Why VOM?

It all started with a little book called, “Jesus Freaks” by DC Talk.

In early ’01, I stumbled onto it by accident in a book store (imagine that!). And, as much as I love to read, I unfortunately don’t frequent book stores as much as I’d like, so with this thought in mind, I chalk it all up to divine appointment.

When I first laid eyes on it, I marvelled. It looked rustic and old, which I knew it wasn’t, and not to mention, the name JESUS was in the title so of course I walked over to it before I even knew what was happening. Then I saw the word, FREAKS.

Great.

This can’t be good, I reasoned. But I picked it up anyway and soon realized that this was no ordinary book. That this book was not what I had originally expected to read inside the cover.

It quickly took me to a place I never dreamed existed in this day and age. In my mind, I knew martyrs existed- yeah, like a thousands of years ago, right? Come to find out, I was very wrong. I couldn’t believe that this book told of stories that were happening that very same year!

Needless to say, with what little money I had, I used everything I could come up with to purchase it. My mother in law, whom I was with, thought I was nuts! She haphazardly asked me what I was buying, and I although I don’t remember the exact moments fully, I do remember being a little embarrassed by it. Thankfully, it wasn’t enough to deter me, and over the years of reading it many times, it only made my heart bigger and bigger for the persecuted in Christ to this day.

This book eventually led me to the Voice of the Martyrs network where I subscribed to their newsletter. Every month I got the envelope, and I always saved them when I couldn’t or didn’t have the ability to read them.

Now, I know and believe that that Holy Spirit has always been behind it and has prompted me to keep at it. It was always Him who prompted me to read as soon as I was able. He placed the desire in me to keep reading and to open up and share with others on this precious ministry.

So that is where I am today. Ready to take the next step into fully devoting myself into serving our persecuted siblings through prayer, letters and being a VOICE for them. By shedding light on their affliction. But most of all to fulfill the command given by God in Hebrews 13:3 -

“Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.”