Hidden Sorrow - Companjen

Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy by Anneke Companjen - 5/5

Originally posted on Christian Monitor.

This astounding volume tells the stories of the women of the suffering Church. It is a compelling book that describes sadness and pain yet it is filled with the hope and joy that Christians have in Jesus.

In "Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy" (HSLJ) Anneke Companjen has provided the world with important and astounding testimonies of women who have not only "struggled with separation, loss and uncertainty" but have also "been ostracized by their culture, left alone to care for fatherless children, and subjected to crushing poverty" for their faith in Christ. HSLJ is a compilation of simply written yet powerful biographical snapshots of women who have had to endure not only their own suffering but also the persecution of someone they love and care for. Even though the faith of these women "has been stretched to the limit" and even though they "are not superwomen" Companjen sadly notes that they have seldom "been the subject of prayer campaigns or human-rights projects."

Written with compassion and love, the biographies in HSLJ have not been written from afar but have all been compiled from first hand testimony. The love and feelings that Companjen has for these women is evident throughout the book. After the death of one of her sisters in Christ, Companjen says that she "felt guilty" and questions if she had prayed enough. To an elderly Chinese Christian lady who was separated from her husband for twenty years Anneke says: "For many years I have prayed for you." The people Companjen writes about are her friends, are people she knows and loves. They are people she has taken the time to care for, weep for and pray for. They are people who she now calls other to care about. In HSLJ Companjen has given voices to the unseen and unheard women of the suffering Church.

Companjen doesn't try to embellish these women with fanciful tales and false attributes but gently reminds us that they "are women with the same longings, desires, and fears as you and I." As humans they suffer the same emotions and fears as all humans do. Companjen does not hide the humanness of these women but rather allows their frustrations; hopes, fears and joys to emerge from within the narrative. After the death of her child, one women questions God: "How could you allow this to happen to us Lord? All we ever wanted to do was serve you. Why didn't you protect us?" Another women breaks down crying and "is unable to shake the hands with" her friends husband who had arrested and persecuted her son years before. A third woman angrily and tearfully asks her husband, who is about to leave on a second mission trip shortly after returning home, "So you're leaving me again?" HSLJ is filled with voices like these. They are voices that represent the broad sweep of humanity. "Some," says Companjen, "are young, some are old; others are aging too quickly for their years. Some are rich in hope; others contend with relentless depression. Above all else they very much need our prayers."

HSLJ is a book written by a Christian woman about other Christian women and although many of the circumstances written about in this book are heart-wrenching stories, they would not be complete without an examination of how God has worked in the lives of those who are suffering for His name. It is true that not all the stories in this volume have happy endings, but most of them do provide astounding testimony to the work of God in a suffering believers life. Throughout this book God's provision for His children is made clear. A Chinese lady with six children starts to receive money and mysterious food packages after her husband, an evangelical pastor, is imprisoned for his faith. A second woman, who rode on a motorcycle for half a day to see her imprisoned husband but is denied her visitation rights, is "comforted to realize that Jesus understood how she was feeling," and "gradually her tears stopped as the pace of the Lord returned."

Restricted for space, Companjen was, I suppose, forced to be selective in the biographies that were written and published. In this she has responsibly attempted to represent women from all parts of the world: South East Asia, South Asia, East Asia, South America, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Companjen has also been careful to include stories of different types of persecution. In some cases husbands have been persecuted, in other instances a loved one has tragically been killed. Some families represented have been separated by forced exile, and other women have been estranged from their families and exiled alone. In another instance a single women has taken a message of support from the Church in the west to a dangerous war zone of immense strife and danger. Companjen acknowledges that in HSLJ she has "only been able to share a few stories of women who are paying the price for their faith," and that "there are many, many more around the world." She should therefore be applauded for this representative approach, which reveals the global nature and severity of suffering persecuted Christian women are forced to endure.

So once again, the burning question is "What can we do?" The penultimate chapter provides an answer to this question. Stay informed, advocate and keep in touch with the women who are persecuted but most importantly pray. Companjen states, "prayer is the most important effort we can make," and observes: "Whenever we ask persecuted Christians on our visits what we can do to help them, we get the same answer almost every time: 'Please pray for us.'" At the end of each biographical sketch Companjen identifies critical pray points not only for the woman written about but also for the country in which she lives.

The women in HSLJ are certainly (to this reviewers mind) among the forgotten heroines of the faith. They have lived inspirational lives, in some of the most dire and tragic circumstances imaginable, by simply trusting God. Although Christians around the world may have forgotten these heroines, they have not been forgotten by God, who strengthens their faith and enables them to endure despite the circumstances. Although these women are forced to endure terrible suffering and severe afflictions for their faith in Christ, "the story of the suffering Church," says Companjen, "is about seasons of sorrow that must be hidden, and about joy that will last eternally."

Buy from Amazon @ Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy: The Forgotten Women of the Persecuted Church

Their Blood Cries Out - Marshall

Their Blood Cries Out by Paul Marshall - 5/5

"Their Blood Cries Out" (TBCO) is a masterfully written, meticulously researched, deeply compassionate and intellectually honest account of the persecution of millions of Christians around the world today. Marshall is careful to define a Christian as a person whose "Christian faith is a central aspect of their lives"(see Appendix D). Marshall has produced a much needed, up to date account of the suffering that is inflicted upon Christians today. TBCO surveys many countries and regions where persecution takes place, it examines the reasons and the causes of this persecution, and it tries to understand American (Western) apathy towards religious persecution. It is an honest, all round examination that informs, provokes and convicts.

TBCO is neatly divided into two independent sections: the first section is a global survey of countries where persecution takes place. The second part examines the reasons for the lack of interest in persecution and Marshall tries to come to an understanding of "why don¡¦t people care.¡¨

The first part of TBCO examines persecution in Islamic, communist, Hindu/Buddhist and Orthodox Christian countries. For each country covered, Marshall has carefully collated information and testimonials from easily verifiable sources. The book is well footnoted and his claims can be easily checked. This survey is an interesting investigation that is written with a deep sense of compassion and understanding. Marshall manages to avoid the pitfalls of gross generalizations and appropriately basis his work and conclusions on verifiable evidence. In writing this book, Marshall has traveled to about 20 of the countries he writes about. His willingness to examine the evidence first hand and to compile the stories of those who suffer and die for their faith should motivate unaware Christians to stand up for their persecuted brethren.

TBCO was written in 1997. Although the data presented in the book may be outdated, the overall analysis is still relevant. Many of the countries covered in the survey conducted in the first part of the book are still persecuting Christians and, in some cases, the persecution has become more intense. Since the WTC attacks Christians in Islamic countries have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks. Indonesia saw a drastic increase in communal violence in places like central Sulawesi. The Montagnards in Vietnam have, since December 2000 faced increasing persecution. Christians in North Korea still suffer immensely. And the list continues to grow. The reasons for the persecution remain the same, and the number of testimonies increases.

The second part of TBCO is a fascinating investigation into the apathetic stance that is taken by comfortable Christians and Western secularists. Many Christians, even when informed about their suffering brethren, would rather discuss other things. As Marshall himself says, "The subject of persecuted Christians is jarring to an obsession of personal peace."Elsewhere he comments that, "the vast body of Christians in the United States have abdicated their responsibility to deal with the persecution of Christians."Marshall notes that "the situation of Christians overseas is passed by silently."In my experience, many Christians don¡¦t care. Much of what Marshall has said in the second part of this book remains true today.

Marshall shows clearly, conclusively and concisely how modern evangelicals in the west are obsessed with finding inner peace and would rather not hear about persecuted Christians. Marshall also observes that the mainline Churches seek outer peace, they try to maintain the status quo. He documents many examples of when organizations like the National Council of Churches (NCC) have blatantly ignored persecution. This is still true today. Recently a leader in the United Methodist Church has denied that there is persecution in Vietnam and has insisted, at the behest of the Vietnamese government, that there is religious freedom in that country.

Secular organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are also examined. Although Marshall rightly credits them for the brilliant work they do for human rights abuses, he also admonishes them for ignoring the plight of Christians. Marshall also admits that, "though instances of the persecution of Christians and other religious figures may be covered, we lose a recognition of the extent of religious persecution that exists in the world." But Marshall shows understanding when he points out that the extent of human suffering in the world today is so great that it is virtually impossible for those organizations to cover it all. He humbly confesses that he, in his survey, has not covered some countries, like Laos, where persecution is severe but "the events seems less important than other things included."He compassionately, and devastatingly knowingly implicates himself by asking, "How can one say that someone¡¦s death is not important?¡¨

Marshall does not leave us in despair asking what can be done. The last chapter examines things people can do to help suffering Christians around the world. The most important step, in my opinion, is to let others know. Do not be shy, or be unwilling to disturb someone¡¦s peace, be prepared to discuss persecution whenever the opportunity arises and challenge others to care.

TBCO has inspired me, convicted me and humbled me. It has forced me to face issues that are not comfortable to face; it has pushed me to action within my own community. TBCO has challenged me to care, to care for others that live far and near. Will you allow yourself to be challenged? Do you care?

Buy from Amazon @ Their Blood Cries Out