Earlier today 6 red cross workers and 1 volunteer were abducted in Syria in the red crescent.
 There is no definite abductor yet, although the rumor is that they were taken by anti-governmet rebels. 22 red cross workers have died helping since the beginning of this war.

2 car bombs went off near the state TV building in Damascus.
There is currently no word on wether or not anyone died in these bombings.

It has been estimated that over 100,000 people have died since this war began in March 2011.
That's hundreds of thousands of people mourning the loss of people they loved.

A while back there was a bombing at a school in Syria, it was done by the Syrian government. It killed ten children, and left many with over 50% of their bodies covered in burns.
These children were in school when a fighter jet circled over head and dropped a bomb on the school. As of 2 weeks ago there was still many horrendously affected by this appalling act against humanity.


Prayer Requests:
-The red cross workers who are being held hostage

-The families of the red cross workers who have passed away

-The people who abducted them to come to salvation

-For those who may have been affected by the car bombing

-For the weary and war torn people of Syria

-For the refugees who have lost their homes

-For the families of the Syrians who have been killed in this war

For the children and adults who were hurt in this aerial bombing

-For the government to stop attacking it's people

-For this war to end

-For the people of Syria to find hope and solace in the cross

-For the government and the rebels to come to salvation

-For peace






Bibliography:
"Red Cross Workers Kidnapped in Syria." BBC News. BBC, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Pannell, Ian. "Syria: Agony of Victims of 'napalm-like' School Bombing." BBC News. BBC, 30 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

In August there was an attack by Syrian rebels that BBC news has been reporting about today in the Latakia country side.
These rebels killed 190 people, and took 200 captives. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), Jaysh al-Muhajirin wa al-Ansar are responsible for this attack and taking these hostages. They were savage in their treatment of people, some were beheaded, some burned, some bound at the feet, many were mutilated by bullets or knives. 
 The government did in fact regain control of this area later the same month, but that does not save the already deceased.
Although there is joyous news in the midst of this tragedy, Syria's chemical weapons have been taken and dismantled by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 
Which means that if it was in fact the government, although they deny it, that attacked Damascus, it should not be happening again in the near future.


Prayer Requests:

-That both sides of this raging war would realize they are fighting a losing battle.

-That the people who were held hostage would have peace after this horrible tragedy.

-For the loved ones of those who died, as they mourn these loses.

-For those who have become refugees, that they would find somewhere safe to be.

-For those with evil hearts who don't seem to care what they are doing, that their eyes would be opened.

-That this war would in some way glorify God.

-That salvation would come to the nation of Syria.

-That missionaries would go there and minister to these lost and bedraggled people.





Bibliography:
Reynolds, James. "Syria Rebels Executed Civilians, Says Human Rights Watch." BBC News. BBC, 11 Oct. 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.

As a decision to ease the tension in Syria, Russia and America have agreed that Syria will not be attacked if they relinquish their chemical weapons.
While Syria has indeed agreed to do this, the fighting seems far from over.

Just three days ago the tow of Azaz in northern Syria was attacked viciously while the Free Syrian Army(FSA), the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS), and Al Qaeda occurred.
This fighting started in April, as  a protest to Al Qaeda's presence.

This fighting happened when the ISIS which includes some people from Al-Queda joined with a jihadist group called Al-Nusra.

The leader of Al-Nusra part of  the FSA, did not want to listen to the leader of Al-Qaeda.

But this is just the most recent in one of their squabbles, they have fought over oil fields, towns, and ISIS has killed many who do not agree with them. It seems like there is no end in sight.





But my God sees, one of my favorite verses in times like this is Psalm 94:9-10a
'He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not rebuke? '

God judges the wicked; the crimes of the government, the rebels, and all involved will be dealt with justly by my God.


Prayer Requests:

-That the rest of the towns they go through would be spared.
-That the dismantling of Syria's chemical weapons would be uneventful.
-That the war would end and Syria would be at peace.
-That the rebels and the government would both see that neither of them is gaining ground.
-That innocent lives would be spared.
-Most importantly, that the people of Syria would come to know the Lord.

Bibliography:

Sinjab, Lina. "Syria rebel rifts deepen as Islamist ranks swell." bbcnews.com. BBC, 25 Sept. 2013. 

     Web. 28 Sept. 2013. 

Walsh, Nick Paton, and Elise Labott. "Security Council OKs Syria resolution, warns of consequences." 
     cnn.com. CNN, 27 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Sept. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/ 
     meast/un-syria-resolution/?hpt=hp_t1>. 

Homeless

 

At least six million people have been dispalced by the raging civil war that has overcome Syria in the past few years. They have no real home, no real income, and no end in sight. Many of them live in makeshift camps, that are not very good environments. Many have also tragically lost their lifes because of fighting, and more recently, a chemical bombing which broke the Geneva convention for the first time since its creation.

 

Helpless



 

 

These people have to stand by as other countries, like our own, make major decisions about how to help them. They have no real voice to speak up with, and if they did, would we listen?

These syrians refugees probably did not want to leave everything behind, but what choice did they have? Stay and be brutally attacked? They had no real option. Now we as a Nation, and as a World, face the decision of wether to plan a missile strike against these people, or to accept Russia's offer. Russia's offer is that Syria will give up its chemical weapons and that they would be under national control.

 

Never Hopeless

 

We have a pressing call as Christians, not to idly stand by, but to pray for these people.

 

Here are some things to be thinking and praying about this week.

 

 

-Pray that this war would end, and these people would be set free.

 

-Pray that those with power would use it responsibly.

 

-Pray that Assad would realize what he is doing to his people.

 

-Pray that people would rise up to help this county.

 

-Pray, most importantly, that the light of the gospel would shine beautifully in the face of this tragedy.

 

 

 

Sources-

 

 Rodgers, Lucy, Gerry Fletcher, Helene Sears, Christopher Ashton, Tian Yuan, and Steven Atherton. "Zaatari Refugee Camp: Rebuilding Lives in the Desert." BBC News. BBC, 09 Mar. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.