A few weeks ago we received news that two of our local missionaries—young women who are managing The Edge children’s ministry—were caught by the police. We were very concerned for them, and after 2 days of not being able to contact them, we gathered all our local underground missionaries to pray for them.
Our local missionaries are like family to us. We led most of them to the Lord, and have discipled and raised them up for many years. We were concerned that these two young women were being beaten or raped or God knows what.
Finally they called us from a public phone. Their cellphones were being monitored and they were being followed by plain clothes police. They shared with us the powerful anointing that God put upon them––boldness in the midst of persecution.
“The police came to our home after public school teachers in the area had contacted the authorities about our children’s ministry,” Sister Li told us. “The police warned us not to contact the children at The Edge anymore.”
These two faithful local missionaries have been sowing their lives into one of the hardest to reach regions that Within Reach Global is working in.
We began the ministry by sending young men to The Edge, but because of the massive Methamphetamine production across the Myanmar border, drug issues, gambling, and rampant prostitution, they were always under government scrutiny as young men in the area.
We have found that female local missionaries are able to fly low under the government’s radar. Until now.
“The police took all of our Christian children’s books, and some of our personal belongings. ‘Where is your God?’ they taunted us. ‘Who is he?’ And so we decided to tell them all about Jesus Christ!”
They boldly shared the gospel to the chief of police at The Edge region, saying, “If you ever want to hear more about God’s love, we would be happy to tell you!”
After two days they were released, and traveled to Bamboo center to join another underground training. Did you catch that? They were persecuted for their faith, warned and interrogated, only to travel to another underground training center to teach new believers!
We are so blessed to have passionate and committed local Christians like this working alongside us.
After arriving at Bamboo, that center was also crawling with police. A Muslim man near Bamboo church ratted out our local missionaries there, and the police warned them to discontinue all church gatherings.
“Ever since the authorities came to Bamboo, we have not heard much from Brother Hua,” our local missionary told us. Two days after he was interrogated, we received a very strange email from him––as if his email was hacked, or his persecutors forced him to write a message to us––saying he would no longer be working with us, and was even doubting his faith.
We are still waiting to hear the final story, but please pray with us for safety and peace over Brother Hua. Your prayers and financial giving will truly make a difference.
Today, you will update your Facebook status, Tweet 140 characters about what you are up to, and live life in the 21st century. But we challenge you to look beyond yourself. Live for something bigger than the status quo. Join with us in prayer and finances to impact a generation lost and confused in Southeast Asia.
Oswald J. Smith said, “Why should anyone hear the gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?”
The unreached are waiting at the other end of our obedience, and much of their hope lies in the persecuted Christian Church. Let’s empower them together!
We need your prayers and financial support to help combat the physical persecution many underground Christians are encountering right now. Would you please pray about how you might partner with us to make a difference. Maybe God is leading you to make a small monthly donation on our Donate page. Your giving will far outlast you as you stand with us against the injustices facing the underground Church.