Deborah

Supplying Bibles for God's persecuted people

Today, many of our persecuted sisters face attacks from the enemy. Like Deborah, they need God's Word to help them trust that He holds the ultimate victory.

Deborah's faith in God's Word, and her courageous acts on behalf of God's people, led to the overthrow of a powerful enemy and the restoration of peace and hope.

Joy has walked this difficult path. In January 1996, she and her fiancé Junie were busy making plans for their forthcoming wedding. They were so excited as they looked forward to their new life together, serving their local church where Junie was pastor.

Within a matter of days, Joy's hopes and dreams were shattered. On 21 January, a Muslim extremist entered the church and shot Junie dead while he was preaching.

Joy was devastated. "Losing Junie hurt me deeply," says Joy. "I asked God why it had to happen. I wanted so much to argue with God..."

As the tragic news of Junie's death spread around the world, Open Doors' supporters came together in prayer for Joy in her time of grief.

Our prayers were answered as God gradually began to work healing and restoration in Joy's heart:

"In the end, I just had to rest in the promises I found in God's Word," she says, "for He is always trustworthy. In Him alone there is hope."

Joy's work of courage

Joy recommitted herself to serving the Lord and sought His will for her future. It soon became clear to her that He had plans for her which would take extreme courage: to take God's Word to suffering Christians in the southern Philippines.

Today, Joy still holds true to God's call on her life: "There are many threats to believers here in the southern Philippines," says Joy. "Please pray that despite the threats, the believers will trust in God's Word.

"We need His strength to reach out so that many Muslim people will come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

"The prayers of Christians in the UK give me courage to keep going in this difficult ministry," says Joy. "You might not be able to come here, but your prayers can reach us!"

Joy says that God's Word gives her strength and courage, even in the face of threats and attacks. You can supply and resource Christians under siege in Indonesia by simply designating a gift to help in South East Asia.