Myanmar: Faith over Family
A young Christian in Myanmar was forced to choose between faith and family recently when her relatives demanded that she recant her faith. On Sept. 19, 2011, 21-year-old Ying was preparing to leave for classes at an underground seminary when her relatives locked her in the house. They threatened to disown her, beat her and withdraw support — including food — if she continued to attend seminary or church. In addition, they threatened to send her to a remote village with no known Christians if she did not recant her faith. Instead of giving in to their demands, Ying ran away from home and left her family behind.
Ying’s mother died when Ying was young, and her father left her with an aunt and two stepsisters. Although she grew up and lived in a Buddhist family, Ying became interested in Christianity. When she was 20 years old, she overheard an evangelist telling a neighboring family about Christ. Ying approached the evangelist and asked him questions about Christianity. At 20 years old, she became a Christian.
Ying began to attend seminary immediately after her conversion. Since leaving her family last month, she has had no means of support. VOM is now helping pay Ying’s seminary fees and living expenses. After she completes seminary, Ying hopes to serve as a missionary to people who have never heard about Christ.
International Day of Prayer – November 13
Christians around the world will unite on Nov. 13 for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Although we should always remember those in chains, IDOP is set aside as a special day to focus our prayers on the thousands of Christians around the world who are persecuted and martyred for their Christian faith.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church reminds us to respond to the request that we hear so often from persecuted believers — “Pray for us.” We can ask God to strengthen their faith and grant them strength and courage when they feel weak, tired or scared.
Join The Voice of the Martyrs as we unite with Christians around the world to pray for the persecuted church on Nov. 13. If you would like to host an IDOP meeting at your church or home, you may be interested in VOM’s IDOP kit, available at www.persecution.com/idop. The kit includes a short video, brochures, prayer cards that offer details of several restricted nations and other tools to help you spread awareness of persecuted Christians. Order your IDOP kit today, and fulfill the Scriptural mandate to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” – Hebrews 13:3
The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide. VOM was founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. His wife, Sabina, was imprisoned for three years. In the 1960s, Richard, Sabina, and their son, Mihai, were ransomed out of Romania and came to the United States. Through their travels, the Wurmbrands spread the message of the atrocities that Christians face in restricted nations, while establishing a network of offices dedicated to assisting the persecuted church. The Voice of the Martyrs continues in this mission around the world today.
Voice of the Martyrs
P.O. Box 443
Bartlesville, OK 74005-0443
Ministry Information: (877) 337-0302
Orders & Contributions: (800) 747-0085
www.persecution.com
