“Do you believe in Issa?”
Fahima knew that something was off when she got this text, which referenced Jesus using the Arabic name Issa, from her father’s phone number.
Her fears were soon confirmed. Her mother, Sadiqa, received a horrible image of her husband, Ahmed, hanged and was told he had killed himself...because he felt ashamed of his Christian faith.
But Sadiqa knew it wasn’t true.
Ahmed's Conversion to Christianity
Born into a fundamentalist Muslim family in Iraq, Ahmed was a teenager when something about the story of Jesus's birth struck him. He went to a church to learn more, but he was rejected because he was a Muslim. After that, he didn't think much more about Jesus or Christianity.
Years later, he saw a large church in a dream. He told his family about it, and they warned him that the church was a place of "blasphemy and immorality." They said he must have had the dream because of sin in his life. However, their response didn't sit right with Ahmed, who drew away from them.
In a moment of grief over the loss of his family, Ahmed cried out to the Lord. Then he received a message through social media from someone sharing the Christian faith. His old interest in Jesus revived, he replied, and the unknown person sent him videos that taught him more about Jesus. Soon, he gave his life to the Lord.
Ahmed began to search for someone to disciple him, and he found a local believer who read the Gospel of Mark with him. He learned about prayer, loving others, and forgiveness.
His family was outraged when they learned about his conversion. They kidnapped him and dug his own grave, threatening to murder him if he did not revert to Islam. However, Ahmed remained firm. Soon, his wife and several of his many children also came to faith.
Ahmed's Martyrdom
In August, Ahmed disappeared...and soon his wife Sadiqa and his daughter received those harrowing texts. They knew the truth: Ahmed did not kill himself—he had refused to revert to Christianity, clinging to Christ until the very end.
Sadiqa reported his murder to the police, who turned the family over to their tribal leader...who deceived them and handed them over to an Iranian militia. They planned to murder the mother and send the children to their Muslim relatives.
When Fahima learned that her father had died, she immediately started texting our Field Minister Nabeel, who had helped the family before. She kept him updated moment by moment, and we sent out emergency prayer requests to our Prayer Network.
Miraculously, the family escaped ... and hid in a shrine. They were without food and water, and they were sick because of the trauma and stress. Nabeel started working around the clock to find a way for the family to get out of the city before their names were placed at checkpoints.
They stayed there for several days until the oldest son left to get bread. He didn't return home, and Sadiqa and her remaining children waited several days. After that, they knew they had to flee—their lives were on the line. And, by the grace of God, they got on a bus....and made it out of their town!
The Family Rescued
Nabeel intercepted the family and rushed them to a safe house.
Because of your support, they now have time to rest, food to eat, and medical care. Nabeel hired a trained trauma counselor to help the family begin to mend their hearts after such a devastating loss.
Their hearts are beginning to heal, and Sadiqa has found a job to help her provide for her family! The younger children have enrolled in school, and the older ones are waiting on some final paperwork before they can continue their education.
When the time comes, we plan to help Sadiqa start her own business in a safe place so that she can support her children and build a life of independence and dignity.
Her husband, Ahmed, tasted this new life while he was with us in this world. Together, we are honoring him by taking care of his family. We are building the hope of his wife and children … even as his hope and faith have been made sight in the presence of the Lord!