On Saturday, six people were killed and 14 wounded in a shooting in Tucson, Arizona. It appears the target was Gabrielle Giffords, a 40-year-old Democrat in her third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The assault happened at a political event in a shopping center parking lot, on the north side of the city. The gunman opened fire with a handgun, striking the congresswoman in the head, and he then turned his sights on the crowd, killing six others, including a nine-year-old girl.

We grieve for all of the victims of this horrible act of violence, but the congresswoman has a special place in our hearts here at VGR.

When the situation with the believers in Iran came to her attention, the congresswoman and her staff embraced the efforts to help free Brother Youcef Nadarkhani and Brother Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani in Iran. She brought the case before the United States Department of State, where they began efforts to halt the extreme persecution of these believers. We have been in contact with both Mrs. Giffords’ office and the State Department since that time, and the efforts are continuing today.

Please remember the congresswoman and all the victims of this tragic shooting in your prayers. She is in critical condition, and needs a touch from the Lord. She may not hold the same values as we do, but she has been a great help to the believers in Iran, and we appreciate her kindness.