A Letter From Jerusalem
(Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from a news letter from Everett Huffard, a gospel preacher in Jerusalem It shows something of the difficulties in being a Christian in other parts of the world, and should make us appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities we have here.)
March, 1968 I just confess that my heart is somewhat saddened this morning, and it might not be the best time to write a newsletter; but as I explain the situation I'm sure that everyone of you will share with us this sadness and will pray for the work here.
The story began about six weeks ago when a friend of mine told me that he knew of an Israeli police who wanted to become a Christian. The friend asked me if I would talk with the policeman. Of course, I agreed to do so, so in a few days he came. We made an appointment to go to his home to study. Consequently, we studied together each week. In addition to that, the man and his wife attended our services in Hebrew. The very first time that he came, he was seen by his superior officer. The trouble started then. The orthodox Jews came to the couple's house and threatened to take their children away from them if they became Christians. His officer forbade him to go to the worship services. He continued to come anyway. Many pressures were brought to bear upon him. His friends refused to associate with him or to drink coffee with him.
In spite of all this rebuff, and knowing the persecution was going to be great, both the man and his wife were baptized last week. The next day he lost his job. He was threatened again: if he returned to the worship or was seen with me or another Christian, they would burn his house. This morning Jacob and I went to his house as I had not been able to see him since he was baptized. We were very saddened because it seems obvious that Satan has won out. The family was afraid, and there seemed to be no other choice for them but that they not be seen with us at any time.
We did all that we could to assure them that their troubles were ours and that we were with them all the way at whatever cost to us. A lawyer, publicity, and any other weapon that could be used to defend the freedom of the individual to choose his religion should be utilized. But the weapon of the enemy is a powerful one when it — threatens the safety of the family of the forceful extraction of the children from the home.
Israel claims to be a free democratic country. No written law on the books forbids a man's changing his religion from Jewish to Christian. We violated no law in teaching and baptizing this man and his wife; and in theory he has the freedom to change, but those of us who live here know that, in practice, no such freedom exists here. It is believed by many that there are many in Israel who would become Christians if it were not for the fear of persecution. The door will not be opened until we find some whose faith will be as great as that of the early Christians who were willing to face the loss of job, or friends, of family, or children and even would face death for the name of Jesus Christ. I think we came very near to finding such a family, but the pressure in the last few days was too much.
I am not saying that this family is no longer Christian. I believe there is a faith in them that will not be taken away. Maybe their faith even will grow stronger than one that most of us may have. We pray that it (their faith) will have further opportunities of expressing itself in the years ahead and that it will grow to be strong enough to face whatever comes. This was the kind of faith that was expressed by mouth on the day before the baptisms took place. I am praying for additional opportunity to nourish their faith by more teaching from the word of God. Pray with me in their behalf... P.O. Box 1910529, Jerusalem, Israel