Encouraging stuff

I read some encouraging stuff today. (Hopefully this will stop Bertie moaning that this is depressing. HAHA!) I got my Open Doors magazine today (the monthly one and the Underground one.) and it had a couple of stories in of Christians who converted from Islam and were persecuted not only by those in autority but by their families. Pushed out of their own homes. So I thought I would share a couple with you as encouragment as we seem to take advantage of the freedom that we in the western world have.
Here is the first one. It is from Iran. The names are changed for security reasons.
'Hamid is 33. As a student, he had a friend who was a Farsi-speaking believer. "He talked to me about Jesus," says Hamid. And then the dreams started. A man in white would speak to him. "My friend showed me that what he said was in the new testement. I was shocked. I had never even seen a New Testement, but I was overwhelemed by reading it and decided to become a Christian. I was known as a very devoted Muslim. I instructed people in Islamic studies. Many people cam to me for help. But that all changed when I became a Christian." His parents and brothers were very angry, and he was beaten and tortured. But Hamid was not to be deterred- he eve, in great secrecy, led his three sisters to Christ.' The story then goes on to say about how he was demoted at work to the lowest of low jobs and how his colleagees were not allowed to talk to him. But they asked him questions anyway. Later it says this...' This year Hamid has been arrested five times. "The secret police want to know who comes to the house churches, where we meet, and all kinds of otehr things. they offered to restore my position and salary, that I would be free and without any record of arrests. But I have refused to tell anything, since I only trust my Lord Jesus."'
How encouranging is that? And here is a second. I am only doing two. Again the name is changed for security reasons. This is in Afghanistan. Under Taleban rule it is punishable by death to convert to Christianity. Its not a criminal offence but it is risky.
"When Ahmed's parents discovered he had become a Christian they threw him out of the house. Then they forced him into an arranged marriage, hoping this would bring him back to Islam. But he leaves his wife, who thinks he is going to work, and cautiously makes his way to worship."
I found these really encouraging to read. And I hope you did to. Isnt it amazing to think that people are turning away from Islam to Christianity. One of my Muslim friends said how many people turning to Islam. But I have read no stories of that but many of turning from Islam to Christianity. But forced to sign as Muslims although they arent. (Perhaps that is where she got it from. In which case its lies.)
God Bless Ahmed and Hamid. And you to.
=)
TTFN
xxx