Open Doors Youth, PO Box 6, Witney, Oxon, UK, OX29 6WG
We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
“I am very happy during Christmas,” says Roshan*. “At Christmas, I like to sing songs and dance to action songs!”
“I am very happy during Christmas,” says Roshan*. “At Christmas, I like to sing songs and dance to action songs!”
Roshan has a lot that he can celebrate now, but this seven-year-old boy has also faced – and continues to face – some really difficult experiences for someone of such a young age. Not long ago, the idea of a school and a Christian community seemed impossibly far away.
When Roshan’s mum, Devi, became a Christian, she was rejected by her family. She hadn’t expected it to happen and was devastated when her husband’s Hindu relatives made it clear that they wanted nothing more to do with her, because of her faith. Her family’s future had already been impacted by her husband leaving, and the rejection left them even more vulnerable.
“We are breaking all bonds with you,” her in-laws told her. “You bring shame on the family because of your faith in Christ! Do not call us even if something happens to you and your sons. We won’t help you. Let go of your faith or never come back!”
“They even wanted to take my children,” says Devi. “When I visited, they did not let me inside. In their eyes, I would make their house unholy because of my faith.”
Devi’s courageous decision to follow Jesus meant that she had lost the financial security she had and her livelihood. Her in-laws would no longer help her or Roshan or Aarush in an emergency, and she had forfeited the security she had for her little family’s future. It was hard, but Devi knew she’d made the right decision in following Jesus.
“I don’t have family anymore on this earth, only Jesus,” she says. “That is a sad reality. It’s hard to accept it, but I should. There’s no turning back. I accepted Christ not because of persecution or healing. But for my children and because of Christ’s grace, so that they will become better, strong, and good people.”
Devi and her children looked for another home – though village after village refused to let them stay, because of their faith. They were continually rejected. But the right place was on the horizon. Eventually, they reached an isolated village situated amidst forest land and found out that the people living in this area were believers like them. They couldn’t contain their joy! The village has people of other faiths too, but there are many Christian families – Devi and Roshan were so happy to have found this community.
Finally, they were able to find a good place to start a new life. Though they did not have the financial resources to build a house, they built a small hut made of bamboo sticks. Devi knew that life was still hard – but it was their home. Devi managed to get a job cleaning, earning little to buy food for her children. “When we don’t get daily work, we Christians help each other,” she adds. It is a treasured community.
God had even brighter plans for this family, though. When Open Doors local partners learned about the Christians in this village, most of them rejected by other communities, they immediately went to see how they could provide support.
“I received groceries like rice, potatoes, oil, sugar, soap, clothes for the children to wear, and blankets,” Devi says gratefully. Other persecuted believers in the community received the same vital items – but this was only the first step.
Open Doors partners saw that children from these Christian families desperately wanted to be treated just like other children. They wanted a brighter future. And so Open Doors partners started a ‘bridge school’ in this isolated, ostracised community. They are schools open to children from different faith backgrounds, aiming to ‘bridge the gap’ between persecuted Christians and other members of the community.
Devi says, “I am incredibly happy. Because of the bridge school, my children can learn, write and sing. I cannot afford to send them to regular school, but this school has given my boys a chance to study for free! I am happy that the bridge school not only focuses on education but also gives importance to spiritual nourishment.
“I am so grateful for our dear brothers and sisters who helped us in providing the bridge school,” she adds. “And to the teachers, who pour their hearts out to educate these little children, and let them know that Jesus Christ loves them.”
“My teacher told me that Jesus loves me, just as my mom says,” says Roshan. And what does he love most about the school? “I love to play football. Because of this school, I have friends who can play with me. I get to study in school, which I find interesting. My favourite part of being in school is I get to learn the alphabet.”
There’s one time of year that is particularly special for Roshan: Christmas. “The best part about going to school is during Christmas when I get to sing and dance and celebrate Jesus’ birth with everyone,” he says.
“We teach kids the Christmas story,” his teacher adds. “All the parents were so interested, that they came to see the children’s plays, action songs and singing.”
Now that they live in a community of Christians, Christmas is also a joyful time when Roshan and his family can celebrate openly with others.
“It is during Christmas that we enjoy our time with other believers in the village,” says Devi happily. “All the families come together, sing carols, listen to the Word of God, cook together and have a wonderful time.”
Though resources are limited, the families celebrate Christmas in their own special way by distributing chocolates to children, singing carols and sharing the message of Christ.
Please continue to pray for and support courageous young believers like Roshan. With your help, they can have a brighter future. So many young children need the same support Roshan is getting, and more – so they can have education, community and fun today and a better start for the long-term. You can help ensure that the next generation of Christians is equipped to keep following Jesus despite the rejection and persecution they face.
*Names changed for security reasons
For Roshan that he would continue to grow in the knowledge and love of our Lord
For Open Doors local partners to be able to respond to the immediate needs and long-term hopes of this and other communities.
For bridge school projects to flourish in these Christian communities so that many young, ostracised believers will receive education and learn about Jesus
