God’s Full Circle Of Protection:
A Davis Family Story
By Cindy Fetters and Melissa Rightmire
The Calling of Matthew
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.
“Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
Mathew 9:9
Ronald Davis and his family fled their country of origin because they continue to choose Jesus Christ, no matter the cost. Their home country has been listed as one of ten most dangerous for any Christian. In recent years, there has been mounting pressure upon anyone who does not bend a knee to the religious teachings of that county. “Things started going bad for us” Ronald explains. “I realized it was no longer safe. We had to leave.” Situated in South Asia, less than two percent of the population are Christians, classified as “the minority” for no other reason than who they worship.
Any person who is ‘disliked’ or perceived to have ties to Christianity is destined to persecution, indentured slavery, strict blasphemy laws and even ruthless slaying. “It was only a matter of time for my family”, Ronald explains as he reflects on the continued persecution and torture of Christians and their places of worship. Designated in the lowest class through a societal caste system, a majority of Christians are forced into demeaning menial labor like sewage cleaning, and trash management in the most unsanitary conditions to inflict mental and moral suppression.
This persecution is a social stigma placed upon families and their future generations to squelch any chance of improved social status. God’s consistent hand of protection guarded the Davis family from such persecution. Ronald pursued advanced education earning a master’s degree in statistics. Because of his education and God’s help, he was able to rise in status to the top five percent in the country, further increasing his risks for persecution.
Ronald Davis was born into a Christian family of several generations, beginning with the conversion of a distant grandfather who had formally adopted his pastor’s last name “Davis”. Pastor Davis led that grandfather to Jesus Christ, binding them together in “the same family”. Generations of the Davis family have remained faithful to Jesus, retaining their Christian name faith and despite growing hostility toward Christians.
Without warning, May 2018, the Davis family was forced to flee their country. Embracing his role as father and head of household, Ronald led his family away from their home. With mounting danger hovering, the pressure to escape increased until “we were made to leave” Ronald explains. “There was no time to make plans”. Securing a small amount of cash, he was careful not to draw attention to their activities.
Packing a few personal belongings, the Davis family walked out of their home one last time, boarding an international flight. Leaving everything behind, they placed an uncertain future in the hands of their Heavenly Father as they landed in Texas. Close family friends welcomed them to U.S. soil, helping secure a small private apartment and a chance to gain their equilibrium in a foreign land. Determined to launch their new lives legally, Ronald set out to find professional guidance through the hazy bureaucratic maze of attaining legal residency. He encountered roadblocks and financial barriers that appeared insurmountable. Chances of unlocking the freedom door seemed impossible until someone told him about an attorney in Arizona known for her minimal legal fees. Ultimately, the family retained her professional services with a small down payment. One month later, they moved to Chandler, Arizona with renewed hope that their legal status was finally within reach.
The first few months in Arizona were especially difficult as the four continued living on the small amount of cash they brought with them. Legal work authorization can take up to a full year for processing and approval. The Davis family was overjoyed when theirs arrived within six months and they could finally get jobs! The attorney said they “got lucky”. Ronald’s explanation is; “God’s hand was in the background, orchestrating it all, taking care of our family”! Armed with work permits, the Davis family soon found employment. Drawing again from dwindling cash reserves, they purchased a modest used car. Sharing one car among four people requires ingenuity! Ronald found work at the local Walmart, Anita in a small pre-school within walking distance of their apartment. Ryan enrolled part-time in a community college close by and ran the checkout counter of a car wash. Ronit, twelve years old, was enrolled in the public middle school close to their apartment.
“God’s hand was in the background, orchestrating it all, taking care of our family”
Longing for a church home and a place to worship, Ronald began making inquiries. One person suggested Crossroads Nazarene Church after hearing Ronald’s description of the church they left behind. The family began attending Crossroads September 2018. “Crossroads worship services are more or less the same as the church we had been attending previously.” Ronald recalls the warm welcome they experienced and dinner invitations by some of the families. They had found a welcoming church family that felt like “home”.
Two years later, the family was granted legal permanent residence status. Because Ronald has a master’s degree, he landed a job in a charter school teaching several grade levels. Long hours and extended evening work at home, while still holding down a weekend Walmart job, left Ronald no time for his most treasured priority.
Pressures of a demanding work schedule had taken over. Those he loved most, and so courageously led out of danger, had been left to fend for themselves. With no quality time to offer, he decided to trade his teaching and Walmart jobs, for a professional, all-night production Quality position.
Working nights has allowed him to resume a more “hands-on” daytime role with his family. Caring for his family is Ronald’s highest calling. Today, by appearances, one cannot imagine the nightmare God has safely harbored this family through. Each has settled into a new life. Ronald is now employed in a position more appropriate to his advanced education. Anita continues to work in the daycare. Both boys are in pursuit of undergraduate degrees through the local public universities. They have moved from that apartment into their own home where they now graciously invite friends to join them around their family table and share a home-prepared ethnic meal. Ronald and Anita give all credit to God for his miraculous work in their lives and the many abundant blessings he has provided.
With reverence, Ronald acknowledges how God has been working throughout time, on behalf of his family: “It is amazing how we have come full circle under the hand of God that He began so many generations ago. He laid down the foundation for our family and paved the way for us to come here to America.” As Ronald recalls the events of the last six years, he outlines three of the most important things their family has remained committed to:
Unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ,
Unwavering commitment to family,
Always looking ahead toward the future with a positive perspective.
When asked about a particularly meaningful scripture Ronald offers Hebrews 13:6.