Still Moving Forward: Challenges of Serving God in a War Zone
“A family arrived at a relief center. Four of them fled from their enemies with only a single blanket. Shops were closed. They went to another relief center where three families donated their extra blankets. They were enough to keep the family warm. Praise the Lord.”*
For nine months, Manipur, India, has been in the midst of an ethnic conflict, which has not yet shown signs of stopping.
Robert**, one of our Bible Workers in Manipur, has been helping medical relief efforts among displaced people and sharing the Gospel.
Serving in a war zone is very unpredictable, and Robert has encountered many challenges, including a diagnosis of a severe upper respiratory infection, which has drained a lot of his energy. Still, he is doing his best to help in whatever way he can.
Along with volunteer doctors and nurses, Robert went to the front lines one day to run a health camp. "It was such a blessing for me to learn and experience more medical things," Robert said.
Robert is praying for an ambulance of his own to augment the over-stressed ambulance in the photo and serve an under-serviced area.
He shared this story of an older woman he helped:
“This grandma (a term of respect for older women) was brought in at night and placed beside my bed. She was unconscious, and her condition was deteriorating. The following morning, I used my stethoscope and checked her chest. I noticed a serious abnormality. I called a nurse and told her to hold my stethoscope and listen to the lung sounds, but she was hesitant.
“I told the nurse that something was seriously wrong. The grandma needed quick intervention from a doctor. I went to the nurse’s station three times and told them she would not last for another two hours without help. I also recommended that the grandma's caretaker call her relatives to say goodbye. Her room was full within half an hour…
One of the sick grandmas Robert has been able to help.
“The nurse checked her pulse oximeter, and the oxygen reading was 94%, not enough to cause alarm. But still, the sound in her chest did not let me keep silent...
“Finally, the visiting doctor came, but he was in another ward. I rushed to him, almost losing my breath. I told him he must quickly see this patient. He checked the ECG...
“The doctor said she had a heart attack and referred her to the ICU. I carried the grandma like a baby to the ICU and brought her medicine as quickly as possible. Thank God she is now under proper care. The family was in tears as they saw how things were unfolding. They were thankful for my help, praise God.”
Service Log
Excerpts from Robert's ministry reports
December 2023
“Most of my nights and mornings are like this. At night, babies cry...[in the] morning, children are crowding [around me]. But I love this...”
“Yes, the hills and mountains are so beautiful and peaceful [where my mother and siblings live]. Prior to the May conflicts, I hated to stay in town...but when I saw the suffering conditions of my [people,] I forced myself...I believe God [will] bless our work for those who need us... Praise and glory to His name.”
“Things are becoming more scary these days as both sides are armed with dangerous and sophisticated weapons. Thanks for your prayers...”
“Heavy rainfall leaking from [relief camp] roof. Buckets to catch [the water]...some of my bedding wet - hoping the rain will stop soon.” [A few days later] “The rain stopped by God’s grace. Praise the Lord!”
January 2024
“Running to relief centers...trying to help...no current (electricity)...clean water gone...too dark. Bought a bottle of water and a candle for the night. God is so gracious.”
“Before I found the [SDA] truth, I was trying to join [the army]...and use guns and violence, but God has changed me totally. I praise His holy name.”
“The mother whom I accompanied to the hospital yesterday is still in the hospital...I thought of having a New Year’s party with my friends, but seeing these people melts my heart.”
“One of our volunteer doctors was so sick. I was asked to pray for him...my friends started noticing I always try to communicate the Gospel…[they] know me as their pastor…have been sharing with my friends whenever time permits.”
“The Bible’s prediction about wars and rumors of wars are in my sights! God, make me a humble instrument...to bring peace in Manipur for His glory is my prayer.”
More ambulances are needed in Manipur to help people get to the hospital from remote areas.
Please continue to pray for Robert and the situation in Manipur. Here are a few ways you can pray:
Please pray for peace to be restored in Manipur.
Please pray for God to use this situation to draw people to Himself.
Please pray for Robert’s safety and that of our other Bible Workers.
Please pray for Robert’s health to improve. He may need to have fluid drained from his lungs if medications do not help enough.
Please pray for Robert to find a house where he can rest and help others. He is currently staying in the hospitals and relief camps where he is serving.
Please also pray for God to provide Robert with a four-wheel-drive vehicle to serve as an ambulance so he can help more people from remote areas get to the hospital. This would be a tremendous help to the one other ambulance driver in the area and could save the lives of many who cannot get to the hospital another way. This ambulance will cost around $20,000.
If God is leading you to help provide an ambulance for Robert so he can serve more people, please click the button below. Gifts of any size are appreciated.
*Quotes edited for clarity.
**Name has been changed, and photos have been edited for security reasons.