[South Asian Peoples] Behind a locked door, Michael* and Mary* meet with several others in their small apartment. They keep all the shoes inside the apartment, rather than outside the door, as is customary in the culture. They shut the windows, turn on a loud air conditioner, and play music. They even have a birthday cake ready in case the police show up and ask about their meeting’s purpose. This group meets for church every Friday morning. Islam is the official religion in this island nation; one must claim to be Muslim to be a citizen. People known to convert from Islam are imprisoned or banished from the country.
“But we are praying!” Mary says. She confidently claims God has a great plan for the islands. “God loves this nation.” According to her, many islanders are disillusioned with Islam. They go abroad and visit churches. When they leave the islands, they leave behind Islam. When they return, they pick their Muslim identity back up.
“The gospel is more powerful than Islam,” asserts Michael. Praise God for people like Michael and Mary, who choose to follow the Lord despite the risk. Pray God would raise more people like Michael and Mary on the islands. Pray God would give the people of the islands opportunity to hear the gospel. Pray many would repent of their sins, believe the good news, and follow Christ.
*Names changed.
Reprinted from the November 2020 issue of Missions Mosaic, Woman’s Missionary Union, Birmingham, Alabama. Used by permission. To receive this issue, or subscribe to Missions Mosaic, call 1-800-968-7301.