If a certain US Senator could have a “Spartacus” moment (which neither resembled “Spartacus” nor a very good moment), I had a quasi–Apostle Paul moment minus the basket (none was found large enough).
You may have noticed from my writings that I do not mention the country I am in (please do not when responding). That’s on purpose. Although as a democracy which claims to have religious freedom, the present government follows one religion and has made it rather difficult for any others especially Christianity. Missionaries may not be permitted into the country. I have a ministry friend who was held-up at the airport while they let his team of pastors in and then sent him home the next day. It took over a year to find out why. He is still not allowed back into the country. So, we walk a thin line. I’m here visiting friends, which I am. I have many in this country. If pressed, I’d also mention that I mentor men. Pastors’ Conferences have turned into Leadership Conferences for this very reason. And, of course, I always bear gifts for the kids at the orphanage even when I do not go, as in this time.
At the present locale, nothing was put in print so there would be no paper trail. When push came to shove, the stacks of books on the table in the back were quickly distributed to the men and they were told to put them in their book bags . . . and don’t mention my name.
What happened is that either the press heard about our conference or they were just nosing around and discovered it. We hold this on the grounds of a quasi-Christian group with a large cathedral on quite the compound with numerous buildings and at least one other chapel. Although they have a front gate, the back of the property is quite wide open. Anyone can get on at anytime. If the press had come into the room where we were meeting, they may have taken photographs with an accompanying article in the local paper. I’ve been taught that all news can be good even negative news if it is spun properly. However, this could have riled–up the dominant religion whose fanatics have little scruples when it comes to persecuting minority religions and are often looking for a fight.
Upon learning the press was on the grounds, the doors to the conference room were shut tight. Windows and curtains were closed. I was asked to leave the stage and sit in the back. One trusted leader was sent outside to dissuade any attempts of getting in. Thirty or forty minutes transpired with leaders in huddles and a nervous tension in the air. Finally, the men were asked to go back to their rooms and I was ushered into the room of the conference director. While there, prior to opening the door upon a knock, my handier turned out the lights in the room just in case it was the press so they would not see me. I was thinking we could have a secret code or knock, but this was no time for joking. My driver than backed the vehicle as close to the front entrance of the building we were in (about 20-yards away). After the coast was declared clear, I was cautiously escorted out and immediately put in the car. I tried to get my sunglasses out of my computer bag which was being put in the back seat, but was instructed – “just get in.” Off we went through a side gate and out of any potential danger.
The debate now is—will we try to meet tomorrow. If it appears the threat remains, the pastors will be asked to quietly leave tonight or in the morning, one–by–one so as not to draw attention.
You do remember the story of Paul being let down in a basket on the Damascus city wall because there was a legitimate threat to his life (Acts 9:23–31)? I’m not sure how many men it would have taken to get me out a window and down to the ground to safety. I’m also afraid of heights.
This situation — overly cautious or wise decision? I’m not in this country enough to know. But it is obvious the threat of persecution is real to these brothers and their church members . . . and they deal with it every day. It wouldn’t be a bad idea right now to pause for a moment and pray for the persecuted church. This very minute there are many who are suffering for the cause of Christ all around the world.
We vs. I
Dan Allen
2/23/2022
Going to Hell
Dan Allen
12/14/2021
Stay Away from the Meatloaf
Dan Allen
11/6/2021
A Dog Leading the Way
Dan Allen
7/27/2021
The Speed–Breakers of Life
Dan Allen
7/10/2021
High School Reunion
Dan Allen
4/8/2021
"Skin, it's the thing that's in"
Dan Allen
3/13/2021
Emerging from a Covid Cell
Dan Allen
2/20/2021
'Twas The Real Night Before Christmas
Russell T Allen
12/17/2020
Christmas Catalogs
Dan Allen
11/14/2020
Cancel This!
Dan Allen
10/3/2020
Don't Judge By Its Cover
Dan Allen
9/8/2020
Our Plans Trumped by God
Dan Allen
9/5/2020
We Fall Down
Dan Allen
8/5/2020
Battle with a Bug
Dan Allen
7/13/2020
Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out
Dan Allen
7/3/2020
Setting the bar too low
Dan Allen
6/25/2020
Good is Evil, Evil is Good
Dan Allen
6/9/2020
Misguided Freedom
Dan Allen
6/4/2020
A Preaching Nightmare
Dan Allen
5/9/2020
Restaurant and/or Church Possible
Dan Allen
5/2/2020
A Good Dose of Cloistering Going On
Dan Allen
4/15/2020
So, Where is God in All of This?
Dan Allen
4/14/2020
I Finally Learned How to Wash My Hands
Dan Allen
4/13/2020
Fire Truck - Glory Train
Dan Allen
4/16/2019
Some Sins Seem to Do More Damage
Dan Allen
4/16/2019
The Canopy is Gone
Dan Allen
12/15/2018
Brushing Teeth with Iced Tea
Dan Allen
11/5/2018
Never in Danger, but Could Have Been
Dan Allen
11/4/2018
Another Festival
Dan Allen
11/3/2018
Cow Town
Dan Allen
11/2/2018
Dressing Down
Dan Allen
11/1/2018
#MeToo
Dan Allen
10/25/2018
All Alone Among 1.35 Billion People
Dan Allen
10/24/2018
Does Anyone Know What Time It Is?
Dan Allen
10/23/2018
Time To Be Spiritual Weather Forecasters
Dan Allen
10/22/2018
Words Change . . . But Someone Gets the Final Word
Dan Allen
9/4/2018
To Cremate or Not to Cremate
Dan Allen
7/15/2018
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Dan Allen
7/4/2018
I Finally Caught a Foul Ball . . . Sort of
Dan Allen
6/8/2018
I Can Only Imagine
Dan Allen
6/1/2018
Do Panhandlers Have Regulars
Dan Allen
4/8/2018
Can't Good Dogs Go To Heaven?
Dan Allen
4/3/2018
At the Taj . . . in pictures only
Dan Allen
1/24/2018
Cold, But Warm Inside
Dan Allen
1/22/2018
Don't Remove the Plastic
Dan Allen
1/12/2018
Put Your Big Boy Pants On
Dan Allen
1/9/2018
In the Spirit . . . or not?
Dan Allen
1/3/2018
You Could Cut It With a Knife
Dan Allen
1/1/2018
Personal Message Boards
Dan Allen
11/24/2017
Men Acting Badly, err Should We Say---Horribly!
Dan Allen
11/18/2017
History of Bible Fellowship Church of Ephrata
Dan Allen
8/29/2017
Large Crowd Diversion
Dan Allen
6/19/2017
Bikes, Bikers, and Trying New Things
Dan Allen
6/18/2017
Lessons from T-Ball for Churches
Dan Allen
6/17/2017
Authenticity of and in Jeans
Dan Allen
5/11/2017
Don't Let Me Fall
Dan Allen
4/22/2017
Have We Lost the "Awe-factor," Wonderment?
Dan Allen
4/21/2017
Bumped - Not Bumbed
Dan Allen
4/13/2017
Go Fly a Kite
Dan Allen
1/18/2017
What's In Your Bag?
Dan Allen
1/17/2017
Cultural Faux Pas
Dan Allen
1/13/2017
The Three Hour Trip Ends Up 23 Hours
Dan Allen
1/12/2017
Walking Headrest Cover
Dan Allen
1/9/2017
The Gift that Keeps Giving
Dan Allen
12/17/2016
Let's Keep Things in Perspective
Dan Allen
8/1/2015
I've Got the Nine
Dan Allen
6/26/2015
God Often Works in Mysterious Ways
Dan Allen
6/5/2015
I'm From Negadelphia
Dan
3/24/2015
Positive Spin
Dan Allen
2/16/2015