SRI LANKA: SHANUKA GETS A NEW BIBLE

Shanuka from Sri Lanka is overjoyed after receiving a new Bible, replacing one that was ripped apart by his own brother. His story reflects the dangers facing many Christian children worldwide, but also how your gifts are showing them that they are not alone. Thank you!

“I cried a lot that day,” says 16-year-old Shanuka* from Sri Lanka, recalling the awful moment when his elder brother tore his Bible into pieces and strewed it across the room. “The Bible is where I get my answers to all my problems.”

The siblings had been quarrelling about an unrelated issue when Shanuka’s brother turned it into a religious confrontation, knowing that Shanuka hates it when the family criticise the Bible. “It is because of you and your Bible that we are having problems in our family,” shouted the brother.

“Whenever they speak against the Lord, I get angry,” says Shanuka. He wanted to shout back, but instead he closed his eyes and prayed. “God reminded me of Romans 12:19: ‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.’”

Beaten by HIS teacher

Shanuka became a Christian four years ago – a decision that had much to do with an answered prayer. When a friend first told him about Jesus, Shanuka was not interested, but at Christmas he wanted to see if God would answer his prayer. “I asked the Lord for one of my needs,” he recalls. “I told my friend, if God gives it to me for this Christmas, I will be a true believer of the Lord.”

The prayer was answered and Shanuka kept to his word! He started praying, reading the Bible, and attending church, but keeping the promise had a big impact on his family. They remain devout Buddhists, expecting Shanuka to do Buddhist rituals, but whenever he refuses, it leads to arguments, with Shanuka often verbally abused.

It’s not just at home where Shanuka encounters hostility – it’s also at school. “I wanted to share about the goodness of God with my friends, but they made fun of me,” he says. On one occasion, Shanuka was even beaten up by one of his schoolteachers after a child complained about him talking about his Christian faith with them.  

A new Bible!

With astonishing bravery, Shanuka has stayed faithful to Jesus, helped by a Christian teacher who disciples him and listens to him when he needs someone to talk to. When his Bible was torn up, the teacher was the first person he told, and it was at the teacher’s home where Open Doors local partners met Shanuka and gave him a gift – a new Bible! “I will protect this Bible always,” he says with a beaming smile.

The partners were unable to visit Shanuka at his home, because of the risks, but he told them about a collection of small figurines of Jesus that he proudly displays for others to see. He got them for Christmas one year. “Whenever my friends come to meet me, they ask about them, and I get a chance to tell them about the Lord,” he says.  

Such courage is seen in countless other Christian children worldwide, who choose to keep following Jesus amidst pressure and persecution – be that at school, at home or on the streets. Your prayers and support are crucial to this, whilst also helping ensure the future of the church in places like Sri Lanka has much to look forward to. Thank you!

*Name changed for security reasons