Q&A with Open Doors traveller, Patricia

One of the employees at Open Doors Southern Africa, Patricia , recently went on a prayer and encouragement trip to a country in East Africa with Open Doors International. We asked her a few questions about her experience on this ministry trip.

Q: Can you tell us more about your ministry trip to East Africa?

A: It was a blessing and privilege to visit our family. It was an international trip with eight travellers – me and Mark from South Africa and six travellers from The Netherlands.

We had the opportunity to enquire and learn more about the programmes that are offered to persecuted women. Our sisters shared their stories, joy and in some cases tears and sadness. They shared more about their daily troubles and concerns regarding those who have not come to faith yet. Our family in East Africa is totally dependent on God and will proudly tell you that no one can kill their souls.

Q: Was this your first trip with the Open Doors travel ministry? If not, what other trips did you do in the past?

A: The trip was my second trip with Open Doors. I enjoyed learning more about myself and the different cultures on the trip. I learned how to treat everyone with respect and dignify those around me. My previous trip was with the former director, Jan Gouws, and the Board in December 2019, and we visited Asia.

Q: How severe is the persecution of Christians in East Africa and what types of persecution are the most common?

A: There is an Islamic agenda which is supported by politicians and the government. Politicians assist with oppressing the Church and the government is managing the Church. Poverty is used as a tool to persecute Christians – for example, attractive proposals like scholarships and education are offered to the poor if they renounce their Christian faith and become Muslims.

Other challenges are economic exclusion, difficulty in finding employment, most transport companies are owned by Muslims, young women being sold as brides and the ludicrous price of land to build a church (R920 717,06).

Q: How did it feel to meet our persecuted family in person and pray with them?

A: We didn’t need to understand each other, I just had to look at their faces. I was touched by their gratefulness and humility in realising that we are praying for them daily. And the privilege that we have to meet them in person and pray together. To see our Creator, our heavenly Father working in hearts and minds and using us!

Q: Please share a short testimony with us from your trip.

A: We visited a church, where we met a Muslim Background Believer. Her mom was a witchdoctor and her brothers Muslim. The spiritual warfare and witchcraft were making her physically sick. She was taken to the local pastor and healed when he prayed for her.

She, a mother of four children, attended Open Doors’ “Standing Strong Through the Storm” seminar and then started her journey with our Saviour. She also attended workshops in Muslim evangelism and Sunday school teachers training offered by Open Doors. When they saw the change in her, her family and husband also attended the training and came to Christ.

When her daughter started high school, they did not have enough money to pay the school fees. But God intervened and they were able to pay. After testifying about what God has done, she was informed that due to their Christianity they must pay higher school fees. Soon thereafter she was asked if she can cook porridge for a nearby school, and hence she could pay the higher school fees. “I knew that I should trust God, that He would provide and show me the way,” she testifies.

She reminded us that even in the darkest of times, our faith can bring us closer to God and give us the strength to move forward.

Q: What influence did this trip have on your own spiritual life?

A: It helped me to gain insight and understanding into the lives of those who are persecuted by their family members. I realised how powerful prayer is, and the importance of standing up for what is true and righteous in difficult circumstances.

I would most definitely recommend other believers to travel with Open Doors. You will see how God is working and how the Holy Spirit unites us. Your own faith is strengthened by our persecuted family. Being vulnerable with each other, learning, sharing stories – what a privilege it was to pray for each other in a country with persecution.