More than 5 minutes – summary of the second edition of the campaign
The second edition of the campaign “More than 5 minutes” – an initiative taken up by the Krakow Community “Trójka” operating at the House of the Trinitarian Brothers – has come to an end. It’s time to summarize and thank everyone involved in helping persecuted Christians.
Where does this idea come from?
“Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you” (Mt 5, 11–12).
For centuries, Christians have been experiencing misunderstanding, rejection and persecution because of Christ. Wandering through life with Jesus always leads through Golgotha. This path is demanding, it often costs a lot of effort, but it is a way to true happiness and joy. This is perfectly understood by millions of Christians who are ready to suffer and even give their lives in the name of Love. They know that being with God will give them full happiness. Jesus gives us a choice and at the same time invites us to accept His cross as a gift. Thousands of people accept His invitation every day, accept the suffering of everyday life and are born to a full life – to eternal life.
Persecution is not only death or torture, but also loss of employment, inability to get an education, loss of a roof over your head and livelihood due to faith. We do not want to remain indifferent to the suffering of our brothers and sisters, and that is why we want to support them with our prayers and help them financially. For this reason we organized the campaign “More than 5 minutes”.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment!
A year ago we were happy with the end of the first edition of the campaign “More than 5 minutes”. When January 26, 2018 we started the next edition, we did not expect that in a short time we will be able to distribute another 2,000 wristbands. Until February 2019 we managed to raise 11,533.68 zloty (2,750 €) Collected money was donated to help the abused brothers through SIT. In addition to a permanent group of leaders, new people have become involved in the action. More parishes, pastoral groups and communities have joined us, of which we are immensely happy. Thank you for the hours of your prayer, for noticing people, not statistics. We are grateful for your support, openness and warm hearts, for crossing the next borders. We are happy about the development of the campaign, that we can pray together for the courage to follow Jesus even at the cost of derision, persecution or death, and at the same time we do not agree to harm our brothers and sisters.
Are we for them or are they for us?
“More than 5 minutes” is an initiative that not only helps the persecuted. The adventure with our action often begins just like that. But after months of prayer and commitment, it turns out that it is not so much I help the repressed as they help me. They teach me to love God, neighbor and myself. Their joyful testimony is a strengthening for me. Each of us, regardless of the country in which he lives, may experience temptation to give up, bend the rules, do not follow Christ. To live comfortably, without problems, to eliminate the cross from life. Thanks to abused Christians I get to know God better. God for whom it is worth dying. The testimony of persecuted brothers and sisters is not a false dream of naive romantics. They trust in Life even though reason makes us give up hope. They know that darkness will never overcome light. “More than 5 minutes” is the way for those who know that only Jesus can scatter the darkness of sin, hatred, cruelty, overcome death and give peace.
