SOUTH EAST ASIA: ‘NOTHING CAN STOP ME FROM WORSHIPING THE LORD’

Vannida* felt something was wrong. Her husband, Phansak*, was about to travel to another village to help support new Christians there. She had begged him not to go. But he told her, “I made a commitment. I have to go.”

He never came back. Three days later, people found his body and his motorbike. Vannida is certain he was killed because he openly followed Jesus.

At first, she felt completely hopeless and even thought about giving up her faith. But she kept going to church, even when she felt empty, I kept worshiping the Lord, even though I didn’t know what to do in life.” Remembering her husband’s courage helped her stay strong: “His death is not in vain.”

Life Before the Attack

Vannida had become a Christian years earlier, when she had been very sick. Nothing helped—not even visiting local shamans. Then her brother told her about Jesus, and she decided to believe. She was healed, and soon her husband followed her in faith.

But their village didn’t accept their choice. Officials, soldiers, and even relatives pressured them to stop believing in Jesus. Two men secretly pretended to be their friends just to spy on them, because the couple kept sharing their faith and helping others grow as Christians.

Finding Strength Again

After Phansak’s death, Open Doors local church partners visited Vannida, prayed with her, and encouraged her. She says it changed everything: ““Whatever happens, we will never stop following the Lord… My encouragement has returned. I feel alive again.”

Even though there is still pressure from some people in her village, she refuses to back down. “Nothing can stop me from worshiping the Lord. Whoever tells me to renounce Jesus – I won’t.” she says. “I want to serve Him more and more, even if trouble comes.”

Whilst the pressure against Vannida has eased slightly, she still faces some opposition from her family and the community. Her family is one of five Christian families in the village. “Pray for us and for the believers in my community to stay close to God and continue serving Him,” she asks. “Thanks and praise the Lord, my community can worship again,” she adds. “I want to serve the Lord more and more, even though I know trouble is waiting. I won’t abandon Jesus Christ. My life and my prayer depend on the Lord’s will.” 

*Name changed for security reasons