By Rae Burnett

Africa Director Rae Burnett with children of persecuted believers.

I just returned from five months in Africa. I spent one month visiting underground indigenous missionaries in three nations closed to the gospel. In one place, I met with 11 women who have been beaten and thrust out of their homes because they are believers.

They live with their children in a small house provided by missionaries supported for many years by Christian Aid. There they are protected from persecution and spend time working the garden that provides their food, and studying the Bible, usually through tapes, because most are illiterate. I am honored at the trust they showed me and privileged to know these suffering servants ready to give up everything for the Lord.

Acts 5:40... and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (41) And they departed... rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (42)... they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Marya is 33 and has two children. She is one of the prominent leaders among the women. This is her story.

In 2007 Marya’s husband, Amed, found her Bible and a teaching cassette on the cross of Jesus. He listened to the cassette with her and told Marya that he also was not a Muslim any more. She began happily and enthusiastically to share the good news with him.