Teaching the Illegal Gospel

Taken from “The Voice of the Martyrs” Magazine - January 2022 Edition

As 18-year-old Boupha led a group of children in games and a Bible story one Sunday morning in February 2020, her class was interrupted by the police. “The kids were shocked and afraid,” Boupha recalled. “I was also afraid because this had never happened before.”

Although she had never had problems with the police, Boupha knew that Christians in Laos sometimes face persecution and that the country’s Communist government attempts to control Christian activity outside the government-approved church.

“In the past, I heard some people faced persecution as Christians,” Boupha said. “Even when my parents first accepted Christ, it was quite scary. I did not necessarily think it would happen to me personally, but it was in the back of my mind that those who follow Christ will face persecution.”

Growing up, Boupha had heard conflicting opinions about Christians. While some said Christians were good people who did not cheat or lie, others claimed they were drug addicts with immoral lifestyles. Even after her parents became Christians, Boupha had little interest in learning about Christianity. But then a friend shared some biblical truths with her.

“My friend told me that God is good and He was the One who created me,” she said. “I asked myself, ‘Is this possible? Is this real?’”

Boupha, who was 15 at the time, eventually began to attend church with her friend. When she observed Christians singing songs of praise, reading the Bible and worshiping joyfully, she yearned to know the God they followed. And after placing her faith in Christ, she immediately looked for ways to serve at church.

“I wanted to serve the Lord in some way,” she said. “Serving the Lord is what touches my heart. I wanted to see the spiritual growth of the kids in my church to follow God’s way.”

Boupha soon began teaching Sunday School, and in 2019 she enrolled in a VOM-supported training program that provided materials and discipleship resources to help her lead children more effectively. After completing the training, she returned to her church to put into practice what she had learned in the program. And about one year later, she received a visit from the police.

PASSIONATE UNDER PRESSURE

As Boupha and the children enjoyed their Sunday morning lesson, three police officers arrived and began asking questions. They wanted to know why she was teaching the children and where she got the materials. “Did you know that teaching these little kids here is against the law?” they asked threateningly.

Scared and shaken, Boupha started praying. “Lord, please help me,” she said. “Give me wisdom in this situation. Give me wisdom in answering whatever question they have.” She responded politely to the officers’ initial questions, and then they took her to the local police station for further questioning.

The officers repeated their questions about where she got her teaching materials and who was paying her to teach, and Boupha truthfully insisted that was she teaching voluntarily. When they questioned her about her Christian beliefs, she courageously shared the gospel with them.

“How do you know that the God you believe in is the One who created everything?” the officers demanded.

“I passionately believe that God created everything because He made me,” she replied. “In the Bible, He says it clearly. The Bible states that God created the Heavens and the earth and everything within it. What the eye can see and not see, He created it all.”

The policemen asked no further questions, instead taking Boupha’s teaching materials. Seeing an opportunity, she encouraged the officers to study the materials themselves, hoping what they learned might lead them to faith in Christ.

When the officers asked Boupha to promise that she would not teach from the materials anymore, she replied, “You took all the materials already, so there is no point to promise you if I will ever teach again.” Satisfied that she would not be able to continue teaching without her materials, the officers let her go.

HUMILIATED FOR CHRIST

Boupha left the interrogation with a greater resolve to continue teaching children about Christ.

“After they took me to be interrogated, my faith became stronger,” she said. “It made me hold steadfast to the Lord. The police threatened that if I were to continue to teach, they would arrest me and put me in some unknown place. I would be willing to be arrested because it is my duty to teach the kids at church.”

Today, Boupha continues to serve in her church, helping lead worship as well as youth Bible studies. She also works part-time while completing her education in accounting. Although she is judged and ridiculed by peers, she is unashamed of following Christ.

“To be [humiliated] for Jesus is a good thing,” she said. “The whole school would make fun of me, yet I was not embarrassed. It made me stronger.”

Boupha knows that she may face more persecution in the future. “I am willing and open to accept persecution if it comes again,” she said. “It has taught me to keep my faith in the Lord, and that He is always with me. Jesus did everything for me. He did nothing wrong, yet He died for me on the cross. I will not back away from the Lord. The Lord would not leave me nor forsake me in any situation. I want to serve the Lord to the best of my abilities.”

After graduation, Boupha hopes to find a job that will enable her to support her parents and continue serving in her church. She hopes her story will be an encouragement to others experiencing difficult circumstances.

“When we face persecution or many problems in life, do not give up hope or be discouraged,” Boupha said. “Put your trust in Christ, and know that He will always be by your side and not abandon you. God will always be with you.”