Joost and Manja
Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.(1 Kings 18:21)
The devotional, Reading the Anabaptist Bible, tells us the story of Joost Verkindert who attributed his imprisonment in 1570 to his desire to follow the Lord. He was executed after a little more than 100 days in prison.
It’s good to remember that even today people are being imprisoned for their faithful testimony. One of our church members, Allie Bruski (our ‘missions coordinator’) brought good news to our gathered worship meeting yesterday: Manja Tamang, a Nepali missionary with Gospel for Asia, was released from prison after serving nine years (out of 20). He had been wrongly convicted of the murder of a man; the charges against him trumped up by people opposed to his ministry in Nepal. God continued to use Manja in prison: he started a Bible study and worship service in prison. And Manja’s wife, Rati, was faithful to him, their children and the gospel ministry.
Gospel for Asia asked for prayer for this family: for their reunion, and Manja’s adjustment to life outside prison. They also asked for prayer for the people whom Manja left in prison. And I ask you, dear reader, to make these petitions on their behalf.
More information about Manja and Rati can be found on the Gospel for Asia site: “Gospel for Asia Missionary Manja Tamang Released From Nepal Prison“.
