How often do you travel? 

• Dr. Pat and Brother Dave travels as often as necessary to meet with the Persecuted Church to bring encouragement and to oversee (the continuation of) Bible distribution and other projects. This usually involves at least three trips a year between us, visiting multiple countries with each trip.
  

Why do you encourage the persecuted Christians to stay in their countries rather than emigrate? 

• Christians who are persecuted for their faith are very much like us. They suffer from discouragement and have families that they struggle to protect. Immigration to a country with religious freedom is very tempting for them. For example, 80% of the Christians in the Middle East have left their countries. There are precious few who remain to reach the non-Christians with the Gospel. These are a committed remnant that we encourage through visits, Bible distribution and support to remain in their native lands. They are well equipped to reach their fellow countrymen with the Gospel because they know the language and the culture. Most importantly, they are committed to Jesus Christ and, in obedience, are used by Him to bring Good News to the nations.
  

What countries does Living Stones International work in? 

• In the past 40 years Dr. Pat has worked with Christians in China, Cuba, Grenada, Nicaragua, Czechoslovakia, French Guiana, Guyana, Ethiopia, and Suriname. For the last 16 years, she and our team have ministered in Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa. They have brought encouragement and Bibles to Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Egypt and Sudan.

• Brother Dave came on in 2016 and has been to many of the same countries. He has also had the privilege of meeting believers in Mauritania, and Tunisia.

How do you gather the information that you put in your Prayer Letters? 

• Most of the information that we gather is from co-workers Dr. Pat and Brother Dave meet as they visit with those who are persecuted because of their faith. 

How do you find Christians in these restricted nations? 

• God calls us to go, so we go. He has always opened the doors for us to meet Christians who are persecuted. Dr. Pat has said that she doesn't seek them out, but God has brought the Christians to her even when she enters a country for the first time and knows no one. She also says that "we can make plans, but almost always, my plans are changed by God. And, His plans are always better than mine."
  

Besides Bible deliveries, what else does Living Stones do in countries overseas?

• We bring encouragement to those Christians who are persecuted for their faith by being there and by praying with them. With the donations of fellow Believers, we are able to support local pastors who are persecuted but continue to bring the Gospel and Bibles to their communities. News Service provides Christian training materials, and sponsors Christian conferences.

What do the persecuted Christians ask for?

•  The first thing they ask for is prayer. In the 40 plus years that Dr. Pat has met with them, not once have they asked for prayer that the persecution end. Instead, they ask for prayer that they will remain faithful. They know they will pay a price for not denying Jesus Christ.                                                                2 Timothy 3:13 says "All who desire to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."    They persevere in spite of the persecution! They are standing in the gap for us, bringing Christ to the nations when we cannot. Let us stand with them in prayer.

• The second thing they ask for is Bibles. Many Christians have never owned a Bible and it is our privilege to provide Bibles for them.

Has there been a time when you've really been afraid for your life?

• There is little danger for Dr. Pat, Brother Dave, or their team members. However, there is a real threat to those we minister to because our persecuted brethren are under the scrutiny of their government. They can face imprisonment, torture, and even death for their Christian activities.
  

How do you communicate so well when you don't know the language?

• If God calls you to go then it is up to God to provide all the necessities for the trip. God has always provided Christians who know English and the local language to act as translators.
  

How can we help the persecuted Christians?

•  First and foremost, earnestly pray for them. You can also support the efforts of ministries you trust that seek to help them. Seek God's leading as to whether God would have you travel to meet with the Persecuted Church.
  

Is Living Stones affiliated with a particular denomination?

•  We are not associated with any particular Christian denomination. We are a Christian organization reaching out to Christians in lands where they are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. 

•  (We are classified by the IRS as a 501-C3, a non-profit organization and all donation are tax deductible)