It was evening when we arrived. Driving from the airport to the hotel, we saw what was—for us—an unusual sight: men riding, not inside a train, but on top of a train. When we pointed it out to our translator, he shrugged, as if to say, Well, this is how we do things here.

It was our first time in this country. We had been told to book a hotel in the wealthier part of the city; extremists and the current political volatility make most districts very unsafe for foreigners. Not that long ago, a mob attacked and killed 3000 people. In fact, we had been told that the US Embassy warns all Americans, “Don’t go to this country—it is too dangerous.” 

The embassy said, “Don’t go there!”
but the Holy Spirit said “Go.”

 When our South Asian brothers and sisters met us at the airport, I don’t know who was more excited—us or them! They gave us flowers and hugs (I cried, of course). God was opening a door for us into a new mission field, and we were eager to know what he was already doing through believers in this country, and how we could best serve them.

Over the next few days, we met with several national pastors at the hotel. We had told the hotel staff that we were on vacation and visiting with friends. They may have wondered why friends would need to book a conference room! With the pastors, we shared anything and everything that we thought could be useful: Missional Leadership Training, the Multiply Strategy Map, Discovery Bible Study methods, Business as Mission strategies—it was all new to them, and they were enthusiastic and grateful learners.

Because fifty percent of the pastors were barely literate, we spent time modelling the Discovery Bible Study method. At first, the illiterate pastors hung their heads and looked apprehensive, but as each pastor took turns telling the story of Jesus asleep in the boat, the others slowly looked up and became more engaged. When it came time for them to re-tell the story themselves, some of the older men spoke with incredible passion and confidence! As a group, they decided that they would do this kind of study every week, so that they could better understand the Scriptures and equip others. 

When the pastors shared their testimonies of salvation and stories of perseverance with us, it was our turn to listen. It was then that we understood that the purpose of our trip wasn’t just to teach and resource, but to learn and be amazed at their love and readiness to suffer for Christ.

One pastor shared that the police had called him that very morning, threatening to arrest him for preaching the Gospel. “If I’m arrested, please take care of my wife and children,” he said. “It’s dangerous to be a single mother in this country.

Another said, “My son is in prison for preaching the Good News. Please pray for him.” As this father wept, we all interceded for the presence of God to be with his son in jail. Each of the pastors shared similar stories—being beaten by a mob for preaching, being chased, having the Holy Spirit provide a narrow, miraculous way of escape. We felt honored to hear these testimonies face-to-face with our national brothers and sisters.

There were also moments of hilarity. One pastor showed us a photo of himself in a hazmat suit, baptizing seventy new Muslim-background believers. “It was the time of the pandemic lockdown,” he explained. “The fear of dying was acute. For security reasons, we needed to do the baptisms in a very remote location. When we finally found a shallow pool of dirty water in the jungle, I was more afraid of the germs in that water than of persecution!” 

As we left this beautiful country, we thanked God for the trust and love that was built during this, our first trip. We excitedly envisioned returning to coach and encourage the over fifty-five pastors and evangelists in the Discovery Bible Study method, and other resources. We wanted to be useful to these courageous people of God. A message from one of the brothers reminded us, however, that these brothers and sisters are far from helpless!

“Our church team hosted an evangelistic outreach in the south,” he wrote. “Over 350 people gathered in the yard of a local home for worship, prayer, and the preaching of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit moved mightily—nearly seventy people gave their lives to Christ, and many more expressed a desire for baptism!”

He went on to tell of a women’s event. “The Women’s Ministry team went to the slum areas of a completely unreached area where they have been going to preach the Gospel for the last four months. They shared the Good News with twenty men and women, many of them garment workers struggling to provide for their families. Praise God! Seven women were baptized and are now growing in their faith. Despite opposition from neighbors, more and more women continue to bravely accept Jesus as their Savior.”

Since then, our brother and co-worker has told us many more stories—of believers preaching in regions which are dangerous for Christians, of groups of men gathering at night in abandoned buildings to worship by candlelight, of farmers, laborers, and fishermen joyfully finding salvation. 

All glory to Jesus Christ for his marvelous work in this country! Lord, send us back!