Several news outlets are reporting that the South Korean government and the Taliban have arrived at an agreement for the release of the 19 Christian aid workers being held captive. Under the agreement, South Korea will withdraw troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2007. All other South Korean aid workers will leave Afghanistan immediately, and the South Korean government will, “will ban others from coming again for promulgation of Christianity.” The terrorist kidnappers are to begin releasing hostages on Wednesday. The South Korean government says they were planning on withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan this year anyway.
We thank God for this apparent progress, but should continue praying until all the hostages are safely home. Let’s also note the demand: no more Christians coming to prosyletize Afghanistan. No surprise there. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not generally welcome in the Muslim world. If you plan to vacation in Saudi Arabia, don’t bother to bring your Bible; it won’t be allowed through customs.
