Jail Time Strengthens Missionaries' Faith

The Bible college students and their missionary leader posed for a photo after being released from jail. The men shared their testimonies of finding God's grace and love while locked away in an Indian jail.

"I never thought I would ever have to go to the police station. But on account of the Lord's ministry, I went to the police station for the first time," said Raj Lohra, one of the Gospel for Asia missionaries who was held for nine days in a Karnataka, India, jail.

The missionaries, who were harassed and beaten before being arrested during a prayer meeting July 31, were released on August 8. Initial reports from Karnataka indicated that one missionary and three Bible college students were arrested. As the story developed, it was determined that a fourth student, Balaji Jenic, was also arrested and detained with his associates.

Since their release, the missionary and the four students received medical treatment and later told their stories to our field correspondent.

The horrors of prison are very real in India—no cots on which to sleep, inadequate and vile-tasting food and lack of medical care. But each of the men testified that in their time of distress, they turned to the Lord for comfort and strength. In their testimonies, each man tells how God encouraged him to remain strong and continue answering their call to take Jesus to the lost, even while they were in jail. Here are their stories, in their own words.

Raj Lohra

"I never thought that I would ever go to the police station. But on account of the Lord's ministry, I went to the police station for the first time. In jail my whole body was aching because of the severe physical blows sustained at the hands of the assailants. For three or four days I was suffering from a bad headache. Besides, there was no place for sleeping, which depressed me further. And for food we were given Ragi balls¹ (finger millets), which I could not eat anyway. Being in jail I began to think about why I joined the ministry. 'Why do I need to suffer through no fault of my own? I never faced these types of problems in my life.' I was thinking thoughts like this. I thought about how I could have joined some other work instead of ministry.

"Going through this kind of problem has made me stronger and now I am willing to live for him, and if need be, to die for His name’s sake." — GFA Bible college student Shobha Joshi

"My parents and the people in my village also came to know about the incident and they already misunderstood why I was in ministry. I was terrified at the thought of having to face them once again when I was released from jail.

"In the beginning I was very discouraged, but these situations inspired me to spend more time in the presence of the Lord. When I was staying in jail, God spoke to me in many strange ways. He made me realize that my stay in the prison was a great opportunity to share the Gospel with the other inmates. Therefore, I shared the Gospel with my co-prisoners. Also I prayed for them. In my nine days of staying in the jail, I have built up my spiritual life a lot, and I enjoyed God's presence.

"My initial thoughts of discouragement gave way for hope in the Lord. I forgot all my struggles and now I am enjoying God's presence in my life.

"After this incident, I am encouraged and willing to serve the Lord at any cost. I am very happy to do more for the Lord after going through this experience in the jail. Now I am willing to do anything for the Lord as He leads me in His ministry."

Shobha Joshi

"On July 31, 2008, at 3 a.m. the police took me to the jail. Entering into the jail I saw a big, dark compound. The jailer put me in a congested room with over 10 people where I couldn't sleep the whole night. In the morning all the prisoners were looking at me and asking 'What made you come here? Is it stealing, murder or something else?'

"I shared the Gospel with my roommates and others who were staying in the jail and I prayed for them. The prisoners were greatly encouraged listening to the Gospel." — GFA Bible college student Shobha Joshi

"For breakfast they gave me a Ragi ball, which I had never tasted in my life. But there was no other food to eat. They gave me the same food in the afternoon, as well. I was so depressed and thought, 'Why am I doing ministry?' At that time, the Lord spoke to me saying, 'I have put you in the jail to share my Gospel of love to the prisoners.'

"In the beginning I was very discouraged, but the Lord strengthened me. I began to share the Word of God and spend more time in the presence of the Lord. I shared the Gospel with my roommates and others who were staying in the jail, and I prayed for them. The prisoners were greatly encouraged listening to the Gospel. They were surprised to see me in jail, not for any unlawful thing I had done, but for my faith. Some of them even told me once they are out of jail they would live a holy life. Through my stay in the jail, the Lord helped me to grow spiritually and enjoy His presence more in my life.

"After analyzing my life soon after the incident, what has occurred to me is that I am so happy to go back to the battlefield to work for the Lord at any cost. Now I have taken it as a challenge in my life to do more for the Lord. Going through this kind of problem has made me stronger, and now I am willing to live for him and, if need be, to die for His name's sake."

Nanji Bir

"I was so discouraged initially. As I entered the jail my first thought was 'Who is going to get me out of this place?' I was sad and depressed. I could not understand why I was there.

"On the second day of my stay in the prison I was especially discouraged. After having the Ragi food in the jail, I did not want to taste it anymore, but I had no option but to eat it. As I was discouraged the Lord spoke to me from the Acts of the Apostles 21:13 where Paul says '…What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'

"Many people accused us, saying we were forcefully converting people. But I explained to them that it was God’s plan that we were put in the jail and everything worked for the good for those who loved Him." — GFA Bible college student Nanji Bir

"Within three days God healed me from all physical ailments, although I did not take any medicine. Many people accused us, saying we were forcefully converting people. But I explained to them that it was God's plan that we were put in the jail and everything worked for the good for those who loved Him. I also told them that we were there to share God's Word with them. I am so happy that I shared about God's love with many of the murderers and thieves and that they all were willing to know more about our Jesus.

"By going through such a situation in my life, I have come to a decision to willingly face any kind of opposition for the Lord. And I have dedicated my life fully to His glorious ministry."

Balaji Jenic

"When I entered the jail many questions filled my mind, such as how I would get out and who would understand us. Naturally, I gave in to discouragement. The day they brought me to the jail I could not sleep because of terrible pain in my body. The next day came and when breakfast was served, I had trouble eating but I knew I had to. And the jailers mocked us saying 'You are converting people to Christianity.' I thought, 'Why am I wasting my time in ministry? If I had done some other work I would never have to get beaten up by the miscreants or end up in jail!

"While I was thinking during that sleepless night, with the mosquitoes all around and the toilet giving off a terrible foul smell, I got a little disheartened. But the Lord helped me to recollect many of His promises and the Holy Spirit strengthened me. The Word of God brought a great comfort and encouragement to my heart." — GFA Missionary Yohan Samuel

"While all these thoughts came to my mind, God began to speak with me through His Word. I was touched by the words of Paul in the Acts of the Apostles 21:13 '…What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'

"The visit of our bishop and the principal of the Bible school encouraged all of our hearts beyond words. It was like seeing our father and mother at a desperate time. We could never imagine such a visit by our leaders. We were encouraged to know that there were lots of people of God praying for us, and we were not alone. The leaders encouraged us to pray for those who persecuted us. The jailer was astounded by the words and presence of our leaders, for he was until then mocking and abusing us for coming to the jail.

"Now I am ready to go back and serve the Lord anywhere. Whatever happens to me, I am for the Lord. I know the Lord is for those people who are downtrodden and suffering in life."

Yohan Samuel

"On July 31, when I entered into the jail in the middle of the night, seeing the huge walls frightened me. I could not figure out anything, and I was speechless. In the morning all the prisoners were looking at me as though I was a murderer. My first thoughts were, I did not do anything but why am I here in this jail?

"While I was thinking during that sleepless night, with the mosquitoes all around and the toilet giving off a terrible foul smell, I got a little disheartened. But the Lord helped me to recollect many of His promises and the Holy Spirit strengthened me. The Word of God brought a great comfort and encouragement to my heart.

"God reminded me that this was a rare privilege to share His Word with the prisoners." — GFA Missionary Yohan Samuel

"I had hoped that I would come out of the jail within two days, but my hopes were dashed when I was not given bail even after two days.

"While I was eating Ragi balls in the jail, I felt sad that I had to eat like a beggar, just eating whatever came my way. I remember that I had given food to many beggars, but now I was just like one of them.

"God reminded me that this was a rare privilege to share His Word with the prisoners. God enabled me to share the Good News with those who were depressed because of their prolonged stay in jail.

"After all that happened in my life I am so encouraged. I am ready to go back to the same place to work for the Lord. I am going to continue the ministry in the same village. I will stand firm in the Lord's ministry. I want everyone to pray that God will enable me to continue the ministry and bring many more lost souls into His Kingdom."

Missionary Yohan has now returned to his village and been reunited with his wife and his daughters, ages 14 and 11. Two days after being released from jail he visited the families of all 25 of his church members to strengthen and encourage them.

He is also excited that only a week before his arrest, a plot of land was found on which to construct a church building for his congregation. The landowner has agreed to sell it to the church and said he would provide all the moral support the congregation would need as they build their new church.

The students who were held are now staying with GFA in another city right now. Unfortunately, some of their family members are encouraging them to abandon the ministry and return home.

The missionary and students had the following prayer requests:

The men were having a prayer meeting at a missionary’s home when they were arrested.

• Pray that the Lord will sustain each of them, and that they will stand firm in their commitment to Him.
• Pray that the Lord would provide for all the needs of Yohan Samuel's congregation as they construct their new church.
• Pray that many people come to know the Lord because of these dedicated missionaries.

¹Ragi balls are a type of rubbery dumpling made from millet flour and water. They are generally eaten only by the poorest people in Karnataka.

• Read about the missionaries' arrest here.
  
  
• Although these brothers are now out of prison, there are still many dangers to our missionaries serving in Karnataka. You can read an update about that situation here.