One of our members working in a ‘creative access nation’ (ie a country closed to tradional mission work) tells the story of one man who dared to become a follower of Jesus. Sadly, the treatment he received is not unusual. 

One day Mike’s landlord walked into his room. On Mike’s bed was his Bible – a book which every child in this country is warned against from an early age. The landlord was furious, threw him out of the house and reported this crime to the elders of Mike’s village. Mike, in his early twenties, is a student in the capital city.

He is neither timid nor aggressive in speaking about Jesus. He keeps a small supply of Jesus film CDs which he discreetly passes on. When Mike was in the city he was allowed to live in peace. He even managed to meet for Bible study with a few other Christians.

Rumours had been going round his village that he had become a Christian – an immoral religion of pig-eaters, drunkards and people who pray to three gods, but now the village elders had some evidence. Mike was summoned before the elders who warned him of their right to punish him. The following Friday he was brought before the elders again. His father was brought in to speak to him, but nothing could turn Mike back to Islam. In anger, Mike’s father smashed his mobile phone and Mike was sent away with an ultimatum: return to Islam within one week, or else!

Around the world, people started to pray for Mike. Though he had returned to the capital, Mike was determined not to run away and hide. That Friday, he set out to his village with his decision. For several hours he sat before the leaders of the village and explained his reasons for following Jesus. The elders sent to neighbouring villages to find out any information about his misbehaviour. To their frustration, everyone said that he has a good character – he is honest, he goes to college, he respects his elders and cares for his mother and siblings, he doesn’t steal, lie, smoke or drink and he doesn’t even cheat. The elders were confused – here was an infidel who did not drink or steal, yet they had to punish him for following Jesus. Maybe under pressure he would turn back to Islam.

The national elections were approaching and Mike knew he should go home to vote. Most of the villagers also returned. This was the opportunity the elders had been waiting for. Now they could make a example of Mike, shaming him in front of the whole village. Mike was grabbed, stripped down to his underwear, beaten repeatedly with burning witch hazel, sticks and rocks and then forced to walk around his entire village barefoot over the hot and sharp rocks. As the mob grew, they began shouting and chanting, warning others not to become an infidel.

Mike has not returned to Islam, although others have done under similar pressure. He is not bitter the same treatment; rather his heart is heavy for his fellow villagers who believe they are doing God’s work by persecuting him.

Mike’s mother went home humiliated, yet he felt no bitterness. Pray for Mike and his spiritual brothers that they would not fear, but would spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus far and wide. Pray for Mike’s village, that one day many would come to know Mike’s Saviour and the joy he brings.

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