Visit the Barnabas Fund main website <http://www.barnabasfund.org> Visit the Barnabas Fund main website <http://www.barnabasfund.org> Monday, 2nd April 2007

Dear Christian Friend,

Easter is approaching, and like me you’re probably planning what to do over the long Easter weekend. Children especially will be dreaming of their holiday from school, times of fun and games and relaxing ahead of them.

Unfortunately, not every child has such carefree plans. In areas where Christian minorities are persecuted, they are denied many things which we in the West may take for granted. Instead of being able to trust that their parents can provide for all their needs, Christian children are denied the innocent joys and peace of childhood. But this Easter you have the opportunity to give some joy to a Christian child growing up with persecution.

*Facing an uncertain future*

Christian children living in environments of religious discrimination face an uncertain future. Sending a child to school is relatively expensive, and for many parents in these situations it is beyond what they can afford. Apart from the school fees they also need to find the money for a uniform and school books.

And for those Christian children fortunate enough to have access to school, they may face not only bullying from their classmates because of their faith, but also their teachers may belittle them in front of the whole class. Some children have their work deliberately marked down, and even given fail marks in their exams, affecting their whole future.

*Giving hope for the next generation*

As Jesus showed us by His example, we can welcome and care for children, and through practical love we can turn their situations around. That’s why many of Barnabas Fund’s projects are focused on providing for children what they would otherwise be denied. Today you could be part of giving hope to a Christian child.

It’s not just through school lessons that you can change a child’s life. A project supported by Barnabas Fund produces a Christian magazine for children. One little girl was caught reading her copy of the magazine in class. Her teacher picked it up and began to mockingly read it aloud to the rest of the class, in order to humiliate the child. The other children loved it, more than their class! When the little girl received her next issue, the class began to read it together. Now all the children in her class are Christians and go to church together!

This is a wonderful story, and is one of many ways in which you can help a Christian child this Easter, including:

* Providing school uniforms and materials; just £10 would buy a child in India a school uniform. * Subsidising school fees for a Christian school, where a Christian child will not suffer discrimination because of their faith; school fees vary from country to country, but an average amount of just £18 would pay a child’s school fees for a month. * Funding the publication of children’s literature; £20 provides a class in Central Asia with a Christian children’s magazine for six months.

Please join us in praying for the next generation of the Church. And please pray about how you might respond to the needs of these children. Even with a small gift you can spread some Easter joy – changing their prospects from an uncertain future to one filled with possibilities.

With our Lord’s blessings,

Patrick Sookhdeo International Director – Barnabas Fund

P.S. The next generation of the suffering Church is facing an uncertain future. Your gift to a Christian child today will encourage them in Jesus’ Name. Please help bring hope to Christian children suffering persecution in any way you can. Thank you.

Links: Daily Prayer Point <http://www.barnabasfund.org/news/news_03.php> Prayer Focus Update <http://www.barnabasfund.org/support/pfu.php> Barnabas Aid Online <http://www.barnabasfund.org/news/news_01.php> The Right to Justice Campaign <http://www.righttojustice.org> Contact Barnabas Fund <http://www.barnabasfund.org/about/about_01.php>

Latest appeal : *Easter Appeal 2007* More info <http://www.barnabasfund.org/projects/projects_01.php> <http://www.barnabasfund.org/projects/projects_01.php>

Right to Justice <http://www.righttojustice.org> Sign the petition today <http://www.righttojustice.org>

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*BARNABAS FUND EMAIL NEWS SERVICE*

Barnabas Fund’s email news service provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning suffering Christians around the world. If you would like to receive news briefs from Barnabas Fund please contact us with your name, postal and email addresses. Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be available for news editors on request. Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities around the world where they are facing poverty and persecution.