Afghanistan (MNN) — In a bustling Afghanistan market, a rug vendor was approached by men whose journey to him had been two years in the making. They spoke with the man, whose hands had woven intricate carpets but whose heart carried deep sorrow. Their mission was to offer him a simple device: an mp3 player loaded with devotional materials and Scripture in his language. As they explained the gift and shared the Gospel, tears began streaming down the vendor’s cheeks. He had seen unimaginable pain, including the slaughtering of friends and family who had dared to question Islamic teaching.
“But in that moment, hearing about Jesus, hope was amazing and so soothing for his heart,” says Nehemiah with FMI.
Together with Keys 4 Kids Ministries, Nehemiah and his colleagues recently distributed 3000 devotional mp3s throughout Afghanistan. The project has been ongoing for two years and has required faith, creativity, and courage in the face of regional and spiritual obstacles.
For missionaries, handing off the preloaded mp3 players to Afghans marks the completion of the distribution effort. For recipients, it marks the beginning of hope.
In the case of the rug vendor, who was also a tribal chief: after conversing at length with Nehemiah’s partners, he requested a devotional unit for each family member.
“What began as simple conversation in the marketplace had now become an open door to an entire tribe,” Nehemiah says.
Afghan people face hardship on every front. Adding to food insecurity and economic instability, recent reports warn of rising terrorist activity and recruitment in the country.
“It’s alarming and it’s very strange to see these extremist groups rapidly coming into Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Nehemiah says.
In addition to the Afghan Taliban, the more radical Pakistani Taliban operate in Afghanistan, he says. ISIS has a strong presence as well.
“And we have seen that there is always a fight between Afghan Taliban, Pakistani Taliban, and then ISIS there. And ISIS thinks that the Talibans have become liberal,” Nehemiah says.
Meanwhile, ISIS continues to recruit soldiers from Taliban groups, many of whom receive training and resources in Afghanistan. This puts very young children at great risk. In Afghan culture, especially under current conditions, kids as young as ten can be breadwinners for their families. Their experience and exposure make them a vulnerable target for Jihadist recruiters.
Image courtesy of Pixabay.
“They are getting into fights with Taliban and ISIS, and ISIS is recruiting these young people to fight against Taliban,” Nehemiah says.
But he is encouraged that in spite of worldly dominions, the Kingdom of God is at hand.
“Let me tell you: in a land where darkness and fear often overshadow hope, God is moving in powerful ways,” Nehemiah says.
People are hearing and accepting the Word of God in the midst of spiritual darkness in Afghanistan. Nehemiah asks us to pray for the Afghan people: that God would speak through the mp3 devices and draw many souls to Christ. Please pray for spiritual and physical protection of those who respond to Jesus, and pray that the hearts of terrorists would be drawn to Jesus. Pray also for the safety of FMI partners as they continue this courageous mission on the ground.
“May the Lord continue to will his sovereignty even in the most difficult places,” Nehemiah says. “I want to tell our listeners that the Gospel cannot be silenced.”
Featured image courtesy of Pixabay
