Shara and the children came back to the United States to grieve and regroup. As their families came alongside, Shara took her story of God’s grace and provision to the community of believers. Not only did she express forgiveness for those who took Drew’s life, but she prayerfully made plans to return to the area and continue sharing the love of Christ when the time was right.

Shara expressed her heart to a friend. “We understand how these people think. They believed that taking Drew’s life was the right thing to do. They still need to hear truth, and our family is still called to go. But we desperately need the prayers of God’s people to go with us.”

According to Open Doors Ministry, 70 percent of the world’s population experiences some kind of religious persecution. Stories abound in Christian news sources of those dying or being brutalized for their faith. We may sometimes be tempted to “hide out” in the safety of our freedom, but our brothers and sisters in Christ who make up the persecuted church and those called to go to them need our prayers.

Believers in North Korea, China, India, Africa, Iran, Vietnam, and many other areas of the world should have the faithful prayers and support of the free church. And those who risk everything to serve them should have both faithful prayer support and financial provision.