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Independence Day, Anna Chapman and Russian Spies

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So what do the alleged Russian spy, Anya Kushchenko (aka Anna Chapman), and Independence Day in the USA have in common? Plenty.

Here’s one: Anya (Anna) was publicly arrested, and the news of her plight has by now traveled around the globe. Not only that, but she has and will receive a speedy and fair hearing in court. Try getting arrested for being an American spy in Russia and see how it goes for you. Chances are that, not only will your case never be heard, but you will never be heard… from again.

Here’s another: I doubt that a soul on Earth is concerned that Anya is being tortured, raped, mutilated, beaten to smithereens or in any way mistreated during her stay in a Brooklyn jail cell. No, chances are that she is being fed regular, nutritious meals and treated courteously in every way. The preferred method of treating spies caught in Iran is a public execution, rather than a public trial.

One more: During her stay in the United States, Anya was allowed to travel freely, to conduct business and to speak with anyone she wished. In short, she was given dignity and respect. I’ll wager that [Read more…] about Independence Day, Anna Chapman and Russian Spies

Finally, Aijalon Mahli Gomes is not a secret…

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Good news about Aijalon Mahli Gomes today. The DPRK has recognized an opportunity to use him as a pawn, thereby pushing his name and plight into global attention. Aijalon has been a prisoner of the Pyongyang gulag since January 25th of this year, and precious little attention has been given his case.

A recent debate in the UK Parliament brought out some pertinent points about the overall situation in Korea. Here are some scattered excerpts from that transcript. [Read more…] about Finally, Aijalon Mahli Gomes is not a secret…

Time for Fresh Air…

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It is Fresh Air Fund time again. That means that some New York City kids are in for a real treat–a trip to the country. If you can volunteer to help with this incredible program, please do.

I can’t help but think of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, prisoner of North Korea for the grave crime of Christianity. Aijalon is likely living in a small, dirty box right now. For him to get free and go to the country would be a tremendous blessing.

And you know what? Many of the kids that the Fresh Air Fund serves are living in conditions that are almost intolerable. Let’s help them get some Fresh Air…

Aijalon Mahli Gomes and the Story of Us All

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Word is out that his North Korean captors permitted Aijalon Mahli Gomes a telephone call home today. North Korea also said that Aijalon was visited by by a Swedish diplomat to whom he delivered a “petition.” A spokesman for the U.S. State Department announced that the developments are a “welcome gesture”, but that the U.S. is calling for Aijalon to be released on “humanitarian grounds.”

Looking for an account of what was said during the phone call home, all I find is this from the Associated Press:

Thaleia Schlesinger, a spokeswoman for the family of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, confirmed Friday that Gomes spoke with his mother on the phone from North Korea.

Schlesinger said Gomes’ mother was very grateful to have the opportunity to speak with her son and hear his voice. Schlesinger said the woman was also grateful to the North Korean government for allowing him to call.

The spokeswoman declined to say what was discussed during the call or give details on Gomes’ condition.

Look, I know how the game goes. The bully must be treated with respect. The strong man must be appeased. Yet, as we enter the rest of another Sabbath, I can’t help but wonder: What if the whole world stopped…and listened? What if everyone who is tired of violence, hate, unjust imprisonment and the misery of the masses in favor of the luxury of the few running unchecked on the Earth–what if they said, “No more.” What if they shouted for freedom and equality? I’m thinking that such a yell would bring down the oppressors as sure as the walls of Jericho fell, never to be rebuilt.

When I think of Aijalon’s mother, having to express her gratitude to those who hold her son in a mean and gruesome imprisonment–lest the tormentor be riled–I want to cry. I want to scream. I want to stand up and be counted as one of those who love freedom and justice for all.

Rather, I’ll look to the Shabbat for healing. I’ll look to the Creator for wisdom. And I will look inside myself to see where I have been the captor, where I have been the jailer, where I have been the one treating a brother or sister unfairly. And I will seek forgiveness for my own acts of malice.

May God bless Aijalon Mahli Gomes, his family, the people of North Korea… may God bless you and me.

Aijalon Mahli Gomes Abandoned?

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Still surprised by the lack of commentary and outcry concerning Aijalon Mahli Gomes–imprisoned by North Korea for the “grave offense” of being a Christian and entering the country without permission–I asked a colleague, who has direct access to the pulse of the South Korean Christian community, for his take on the situation. Here is the response:

Interestingly, the South Korean church has always been rather unfazed by what happens in North Korea. You can’t live next to a crazy neighbor for this long without learning how to tune them out in your head, I guess.

Overall, most of the human rights and religious groups are coming to a recognition that the strategy employed by Park and Gomes was quite a harmful one for the North Korean underground church and for the conduct of missionary work in China.

It may be that the church is ticked at Aijalon for acting like a Christian, the U.S. State Department is ticked at Aijalon for trying to do something about North Korea’s acts of oppression and the rest of the world either doesn’t care or is afraid to care.

Even the other recent captives of North Korea aren’t speaking out on his behalf. I note only myself and two others who have blogged, Twittered and otherwise written more than a blip or two about Aijalon Mahli Gomes. The general consensus, it seems, is that Aijalon made the choice to enter North Korea, so he can stay in North Korea.

Aijalon, if ever there was a roadturn, Buddy, you are on it. My prayer is that your work is effectual and that your mind and body can persevere. Don’t count on your country or your church to step in on your behalf. If the Creator is on your side, you don’t need them anyway.