NEPAL: STORIES OF HOPE DESPITE PERSECUTION

Did you know that in Nepal, you could be imprisoned for sharing ABOUT JESUS? Under CHANGES to laws bought in back in 2015, telling others about your christian faith can be punished by five years in prison and a fine of 50,000 Nepalese rupees (about £300 – more than three times the monthly minimum wage in Nepal).

Nepal is currently number 55 on the World Watch List, and has seen an increase in persecution against Christians in the past few years. As well as these legal restrictions, Christians face persecution from their families and communities – often being compelled to leave their homes temporarily or permanently.

In response to this rising persecution, Open Doors local partners are active in supporting the church to equip believers, helping them stand strong in their faith. This includes a variety of training sessions, including persecution survival training.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

“The village where I live is Hindu-dominated and we are the only Christians,” says Gita Pun*. “My family is vulnerable to social discrimination and mental persecution from the villagers. I am thankful that the persecution survival training was conducted here for us. I felt it was an arrangement made by God for us to be equipped and encouraged. I loved the verse from Romans 8:31 where it says, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’”

Sagar Katuwal* agrees: “It is significantly relevant for us as we live in such a hostile situation where we face persecution in the form of hatred, injustice, mental torture, etc. It really reminded us of the biblical perspective and energised and awakened us to be prepared for persecution.”

‘I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS JOUNREY’

Some of the believers who attended the training feel isolated within their own families. “I face persecution from my family and relatives when I accepted Christ,” shares Dhan Maya Pariyar*. “At that time, I felt discouraged and lonely. However, this training revived me and reminded that I am not alone in this journey. It has encouraged me to stay strong and faithful to the Lord all my life. I am really blessed and have learned so many things through this training.”

Sabita BK* knows how her sister feels: “The theme of the training is directly related to my story as I have been persecuted by my family,” she says. “I was greatly comforted and filled with joy attending this training. The verse from John 16:33 encouraged me a lot  – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I discovered that, as Christians, we will be persecuted for His name’s sake – but we should be firm and strong in our faith and never give up because we will be victorious in His name. Thank you.”

Learning how to forgive

The sessions also helped participants truly understand the importance of forgiveness. These believers know that forgiving your persecutors is often extremely hard, but are still choosing to forgive.

Ajay Kumar* shares: “It mainly taught me about forgiveness and self-control which I felt was so practical. Though I heard about it so many times in the past, now these became so powerful while attending this training. I was challenged by it and now I am in a state to forgive and exercise self-control which is the blessing from this training.

“I learned to love and forgive my enemies and neighbours even if they hate me and try to harm me because I believe in Jesus Christ my Lord,” agrees Kamala Rai*. “I am happy to endure persecution because the Bible tells us it will come. I am not surprised or worried but I take suffering as my privilege and the blessing I have in the Lord.”

Finally, these courageous Christians are also thinking about their global family – particularly their brothers and sisters in other countries who, like them, are facing persecution for choosing to follow Jesus.

“This training was really helpful for me because it inspired and taught me to be stronger in my faith in Jesus Christ,” says Nabin Tamang*. “It helped me understand the persecution situation in the world and encouraged me to grow spiritually. I am encouraged to pray for those who are persecuted all around the world.”

Praise God for the impact of this training and how He is using Open Doors partners in the region, and join these believers in praying for the persecuted church in Nepal and elsewhere.

*Name changed for security reasons