In Latin America’s indigenous communities, where laws are defined by community leaders, Christians are arrested and beaten, and families are displaced and left with nothing.
While Rodrigo was a community leader, he worked, drank, neglected his family, and spent his money on women. He was left to his ways and no one bothered him.
But when he accepted Jesus and wanted to be a pastor, he attracted the anger and disrespect of his fellow community leaders.
Council Chooses Persecution Over Peace
“No, no brother, you can ́t be a pastor because you are indigenous,” the community council told him. “If you do, we will punish you. No one can bring other beliefs here because we have our own indigenous beliefs.”
The Bad News Continued
Rodrigo’s wife, Luisa, lost her job of nine years as a teacher. As the family’s only income-earner, this added to the mounting pressure. His children would come home from school crying after being insulted and assaulted.
They survived on $20 a month and what they could grow.
But That’s When You Stepped In
Because of supporters like you, Open Doors’ local partners in Latin America are encouraging resilience by meeting the urgent needs of vulnerable believers like Rodrigo and his family.
Your gifts provide believers with strategies to withstand threats and respond to persecution, support with legal advice, distribution of food, medicine, and work tools, and donations of land so families have a place to live and work.
Because of you, Open Doors does all this and more. When we say you’re making a difference—we really mean it! Thank you.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10
