“When I was in front of authorities that were questioning me, asking me if I have read the Bible, and if I believed in Jesus, I knew I should not say yes.
“But in spite of myself, I found myself saying, ‘Yes,’ that I was a follower of Lord Jesus.”
When persecuted believers receive a Bible in their own language, the whole story of God unfolds before them. They read the stories of believers, just like them, who have given up everything to follow Jesus.
For many of these believers, these stories are not historical fiction, but an invitation to live a courageous life in Christ.
Dhea is a Christian living in South East Asia. She found her faith after secretly being given a Bible. We interviewed her about her life after receiving a Bible, and this is what she said:
I was trying to live a normal life, and especially trying to keep a secret about the book I read, about my relationship with the Lord Jesus.
But you know, you can’t hide the Lord. He’s a bright shining light.
And soon, my parents found out. Soon, neighbours found out, and soon it was heard by the religious authorities.
Then I was taken to questioning.
When I was in front of authorities that were questioning me asking me if I have read the Bible, and if I believed in Jesus, I knew I should not say yes.
But in spite of myself, I found myself saying, “Yes,” that I was a follower of Lord Jesus.
Because Dhea admitted to being a Christian, she was sent to prison.
After four months in prison, Dhea was released. She was moved to a neighbouring country where she now lives. Dhea now ministers to people who are from her home country. She told us a little bit about her ministry:
My main ministry is hospitality. People from my country come to where I live now, for medical treatment.So, I open my house for them. I provide for them a free place to stay and free food, and also go with them as a medical guide and a translator.
At times it is hard, because these very people will sometimes not want to eat with me because I am a follower of Jesus.
Thank you so much for everyone who is praying. I know that there have been people who have been praying for me for years and have never ever met me. But they continuously pray.
And I just want to thank them for their faithfulness to the Lord.
I’m not able to go back to my community. Even though time passes, I will never get used to that.
It’s painful, but I also know that I belong to the community of God.
Thanks to Open Doors supporters, Dhea receives encouragement and funding as she continues her ministry with people from her home country.
Just $20 can change a life, just like it changed Dhea’s.
