'I will never leave my faith': Deepak risks it all in India

Deepak Yadav*, a slender and soft-spoken man in his early 40s, came to know the Lord a decade ago. Deepak is from Bihar, a state in eastern India. He suffered from tuberculosis and could not find any cure even after several medical treatments and visiting different places of worship. But during a visit to the hospital, he met a pastor who shared Christ with him and prayed for him.

Deepak started to learn about Christ, to pray, and was gradually healed from his sickness!

When Deepak told his father that he had embraced Jesus, the consequences were immediate. His family members and the people in their village were furious. They told him he had defiled the village and had become an offensive force to the village gods and goddesses.

Deepak was told to renounce his Christian faith and was brutally beaten by the villagers. None from Deepak's family came forward to rescue or help him.

Even as Deepak continued to live with his family, he was constantly told to leave Christ. His family cut off all their ties with him, and he lived like a stranger under their roof.

"It was heartbreaking to see my family not speaking to me," Deepak remembers. "I was treated like an outsider. Though I lived with my parents and siblings under one roof, no one spoke to me, and I was ignored."

This continued for a few years. Finally, due to persistent pressure by the community, Deepak's father threw him out of the house and disinherited him.

Deepak moved to a neighboring village and lived with his relatives there.

When Open Doors' partners heard about Deepak's situation, they were able to help him with two months of groceries. As he recovered from the abuse he'd suffered, he managed to keep his eyes on Jesus. "I am not discouraged because God has been with me so wonderfully," he says. "I know my family is disturbed and hates me. They expelled me, but still, I am not discouraged. I have to take up my own cross if I have to follow Christ."

After a year, he returned to his hometown. Deepak's parents could not bear the separation from their son; when he returned, they welcomed him and allowed him to construct a small house on some neighboring land. He now lives there with his wife and four children.

To meet the needs of the family, Deepak worked as a daily wage laborer. But even though the villagers did not physically attack or threaten him, they still shunned him and refused to talk or work with him. He had to go to a nearby village just to make ends meet.

Hearing about his situation, Open Doors' partners reached out to him, prayed with him and his family and helped him with an income project. Deepak was given the resources to start a shop doing bicycle repairs. He and his wife were very happy and excited. His wife is grateful to Open Doors' partners for understanding the family's troubles and lifting them up.

"Like in the Bible it is written, they will help you bear the burden so that you do not have to bear it by yourself," Deepak says. "I believe God has sent you to ease my burden."

Though people continue to oppose him, many come to buy supplies and services from his shop. It means Deepak can support his family.

For Deepak, the most important thing has been that his children are able to attend school and gain an education. It leaves him incredibly grateful to Open Doors' partners—and to the Open Doors supporters around the world who have made it possible for him and his family to receive help.

"I am so grateful to God for you," he says. "You all are a blessing in my life. In my journey of faith and in opposition, you have stood by me as an encouragement, and it's an assurance from God that I am not alone."

There are still people in the village who are against Deepak for his faith. Yet, Deepak continues to attend church and even conduct prayer at his house. He also regularly shares his testimony. Many people have come to Christ through Deepak's witness. Pray for God's guidance and protection upon Deepak and his family.

"I have seen God working miraculously in my life and experienced His presence so powerfully," Deepak says. "I will never leave my faith, no matter what situations may come in my life."