“I have experienced a strong struggle, did not know what to do. On one hand, I was afraid not to cause panic among the faithful, on the other hand, I was in real danger…”
“Before the Korean church service in one of the largest cities in the area, the electricity disappeared in the room. Therefore, the decision was made to begin the worship with the guitar. Standing by the pulpit, I saw through the open door as the car pulled up by the church. Policeman got out and went straight to the building. A man began shouting with the harsh voice: “What is going on here?” I felt confused, but immediately these lyrics came to my mind:
The evil whispers, “For Whom do you sing?
You have sinned, for this you will die! “
– Yes, I will die, but with a song on my lips:
Farewell my sin, I will be in heaven!
Instantaneously, pastor of the church faced authority’s representative. He managed to take him from the church room and continue the worship time.”
Christians continue to share how the Holy Spirit gave them the courage to resist similar intrusions last summer. That time during the service, a bunch of state policemen in masks burst into the room and began grabbing the faithful, especially of the local nationality (not Korean). Then the pastor, full of the Spirit, stood up and loudly proclaimed: “What are you doing? Get out of the house of the Lord!” Surprisingly, the masked men obeyed and began to leave the meeting. Their own boss, seeing the subordinates retreat, angrily shouted: “I’ll put you in prison, and very soon” and was forced to leave. A week later, this man was dismissed from the service for old mistakes. This service job is highly valued in this country. At the same time, his wife died. After this case, fear filled his staff and they left this church alone for a whole year.
God wonderfully works in the hearts of the people of Central Asia. So, our brother L. had a meeting with a brother of Muslim mullahs, who once came to the pastor of the Christian church at night, intending to threaten and harm the Church. After a lengthy conversation, the man left the home of the pastor and the intention to hurt him disappeared. Instead, he came back again to talk, and the third time came with the desire to get baptized. This brother is preaching the Gospel to his countrymen, and some have already accepted Christ because of his testimony.
In another city, our brother L. visited a community of Christians who had a spirit of discouragement. Their town has a heavy atmosphere of persecution against Christians and hatred toward the church. Christians are constantly contacted by the authorities, interrogated, threatened and beaten. Because of severe constraints on the part of the Muslims, they cannot get together on Sunday, so the group leaders organize meetings one of the working days. Brother L. sends a prayer request of one of the sisters of the church. She asks for prayers for her husband, a Muslim, who beats her every time she goes to the assembly of the faithful, or mentions the name of Christ. Her husband forces her to read namaz five times a day. So the sister goes to a meeting in secret, while her husband is at work.
In one town lives the blessed family of brother Andrej. They try not to get discouraged. Whenever authorities meet Andrej on the street and threaten him “Here we got you!” he replies, “Why do you want to catch me if I am all the time here among you?” Despite the threats, he opened the door of his home for many people who come to hear about God with a mixed feeling of joy and fear. After all, neighbors and strangers passing by can simply complain to the authorities about Christian gatherings in private homes, for which the laws of the country requires punishment. Few families open their homes for small groups. If this fact is revealed, they could lose the house and even lose their freedom.
The Lord gave brother L. the honor of being present at the baptism of two sisters. Another young man was preparing for baptism, but he refused because he thinks that he is not ready. People really rejoice and accept Christ, regardless of the circumstances! After baptism, all people went to a picnic. Local residents were staying at home on that day. It was Ramadan. During that day, Muslims do not eat or drink, but only at night. “Allah will not see,” Muslims explain it. Therefore, it is safe to communicate without fear. During communication the younger brother, who at first refused to get baptized, began to cry. He admitted that he could not sleep all night and was very worried because he did not make a covenant with the Lord. In the end, the brothers made a dam on the creek, and when the pit had accumulated a certain amount of water, this young man was baptized there along with another guy who also expressed a desire to make a covenant with God. It is not always possible for brothers, who can teach about baptism, to visit certain villages.
The last secret baptism, which our Brother L. was able to attend before departing from this country, was the baptism of an eighty-six year old woman with a cup of water. It was not possible to move out of the house and to baptize her in the water. For years, she was heading to this decision, having an academic degree, a good job, and watching the life of her son-Christian and his family. And now to the question: “Who is Jesus to you?” She said, “This is my Lord, He has been my Lord for long time.”
The Lord said, “I will build the church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” If God does not exist, it is stupid to fight with one who does not exist. And if He is, it is stupid to fight with God, because you will not overcome Him. Why fight with other Christians? Let’s be together to build the Church of God!
