“My neighbours hated us because we follow Jesus and not the cultural religion. Our family was often excluded from our community as we were seen as a disgrace.
They began to see how we lived out the Gospel when the war began. Everyone was afraid of dying, but we had peace. Neighbours began knocking on our doors asking us, ‘Can you please pray for us? We’ve seen how your God listens’. Many flocked to our home during bombings as though it was somehow protected. During this challenging time, we finally began to build friendships with the neighbours who once rejected us.
When you provided our church with food to pass on to others, we saw the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with them. Many were shocked that we freely shared such scarce and precious resources, expecting nothing in return.
You equipped us to reveal the Good News, both in our words and our actions with this compassionate aid. We told them how God heard our prayers and stirred the hearts of others far away to help us in this time of desperate need.
Since then, many expressed that they want to follow Jesus but are deeply afraid. To accept him publicly would result in being ousted from their families or even killed. Some women who have secretly become Christians come to my house each week for prayer. Many others still ask us to pray. They used to go to their building for prayer, now they come to us instead.
Please pray that we can continue being a testimony to Christ in our area. We are encouraged to see how your gift has touched hearts and moved them to follow Jesus.”
