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Hello Friends!
It is Easter week here, and I am in Warsaw, Poland where we've been meeting with leaders representing the Persecuted Church.
Hi, this is Mary Jo Wilson with Asian Access, and I just wanted to give you a quick update. This week we're in Warsaw and you're wondering, "What's Asian Access doing in Poland?".
Turkey (MNN) — Since 2018, Turkey has forced nearly 200 Protestant clergy and their families to leave the country. Intelligence officials claim they pose a security risk but do not say how. The expulsions began after the U.S. sanctioned Turkey for imprisoning an American pastor.
Bangladesh (MNN) — Christians make up just 0.3 percent of the population of Bangladesh. And it’s difficult for that number to grow.
Asia (MNN) — The first COVID-19 case surfaced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Several variants and a pandemic classification later, the battle seems never-ending.
We have weeks for getting deals and for shopping during this Christmas season. But on #GivingTuesday, we have a day set aside for giving back. Together, people are creating a new ritual for our annual calendar. #GivingTuesday is the opening day of the giving season, and every act of generosity counts.
Asian Access is participating in #GivingTuesday to make a difference in our world.
As Thanksgiving draws near, I’m reminded of the bountiful harvest that comes with the season. A few hours away from my home, my family would often visit the apple orchards this time of year and taste the most delicious of crisp, fresh apples. I love the green ones because of their tart flavor. I’m also reflecting on those seasons where I visited family in Oklahoma seeing all sorts of grains spanning for miles on end.
As bad as the COVID pandemic was in India which I wrote about just a few months ago, it is now more than twice that bad in another Asian country based on the number of deaths per capita. And COVID deaths are thought to be drastically undercounted, so the situation is actually much worse.
What is causing the surge there? And what does this have to do with Asian Access?
My friends,
I want to wish you all a very happy Independence Day this weekend! What a joy for those of us who are Americans to celebrate the freedoms we have in this world.
As one who works globally, I'm well aware of these freedoms. Every day, I seem to hear about the Persecuted Church. And we even have friends right now whose children are in custody. And it deeply impacts you when you know these things. It really makes you grateful for these United States—that we get to have these freedoms.
Asian Access is a proud Associate Member of RLP.
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