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Church worker NaomiYoung widow and mother of three Naomi was sentenced to three years in prison in 1982. "I thought jail was like hell," she said. "But God said to me, 'This is not a prison but a university.' He wanted me to learn a lesson." Naomi had come to know the Lord through her Christian neighbours during a period of illness. Because her family was poor and couldn't afford a doctor, her neighbours told her, "Believe in Jesus and you will be healed!" She gave her heart to the Lord and He healed her sickness. Christian leadership in prisonIn prison, Naomi became an example of Christian leadership, sharing her meagre bread rations with those she was discipling. They secretly wrote out portions of memorised scripture and distributed them to other prisoners, taught them hymns and even started a Bible study. About 700 prisoners turned to the Lord. Even the prison guard became a Christian! The new believers wanted to be baptised, so Naomi found a big water tank in the laundry area and baptised them. Heartache after releaseAfter six years of imprisonment, Naomi was finally released – but the pain did not stop there. Her children had been without a mother for a long time, and when she returned home, she found that her youngest daughter did not recognise her. But despite this setback, Naomi refused to give up. She continued to share her faith with others, even though she was caught several times and sentenced to 2-3 months of labour camp each time. "In my heart, no matter what the situation, I will not have any regrets," said Naomi. "If I am executed via firing squad, I give my children to Jesus. If I am martyred for the Lord, they will have many more (spiritual) parents." Arrested againIn 1996, she was arrested again and sentenced to three years of labour camp, along with several other believers. Wanting to glorify himself, the new chief of the region had them paraded through the streets in a cart. Yet the believers did not hold this against him. "We must forgive him for his wrong conviction," they said. A firm resolveDespite the heavy price she has paid for her faith, Naomi remains firm in her resolve to keep following Jesus. "I will still continue to serve in the church," said Naomi. "The path we have taken is the road of the cross… now that the cross is before us, can we not carry it? "I am not afraid. If there is no Jesus, my life is over. No matter what the situation, I will not complain. If the Lord wants me to suffer, I will suffer. If he wants me to be blessed, I will be blessed." Please pray:
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