Recently, we shared how the Lord is opening doors for us in Afghanistan—and our Field Minister Rustam talked about his hopes for the nation of Afghanistan on our podcast (listen here!).
This week, our hearts were gripped by Nagma’s story. She’s a persecuted Christian from Afghanistan…and because of you, she is beginning to rebuild her life after the Taliban executed her husband for his faith.
A few years ago, Nagma was a committed Muslim, and she struggled because her husband, Nabi, was cruel and violent to her. Disappointed that their first two children were girls, he said that he would take a second wife if she didn’t give birth to a boy next.
But then Nagma started noticing changes in his behavior. He was kinder and gentler with her, and his threats stopped. “He became so kind that I felt that he was not the same man at all!” she said. Nabi said that some Christian evangelists told him about Jesus….and he gave his heart to the Lord!
The only thing Nagma knew about Christians was that they were “infidels,” and she was angry. However, she decided to go to church. There, she says, “I realized everyone was talking about God, love, and goodness. They said that Jesus answered prayers, so I prayed to Him for a son.”
She gave birth to a baby boy a year later—and, convinced that he was her answered prayer, gave her life to Christ.
Her faith would soon be tested through persecution.
Weeks after they took over Afghanistan, the Taliban arrested Nabi for his faith. He was put in prison for a year, where they tortured him so severely that he lost his ability to walk.
One day after his release, the Taliban accosted him in the street. They asked if he was still a Christian, and when he said that he was, they executed him on the spot.
Nagma and her children fled to Pakistan with nothing. There, she began to bake bread and sell it at local markets for a very small sum. She continues to grieve her husband and struggles with many medical issues. However, she told our Field Minister Rachid,
“I believe with all my strength in Christ Jesus, that He has a plan for us. I have great hope in God and submit to His will. My family has suffered greatly, but I have become stronger in Christ, and we are part of the body of Jesus Christ. I have many health issues, but these too are making me stronger in Christ. May all believers remember me in your prayers.’”
Nagma found an underground church in Pakistan that she faithfully attends. Other persecuted believers are ministering to her…including our Field Ministers! Because of your support, we are helping Nagma with basic living expenses and some of her medical needs so that she can get all of the care that she needs.
If you have not yet had the chance to listen to our Field Minister Rustam speaking about our work in Afghanistan, you can listen here.