Wings To Continue

Wings To Continue

Sonya returned to work after a week of vacation when the head nurse called her into the office. She was met by the head doctor, and a man she did not recognize. “Where were you last week?” they demanded. The interrogation continued and quickly became personal.

Sonya realized that the authorities somehow learned that she had left the country to attend a Christian women’s conference. “Why do you gather people in your home for religious meetings? Are you keeping any religious literature in your home? We are going to search your apartment. If we find any illegal literature, you will be in trouble.”

Hiding her shock, she waited until she was alone to call her teenage children at home. “Hide all our literature,” she told them, “but leave my Bible out.” When the authorities arrived they only found her Bible, which was confiscated. Then, they ordered the hospital to fire Sonya.

This was a devastating blow to the family. With her husband out of work, they now had no source of income. So, when the hospital offered Sonya her job back, on the condition that she would not evangelize or continue with her religious meetings in her home, she agreed, saying that it would break her heart to watch her children starve.
     
Without condemning her decision, Open Doors agreed to help the family explore alternative options for employment. After discovering that the family had experience caring for animals, it was suggested that they purchase livestock. With help the family bought 100 hens and 10 roosters, and in time they also bought sheep, goats, turkeys and cows.

When it became evident that their farm project was going to be successful, Sonya gave up her job at the hospital. Today, their income not only supports the family but also a small church in a nearby town.

One With Them
Please stand One With Them today – Sonya and her family – in their praise to God for His provision. God showed us unconditional love by sending His Son to take our place on the Cross, to die for our sins. He calls us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors. Is there someone in your midst that God is calling you to help today?

One With Them CHALLENGE
Prayerfully consider supporting literacy and vocational training through Open Doors. Many persecuted Christians are marginalized due to the inability to read and have job skills. You can learn more, and make your donation at the Open Doors website.

  

2013.06.23

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
(Matthew 6:26)