Hidden Holocaust: In the Hope We Will Save a People Group from Extinction
The photos of Syria were gathered by our staff that handles intelligence from those in the Druze community.
/ CRITICAL UPDATE
WARNING:
GRAPHIC CONTENT ALERT
Before you read this newsletter, I want to warn you that what we are sharing is beyond shocking. And if you cannot handle this, then do not read on, then call and complain.
Luke, who served internationally for 33 years, is a former Marine officer and FBI agent in intelligence. His expertise is in counterterrorism, international operations, rapid deployment, and special operations, with SEALs, Raiders, Delta, and Tier One operators. Needless to say, I give Luke difficult and critical operations. One of his key contacts is a Druze man and his family in Israel. When Luke was in the FBI, he had three immersions in the Middle East for both learning Arabic and intelligence to deal with terrorists. One of those immersions was when he met a Druze family. In Israel, the Druze community is a distinct group that neither identifies as Jewish or Muslim but is allied with Israel and is said to have a special “Blood-Bond” with the Jewish nation. They are citizens of Israel who serve in the Israeli military and pay taxes. They describe themselves as Muwahadin, coming from the Arabic and Hebrew word meaning as one. They share some roots with Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad, and became a new faith in the eleventh century.
Luke’s friend recently sent us a video that was about seven minutes long. Within the first minute, a soldier takes a young man, pushes him to the ground, and cuts his head halfway off. The man who did this was acting as if it were no big deal. Also, in the video the atrocities continue, men rubbing their feet on dead women’s faces as a sign of shame in the Arab world. I watched one family in terror as the men smiled and began to slap the father while videoing themselves smiling. The wife and children are terrified, knowing what is about to happen. The men showed real delight in the murders they were about to commit. As the video continues, they force three elderly men to run and jump off what appears to be a six or seven story building. As they are falling, they shoot them; you can see the dead everywhere. The video has music to celebrate the killings.
The current leadership in Syria is behind the killings, who publicly deny they are not responsible, but this is a lie. They are completely behind the killings, and many are former ISIS.
While this video is less graphic than the one Wes describes, we encourage you to watch and stay informed. Please note, viewer discretion is still advised.
MAY MY HEART BE MOVED BY THE THINGS THAT MOVE THE HEART OF GOD.
BUT DOES NOT KNOW HER PARENTS WERE MURDERED
Folks, I hate watching video footage like this, but I have to be informed to be able to speak about the continued genocide. Thousands of refugees have fled into Lebanon, while Israel has targeted terrorist positions in Syria. Over 1,000 Druze from Israel have crossed the border to fight for and protect their loved ones.
It is July 26, and in the last twenty-four hours, estimates are that 1,500 to 3,000 Druze have been murdered. One five-year-old girl was raped and beheaded in front of her family. Women and children are being raped, and this includes boys. My soul has never been so vexed by what is happening. In one Syrian defense camp, 14,500 women have reported being raped. How I wished I could have been there with my men to protect. As believers, we must demonstrate mercy and lovingkindness toward these suffering people. Compassion is often the bridge that leads people to Christ.
Last month, I shared the story of an Alawite woman who had been raped, and her husband is presumed to have been murdered. She remains missing, and though we would be willing to rescue her, the Alawite community fears giving any information about her whereabouts. They cannot be certain that the help is genuine or just another deadly trap. Their mistrust is understandable.
SEVEN STORY BUILDINGS
A few months ago, I mentioned another Afghan family. Brent, who is also on staff, successfully arranged for them to be evacuated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These outspoken believers faced certain death from the Taliban. The cost to rescue, save, and relocate these believers is $22,000. I authorized the rescue instantly because the alternative is unthinkable.
Another family, who recently turned to Christ, whom I mentioned several months ago, has been safely relocated to Canada by Far Reaching Ministries. This operation cost nearly $50,000. When I pray, I remind the Lord that these are His children not mine, and it is He who needs to provide. Pray with us for provision to have the ability to save as many as possible.
Right now, we need believers to give so we can feed and care for all these people fleeing Syria. They are Muslim, Christian, Kurds, and Alawite, but all belong to the Lord.
Luke’s Druze friend, Fadi, recently sent this urgent plea:
“Humanitarian disaster in Sweida, Syria: 700,000 of our brothers and sisters are trapped under brutal massacre. Thousands have been killed, wounded, or disappeared. Women, children, and the elderly are being slaughtered in their homes and on the streets. There is no food, no medicine, no electricity, hospitals have collapsed, and the world remains silent. On behalf of the Druze community, we turn to you.”
This is another opportunity to watch this video, which is less graphic than the one Wes described. We encourage you to watch and stay informed. Please note, viewer discretion is still advised.
Syria is facing an immediate humanitarian crisis. FRM has launched an Emergency Response Mission requiring $1.5 million to $2.5 million for rescue operations, safe housing, and the critical support needed.
I pray that many of you will help us show the love of Christ in their darkest hour.
While they are not Christians, and most have never even had the Gospel presented to them, I pray that many of you will help us show the love of Christ in their darkest hour.
When Nazi Germany was persecuting the Jews, in the beginning, Hitler sent nearly a thousand by ship to the United States. And we sent them back. Most would die at the hands of the Nazis. What the U.S. did was a terrible crime. At the end of the Second World War, we would learn the cost–6,000,000 died in the Nazi death camps.
While this may seem difficult to have to hear and read about, let me remind you, because all of you who have prayed and given, we have rescued thousands in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Burma, South Sudan , Nigeria, Iran, Syria, and many other countries. In Afghanistan alone, approximately 2,600 lives have been saved, including 28 individuals who worked for the CIA but were left behind because of the quick withdrawal. In addition, there were over 600 Afghans who worked for the U.S. government.
In Ukraine, every week the chaplains rescue between five to over thirty people as Russia continues to overrun villages and cities.
The Bible says,
Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap a harvest of righteousness.
For those of you who have prayed and given, you will have great reward in heaven, and you will hear the Father say well done my son, well done my daughter.
Last night, Vicky and I watched a movie about children that survived the Holocaust. After the movie was over, she could tell that I was extremely troubled and came over to comfort me. It took a few minutes before I could put into words what I felt. I then said that sometimes I feel like I am the only one who sees these things, speaking of genocide around the world. Recently, I was talking to my mother-in-law, and she said, “Why does it always have to be you who takes on these responsibilities?” I told her that very few people have the skillset that people like myself and Luke have. And those who do have it mostly are involved in government work and in counterintelligence and intelligence. If people do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they rarely have a burden for the lost and suffering.
Last month’s newsletter was titled Syrian Nightmare, but the situation has already gone from a nightmare to becoming a holocaust. I pray our nation will refuse to remain silent ever again.
We need believers to give in the hope we will save a people group from extinction. Please pray about giving a generous gift. I have never, in over 30 years, asked people to give large gifts and sacrifice so that others might live. But I believe not doing so now would be wrong. I am willing to put my life in harm’s way to save these women and children, and I pray that I would never value my life above theirs. So, I ask that you would go the extra mile to rescue, feed, clothe, and comfort. Help us to save five-year-old girls from rape and beheading.
Sometimes the work can be overwhelming, but I remind myself it is the heart of God. May my heart be moved by the things that move the heart of God.
