  You can make a difference today. So what are you waiting for? Donate.  

Video Footage and Press Room at http://www.soldierwish.com/Press.aspx The Giving Zone is proud to announce its partnership with Wishy and its non profit project, The Soldier Wish Campaign.  The Giving Zone, already in the midst of their Operation Home for the Holidays campaign, where people can donate their airline miles and credit card reward points to help send soldiers home for the holidays, is excited to help launch Wishy’s project Soldier Wish campaign around the world. Founded in 2006, Wishy’s Distributed Commerce Platform creates a marriage between social networking sites, mobile devices and e-commerce destinations.  Wishy’s goal is to allow people to collect Wishes wherever they find them – online, in a store or from their friends and share them with whomever they choose. Currently in stealth mode, several Wishy-enabled initiatives will be launching within the quarter. Soldier Wish Campaign, a nonprofit initiative will enable everyday Americans to grant some of our soldier’s wishes this holiday season. The Soldier Wish website is a unique way in which citizens can give back in a safe and secure manner online to our servicemen and women, their families, wounded veterans and families who have lost loved ones in the war. 

“We’re excited and honored to offer this opportunity to the American public to say ‘thank you’ to the troops,” said Jared Still, Director of the Soldier Wish Campaign. “The Soldier Wish Campaign allows the men and women of our armed forces to select exactly what they and their families need to make their lives a little bit easier. It also allows individuals to know their donations will go to specific men and women in uniform.”  The partnership between The Giving Zone and Wishy is a phenomenal blend of the best ways to give to organizations and projects you support.  Many non-profit organizations will be able to raise awareness and gather more donations through Wishy’s platform technology at the Giving Zone’s website in the near future.  Now you’ll be able to donate frequent flier miles, credit card reward points, and grant wishes for your non-profit organization, all on www.GivingZone.net with just a click of a mouse.Make a difference today, and help
America’s finest men & women in uniform.  Support Solider Wish at www.SoldierWish.com and help make a soldier’s wish come true.   And don’t forget, you can help send a solider home for the holidays with the donation of your frequent flier miles and credit reward points at Operation Home for the Holidays, at  www.GivingZone.net.  Wish for everything… Please visit www.wishy.com

When 24 students from the 5^th grade class at ShorewoodChristianSchool heard that the Highline Food Bank was having not only a shortage of food but of volunteers helping, these kids decided to take action.  On Tuesday, November 25^th, the 5^th grade volunteered their time and helped hand out food at the Burien- Highline Food Bank.   They came prepared and brought with them a huge collection of stuffed animals to hand out to children at the food bank as well.   

Mike Werle, Director of the Burien-Highline Food Bank explained that the food shortage is growing worse. “Food drives are down and there is less poundage of food coming into the bank.  We’ve had about a 30% increase in the number of people that come in here per day.  The number of people seem to grow daily. The number one reason people are saying they are coming to the food bank is they have been laid off from their jobs.  With the current economic conditions, the food shortage at food banks are expected to grow worse as unemployment rise.

  Nicko Morris, a 5^th grade student at Shorewood Christian told about his experience that day, “I like giving because I like to see the smiles on the children’s faces. They looked like they were afraid. But when Emily and I gave our toys to the children, you could tell that they were just filled with joy when they reached for the toy. That’s what we all should do! It’s better to give than to receive.” 

Rachelle Kerkof, one of the 5^th grade girls in the class, “It was fun to see the kids’ faces when I gave them toys. I really enjoyed this experience.”  

Mrs. Mary Lesnett, the 5^th grade teacher, explained, “This is our 4^th year supporting the Burien- Highline Food Bank.  The kids love to get involved and help others.  The experience impacts them greatly.  I’m sure we will be doing this for many years to come.” 

 “At Shorewood Christian School, our students are involved on a regular basis with giving back to our community and making a difference in this world.  Our students help at food banks, visit nursing homes, clean up streets and yards, and are always involved in some sort of fundraiser for a cause other than themselves.  These are lessons that these students will carry with them for a lifetime.  We want these students to grow up to become world changers.”, says Tim Lorenz, Principal of Shorewood Christian School.  
Shorewood Christian School, a ministry of Shorewood Foursquare Church, is located in
West Seattle and is currently enrolling pre-K thru 10^th grade for the 2009-2010 school year.  For more information you can go to www.shorewoodchristianschool.org .

  Volunteering at the food bank is a great project for families, schools, and churches to do together.  Not only will you help someone in need, but as the 5^th grade students at Shorewood Christian School would tell you, it will make impact your heart and make you feel good too.    

Despite continued religious persecutions and killings, those of us that are free in America to celebrate our religious freedoms (despite what religion you may practice), continue to be unaware of what is happening to our brothers & sisters in the faith. The reality is, why we have our religious freedom and rights, if we’re not careful to be vigilant about protecting not only our constitutional rights in the USA, but our international human rights, the same thing that is happening to others around the world, will indeed happen to us one day.

Article 18 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights, clearly states everyone’s right to freely share their faith.

             Article 18Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.Yet, despite Article 18, protecting everyone’s human rights to freedom of religion, in more than 40 nations around the world today Christians are being persecuted for their faith. In some of these nations it is illegal to own a Bible, to share your faith, change your faith or teach your children about Jesus. Those who boldly follow Christ—in spite of government edict or radical opposition—can face harassment, arrest, torture and even death. Yet Christians continue to meet for worship and to witness for Christ, and the church in restricted nations is growing.Areas of the world where Christians face persecution include:

This is a call to action for you to become an advocate.  Become an advocate regarding human rights violations on an international level.  Our brothers and sisters in the faith need us to use our voice on the international stage. We need to be writing government officials around the world.  We need to be writing these prisoners of faith and encouraging them and letting them know they are not forgotten! We need to write the media and tell them to report these stories. These people deserve awareness brought to these human rights violations.  To write prisoners, go to www.PrisonerAlert.com . For more information on these countries and persecution worldwide, sign on at www.persecution.com .  

Who would think that popcorn could make a difference in the lives of people in Asia? Some second grade children at Shorewood Christian School, a ministry of Shorewood Foursquare Church, in West Seattle thought so.  Mrs. Beth Gatlin, second grade teacher at Shorewood Christian, shared with her class last year about how they could make a difference; they could have an impact on lives.  Last year, her class chose to help support a non-profit organization, Gospel for Asia. They had learned that the missionaries in India had to walk many miles from village to village and that they were requesting bicycles. This second grade class began selling popcorn after school for $.50/bag to raise the funds for these missionaries.  Their goal was to provide 5 bicycles for these missionaries, at $105/bike.  They met this goal by Christmas last year.   

Now this year, this second grade class is selling popcorn again for missionaries in India, and also to help an orphanage, Homes of Life, in Costa Rica buy Spanish books. The missionaries in
India need help to put in wells by their churches.  These wells will provide water for the villages.  Each well cost $1000 to put in.  Mrs. Gatlin explained their enthusiasm, “After last year’s success of meeting our goal by Christmas, this year’s second grade class decided to sell popcorn throughout the entire school year to help the missionaries in India put in wells, but then we learned that the Homes of Life Orphanage in
Costa Rica was in need of Spanish books. So our kids decided to raise funds for both projects. The kids love selling the popcorn and are excited that it is their way of giving back and having impact on lives.”  

Tim Lorenz, Principal of Shorewood Christian School, stated, “These are lessons that hopefully these children will take with them the rest of their lives.  I believe these children are learning to be world changers, and it starts with caring about others first and giving back.”  

If you would like to help this second grade class in raising funds, you may bring a donation to the school office at Shorewood Christian School, 10300 - 28th Ave SW -  Seattle, WA 98146, or call the school office at 206-933-1056.  In the meantime, next time you’re eating a bag of popcorn, remember there are West Seattle 2^nd graders making a difference around the world!

In poor countries, many families and orphanages survive because small gardens and animals sustain them. A brood of chicks from Giving Zone can transform life for a poor family who often survive on less than a dollar a day. When chicks are given as a gift a family or orphanage is moved one step closer to sustainability. Chicks will grow up to provide protein-rich eggs to eat and any extra can be sold to buy essential supplies like medicine or schoolbooks.  

Through the Giving Zone, you can donate just $10.00/chicken, or you can donate airline miles that will be converted to a cash equivalent for a brood of chicks to be sent.  You can have an impact on families and orphanages.  Give a Chicken, Save a Life!

When Shorewood Foursquare Church learned about the food shortage at White Center’s Food Bank, they decided to take action and offer a Food Drive. 
Sue Cross, Administrator for Shorewood Foursquare Church, explains, “ When we became aware of this food shortage crisis, we just had to get involved. We want to help get the word out to everyone in the community, to build awareness, and are asking everyone to bring food donations.”   

According to the White Center Food Bank, they are in a time of extreme need.  Client numbers are increasing dramatically.  They served 1,690 families last month.  This is a 66% increase over last year at this time.  That includes over 6000 people fed.  White Center Food Bank needs your help.

The Food Drive begins Thursday Nov 13^th through Dec. 21^st, and will be located at Shorewood Foursquare & Christian School, 10300 28^th Av SW,
Seattle, WA 98146.  There will be a food bin available 24/7 located just outside the entrance to the building for the public to leave their food donations.  Shorewood Foursquare Church will also accept monetary donations made out to “White Center Food Bank” in their office. 

White Center Food Bank is asking for you to donate the following holiday foods at the food drive:   Chicken or Turkey Broth, Gravy Mixes, Stuffing Mixes, Fruit Cocktail, Whole Olives, Jello or Pudding Mixes, Canned Pumpkin, Canned Cranberry Sauce,     Condensed or Evaporated Milk, Canned vegetables, Canned yams or sweet potatoes, and $5 gift certificates to QFC, Albertsons or Safeway. 

For further information you can contact Shorewood Foursquare Church & Christian School at 206-932-0186.