GroshLink

Earlier on Wednesday three women, identified as Ahn Hye-jin, 31, Lee Jung-ran, 33, and 34-year-old Han Ji-young, were handed over to representatives of the Red Cross.

Hours later five more hostages -- four women and one man -- were freed by their Taliban captors in Afghanistan, according to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent . . . Under the terms of the agreement, South Korea agreed to stick by its previous decision to withdraw its 200 non-combat troops from Afghanistan, which work mostly in an engineering and medical capacity. In addition, Seoul promised to halt all Christian missionary work in Afghanistan. -- Eight South Korean hostages freed, CNN.

Praise God for the release of the captives! Pray for God's healing in their lives, their family's lives, and in the captors' lives. May the word and action of the former hostages (and may they all be released in the near future as promised) speak the Gospel to their captors, their friends, and a watching world.  Yesterday, I read Future Contingency- highlighting Philip Jenkins' new piece God's Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's Religious Crisis. Looks to be well worth the read, as most of Jenkins' work and pertinent to conversation reading the conflict of faith.

As you may know, the situation has been a focus of prayer in our house. Now with the release of the hostages, Lord willing, we turn our attention to the promise by Seoul not only for troop pull-out, but also to halt all Christian missionary work in Afghanistan. It’s hard for me to place myself in the shoes of a Korean called to be a follower of Christ. But let’s say one were to ask me for advise as to how to respond to their government or a sense of call. What would be the best way for me to respond?  Keeping this in prayer.

In what way is it different than if I knew an American with a desire to serve God in Afghanistan? Keeping this in prayer. 

Praying for indigenous followers of Christ and those in mission in what have been termed ‘hard places.’

Note: earlier posts Spread the word (continue to go here for comprehensive updates including pics/video), Update II: Call to Prayer for 18 Koreans Kidnapped in Afghanistan and Call to Prayer for 18 Koreans Kidnapped in Afghanistan