EXCLUSIVE BTJ's ISIS Response Countries around the world are scrambling to find a way to deal with the Islamic terror group ISIS. On Wednesday, the US authorized airstrikes to be used against the terror group. On one level, bombing ISIS is an easy strategy. Military intelligence knows where the group is operating. There isn't a ten year hunt for leaders like Osama bin Laden. The terror group has two cities where they are headquartered; Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. Al-Qaeda never had such an obvious postal address. Over the last couple of weeks, the army of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), have been storming through Iraq like a pervading darkness. In just one day, after the invasion of Iraq's second largest city Mosul, tens of thousands of Christians fled to the mountains in the north with nothing more than the clothes on their back. They hate Christians especially, said Retired Gen. Paul Vallely commenting on the violence of the attacks on Christians in Iraq. ISIS bombed the churches and marked the houses of every known Christian. Before many of the Christians were able to escape, ISIS executed many of their church leaders, raped the wives and daughters of Christians, and killed or enslaved the children. As BTJ reported last week, many women were throwing themselves off the cliffs of mountains to keep from facing the unknown terror of ISIS. Since August 15 th, about 27,000 refugees have fled into northern Iraqi mountain region looking for safe haven from ISIS. Another 35,000 are right behind them. Many of the Iraqis are Christian's that are feeling for their life. It is clear that those on the run are supported by the Kurdish Liberation Army, reported Brother Ren, the founder of Back to Jerusalem. I could see people in the camps that have military training and seem to be without uniform and operating undercover. They are helping to organize the camps that the refugees are flowing into. There are at least 2000 refugees flowing into the camp every day. The Kurdish military from northern Iraq is leading the people across the border into Turkey to seek safety, but the Turkish government is not providing any official assistance. The local authorities estimate that there may be as many as 60,000 refugees living in the mountainous region on the border of Turkey before the end of September. Help is needed right away, says Brother Ren. The people that are escaping into the mountains only have the clothes
on their back. They have had to leave everything behind. With the support that was given to BTJ, an immediate 1,440 liters of 100% fruit nectar were purchased from the nearest town and trucked into the camps. 2,000 liters of milk for the children were also purchased (as pictured above). Other necessities like diapers, baby formula, and pots were also purchased for the families throughout the refugee area. Last week, BTJ's Uncle Tang was able to deliver BTJ's aid to the refugees on the ground and take a few pictures with his camera phone. They need everything. Right now there is no shelter from the sun during the day. The children are sitting outside in the sun without a shade tree or a place to hide from the scorching heat. Winter is fast approaching and the region is notorious for temperatures below zero. BTJ has supported the purchasing of tents that cost $750 USD a piece. These tents are expensive because they are insulated for the winter and are shipped in from Turkey. However, BTJ is currently working with Amish and Mennonite communities in the United States that are willing to travel to the refugee area and built very durable shelters for the families. BTJ has a long and on going relationship with the Amish and Mennonite communities and have a history of working together for the Kingdom of God. In June of 2014, a community of Amish and Mennonites (or plain people as they often refer to themselves) traveled to rebuild the roof on a secret Iranian missionary training facility. These guys are our 911 force, says Eugene Bach. Whenever we are in need of a group of men to come and build things at a moments notice on the mission field, these guys are the first to respond. They also accompany us during our meetings with Brother Yun and sometimes prepare the meetings with
fervent prayer so that the message of the Lord has maximum impact. The emergency items that BTJ supplied were consumed in only a matter of days. BTJ still has much work to do in this disaster relief effort, which is the first man-made natural disaster that BTJ has ever responded to. We have responded to earthquake, tsunamis, flooding, and other natural disasters in the past, but this is the first time that we have ever had to respond to a man-made disaster. Above is a picture of the camp that BTJ is working in. The refugee camp that BTJ is working in does not have many other Christian mission groups working in them. It is a daunting task, but one that we cannot turn our backs on. Pictured above are children waiting in line to get food supported by BTJ. BTJ is helping to provide blankets, but at the moment the blankets are $12 USD per blanket, which is quite expensive due to the fact that they have to be brought in from Turkey instead of China at this juncture.
Most of the people that are fleeing here are families that are escaping to protect their children from ISIS, Brother Ren said. However, we are seeing a lot of Yazidis and Kurds that are coming in as well. This horrible disaster brought on by ISIS is presenting many challenges, but has also presented many Muslim and ethnic minorities like the Yazidis living in Iraq to hear the Gospel message for the first time. However, it might be hard to see these opportunities if we only react in fear to everything that ISIS does. What if...the world is searching for a solution to ISIS in all the wrong places? What if...christians are being reactive to terrorist groups like ISIS instead of proactive? What if...jesus gave us the answer that we have needed all along to deal with groups like ISIS when he said in Mathew 5:43, You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, LOVE your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.. Underground Christians in China who are being sent out to the Middle East are not supported by foreign embassies and they will not have diplomatic support from China if they are captured by ISIS for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, however they believe that Jesus is the only answer to deal with the ISIS threat and the mission is worth the sacrifice.
Instead of sending soldiers, what if we send missionaries? Instead of sending bombs, what if we send Bibles? Is it too much to believe that ISIS members can be saved by the love of Jesus Christ? Do we have so little faith that we believe that only non-muslims can be saved? Instead of responding to ISIS out of fear, let the people of the ONE TRUE GOD stand up and respond in boldness and love. Whose report will you believe? I choose to believe in the report of the Lord. BTJ proposes to address the ISIS threat in three phases, but we will need your prayer and support for each phase: 1. Provide emergency aid to the Iraqi's living in refugee camps that have escaped death. 2. Provide missionaries and Gospel materials to the refugees living in the camps. 3. Target ISIS with the Good News of Jesus Christ by suppling the Gospel Cloud unit PHASE 1: Emergency aid is desperately needed in the refugee camps of Iraq. Families do not have more than the clothes on their back. The dire situation requires that we provide immediate food, water, and shelter. BTJ is already involved in stage 1 providing food and shelter. Below is a picture of BTJ's Phase 1 which has already begun. PHASE 2:
Missionaries and Bible materials are being prepared to be sent to the areas to help the current workers with aid distribution. After the physical needs are met, there is going to be a long process of dealing with the spiritual and emotional trauma that has taken place. Parents have lost children and children have lost parents. Missionaries and Bible materials are desperately needed to provide the healing message of Jesus Christ for those that are suffering from traumatic loss. The after effects of rape, murder, and instant poverty can be deadly if emotional and spiritual support is not provided. PHASE 3: BTJ has invented a new device that we have invented and have been secretly using and testing in Iran. It is called the Gospel Cloud. The material and content are still being modified, but we plan to take this weapon into the enemy's camp. Because of the nature of the device, we are not able to show a picture of it. The Gospel Cloud sends out a free mobile wireless signal that can be picked up anywhere in Iraq (on a bus, train, in the remote desert, at a cafe, etc) and offers free movie, music, and ebook download via a WIFI connection. This device sends out a wireless connection that cannot be stopped or monitored by the government. It also only offers limited web browsing that only accesses our content. So, the free movies are movies that share the Good News. The free music downloads are the powerful praise and worship songs. The free ebooks are the Bible and other materials. ISIS has become the most technologically advanced terrorist group to date. They are using video, internet, and mobile technology to their advantage. Many of the followers and soldiers for ISIS are carrying mobile phones. They too get bored and play games on their phones. They too look for free WIFI to check their email. BTJ proposes to provide free WIFI to them with the Gospel Cloud. However, instead of checking their email once they log on to their favorite website they will instead be taken to another website that we provide. It is a portal page that provides the Good News. As long as they are on our network, they are ONLY able to browse our content. They are free to exit the free WIFI at any time. However, with nothing else to do in the deserts of Iraq, the Gospel Cloud might be the answer that many of the ISIS members are looking for.
The Good News of Jesus Christ brought down the powerful Roman Empire and gave freedom to the poorest of vagabonds. God died for the men and women who support ISIS and He has called us to share the Good News with them as well. Thank you for your support. Please pass this report on to as many people as you can. The brothers and sisters in China are boldly going into the enemies camp and will need the protection of the Lord with them at all times.