Persecution follows daughter's death
Kariang, a Mengen believer in Papua New Guinea, has been enduring trials with incredible grace and strength. Her daughter Marion died this week after battling cerebral malaria and meningitis for several weeks.
Kariang is a dear friend and language co-worker of missionary Becky Preheim.
"In fact," wrote Becky, "most of their eight children were practically raised in my office, as Kariang has spent many hours helping me translate God’s Word over the years.
"I am so thankful that Marion has had a chance to hear the Gospel message, and as far as we know, she had likely placed her trust in Christ. Both of her parents, Teli and Kariang, are believers and have undergone tremendous persecution in the past few weeks. Traditionally, when someone is sick, the Mengen people would perform all sorts of magic rituals, calling on the spirits of their dead ancestors for help and healing."
Though Teli and Kariang courageously stood firm in refusing to perform healing rituals on Marion while she was ill, they had to bear much persecution and ostracism from their family. They were kicked out of the village and not even allowed to gather their belongings.
Now, in his grief over her death, Teli is saying that the illness and death were Kariang’s fault and Kariang now stands alone in her grief and heartache. Pray that she will continue to stand strong in her faith. Pray that Teli will be comforted by the grace of Christ as he grieves over the loss of his daughter.
Pray also for peace and comfort for the eight young children as they see their parents punished for taking a stand for Jesus and also as they grieve over the loss of their sister.
Kariang is a dear friend and language co-worker of missionary Becky Preheim.
"In fact," wrote Becky, "most of their eight children were practically raised in my office, as Kariang has spent many hours helping me translate God’s Word over the years.
"I am so thankful that Marion has had a chance to hear the Gospel message, and as far as we know, she had likely placed her trust in Christ. Both of her parents, Teli and Kariang, are believers and have undergone tremendous persecution in the past few weeks. Traditionally, when someone is sick, the Mengen people would perform all sorts of magic rituals, calling on the spirits of their dead ancestors for help and healing."
Though Teli and Kariang courageously stood firm in refusing to perform healing rituals on Marion while she was ill, they had to bear much persecution and ostracism from their family. They were kicked out of the village and not even allowed to gather their belongings.
Now, in his grief over her death, Teli is saying that the illness and death were Kariang’s fault and Kariang now stands alone in her grief and heartache. Pray that she will continue to stand strong in her faith. Pray that Teli will be comforted by the grace of Christ as he grieves over the loss of his daughter.
Pray also for peace and comfort for the eight young children as they see their parents punished for taking a stand for Jesus and also as they grieve over the loss of their sister.