X

Bangladesh: Overcoming Fear with Welcome in a Muslim Country

‘Overcoming Fear with Welcome in a Muslim Country’

This week is Bangladesh!

As my wife Denise and I were flying to Bangladesh from Nepal a man came quietly to us and began to whisper. He recognized us as the ones carrying the cross. He wanted to know if we had it with us. I told him, “Yes.” He became very nervous, but continued talking, saying that he was a secret missionary operating as a businessman. He said that we would be arrested or killed, as there was not freedom to witness or evangelize in that Islamic nation. He had a great love and passion for Jesus and for the people, yet he predicted death, jail and doom for us. He said he would be praying for us, but told us not to look at him in the immigration line or at customs, as he did not want to be seen with us. We smiled and blessed him and commended him on his mission for Jesus.

At immigration we somehow arrived side-by-side, but I did not look his way. We knew no one in the country and had no place to stay. Our flight was delayed and it was night when we arrived. In an awesome way we got a room and met a local lady who arranged a press conference and instead of being arrested and jailed or killed, crowds gathered outside the hotel wanting to see the cross and have me pray for them and for their healing! The news reported at often times people were healed at the cross. Awesome miracles happened in bodies and in souls as crowds prayed to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.

We got a phone call from that secret missionary! He was so excited and shocked that we were on the front page of the newspapers and was on TV and crowds were welcoming us. Now he wanted to have dinner with us and welcome us. I told him the route we would be carrying the cross on the next day, and that he could come and bring some food; we would eat along the roadside. He really did not want to do that, but came anyway for a brief time. Always looking about for police. Ha.

The point is: he is a wonderful follower of Jesus, but he thought he knew what God would “not” do. He saw Bangladesh from his point of view and we saw it knowing the call of Jesus for us to carry the cross there! Jesus opened the way in that Muslim nation for the cross and gave a mighty witness in one of the largest Muslim population nations in the world.

Often followers of Jesus are detoured or stopped from the mission of God by the advice of good, well-intended people. Over and over Jesus has shown me that there are no walls. We are to obey and let the Voice of the Holy Spirit and Jesus be stronger than the wisdom of people.

As I have carried the cross around the world over and over we had people telling us where we could not go and how we could not do, what for us, was the will of God. We just love, bless and go on our way. So in Bangladesh we had love, acceptance and welcome for us and the cross! God bless Bangladesh and the beautiful people.

Many say that following Jesus and trusting Him as Savior and Lord is foolish and etc., but I urge you not to believe such. Jesus is real, loving and will welcome any repentant sinner into His Family. Invite Jesus into your heart now.

Don’t let others dictate to you, but be open to the Word of God and the Voice of the Spirit. I’m praying for you. God bless you.

In the movie “The Cross” you will see how we faced struggles and fears in the assurance that Jesus is with us and we rest in Him alone — often closing our ears and eyes to the voices and news, and simply following Jesus and His glorious will and way. There are many life lessons in this movie that can empower you to know and do the will and mission of Jesus in the face of obstacles and the voices of others telling us what we cannot do.

For the story of the crosswalk and photos in Bangladesh please go to “Crosswalk Stories and Photos” Top Left

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt,

Luke 18:1

Weeks ago I started with the letter A and will go to Z focusing on a nation or island group, and what I learned in that place. If you are looking for perfection then just read the Words of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible. I’m only a pilgrim that has and is still on a journey with Jesus. He is constantly working on me like a potter does the clay. Welcome to the potter’s house!