Vikash Patrick could not help but smile—even though the congregation was in the middle of singing a serious hymn. At his side was his 19 year old bride, Deepe, dressed in a deep pink—almost red—sari. Although they were both from Patna, India, they had spent the last four days together in Kathmandu, Nepal on their honeymoon.
Bending down, Vikasha whispered in Deepe’s ear, “God gave me a wife more beautiful than all of the sites that we’ve seen.” Deepe blushed, mouthed the words “thank you,” and rested her head on his shoulder. Their trip had certainly been amazing. They saw colorful marketplaces, elaborate temples, and sophisticated palaces, but in Vikasha’s mind, none of them compared to breathtakingly beautiful woman at his side.
As they sang the last lines of the hymn, Vikasha watched a rather large lady enter the church and sit down in the row in front of them. He looked her over for a few seconds, and then turned his attention back to the church entrance to see if anyone else was entering. Right now, Nepal was not a safe place to worship. Only a few months earlier a priest had been murdered, and the current political elections made religious tensions even higher.
Yet in spite of the danger, Vikasha could think of no place that would rather be with his wife than worshiping God with other believers. Still, he was keeping a careful watch on the back door in order to assess everyone who entered the service.
What Vikasha did not notice, was that the lady who had sat in front of them was removing something from her purse. She slipped a small black object under her sleeve and then left the service through a side door, leaving her purse in the church pew—directly in front of where Deepe was sitting.
Five minutes later, a bomb exploded.
Burning shrapnel cut through the air. Vikasha was knocked to the floor and felt as though his whole body was engulfed in pain. Still conscious, he looked for his wife, but did not see her. He did see that the pew in front of him was on fire, and that giant burn blisters were beginning to swell on the side of his body that was nearest the pew. Gritting his teeth, he rolled away and almost passed out. Rolling had moved his body away from the flames, but it had also pressed his burned flesh and growing blisters into the hot stone floor.
Still unable to see his wife, Vikasha called out Deepe’s name, but could not hear the sound of his own voice. The explosion must have burst his ear drums. Feeling only pain and unable to hear anything, he was forced to rely on his eyes to make out what was happening in the smoke filled room. To his right he saw that those who were not injured were starting to carry people out of the building. To his left was the orange and red of the burning pew, only—
Vikasha closed his eyes and opened them again, hoping that he was seeing the wrong colors. The colors stayed the same. Mixed in among the oranges and reds of the embers was a deep pink color—the same color as the sari that Deepe had been wearing.
via Open Doors USA
Persecution of Christians is not something you hear much about in America. In light of Vikasha’s story, I can’t help but wonder if any of us could understand it. The idea of people being abused, beaten, and even murdered for being a Christian seems almost archaic, especially in our world today. I’ll be the first to tell you that I had no clue that Christians in our world today face that kind of persecution.
Persecution was a word that in my mind is something that happened mostly during the early days of Christianity. I honestly believed that those times were past. I think it is pretty safe to say that I had a wrong perception about this. I have found the more I read the Bible, the more that Scripture tells us that persecution is real, and is to be expected as a follower of Christ.
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
(John 15:19-20)
Organizations such as Open Doors have truly opened my eyes to the extent of the persecution happening across the world. Much like the guys on the walk to Emmaus, my “eyes were opened”. Whenever I started writing this feature I found myself struggling with what to say and how to say it, because regardless of the struggles I might face here in America, I truly don’t understand what persecution really looks like.
Open Doors is an organization working in the world’s most oppressive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ’s light in these dark places.
Last year I became heavily involved with International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, which Open Doors sponsors. It was a day of prayer for many across the world, while here in America, it would only have been mentioned during the prayer at offering time.
I began to research and read more about persecution, and although my heart was left burdened and broken reading story after story of Christians who were being persecuted, I was also encouraged by their strength and faith during those times.
People who when faced with the possibility of death for following Jesus fully embraced it. I read stories about people who would meet in secret, carrying scriptures in their shoes because they would be killed on site if they were found with a Bible. People who were beaten, and left for dead, their homes burnt to the ground, and they had full assurance that God was going to take care of them. I read stories about children who saw their own parents murdered because they chose to follow Christ, and how organizations like Open Doors helped put back together the pieces of their lives.
The more I read about and understand the persecuted Church, the more I realize that the American Church has no idea what that kind of persecution looks like. Just like myself, many in the church aren’t even aware that this kind of thing goes on.
Whenever I think of what it means to be the domino, these guys have nailed it. I am very excited and honored to present this month’s featured “domino” as Open Doors.
Interview with Open Doors
How did Open Doors get started?
In 1955, Brother Andrew took his first trip behind the Iron Curtain to bring bibles to Christians there. That is when the organization of Open Doors began.
What are some of the struggles that your ministry faces?
It is difficult to find Christians in closed countries like North Korea. We want to minister to as many Christians as we can, but sometimes we can only meet a few. However, God works in amazing ways with the underground church- those Christians can reach others.
Persecution isn’t something that the American Church hears a lot about. How would you explain persecution to the average American church member?
I think the best way to do this is through stories of Christians from around the world who face persecution. American Christians are often amazed to know that someone who has the same belief that they do can suffer so much.
What is the biggest need that your ministry takes care of?
Bible Delivery
What is the World Watch list? How do you determine who makes this list?
This ranks the top fifty countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. We rank the countries based off factors such as government control of religious freedom and cases of persecution.
What words of encouragement can you give to those who are being persecuted?
We find that God’s word is full of encouraging verses that talk about persecution and Christians facing persecution find hope in the promises of His word.
There is a lot of buzz lately over Christian persecution in Pakistan since the arrest of Asia Bibi. The most recent events being Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated, and Salmaan Taseer, both of whom supported Asia. What are some things that we can expect in the future from Pakistan? Has Pakistan always been such a hostile country?
The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a new resolution on worldwide religious intolerance while taking a significant step away from the controversial, restrictive “Defamation of Religions” resolution.
The defamation of religions resolutions, although not legally binding, provided international legitimacy for national laws that punish blasphemy or ban criticism of a religion. A prime example is the blasphemy law in Pakistan, which has resulted in the imprisonment of hundreds, including Christians such as Asia Noreen (Bibi) who has been condemned to death by hanging. The resolutions were introduced annually for 12 years by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
“I am pleased the Organization of Islamic Conference countries have finally decided to not re-introduce a defamation of religions resolution this year and instead has introduced a compromise text that was drafted with input from the United States government,” said Open Doors Advocacy Director Lindsay Vessey. “This represents a huge victory for all those who worked to defeat the defamation resolutions. Open Doors would like to thank its supporters who spoke out against defamation resolutions. You can read more about this here
Tell us about Undercover with Persecuted Christians.
This is a new TV series that shows what it is like to be a Christian in other parts of the world. Our President Carl Moeller interviews Christians in countries like Iraq, India and Bangladesh.
Tell us about IDOP. Do you have anything special planned this year for IDOP 2011?
On the second Sunday of November each year, we have the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We send out a free kit every year so Christians in the US can pray for Christians around the world.
Be the domino that God uses to touch the lives of others. What does it mean to you, personally, to “be the domino?”
Going back to the second question you asked. Though we may not know it, delivering bibles and other materials to a few in a closed country can influence many Christians. That is the perfect example of “being the domino”
Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview.
If you are interested in finding out more information about Open Doors please feel free to check out these links below:
Open Doors Website
Ways to give
World Watch List
