Rina* is 23 and from Nepal. She bravely chose to follow Jesus when she was at college – she’d been regularly ill and when a Christian friend prayed for her and she was healed, she decided to become a Christian too.
But her family weren’t happy with her decision. Being Hindu’s they expected Rina to share their faith and when she stopped taking part in Hindu festivals and rituals, she was excluded and opposed by her parents:
“I stopped celebrating Hindu festivals and worshipping Hindu gods and goddesses… I was mentally persecuted by my parents. My father also didn’t talk to me and stopped supporting me financially.”
Image is illustrative and not of Rina…
As a result Rina had no means to pay for her college education. But despite all the rejection she has faced from her family, Rina has found acceptance, love and provision in her relationship with God:
“I get encouragement from Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 49:15. The love which I longed for, I got from Jesus Christ. I have healing and joy in my life now therefore I will never leave Him.”
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!”
Isaiah 49:15
Thanks to your support, local Open Doors partners have been able to support Rina as she finishes her education and have paid for her college fees. She’s holding firm in her faith and, through her church is helping to serve the women and children in her community.
Rina shares her thanks for the support she’s been given:
“I thank the Lord who allowed me to meet you. I am also thankful to all your teams who came to meet me and expressed a desire to help me and pray for me. I am encouraged by your kind gestures and your love for the persecuted believers. Please continue praying for me and my studies.”
*Name changed for security reasons
That Rina would be continue to know God's love, provision and protection as she finishes her studies.
For the work of Open Doors partners who support excluded and persecuted believers like Rina. Ask for wisdom, protection, strength and that they would bring God's hope and provision to those that need it.
That her family would accept her faith in Jesus and be reunited with her. Pray they will also come to know Jesus too.
Get our free glow-in-the-dark World Watch List Map and find out more about the places where faith costs the most.
Get your map…Every Monday night at 7pm we'll be praying one prayer for one minute for the one in seven Christians around the world who face persecution. Set an alarm and tune in…
Join us…Raise money by getting sponsored to lose something you love for a short time. Sign up and we'll send you a fundraising pack…
Sign up…