Imagine these words coming out of your mouth: “Christians were stronger in America when we were persecuted for our faith. Now that we have all this freedom, we’re indifferent to the Gospel.” But that’s the attitude that Esther has toward the spiritual condition of her own country, Nepal. She and her colleague DV are beautiful believers. I shared a story with them that I had experienced of persecution last year, and we laughed about it. Quite a different outlook of persecution than we Westerners often have! But the truth is that being dishonored for the sake of Jesus is quite an honor!
“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…” 1 Peter 3:14-15
This makes me check myself. When I’m walking through the streets, on a bus, under the watchful eye of others–am I free? Laws might say one thing, but my fear of man say another. So I sat here fidgeting in my chair, trying to write this blog, when all of a sudden I noticed three monks behind me. “Why don’t you share with them?” I felt the Holy Spirit nudge. “But Lord, they’re probably Brahmans and they’re monks, and…” Fear of man. Then the Holy Spirit said, “Isn’t that the reason I want you to share with them? I’ve commanded you not to fear.” So I got up to share with them. And then I sat back down. And then I got up again, and stopped to “look at the bags of coffee on the shelf”. I thought of the Israleites; is this how they entered the Promised Land even when God was on their side? Fearful? Sometimes I think that risking public rejection is worse than being locked up! But actually, it should be the other way around. I should rejoice in suffering with Christ, and not place my value in the affirmation of man. So the three monks received the Nepali tracts from me, thanking me, though “Thank you” was all that we knew how to say to one another.
“…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
Esther and DV came from Hindu families and were kicked out of their homes years ago for their faith in Jesus. For Esther, she was seventeen years old when she first encountered Christ, in the form of two girls who were the same age as her, cleaning up the street. In the caste system, one would only find the “Untouchables”–the lowest caste–doing such a thing; but these girls were not Untouchables. “Don’t do that,” Esther told them. But the girls insisted that they would clean it up, saying that “we have slippers, but others may not. And at night, if they’re walking in the dark, they might step on the glass and have to go to the hospital, and they can’t afford that”. It was these girls’ kindness that eventually led Esther to Christ. Her mother’s reaction? She kicked her out of the house. Soon afterward, Esther’s father got cancer,and was given only a couple months to live. But when those girls who had cleaned the streets prayed for him, he lived for another sixteen years! And he and Esther’s brother then got saved. The mother was angry, and continued to worship her gods, with a statue of Jesus near the bottom of her collection. “Jesus!” she called out as she smoked a cigarette, “You’re ruining my family! If You’re real, show me!” The room filled with smoke, and suddenly, a Man in a white robe stood in front of her, though she couldn’t see His face! She ran to her sleeping husband, saying, “Wake up! I’ve met your God!”
Today Esther and DV work with an organization that teaches the Bible to women, and finishes the course with a gift of a sewing machine, which they use to begin their businesses. They learn the train through the same course. Esther and DV are Unsung Heroes, working in the Kingdom, excited to hear of our experiences, and willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.
