purnima
Faith Despite Sorrow
When only thirteen, Purnima found herself having to say good-bye to her parents. She had professed her faith in Christ, and officials demanded she either denounce her faith or leave Bhutan. She knew she could not deny Christ. He was the only one who could save her.
The officers interrogated Purnima and thirty-four other believers, asking the same questions over and over. “Why do you want to be a Christian? This is a Buddhist country, and you have dishonored us by accepting this foreign religion.” She and the others were given five days to leave their homes and go to Nepal. Christians were labeled “traitors,” and the other villagers openly attacked them.
A year before, Purnima’s parents had forced her out of their home. Purnima was the daughter of a witch doctor, who led the village in rituals and performed animal sacrifices to drive out evil spirits. Her older sister, Maya, had suffered a serious illness, and she watched her father perform Buddhist rituals and sacrifice chickens for three years, calling on the spirits to heal his daughter. It never worked. Purnima could not understand why nothing her father did appeased the gods.
Miraculously, Maya was healed, but not through the incantations of a witch doctor. Maya claimed that Jesus had healed her. Maya’s husband, Sival, had a Bible and they had prayed for Jesus to heal her. Purnima’s father was so enraged at such a claim, he kicked Maya and Sival out of the home. Their newfound faith was a disgrace to the family. Purnima was heartbroken when they left, and no one was allowed to mention Maya in the home.
Soon, there was news that Sival and Maya had a baby boy. Purnima knew they lived outside the village and couldn’t keep away from her sister any longer. She had to go meet her nephew! Her curiosity about Maya’s new faith remained. What kind of God would just heal, asking nothing in return? How did Sival and Maya have such strength to stand against their families and leave Buddhism?
Purnima cut across fields, hiding in the brush so she could remain out of sight. When Maya opened the door to their small hut, she embraced her little sister with joy. The visits continued, and Maya began reading stories from the Bible to her sister. Purnima was fascinated with the story of Moses. He left his home to become a mouthpiece for God. She wondered what God would have her do if she were a Christian.
Finally, Purnima’s mother confronted her. “We know what you are doing. I’ve lost one daughter, and I don’t want to lose another. Do you understand?” Her mother explained how Christianity was for a lower class of people and not acceptable to their family or their country. But Purnima couldn’t keep away from her sister. She kept visiting and hearing more about Jesus.
That Christmas, Sival and Maya invited her over for a small celebration. There, she accepted Jesus as Savior and wanted to be baptized.
Maya was overjoyed for her sister but also feared what might happen to her. At first, she thought it might be best for Purnima to keep her faith to herself and not tell her parents. But Purnima knew she could never hide it. It was too real. Maya offered to go with her, but her little sister was determined to do it alone. She walked home and blurted out, “Mom, I’m a Christian.” Her mother thought she was joking but soon realized it was true. That evening, her parents forced her to leave home.
As she began her journey, she could hear her mother crying. Purnima knew her mother really did still love her. She lived with Maya and Sival until the arrests of Christians began. But then she had to prepare to leave Bhutan.
She wanted to see her parents just one more time. She quietly opened her front door. “Mom? Mom, it’s me.” Her mother grabbed her and tears flowed as she held her tightly. “Please tell me you are not a Christian any longer.” Purnima was silent for a while and finally knew she had to tell her she was leaving Bhutan. Her mother looked at her, asking, “How can you be so brave? You are so young and innocent.” Her father entered the room, giving her a roll of money. He told her to be careful and quietly left.
Purnima stayed a few more minutes, desperately trying to memorize her mother’s face. She didn’t know if she would gaze into her eyes or hear her sweet voice again. They embraced one last time and Purnima slipped into the dark night, darting through the familiar fields one last time.
In the morning, she joined eight other believers who were also being forced to leave. They got on a bus and were dropped off near the border. There would be no more contact with home. Making their way toward Nepal, they journeyed sorrowfully, crying silent tears. Purnima cried herself to sleep each night, thinking of her village and her family. Every night she had vivid dreams of her mother. She just wanted to be her little girl again.
One night she was awakened by a heavy boot slamming into her side. She didn’t know how many bandits were attacking them, but her small group did not resist. The men had guns and lined them up, ordering them to close their eyes. They obeyed, wondering if they would be shot. Finally, they opened their eyes to find the gunmen had left, stealing all they had. Everyone had lost all his or her money, except Purnima. She had hidden the money her father gave her very well.
The next morning, they were able to get a ride to Nepal with Purnima’s money. The group was thankful for the young girl’s bravery and wit. The group used the ride to catch up on sleep. Purnima was thankful the thieves had not taken her Bible. She read about Joseph and Mary fleeing to Egypt, giving her courage to face another day on the run.
The truck stopped to refuel, so everyone got out to walk and stretch. They ran into a pastor and shared their story. The pastor was particularly sympathetic to young Purnima. He asked her companions if he could invite her to live with his family. Purnima was grateful but she still missed her family desperately.
A few months later, the pastor took her to a Christian conference. She was elated to see Sival! Now she could live with her sister. The pastor tried to convince Purnima to stay with him, knowing she would end up living in a refugee camp. Purnima understood that what he said was true but wanted to be with family more than anything. Sival led his sister-in-law to their camp on the northern border. There the sisters were reunited, shrieking with joy.
While Purnima loved being with Maya and Sival, she hated the conditions of the camp. Despair seemed to be all around. Thousands of families were living in severe poverty. But Maya assured her that they could make a difference and share Jesus with the refugees. Purnima began sharing her faith with others, soon forgetting the deplorable living situation.
She couldn’t help it. Purnima knew the rules of the camp, but she had to share the love of Jesus. Purnima soon found herself occupying a prison cell for spreading her faith in Nepal. Even in the lowest pit, which seemed like hell itself, this young brave girl brought others to Christ. She was released after fourteen months and sixteen days, and she still lives with Maya and Sival, hoping one day to share the gospel with her mother.
So young, so experienced in serving and suffering for Christ: Purnima has proven that no cost is too great. She gladly gives all for her faith, despite her sorrow.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
(Ephesians 6:10-11)