Asia Bibi

On Saturday, I went to my church's women's brunch and they reminded me of the persecution of Christians going on around the world.  I encourage you to pray for this woman:

"Asia Bibi, a 37-year-old Pakistani woman from the village of Ittanwali, was arrested by police on Friday, June 19, 2009. Asia (also called Asia Noreen) is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of 1,500 families.


On Friday, June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith. The Muslim women told Asia about Islam. Asia responded by telling them about her faith in Christ. Asia told the Muslim women Christ had died on the cross for sins, then asked them what Mohammad had done for them, according to VOM sources. She told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammad is dead. “Our Christ is the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them, “and yours is not true.”
Upon hearing this, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia. Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from the mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey.   Asia’s conviction and death sentence have brought international attention to the country’s blasphemy laws. Christians have called for Asia’s release and for a repeal of the laws, while extremists in Pakistan continue to demand that she be executed.
The Voice of the Martyrs urges Christians around the world to pray for Asia Bibi and her family." 
-persecution.com

Compassion

After my students get unpacked and do their "morning work," they sit down on the carpet and I have a few people share something.  Of course, they all raise their hands, thinking what they have to say is so much more important that what everyone else has to say.  I'm pretty sure that they're not even listening to their friends because they are so focused on waving their arm so that I can see THEIR hand.  This is sometimes accompanied by a scrunching of the face and an occassional "ooo oooo." Haha!

Yesterday, I could tell that a few of the students looked like they were in a bad mood, so I asked them how they were feeling.  After a few answered, one asked me.  "Miss Hornback, how are you feeling today?"  I said, "Well, actually I'm a little sad.  My friend Josh's grandpa is in the hospital and he has a big surgery today.  He has a "broken" heart and they are trying to fix it so he will be healthy again."  After a little more explanation, I looked over and saw Bailey, hunched over, shoulders shaking, with her hand over her mouth.  I thought I must have missed something.  Maybe someone said something mean to her...

"Bailey, what's wrong?"  She said in between sobs, "It's just so sad!!"  Then the tears started falling...

My first reaction was to laugh (don't worry I didn't!).  How funny that she was so sad because she knew I was sad.  I brought her over and hugged her, thanking her for being sad with me.  She was so sweet.  In the mean time, the rest of the class was looking very confused, giggling.  :) 

It's just so foreign to us that someone would actually share in our burdens.  Who would have thought a 6 year old would teach me a lesson on compassion!

New Car!!

This week I finally bought a car!  I had saved up and have been waiting for the right car and the right price since I came back last March.  I love the car and the color :)  God is faithful!