Pastor Somchai from Laos

How far would you go to bring a struggling Christian a Bible? For Pastor Somchai, nowhere is too difficult to reach – he takes such excursions every week, travelling through the mountains and mists of his home to encourage believers facing persecution.

Somchai’s* life didn’t start out with faith. In fact, his daily routines revolved around drugs, crime and alcohol, habits which got him imprisoned twice. From his twenties into starting his own family, his means of provision were through selling opium. Nothing could change him, not even having his own child.

Until he heard about the gospel.

A few Christians were visiting his village and spoke about Jesus’ crucifixion, proving to be the only thing which could capture Somchai’s heart and revolutionise it.

“It moved us. Jesus’ love is so powerful. We were one of the first Christians in the area,” he remembers. “My parents taught me good things. The government taught me good things. But none of those changed me. Only Jesus helped me change.”

The handful of new Christians began to meet in a room to read the Bible together. “There were only a few of us – not even 20 people. None of us had gone to Bible school, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we just prayed and learned together,” he says.

From that point on, Somchai’s life would go down an entirely different path.

Caught in the crossfire

In 2003, tensions which had long been brewing between the Hmong ethnic rebels and the Lao government erupted into conflict, and Christians were marked along with the rebels as traitors and foreigners, a threat to the Communist identity of Laos.

Somchai and his wife Chantavy*, along with a few other believers, were summoned by the police for a seven-day interrogation. The message was clear: the police wanted them to give up their faith.

“The officers came and told me that my wife already denied Jesus,” Somchai shares. “But I stood firm. I told them: ‘My faith is mine and my wife’s is hers. If she denies hers, that doesn’t mean I have to deny mine. I have my rights.”

But in the next room, Chantavy was saying the same and refused to renounce her faith.

Nevertheless, a few from their fellowship gave up their faith, reducing their already small numbers to a dwindling amount. The consequences of their boldness came remorselessly, and Somchai’s family book was taken.

Stranded

One’s family book in Laos is the proof of citizenship and national identity. It grants inhabitants access to government services and aid, as well as the ability to vote. Without it, Somchai effectively became a nobody in the eyes of his country.

“It’s more important than a passport or national ID. Without it, you cannot acquire other official or legal documents,” he explains. “But despite not having it for many years, I was assured that my citizenship is in heaven, not on earth. My hope is in Jesus.”

And such faith was repeatedly put to the test following the removal of Somchai’s rights and identity. His name was erased from the village, district and provincial records; his children were barred from attending school; he was summoned for ‘re-education’ a few times a month.

Despite the attacks launched at him, Somchai was not provoked. He didn’t attempt to flee, as many other believers had done.

“I thank the Lord, they didn’t give me the family book earlier,” he shares. “If I had it, I might have left to study the Bible abroad or go somewhere more comfortable. But I stayed. I prayed. I fasted. I talked to the Lord. Sometimes my tears just fell.”

Comforted and sustained, Somchai persisted. One Sunday, he sensed he needed to pray afresh.

“I was convicted to pray for the return of my family book. For years, I had been praying that the authorities would return it, but they didn’t. But that afternoon was different.”

He arranged a meeting with the department in charge of the family books. The next day, he went to the office and without offering bribes or making compromises, his documents were processed. By 3pm, he received a call: “You can come get it. It’s done.”

“After 20 years of prayer, finally my family book was returned,” Somchai beams.

“There’s no other way except Jesus”

From a mere handful of believers gathering in a room to over 50 house churches in Somchai’s area, God has been at work through his ministry and others like it. Challenges persist – the government continually refuses to register churches in the region and Christians are accused of stirring up unrest.

But Somchai’s sight is clear. “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He shares, “John 14:6, my favourite Bible verse, tells us the truth – that there’s no other way except Jesus. Christ is the eternal life.”

His mission continues as he goes out to visit struggling believers to encourage them with the truth of the Bible. “Whether far or close, I must go,” he testifies. “This is my calling.”

Your support

“There is a Lao saying that goes: ‘You’re scratching the spot where it is itchy,’” Pastor Somchai smiles. “Meaning, you addressed a need, concern or desire exactly where it was felt or needed, at the right time. This is what Open Doors is doing to the believers in this region.”

With the help of Open Doors partners, Somchai can continue his ministry of travelling to remote areas to reach believers as well as benefiting from practical aid.

“The lessons and practical aid that you provide are not just encouraging but making Christians grow and feel more supported. The participants are excited to come – sometimes I only request 15 participants, but 30 people would come. This is how you’re impacting the Christian community here.”

With eyes of faith and a heart fervent in prayer, Somchai testifies to the faithfulness of God: “The length of when your prayer gets answered doesn’t matter, it’s the posture of your heart that matters. If I had given up on praying for my family book to be returned, I wouldn’t know the reward that awaits me – the joy of seeking Jesus as I pray.”

Thank you for all your support and prayers. They are making a difference to the lives of so many believers counting the cost for Jesus.

*Names changed for security reasons