“…Many were trying to prevent this mission. They were talking among themselves behind my back, and saying: Why is this fellow throwing himself into danger among enemies who know not God?’ Not from malice, but having no liking for it…” — The Confession of St. Patrick, 46.
See also: St. Patrick’s Passion for Missions (International Mission Board).
In this issue:
Source: International Mission Board, February 26, 2018
A living goddess sat in a room just above me. I wasn’t allowed to go inside because I’m a foreigner and not Hindu or Buddhist. But I imagined what her childhood will look like now that she has been chosen by a council from her people to be the next in a long line of “living goddesses.”
She’s three, you guys. Three. Years. Old. Skipping, plucking wildflowers, and going down to the corner store for sweets are now all out of the question. Seeing her family—that’s now only on festival days.
She’s known as a kumari, and she is worshipped as what Nepali Hindus believe to be a manifestation of the goddess Durga and Nepali Buddhists believe to be a manifestation of the goddess Vajradevi.
Once installed as a kumari, the weight of her people’s spiritual needs is placed squarely on her small shoulders. She’ll live in isolation, except when people come to worship her, pay their respects, and ask for healing.
» Full story describes the life of a kumari and reflects on the practice in light of the gospel as well as current events. See also this interesting story, How Religion Shapes Girls around the World.
Source: Open Doors, February 9, 2018
Vang Atu, a 28-year-old father to two kids, was the first Christian convert in his village in Vietnam. He comes from the Hmong tribe and once worshipped different spirits asking for luck, wealth, good health, and food; but when he surrendered his life to Jesus, he completely abandoned his animistic beliefs.
As a part of the body of Christ, Vang Atu evangelized to other villagers and saw at least four families come to follow Jesus. His house became their place of worship and fellowship.
One day in 2016, his house was destroyed by local authorities and villagers. He and his family were then forced to move out from their village.
This is Vang Atu’s prayer: “Pray with me that one day I’ll be able to go back to my hometown and testify to the people about my faith in the Lord.”
» Read full story and watch a three-minute video.
» Religious persecution can be very complex, with many roots and manifestations. See, for example, a recent story about tensions between evangelicals and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that led to violence between the two groups (World Watch Monitor).
Source: Operation Mobilization, January 19, 2018
Suliman, a refugee from Iran, first came to Markus’ church for Finnish classes. “After a while, he comes to me with his broken English and with Google translator,” Markus remembered. The translation app wasn’t enough to communicate his request, though, so Suliman fetched his Iranian interpreter, also a member of the church. “Markus, I want to change my religion,” he finally announced.
Markus said, “I thought this is not possible. With my experience that does not happen.” Somewhat suspicious of Suliman’s motives, Markus asked him what he knew about Christianity.
“I know the Christmas,” Suliman replied. “With the Christmas comes the Santa Claus.”
Realizing then that Suliman knew little about Christianity, Markus asked him what his family would think about him changing religions. “I’m an adult. I can change my religion if I want to,” Suliman retorted.
“OK, I can teach you,” Markus agreed. For almost six months, the two men met together to study Christianity. Soon, a few others joined. Although Suliman listened carefully, he rarely asked questions, and Markus sometimes wondered if he understood what was being said.
Two months in, they took a break for Christmas. During that time, Suliman had a dream. “In my dream, I was crucified, then a voice said, ‘It’s not enough.’ That happened again. Again the voice said, ‘It’s not enough.’ That happened many times. What does that mean?” he asked Markus.
Having never interpreted a dream before, Markus needed some time to pray and process. Eventually he recognized that the dream dealt with the difference between legalism and faith. “In Islam you need to pray, you need to fast, but it’s never enough,” he explained. “If we bring our deeds to God, it’s never enough.”
After Suliman’s dream, “he was a different man…I think that was what fully turned his heart to Christ,” Markus said.
» Many from backgrounds like Suliman’s are afraid of how their familiies might respond to their interest in Jesus. Read more in this story from Arab World Media.
Source: Samaritan’s Purse, March 5, 2018
Moumouni had a major infection in his leg and also suffered from insomnia because he constantly heard inaudible voices. His mother, Maimouna, sought help from health centers in Niger, Muslim healers, and witch doctors, but nothing worked. Maimouna spent all her money trying to heal him. Family members expected him to die.
Maimouna shared her son’s situation with our staff and invited them to visit her son. Our staff prayed for Moumouni, shared the gospel, and he prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Not long after, Moumouni stopped hearing the inaudible voices and his sleep improved. His leg gradually healed.
Maimouna was touched by the love demonstrated by Samaritan’s Purse staff. “The entire family has learned that the name of Jesus Christ can save and heal,” she said.
» Friends, let’s keep neighboring Nigeria in our prayers after Christian-Muslim clashes in Kaduna state and a recent school attack that leaves more than 100 girls unaccounted for.
Source: OMF International, February 2018
The conversation was fine to begin with. They were okay that I am a Christian, that I tell Bible stories, and help people to follow Jesus. But when it came to allegiance to the local shrine—whether I would visit it to pray at New Year and help to carry it around the neighborhood—things got tense.
I told them that praying for blessing and protection is good and that I do it every day by praying to the God who made everything and wants to bless us. I shared that I’m happy to go with them to be part of the group but that I will only pray to the Creator God. I explained, “I won’t be able to join in carrying the shrine and worshipping the local god. I believe the Creator God is the source of all blessings and the place to search for safety.”
Nobody blinked an eye, but an awkward, dead silence seemed to continue forever and everybody stared at the floor. We waited for “Daddy” to speak. In a soft voice, he explained, “This is a problem. These Christians always disturb the harmony… their God is not as good as Japanese gods, who aren’t so envious and so stubborn.” He continued, “You live here now. You need to be willing to give your best to be part of the community. If you do that, it might work somehow.”
» Read full story with prayer points, and consider: What would you say? What would you do?