When you hear about the suffering of persecuted Christians in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, it's overwhelming.

In 30+ years of working with the persecuted church, I have never sensed more need for an overwhelming compassionate response than I do right now during this worldwide pandemic.

There is an unspoken tragedy that comes from war. We all know the external consequences—torture, precious lives extinguished, political instability, family displacement, economic deprivation—adversities often beyond our ability to comprehend. But talk face-to-face with those who’ve survived, look into their eyes, and a wordless secret oozes from within, something most fear will forever haunt them.

During my final days in South Korea, along the North Korean border, the Lord pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a role I never imagined—smuggler!

In a busy cafe in downtown Seoul (South Korea), morning commuters buzz around me as they hurriedly grab their morning coffee and head off to unknown locations. There is a lot of noise, as polite greetings and rushed orders mix into the background.