Afghanistan (MNN) — When the Holy Spirit moved an evangelist to ransom a young boy from slavery, a chain of events unfolded for the glory of God.
The opening of the Lord’s Prayer — “Our Father in heaven” — can sound revolutionary to many people, especially in religions where God isn’t seen as personal or close. Nehemiah with FMI says this message carries vital meaning for people in Afghanistan.
He shares the story of Maqbool.
An example of a house in eastern Afghanistan, Nuristan Province (Photo courtesy of Mustafa via Unsplash)
His father was martyred in Afghanistan for the faith in Christ. Later, extremists burned Maqbool’s home and all his possessions. Instead of breaking him, the tragedy taught Maqbool to rely on God as his Father.
Nehemiah says, “Today, he introduces other fatherless children and families to the same Heavenly Father he has come to know.”
One such story includes Sami, an 11-year-old orphaned by the Taliban and sold into slavery. He worked more than 20 hours a day, barely bringing home enough food to feed his siblings. When Maqbool met him, he knew the Gospel had to be practical.
“When Maqbool learned of Sami’s situation,” Nehemiah adds, “he did not just speak about Jesus, he lived the Gospel. Moved by compassion, Maqbool paid the ransom to free Sami from bondage!”
The act stunned the local tribal chief, who asked who this Jesus is. Maqbool replied, “Jesus is the one true God. He teaches me to love, to serve, and to care for people like Sami. And he does not call us to war or violence, but to peace and joy. He is the reason I am here.”
Touched, the chief allowed Maqbool to teach the community about Christ. The village even hosted a movie night to watch the Jesus film.
Representative photo: Traditional Afghan Attire in Rural Setting (Photo courtesy of Faruk Tokluoğlu via Pexels)
“About 70 men, women, and children gathered to watch, hearing in their own language the story of the Redeemer — the One who frees people from both physical and spiritual bondage,” Nehemiah says.
Find your place in the story. Continue Maqbool’s work through prayerful intercession for Sami, other fatherless boys, the tribal chief, and the people in the village. Pray they would grow in the love of their Heavenly Father.
The work in Afghanistan is challenging. A recent attack on Lala Zeeshan is a reminder that evangelists often pay a high price to bring the Gospel to their people. You can help by supporting FMI’s work — including practical needs like transportation:
“Help them with buying transportation — motorbikes, four wheels, whatever they can do,” Nehemiah says. “This is a great opportunity to help our brothers who work in very, very hostile conditions.”
Header representative photo of an Afghan boy (Photo courtesy of Sayed Rashid Khan via Pexels).
