Believers have shared in the country-wide struggle to survive. Christians have not been suffering any more than others simply because they are Christians. Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus alike have set aside their differences and stepped out of their homes to protest together. For this, we praise God!
But most persecuted believers in the country belong to the group most vulnerable to the effects of the present crisis. They come from rural parts of the country, and many of them belong to low-income households.
“Although the cost of living has increased, people’s income has not,” Sunil, an Open Doors field partner, shared. “Pastors who relied on tithes and offerings from the congregation are also struggling now. Since people can barely afford to give, pastors have limited resources.”
However, the present crisis has not only affected people in rural areas. The urban poor are also some of the most affected people. The cost of living is higher in the metro region of Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka, than in rural areas; and thus Christians and pastors in these parts of the country have also been faced with many challenges.
Open Doors field partners are supporting pastors and believers who are affected by this crisis by providing relief aid. Packs containing essential items will be distributed to these families with the help of field volunteers.
