The following is a report from an Afghani church planter, whose true name and surroundings we obviously cannot reveal:
“At the start of 2001, I was imprisoned by the Taliban in Kabul. I was considered an arch-enemy, because I fought under Massud (in northern Afghanistan) and refused to submit to the Taliban regime. That means the death sentence. I wanted to put my time in my cell to some use, and received an English-Urdu dictionary so that I could learn English. Opening it indiscriminately, the word ‘Christ’ caught my eye. I felt a radiance and emotional warmth and strength which I had never previously experienced emanating from that name, and held the book close to my chest for hours.
The effects increased to the point at which I felt a strong desire to learn more about this word. I had no idea what the word meant. Muslims know Jesus as Isa, but do not understand the name Christ. I prayed. ‘Allah, if you can do something for me, save me from this death and torture cell.’ Only two members of my family remain; an uncle who fled the country, and a sister-in-law who is still in Afghanistan. The rest died in the war or its aftermath.
After three months, I was unexpectedly released and deported to Pakistan. I found my way to Peshawar, and started speaking about the word Christ with my countrymen. I soon understood the meaning of the word and its history, and decided to follow Christ as my saviour. I stopped attending the Friday prayer, and was neither able nor inclined to speak the name Allah. I was persecuted, and had to flee to another city in Pakistan, where Christians hid me. It became too dangerous for me there too, because I testified about Jesus. The more I testified, the more the desire grew to devote my life to testifying to the truth.
Today, I live in a house church and am getting to know the family of God. I am being prepared for my ministry. Although I have received a number of opportunities to travel abroad, I want to remain here to help my people. I have experienced God’s care, and signs and wonders.”
(Editor’s note: “Omar” is now planting churches among Afghanis.),
Source: name and address withheld
[Conversion, Dictionary, Linguistic work, persecution, Mainland Asia, Omar,]