Today, I arrived at my desk to find a selection of yummy biscuits.  So I ate some!

They’re ‘office biscuits’ though – for the International team that I sit across from. So I played nice and decided to share.

The International team here work with the partners on the ground in countries where Christians are persecuted.  I overhear Skype calls with people from all over the world, where projects, visas and trips are discussed.  I’ve realised how sensitive some of this work is.

Jesus responded, "Who do you think are my mother and brothers?" Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, "Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 3:34-35 The Message

The International team are committed to faces. Faces and not numbers.  People in Release talk about the prisoners or people they support on a first-name basis – as if they’re speaking about a friend.  It’s much more face-to-face and personally involved than I’d imagined a charity could manage.

I found the same was true last weekend when I met a bunch of prayer warriors in Bristol – men and women who prayerfully support their persecuted brothers and sisters.  In the open question time at the end of the event, people’s questions were not general or theological – they were about the ladies, families, prisoners – who they pray for. It was all on a first-name basis – because that’s what you do when you’re family.  

Lucy – @ Release Potential on work experience