Children of the persecuted church
Persecution shapes children’s lives – and Christmas is marked by extra danger. But you can give a gift of hope to children this year.
Fifteen-year-old Valentina is home for Christmas. It’s extra special because she hasn’t seen her family for a year.
But this moment of joy will be brief.
Soon, Valentina will travel for 15 hours to the Open Doors Children’s Centre in Colombia, where she lives and goes to school. Why? Because it’s too dangerous for her to stay. Valentina lived in her community with her family: her parents and her siblings, a sister, and a younger brother. However, faced with the persecution they suffered for following Jesus, her parents decided to send her to the Children’s Center because it allows children of persecuted Christians in the country to receive education and spiritual, psychological, and emotional support, as well as being safe from the dangers they face in their communities.
In this part of Colombia, the indigenous Páez community is hostile toward Christians. Girls are at risk of sexual assault, trafficking and forced marriage. Boys are recruited by criminal guerrilla groups. And because Valentina’s father, Francisco, is a church leader – she’s a key target for persecution.
Deciding to Valentina to school
Separation from parents is a cruel tactic of persecution used against Christian children right around the world. In 84% of countries where persecution is most acute, children are likely to be separated from their parents. Sometimes it’s enforced – a child may be taken from their family. Sometimes, it’s the only choice.
“We were told we had no right to education or health care,” said Francisco. “We were desperate. We needed to get our children out.” After talking as a family, Francisco and Luz – Valentina’s mother – decided to ask for help and send their daughter to the Children’s Center.
Although at first, it was difficult to leave the family and the change was radical, Valentina enjoys her time at the Children’s Center: “I was kind of sad because I missed them, but now I don’t want to leave here anymore. I felt that I had no freedom where I lived, and I always wanted to get out of there.”
During the four years she was at the Children’s Center, her life was radically transformed. For her, being there saved her life in many ways: “I don’t know if it would exist if I still lived there, or I’d be lost. Maybe I would have taken the easy ways out, as a quick fix.” Leaving home not only kept her from being recruited by the guerrillas, but it also motivated her walk with Christ and developed artistic skills she didn’t realize she had.
But, something she shared is that, with the support of Open Doors donors, she was able to undergo surgery for a heart condition that affected her health and put her life at risk. Despite missing her family, Valentina recognizes that this is God’s plan for her life: “Well, I’ve always understood that everything in this life has a purpose…” Of course, she misses her family a lot and that’s why Christmas becomes a time of reunion with loved ones.
Coming home For Christmas
Christmas brings you the peace of mind of seeing your family safe and sound. For Valentina, this is a time to spend time with her loved ones before starting a new school year and heading back to the children’s center. “For me, the best Christmas is when I’m with my family,” she says. Christmas is a time to return to her local church and enjoy worshiping, fasting and praising God together.
Across the world, there’s an urgent and ongoing need to protect and provide for children affected by persecution. Valentina was sent to Open Doors’ Children’s Centre where she’s safe and is being educated. She fears for her family – but has hope for the future. “I’ve always understood that everything in life has a purpose,” says Valentina.
This Christmas, Valentina’s joy will be overshadowed by the danger of being home. Children everywhere face persecution which is harsh and isolating. But your gift of hope can offer safety, schooling, and a future to children of the persecuted church.
Please pray for Valentina, and the many other persecuted children this Christmas
- Pray for her future and the future of the next generation. May God keep their hearts and minds on Him, so that they will not be discouraged.
- Pray for their families. May God protect them in their community and strengthen their faith amid the struggle they face daily.
- May God transform the heart of those who persecute Christians.
- Pray for the Open Doors Children’s Centre in Colombia and praise God for the work being done in this place.
