Open Doors was founded in 1955 by Andrew van der Bijl, a Dutchman more widely known as Brother Andrew, when he decided to smuggle Bibles to discriminated Christians in Communist Poland. He continued this work in smuggling Bibles to many of the Sovietcontrolled countries and in 1957 was given a blue Volkswagen Beetle which he used to make deliveries within the Communist bloc. With this new car he was able to carry more literature. He is known for having prayed "Lord, make seeing eyes blind" when he was stopped at the border of a communist country for his car to be inspected.

Thereafter, the work of Open Doors continued to expand as it extended its network throughout Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

2020 - Isolation, fear, uncertainty.

These are terms that are all too familiar to persecuted Christians. They face isolation and fear for their livelihoods and even lives because of their Christian faith. And uncertainty because those who worship Christ in secret don’t know who may be watching them.

While Christians in the free world have for the first time experienced what it’s like to worship in isolation. Many of us are facing fear for our livelihoods. And we’re all uncertain of what will happen over the next few months concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sadly, for persecuted Christians, their current circumstances are compounded by the pandemic. The pandemic has also impacted our work as an organisation. Yet, our teams are doing everything possible to reach, encourage and strengthen our persecuted family, both physically and spiritually.

Throughout the world, we need to pray for one another, our leaders and countries.

Please continue to pray with us:

• Pray that God will continue to provide for our persecuted family.
• Pray for wisdom for us at Open Doors in how to best serve the persecuted Church during this time.
• Pray for wisdom for leaders worldwide in dealing with the pandemic.
• Pray for all who’ve been severely affected by the pandemic.

For more information go to www.opendoors.co.za