By God's grace let me share with you the things that happened in the planting ministry in Pasat this month.

May was one of the most difficult, and yet beautiful, months of the last years. In the first part of this month we started the construction of the church in Pasat. We finished the foundation of the church. This kindled the hate and resistance of the priest and his followers. The priest threatened us that he would do everything to keep us from building the church. He doesn't care if we gather in the members' houses or if we go to another church. He just doesn't want us to build a church in Pasat. The priest and his followers threatened us several times with the intention of discouraging us. They spat and cursed us.

I had to go four times to the police station, once to the prosecutor, and four times to the city hall.  They accused us of bribing the authorities, fabricating the papers and other things. They tried to make us believe that we were building illegally. They tried everything to keep us from building. All the authorities gave us the benefit of the doubt. The priest wouldn't stop because of this. He continued to work in stopping us. We had prepared the encasement. One day we found a chemical all over the materials on the ground. It was a chemical that would keep the cement from setting up. Someone came in and poured the chemical all over the encasement and the other materials. This was the last thing that they did. I wanted to share with you all these things, but not to complain about it. This situation really serves my purpose. It is a grace for me and the church in Pasat to be persecuted for the Lord's Name. The priest is against us because he is afraid of us. On the other hand he really advertised for us. It was written about us in the newspaper.

I also rejoice over the reaction of the other churches, especially those that we work with. These churches faithfully pray for us in all their services. The most precious thing that I had the opportunity to learn during these trials is to love my enemies. Matthew 5:44-45 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven..." I had many sermons from this text, but I hadn't ever had enemies to pray for.

This situation was a great lesson for me. I have learned to pray affectionately and with sympathy for my enemies. There were some moments when I stood before God and I cried for the priest and his followers salvation. This was my response to the pain that had been caused by those who attempted to harm us. Through my messages from the Lord I tried to put this attitude in the hearts of the people from the church.

I am sure that everything that is happening in Pasat in these times is under God's control. I know that God will do His will even if hell stands up against us. Through all these trials we continue to rejoice over our fellowship. Our communication has improved. Sometimes when I was angry or I felt powerless and helpless, the Word of God chastened and corrected me. I understood that although we live in a democratic country and have the same rights as all the other citizens, we continue to be "sheep among wolves". This is our status in this world. The only thing that matters is God's glory. Therefore my prayer is to please God through all these circumstances. May all my actions bring Him glory.

 

We need your support in prayer during this period. Please pray for the enemies of the church in Pasat who incite the villagers against the Christians. The priest is their leader and the others just follow him. Also please pray for the mayor in Pasat. She helped us and has been accused of bribery. Let's pray that God will forgive, enlighten and save them.

Matthew 5:44-45 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven..."