Azar and Arian had hoped their relatives in Iran would see the love of Christ in their lives. Instead, they were met with rejection. Arian’s family disowned them, declaring, “You are an infidel and have no right to come to our house!” Isolated and abandoned, the couple returned to their deteriorating home—an old, damp structure situated near a marsh in northern Iran. The persistent rainfall made their already difficult living conditions even more challenging.
Arian’s job at a factory barely provided enough income to sustain them. Azar’s health prevented her from working, and medical treatment was out of reach due to financial constraints. Their son also struggled to find employment that could help ease their burden. With no family support, despair began to set in.
Yet, despite these hardships, God’s provision was at work in their lives.
A Life Transformed by Grace
Azar’s journey was marked by hardship long before she embraced Christianity. Born into poverty, she envied those who had more. After leaving school, she pursued a reckless lifestyle and became pregnant outside of marriage. Forced into a difficult marriage with a drug addict, she endured years of suffering before their eventual divorce. During this time, she too developed an addiction that lasted for over a decade.
Her path to sobriety came through a Narcotics Anonymous program, where she also helped Arian overcome his addiction. However, despite their recovery, Azar still carried deep shame over her past. She felt defined by her mistakes and questioned whether she could ever be accepted by God.
Then, a turning point came when their neighbors, Farrokh and Fatemeh, reached out to them. They shared the hope found in Christ, but initially, Azar resisted. Her mind was consumed by her past "failures":
Leaving school early.
Becoming pregnant before marriage.
Enduring a painful divorce.
Battling a decade-long drug addiction.
She could not imagine why Jesus would want someone like her. But Farrokh and Fatemeh persisted in their kindness. One evening, as Farrokh spoke about the love of Christ, something shifted. The words “God is our Father” brought an unexplainable peace to Azar’s heart.
As she listened to the message of the cross, she felt overwhelmed. The idea of repentance and forgiveness was life-changing. In that moment, she surrendered to Christ and received the grace she had longed for. The weight of guilt was lifted, and for the first time, she experienced true freedom and love.
Arian also embraced the faith, and together they made the bold decision to share their newfound belief with his family. The response was harsh—they were immediately rejected and continue to face insults and threats. Yet, their faith remains unshaken.
God’s Provision Through His People
In their struggles, God provided a way. Their neighbor, Farrokh, was not only a friend but also a Field Minister with Help The Persecuted! Moved by their faith and perseverance, he shared their story with the ministry team. Soon, a plan was set in motion to help them regain stability and dignity despite the dangers of openly practicing Christianity in Iran.
When Farrokh shared the news with them, Azar wept with gratitude. “Thank you so much,” she said. “May God bless you abundantly every day. Being able to cover our medical expenses and repair our home brings us great joy.”
Through the support of compassionate believers, Azar and Arian were able to repair their home, making it a safer and healthier place to live. Azar also gained access to medical care, which may allow her to return to work!
In the midst of rejection and hardship, this faithful couple has experienced the tangible love of Christ—because of people like you. Thank you for giving to persecuted believers like Azar and Arian. Because of you, the persecuted church is not only enduring, but multiplying and flourishing.