“Remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them.” Hebrews 13:3
“God… will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. … This service you do not only helps the needs of God’s people, it also brings many more thanks to God. It is a proof of your faith. Many people will praise God because you obey the good news of Jesus Christ-the gospel you say you believe-and because you freely share with them and with all others. And when they pray, they will wish they could be with you because of the great grace that God has given you. Thanks be to God for His gift that is too wonderful for words.” 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 New Century Version
Have you heard about Asia Bibi on the news? 
Asia Bibi is a Pakistani women, married with two young daughters. She is the first Pakistani to be sentenced to death for “blasphemy.” The charges are OUTRAGEOUS.
This is her story, from the website Cross Rhythms:
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Asia, who is from Ittanwali in Punjab province, laboured in the fields for a Muslim landlord. She was arrested after a heated discussion about religion with her fellow farmworkers. Hers was one of only three Christian families in the village.
On June 19, 2009, Asia was working with a group of women in a field. Asia was asked to get water for everyone. The Muslim women refused to drink the water because it had been brought by a Christian and was deemed “unclean.” The women began to discuss Islam and Christianity with Asia, pressuring her to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. [Comment: I find it really WEIRD how some countries have passed "anti-evangelism" laws to silence Christians, but Muslims and other religions are somehow exempt from these laws, and can freely pressure Christians to convert to their religions.] Asia responded to these woman sharing with them about her faith in Christ. She spoke of how Jesus Christ had died on the cross for their sins, and then asked them what Mohammed had done for them. On hearing this response, the Muslim women became very angry and began to beat her. Some men took Asia by force and locked her in a room. They used the PA system of a local mosque to broadcast plans to punish Asia by blackening her face and parading her through the village on a donkey.
According to Release partners, a mob formed and Asia was violently abused by Muslim villagers and clerics. Her children were also beaten. However, some Christians informed the police and Asia was taken into protective custody. Pressure to charge her was brought to bear by Muslim leaders.
The Court of Sessions passed the death sentence on Asia Bibi [last week]. Asia, who is in her 30s with two daughters, was accused under the blasphemy laws of passing derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed.
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There is also concern that Asia’s chilling case will set a precedent in Pakistan. Please tell me what Asia did wrong?! Why is Pakistan doing this?
Christians and non-Muslims under goofy “blasphemy laws” aren’t just being arrested on meaningless, stupid charges and fined. They are being BURNED ALIVE and their families hacked to pieces or sold as slaves. It’s insane.
We Americans can do something. I know, I know, we have Thanksgiving travel to worry about! OMG and how about all that SHOPPING we have to do?! And hanging the Christmas lights! Oh, and then there’s the news about Prince William’s engagement and our TSA troubles that are consuming our attention! I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty selfish after reading Asia’s story, because I have been a spoiled brat lately, complaining about this little thing or that little thing.
When it comes right down to it, we Americans have NO problems. We have no right to feel stressed, to feel harassed, to feel like we just don’t have time. People NEED us. Because we are the wealthiest nation in earth in the entire history of humankind, we have a responsibility to help others who cannot help themselves. Of course, not EVERYONE can run over to Pakistan and scream for justice from the streets (although I am soooooo tempted to do that). But we can PRAY, we can remember Asia and others. And we can search for Asia Bibi on Google- don’t you think that if even 10% of Americans searched for “Asia Bibi” on Google, the world would take notice? How about we tweet about Asia on Twitter? How about we demand justice for the prisoners? Aren’t such teeny tiny gestures from the fattest, richest people on earth the least we could do? Release International also has an online petition and a printed petition to circulate in your area. I know that these petitions do work- international pressure is a wonderful thing. The news has gotten out in the UK- Asia’s story was even on the UK’s Telegraph.
Sometimes such big problems look impossible to conquer. That’s when the power of the community kicks in. PLEASE do something for Asia. Pray, search her name, leave comments on a news site about her story, tweet her name, call your politician or the embassy. We the People need to use our clout- the clout we have earned as a massive community, a corporate voice that CAN CHANGE THINGS. It really bothers me that we Americans do not use our extreme wealth and influence to do more good in the world. Instead of chugging out sex and violence from the TV, why can’t we chug out stories of people who need our help, and how to help them? We are such a great country, so rich and so filled with honest, caring people. I wish we could corporately clear out all the junk and the clutter that weighs us down, and help the poor and the prisoners. It’s like we WANT to help, but we are weighed down with frivolous distractions that make our minds cloudy and our hearts hopeless. I want to change that, don’t you?
Hat tip As in a Mirror.
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November 18, 2010 at 12:47 pm
You are absolutely right. We do easily get caught up in our own little problems. How much we have to be thankful for, and what an opportunity we have to help others who do not have the same blessings.
I signed the petition.