Nehemiah of FMI says the next task is getting these Christian families resettled in their new homes. “They were staying in Afghan refugee camps, but rape towards children, boys and girls, is very common there, so we are trying to get inexpensive housing for them. A few families we have already shifted to inexpensive housing.”

As the first convoy traveled, they met other families who begged to come with them. You can help FMI get 52 families, over 400 people, into housing. Learn more here.

This photo shows Afghan Christians who made the trip from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Photo courtesy of FMI.

Pastor Javid

Meanwhile, Pastor Javid, who led the first convoy, plans to return to Afghanistan. Nehemiah says, “He’s on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. He’s trying to get into Afghanistan. But there are multiple problems. Afghanistan’s new government, the Taliban, doesn’t have any system at the borders. They have changed the country’s name to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. They don’t have any stamps or any documentation, so they’re not allowing anybody to come into Afghanistan.”

Pastor Javid will continue to serve his ten congregations in Afghanistan when he gets back. But he also has plans to form another convoy. Ask God to give him wisdom for the days ahead. Read more about Pastor Javid’s story.

How to pray

Ask God to protect and strengthen Afghan Christians, whether they fled to Pakistan or stayed behind. Nehemiah says, “Pray especially for the woman and girls, as they are under great threat from the Taliban. Because they have been getting notices and letters that the Taliban will come and kidnap these vulnerable believers.”

Pray also that those who have settled can get jobs and access to healthcare. COVID-19 cases have started rising again in Pakistan.

Header photo courtesy of FMI.

Bruce Allen of FMI says Pakistan is not a hospitable country for Christians. But Afghanistan has become so much worse with the Taliban in charge. “Leaders of house churches known to FMI inside the country have already received threatening letters from the Taliban, warning them that the terrorists know where they are and what they are doing. They’re on the list.”

Christians in Afghanistan gathering with very little food to share. Photo courtesy of FMI.

Besides persecution, Afghan Christians also face economic troubles brought by the Taliban’s rule. The cost of food has risen greatly, as has the cost of clothing. Allen says, “The Taliban authorities are saying, ‘Women, it’s not sufficient that you should wear a headscarf or a veil. You have to now wear a full burqa.’ Well, a lot of women in Afghanistan do not have a full burqa, so people are scrambling to go buy new clothes.”

Pastor Javid

The convoy is being led by a pastor who serves 10 house churches around the country. Allen says, “Javid was an Islamic seminary scholar. He was studying to be the big fish in Islam, that he could issue fatwas against people and things like that. And while he was at the university studying on that track, his life was turned around when one of our FMI partners shared the Gospel with him a few years back.”

After the group gets settled in Pakistan, though, Javid will return to Afghanistan to continue serving his house churches.

Photo courtesy of FMI.

You can help

You can help this convoy by donating transportation expenses, food and lodging costs, and settlement assistance. Visit this page to donate. One hundred percent of these funds will go directly to Pastor Javid and his people. FMI has already tested ways to get funds to them safely.

Allen says, “The ages of the people in this convoy range from three months old, to 70 years. There are no buses, no trains running between Afghanistan and Pakistan. So this convoy will be taking, for lack of a better word, taxis.” Ask God to give this convoy strength and pray He would frustrate the plans of any who would stop them.

Pray also that hearts among the Taliban would be changed. Allen says, “Just as God’s light broke through into the life of Pastor Javid. It’s amazing what God wants to be doing. Pray for Javid as he leads the people.”

Header photo courtesy of FMI.