Bassam*, a believer who lives in a restricted country, was taken into the local police station.  He was asked repeatedly who he worked with.  He did not answer.  Finally, the police informed him that they already knew who his colleagues were and produced an email with a list of names.  Bassam recognized the names as those of his coworkers - the email was one he had sent.  He realized that though his email system was secure, some of the people to whom he'd written did not have protected systems.

Dave* recently flew into a country where Christian evangelism is illegal.  As he approached the customs area, he removed the chip from his mobile phone and held it in his hand.  This small chip held contact information which could mean life imprisonment or death for believers there.  Dave was fully prepared to destroy the chip if he was called in for questioning; thankfully, he wasn't.

Realizing the potential of the Internet in reaching into restricted areas, eDOT is exploring avenues to help ministry partners proclaim the gospel in safe, secure ways.  Technology allows us the possibility of developing secured email systems as well as solutions for encrypting information on computer hard drives.  God has given some of our technicians ideas for ways to host Web sites and access them without drawing attention to them.  As one of them said, "Actually, in a way it feels so 'James Bond-ish' for God." 

What an exciting adventure to offer resources in closed countries!  As Internet evangelism ministries expand, strategies are in place for discipleship and training ministries as well.  Christians in these areas can be effectively trained in both faith and knowledge through eBible courses.  Translation of courses has already begun in one related language, with plans for others to follow. 

Due to security issues, we will not be sharing often in the Connect! about this area of eDOT's ministry, but we ask that you will pray for us as we use technology to proclaim the gospel in these otherwise restricted regions of the world.

*Names have been changed to protect their identities.