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"When Praying for Others Gave Me Hope", Open Doors Partner
Her journey with the persecuted church began with a prayer—and became a source of hope, strength, and faith through the loss of her husband.
For more than 20 years, Mayumi, a missionary serving on Polillo Island, has faithfully stood with persecuted Christians through prayer. Her journey with Open Doors began when she first heard the stories of believers suffering for their faith. What started as a call to pray became a lifelong commitment—one that has carried her through ministry, loss, and seasons of deep personal pain. Through it all, Mayumi has discovered the power of prayer and the truth that we are one Body in Christ. This is her testimony:
I first heard about Open Doors at a mission event I attended. I didn’t grow up knowing about the persecuted church. That day I heard stories from countries where Christians are tortured, imprisoned, and driven from their homes. All because they follow Jesus. I wept. Here in the Philippines, I worship freely. That night my prayers changed. In 2001, I connected with Open Doors with Brother Andrew through Bro. Efren Parolina. I read a book of women’s stories on how they survived persecution, and I also received their monthly newsletter with prayer lists. I began to pray. In 2002, God called me to missions. I studied at Calvary Bible Institute, and in 2003 I taught in an underground Bible school in Vietnam. I met students risking their lives to study God’s Word. After Vietnam, I came home and married Ptr. Sam Vallente. In 2004, we went to Polilio Island for mission. For 20 years, we prayed daily for persecuted Christians. Then my husband died of COVID. I was quarantined for ten days, alone, shocked and devastated. On the 6th day, anxiety and depression hit me hard. That’s when the Lord told me to pray for persecuted Christians who were suffering more than me. I obeyed. Peace came and God gave me strength. I finished the 10 days alive, and full of hope. I never met Brother Andrew. I can’t remember the book title. But for 20 years, their vision kept me. When I had nothing left, praying for others gave me hope. Today I know this: we are one Body. And the God who sustains them, sustains me too.
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