Christ [redeemed] me, and He will [redeem] you also!
These words rang out loud in the marketplaces. Myo Zaw made the impassioned plea to the crowd. He was like Wisdom crying out in the marketplaces and pleading with the people to come her. Myo’s message was one that the people needed to hear. He was on fire for Christ and he couldn’t hold it in. It wasn’t always like this.
Before Myo Zaw encountered Christ he was the village drunk who got into fights with people and beat his wife and children. The people who knew him thought he had gone insane, however, it was not madness that drove Myo to proclaim the message of redemption but the love of God which consumed him like a fire, refusing to be quelled. He traveled throughout his region, sharing the Word of God, telling people, “how a sinner like me was found by God.”
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” – Luke 18:27
Within three years, he had visited 100 communities, encouraged by his wife’s letters. In them, she wrote, “If your life can change by Christ, there is no one who cannot be changed by Christ. So wherever you are going and sharing the Word of God, we are here to pray for you. I believe people will be changed by the love of Christ.” And she was right about the people. 350 heard the message about Christ’s love, saw how it manifested in Myo’s life and they were changed.
Myo believed that his mission was the share the love of Christ which had transformed his life and that it was God’s will for him to go to a missionary in an area where people were unfamiliar with the Lamb of God. He and his wife prayed about it and ten years later God sent them to the southern region of their country as Gospel for Asia supported missionaries.
At first when the people in the community learned that Myo and his family were Christians, they wanted nothing to do with them. They forced the family out of the community. They threw stones at their home, threatening to penalize anyone who spoke to the Christians and the children faced discrimination because of their faith. Myo and his family were seen as enemies but in the midst of it all, they saw God’s grace working in their lives, getting them through these trials. They trusted Christ during their hardships and through the ministering of the Holy Spirit, they learned how to love the people in their new community.
They reached out to the people by showing them movies that they liked to watch, teaching the children songs and caring for them. When the parents saw the love of the couple for the community, they were amazed and they began to talk to them at the market. This gave Myo and his wife the opportunity to share Christ’s love with them. They cared for the sick and took people to the hospital as needed. When flood waters destroyed homes and livelihoods, the couple and other GFA supported workers helped to provide relief.
Myo visited people and encouraged them by offering words of hope and life in Christ. Through his actions, he proved that he was a redeemed man. The love of Christ had transformed him from a drunk and abusive husband and father to a missionary of God. The same love that had Christ had shown him he wanted to show to others. Like the apostle Paul, he was filled with a zeal for the Lord who “who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Myo realized that greatest weapon is love. It can transform hearts and lives. It can destroy the strongholds which beset people who have no knowledge of Christ and kept them in spiritual darkness. Once the love of Christ is revealed it lives are changed–despair gives way to hope and darkness to light.
Like Myo, ask God to use you to share the love of Christ with others. Be a light in the world. Shine for Jesus and let those around you or wherever God sends you know that no matter what state they are in, “He will redeem you also!”
Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation – Isaiah 12:3
It’s that time of the year again when we raise awareness about clean water, something that is not accessible in some parts of the world. It is hard to imagine living in a community where there is no clean water for drinking, cooking or washing yet this is the reality for many living in South Asia. People are getting sick from drinking dirty water.
Women and children are forced to walk hours a day to distant water sources, such as filthy ponds or lakes, and even then the water may be contaminated. Sometimes they know this will bring death and sickness to their families, but they have no other choice – Gospel for Asia
I read two very touching stories. The first was about Salil who watched his family get sick from the contaminated water from the pond which was their only resource. He was forced to sell sand at the risk of getting caught and punished because he needed the money to take care of his family. His meagre income was spent on medicine for them. However, no matter how hard he worked, it didn’t change the fact that the water was still contaminated and his family was still sick. The other story is about a husband and wife who were banned from drinking water from the community well because she was accused of performing witchcraft which took the life of another villager.
When I read these stories, I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. I have clean water at my fingertips. I can drink boiled, filtered or bottled water. I can tap water for cooking and a washing machine for my clothes. I don’t have to travel for miles to filthy ponds and lakes to draw water that may be contaminated. I don’t have to worry about getting sick from the water I drink. For many of us, clean water is a convenience, an amenity while for so many, it is a treasure.
Both of these stories had a happy ending. While Salil was struggling to care for his family, God was working to change things for the village through a nearby pastor named Dayakara who was making regular visits to his village. As he befriend the villagers, Dayakara learned of their water crisis. Not wasting any time, he and other Gospel for Asia supported workers decided that they were going to help the villagers. They drilled a well in the centre of the village where everyone would have access.
Imagine Salil’s surprise when he went home for one of his visits and found his wife and children well. What happened? He learned about the well and was overjoyed, but didn’t know who was responsible for it. One day Salil met Pastor Dayakara and as they talked, Salil realized that this was the man and fellow laborers who were responsible for the bringing the well to his village. Marvelling at their kindness and compassion , Salil was curious about this God who could pour such love in people’s hearts.
For Madhura and Jaival it was a nightmare not being able to access water from the village hand pumps. They were banned from doing so by their neighbors and friends because they believed that Madhura’s witchcraft had killed one of the villagers. For five years the couple had two terrible choices–drink the water and die or don’t drink the water and die. Then, one day, Pastor Jaanai met them and they were able to pour their hearts out to him. Burdened to get clean water for the suffering of the villagers , Pastor Jaanai and his congregation fasted and prayed. Pastor Jaanai told Madhur and Jaival his hopes to get a Jesus Well in their village. In the village there were 750 people and there were only three hand pumps which were old and damaged. Only one pump supplied water but it was not enough for so many people.
Madhura and Jaival began praying in their hearts to this God of love whom the Pastor had shared with them would help them. Perhaps He would give them what their neighbors had refused to give them. After many months of earnest prayer, the day that they had all dreamed of, came. A Jesus Well of their own was drilled and was overflowing with the cleanest water they had ever seen. God had answered their prayers. The couple and their community could use the well. They could wash their clothes, cook their dinners and refresh themselves with the clean water.
Through the Jesus Wells, God had brought joy and healing to two communities. He had brought a community together. Although their neighbors had been unkind to Madhura and Jaival, God didn’t exclude them from receiving His blessings. God’s grace is for everyone. When Madhura and Jaival saw that the Lord had answered their prayers and had accepted them while others had rejected them, they wanted to receive Him into their hearts and lives. They wanted the Living Water to dwell with and within them.
Jesus Wells Open the Door for God’s Love – Gospel for Asia
Through the new well in Salil’s village, Salil and his fellow villagers came to understand the love of Jesus Christ. One of the villagers, Baldev has a remarkable testimony. Like Salil, he had family to support but had gotten sick from the contaminated water from the pond. He couldn’t work and as a result, his family suffered. However, when he began to use the water from the Jesus Well, his sickness went away. He experienced the same miraculous healing as Salil’s family. So, it was no surprise that when Salil shared the good news about Jesus with Baldev that he and his family accepted the Lord in their lives. Now, they have regular prayer meetings in their home, led by Salil.
It’s amazing how God could use something so basic as water to transform the lives of so many. That’s the God we serve! If it’s your desire to see many more people come to the saving knowledge of the true Living Water, help Gospel for Asia’s Clean Water Ministry.
When I read these two stories, I thought about my favorite story in the Bible–Jesus and the Samaritan woman. She went to the well to draw water as usual but on that particular day, she discovered the Living Water who promised her and us, “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water that I shall give him will become in him a well of water springing up into eternal life” (John 4:14). Salil, Madhura, Jaival and their communities drank that water and now their lives are just overflowing with joy. Praise God!
Thank You, Heavenly Father for bringing hope, joy, healing and salvation to many through Gospel for Asia’s Clean Water Ministry and forever quenching their thirst with the Living Water Who is Christ, Your beloved Son.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 5:10
I have been aware of how much the church has been persecuted in different parts of the world through emails from Voice of the Martyrs Canada. I have read many heartbreaking stories but I will share two of them. A Christian woman named Mariam was expelled from her home by her husband who had militant Muslim views because she refused to renounce her faith. At the time Mariam was pregnant and due to give birth soon. She had to be cared for by church members. In 2012 when she became a Christian, her Muslim family provoked an attack, forcing her to live on the streets. Mariam is from the Ivory Coast which has seen an increase in violence since November 2010.
In Pakistan a teen died after being set on fire. He was approached by two men who asked him about his religion. After Nauman told them that he was a Christian, they proceeded to beat him. He tried to run away but they followed him and doused him with kerosene and set him on fire. Unfortunately, his attackers wore masks so there is little hope that they will be caught. And it doesn’t help that the authorities show little interest in further investigation.
I thought that what these people experienced in their countries was bad but Ivory Coast and Pakistan are not even part of Gospel for Asia’s list of the top 10 countries where Christians are persecuted. Life for Christians in these countries is simply horrendous. First up is North Korea.
North Korea is the worst persecutor of Christians in the world. Christians are tortured, imprisoned and murdered. Private, non-state-sanctioned religious activity is prohibited. Anyone discovered engaging in clandestine religious activity is subject to arrest, torture or even public execution – Voice of the Martyrs – North Korea.
Yang was a Christian woman who became a follower of Jesus while she was still living in North Korea. Watch her incredible story of pain and hope.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” – John 16:33
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam is known for being one of the worst places when it comes to women’s rights and religious freedom. According to VOM Canada, it is one of the most oppressive nations in the world for Christians.
Religious freedom is nonexistent, and leaving Islam is punishable by death. Non-Muslims are not permitted to become citizens of Saudi Arabia, and no places of worship other than mosques are permitted in the country. All non-Muslim religious rituals and materials are banned. Converts from Islam to Christianity are rare, and converts have been executed for the offense. Anyone who performs mission work or converts a Muslim faces jail, expulsion, lashing, torture or execution. Non-Muslim worship, even private worship for foreign Christians, is prohibited, and Saudi religious police have been known to raid homes where expatriate workers were worshiping – Voice of the Martyrs – Saudi Arabia.
In September 2014, a house church in the city of Khafji was raided and 28 people were arrested, including children. Bibles and musical instruments were also seized. The worshippers, mostly expatriate workers from South Asia, were held overnight and released the following day, apart from a leader of the group who was held for another night – Church in Chains.
Can you imagine receiving 200 lashes and two years in prison if you are from Saudi Arabia and 300 lashes and six years in prison if you are from another country? In 2012, two men, one Lebanese and the other Saudi Arabian were charged with brainwashing a Saudi woman into becoming a Christian. These charges were levelled against them by the woman’s family. The woman, known as the “girl of Khobar” is living in Sweden where she has been granted asylum. She wasn’t brainwashed, she chose to become a Christian (Church in Chains). Watch as she and another Saudi share their testimonies.
“Therefore if theSon makes you free, you shall be free indeed” – John 8:36
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan does not recognize any Afghan citizens as being Christians, nor are Afghan citizens legally permitted to convert to Christianity. Although there are no explicit laws that forbid proselytizing, many authorities and most of society view the practice as contrary to the beliefs of Islam. There is only one legally recognized church in Afghanistan and it is located within the diplomatic enclave, and not open to local nationals.Muslims who change their faith to Christianity, are subject to societal and official pressure, which may lead to death penalty. However, there are cases in which a Muslim will adopt the Christian faith, secretly declaring his/her apostasy. In effect, they are practising Christians, but legally Muslims; thus, the statistics of Afghan Christians does not include Muslim apostates to Christianity – Wikipedia
I read that the growing number of Christians in Afghanistan is causing great concern among the Muslim leaders and they are calling on President Hamid Karzai to “limit the number of aid workers and Christian missionaries coming to Afghanistan” to keep Afghanis from converting to Christianity.” Apparently this all started when a TV station in Kabul reported the conversion of several Afghans to Christianity and broadcasted photos of them praying and being baptized. This sparked an outrage and a call to convict believers under the Sharia Law which decrees that anyone who leaves Islam and converts to another religion that person will be executed – Christian Headlines. The Afghan Christians have no church building where they can go because the last one was destroyed two years ago. They are completely underground now and are risking their lives to meet in homes.
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life – Psalm 119:50
The situation of religious freedom for Christians has seriously deteriorated under the influence of the establishment of the Islamic State in large parts of Iraq. In June 2014, a strict version of Islamic law was implemented in the area the militants of Islamic State hold. Christians were forced to convert, flee or pay a tax for religious minorities. As a result, many Christians fled. Moreover, the broader Iraqi society is turning more Islamic, with increased social control on women wearing a veil and observance of Ramadan. Christians most affected by persecution are converts from Islam. However, in areas held by radical Islamic groups all Christians are under great pressure – Open Doors USA
A family of four was forced to flee Iraq because of militants and a man for questioning the Quran. Read their stories.
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteousrighthand’ – Isaiah 41:10
Last year a Somalian believer was dragged outside of her home and murdered by a group of armed men. Anyone who tried to rescue her was shot at. Her parents witnessed this terrible tragedy. If a Somali was discovered to be a follower of Jesus, that person was going to face certain death not only in Somalia but in neighbouring countries where they are forced to flee as refugees. According to one VOM source, “In Somalia, they kill you if they just find a piece of literature” (VOM USA). My thoughts are with this young woman’s family and I pray that they are leaning on Jesus and trusting Him to strengthen them each day.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You – Psalm 9:10
Maldives is one of the least evangelized countries in the world. The 0.2% figure for Christians refers to expatriate Christians. Citizens of the Maldives are automatically Muslim, and non-Muslims may not become citizens. The open practice of any religion other than Islam is forbidden. Maldivian believers are carefully watched. They suffer ostracism, mockery, incarceration and even torture. Christians cannot meet or read the Scriptures openly. Expatriate believers have been expelled, especially after sharing their faith – VOM Canada.
Citizens of the Maldives who convert to Christianity lose their citizenship and risk torture. Expulsions of Christians occurred several times in the last 10 years (Wikipedia).
In his presidential campaign the current President of Maldives, Abdulla Yameen promoted himself as a saviour of Islam. “Think for yourselves, do you want Islam in the Maldives or do you want to allow space for other religions in the Maldives,” he said in an election speech. In his speech on Maldives Conversion to Islam Day, he told the citizens, “We should also be very vigilant of foreign influences attempting to weaken our religious faith” (The Diplomat). Clearly, things for Christian believers in Maldives is not going to change any time soon. Let’s lift them up in our prayers that they will remain strong and steadfast until the Lord returns.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you – 1 Peter 5:10
It has been said that Mali has always been a dangerous place for Christians. Christians who have fled are afraid to return and those who return find their properties occupied by Muslims. There is no normal church life for Malian Christians in the north and those living in the south feel threatened by the Islamic groups in the north (source: Open Doors). Read about a pastor who escaped a deadly plot in Mali.
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil” – 1 Peter 3:12
Imagine risking your life to tell others about Jesus in a country where religious freedom is on the decline. Watch this compelling video of a Iranian woman named Padina who was about to commit suicide but God intervened.
“I am thelightofthe world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the lightof life” – John 8:12
Yemeni citizens are not allowed to convert to Christianity (or other religions). Converts from an Islamic background may face the death penalty if their new faith is discovered. Converts from Islam also encounter opposition from extremist groups, who threaten “apostates” with death if they do not revert to Islam. Proselytizing of Muslims is prohibited – VOM Canada
How frustrating it must be to have to hide your new faith or face possible death if it is discovered. Please pray that your Yemeni brothers and sisters will be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD – Psalm 31:24
I received a prisoner update of an Eritrean man named Mussie Eyob who has been in prison since 2011. He was arrested because of his faith and his desire to share the Gospel with others. Mussie became a Christian in 2008. Three years later, while he was living in Saudi Arabia, he went to a mosque where he spoke about Christianity. He was arrested on February 12, 2011. It is a capital offence to proselyte in Saudi Arabia. Praise God, He intervened through the appeals from various human rights groups and individuals. Mussie was deported to Eritrea. You can read his story here and see how you can reach out to him and his family.
It is ironic that as the people of Eritrea celebrated 24 years of independence in March 2015, religious freedom for Christians is still a concern. According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the greatest shortcomings in religious freedom are felt by minority groups such as evangelical Christians. So once again, in 2015, USCIRF holds to its position that Eritrea is to be designated as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
In the wake of their independence, Eritrean Christians had to flee to Ethiopia to escape their hardships where they continue to boldly share their faith. “They are actually seeing many from (various) religious backgrounds — Muslim and Orthodox — enter into a personal relationship with Jesus” says Greg Musselman, a spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs Canada.
“Today, you’ve got anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 Christians there who are imprisoned in shipping containers or military camps because of their faith.” Can you imagine dealing with torture, acts of cruelty, random arrests and detention without charges? Musselman believes that these practices are as a result of the government’s belief that evangelical Christianity is “western” and is linked with the CIA (ERITREA: Refugees Boldly Testify of Christian Faith; Source: Mission Network News).
It is encouraging to know that despite the ban on their religious activities, the imprisonments and persecutions, the Eritrean Christians are holding on. They have this assurance that they are not alone and that they are fighting the good fight which will carry them through these fiery trials.
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life – Revelation 2:10
If you are moved to pray for the Christians in these countries, find out how at this link.
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3
We were on our way to deliver some relief supplies to a more rural area. We had stopped for a rest, and just as we were getting out of the car, we heard screaming. I said, ‘It’s another earthquake. Run!’ We all ran to the first open space we could find and stayed there until it stopped. People were screaming and crying.
Kathmandu now looks like a ghost town, with only 25 percent of the shops remaining open. People are afraid to enter any buildings. Restaurants are mostly closed. Many have stopped coming into Kathmandu to work. They are too afraid – Raahi, a Gospel for Asia-supported photojournalist in Nepal
Once at my workplace, my co-workers and I experienced a tremor. It felt it as if someone had taken hold of the building and was shaking it. It was a scary feeling. I don’t remember how long it lasted but the memory has stayed with me to this day. I can’t imagine how terrified the people of Nepal felt when disaster struck them. My heart breaks when I think of those who have lost their loved ones and their homes. All around them is devastation, death and despair. How do you recover from such a violent, destructive force? How do you pick up the pieces again? What about the grief that takes hold of you and won’t let go? How could you get past the pain of losing a loved one–especially a child?
The Nepalese people lived in fear of aftershocks that would bring more destruction and death. Sadly, their fears came true. On May 12, Nepal was struck by another earthquake just 17 days after the 7.8 magnitude quake, considered to be the worst since 1934, devastated the country, killing more than 8,000 people and injuring nearly 18,000. The last time I heard the news, at least 37 people were killed. According to News sources, 40 people have lost their lives in the aftershock and 1,000 are injured.
The people of Nepal are living in fear, uncertainty and despair. All they see is utter devastation. Hopelessness and helpnessness cling to them. However, God has not forsaken them. Through the Gospel for Asia missionaries and Compassion Services teams He is ministering to them. The teams are providing them with food and medical relief. The World Health Organization (WHO) is setting up a new field office in the Gorkha district of Nepal so that they could extend health care to the people. From the field office they will combine efforts with the Nepalese government and other humanitarian partners who are also setting up operational bases in the city. WHO and the national authorities will also coordinate land and air support so that they can get the medicines, health care professionals and other life-saving resources as soon as possible to some of the most remote regions impacted by the earthquake.
Care of children and pregnant women is also a priority at the hospital. In a welcome initiative, the emergency medical specialists from Switzerland, deployed as part of the WHO-coordinated foreign medical team surge response, are shifting their skills to looking after these patients, including newborn babies.
“It is very important to take care of the most vulnerable population, and that is the children,” explains Dr Olivier Hagan, of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, whose team is planning to remain at the hospital for at least one month. “That is why it is so important to focus on them, and to ensure safe deliveries. In the time we have been here, we have delivered 10 babies in the past four days. What this shows is that life goes on.”
Pray for Gospel for Asia, WHO and all of the other humanitarian agencies that are working to help the Nepalese survivors. Pray for:
The people of Nepal to find comfort and help in their time of need.
God to protect and shelter His people.
Gospel for Asia-supported workers as they minister and bring aid to survivors.
Safety for search and rescue teams as they travel.
At times like these, we see the selfless acts of love, compassion and generosity of people. We see the world reaching out to help the helpless. And we see God’s grace working overtime. One story that really touched me was the rescue of a 4-month old baby boy from rubble. He had been trapped for at least 22 hours. The Nepalese army had left the site, believing that he had not survived but his cries were heard hours later so they returned and pulled him from the underneath the debris. God was watching over this child. He was covered in dust but otherwise unharmed. He was taken to the hospital and tests showed that he was fine, just dirty and dehydrated. Imagine the joy his parents must have felt when the soldier brought him to them. God still works miracles.
Help to bring hope to the Nepal earthquake victims by joining Gospel for Asia in their efforts to bring relief. Help Nepal to recover and rebuild. To find out more visit their link. Continue to pray for Nepal.
And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed – Deuteronomy 31:8
