In August, it was reported that a family (with eight children and an 87-year-old grandfather) was expelled from their vil-lage after locals harassed them for leaving indigenous religious practices to follow Jesus.
Miguel Pérez Díaz and his family moved to a mountainside shack to escape the persecution. Their water supply was cut, then they were forced to leave their home. Leaving the ‘traditionalist’ blend of Roman Catholic and indigenous rituals and beliefs, the Pérez family put their faith in Christ four years ago and began a small fellowship in their home.
The family survive by collecting the morning dew from a nylon sheet and rainwater that falls from the metal roof of the shanty they built. They store the water in empty soda bottles and other containers. They are obligated to pay US$26 each month to keep authorities from taking possession of their house.
‘To follow Christ is beautiful,’ Pérez said. ‘It doesn’t matter if we have to live in suffering, persecution and contempt from our village. Everyone in the family says that to live close to God is a blessing, and we delight in the salvation found only in Jesus Christ.’
They pray that more Christians would spread the word of God, as many still need to know the love that is available only from Jesus Christ.
