God Story
Captives now belong to Jesus

Omar* and Jayda* decided that it was time to leave their city in Iran. For two years they had discussed how to get to Europe.

 

Leaving for Europe

The situation in their city got worse every week. Poverty, violence and constant instability made the future bleak. After borrowing from their bank, they set out for Greece, the gateway to the European Union.

However, they were barely over the border when their ‘guides’ (human smugglers) attacked them, deprived them of their possessions and held them hostage for a week. Captive, threatened with knives and no other options, Jayda’s mother sent more money from Iran for their release.

 

Old connections

Freed but penniless, the couple wandered through dangerous parts of Athens. After a while, they finally stopped in front of a house where they were invited by two women to an international service on the Sunday. According to God’s plan, they met some old friends there and were invited to a Farsi service the next week. Persuaded by the promise of Iranian home-cooked food, they cautiously accepted.

 

Difficult decision

The next Sunday, it was clear that God was working in their hearts – they felt an indescribable peace as soon as they arrived in the service. But the decision to learn more about Jesus was not easy. Omar had been working in his local mosque in Iran for ten years. Their Muslim friends and family in Iran have been their only support so far and their lifeblood during their time as a hostage and during their time in poverty in Greece. Turning their back on Islam would mean estrangement from their loved ones.

 

Belonging to Jesus

Three months passed. Gradually, Omar and Jayda learned to trust God and decided to make their belonging to Jesus public through baptism. Their lives are still hard, but they found Jesus! They hope to move to Germany and continue to serve the Iranian refugee community and reach them with the light of the Gospel.

(*Names changed for security reasons)

Source: howwilltheyhear

 

Learn More

Recent Posts

The comfort of Christ

The comfort of Christ

An Egyptian mother was plunged into despair by her son’s sudden death. But in her darkest moments, Jesus comforted her in the most powerful way. Sharing her story with SAT-7 ARABIC viewers, the woman revealed how God turned her sorrow and struggle to joy and...

read more
Does God speak my language?

Does God speak my language?

Up in the mountains, on the outer edge of an Asian country is a small tribe called the Alze*. Leo and Tori* came to this country with a calling to work with a Bibleless, unreached people group. They planned to create a set of Oral Bible narratives in the language of...

read more
God’s Word always brings benefit

God’s Word always brings benefit

Some disciples of Jesus visited a nearby village in rural north India. Just as Jesus commanded in Luke 10, this small group walked through the village until they found a family interested in talking. They were invited into the hut of this very poor family. After...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest