“I don’t know what and how the future will be for me, but I really believe God has a good plan for me. Please always have me in your prayers.”
Change of My Life
Afghan people are generally Muslim. They are born a Muslim and taught all Islamic laws and rules. They must follow and practice all of those laws and rules in their daily lives.
I was one of them. I tried to be a good Muslim and followed all the laws regularly. I have always believed in God who created the entire universe and controls it.
When I was in 12th class of school, our teacher told us about Jesus Christ, his miracles, his ascension, and his return, about Christianity and what Christians believe, what is the holy bible and why it was abolished. This was the day my life changed.
Questions came in my mind: Why holy Bible was abolished? If Jesus Christ is a savior (Messiah) at the end of this world (according to Muslims), why can’t he be the savior of all time? Why was he able to give life to the dead? Why was Jesus Christ born of a virgin? And why Christians believe he is the Lord and son of God?
These questions remained unanswered to me because I had no access to computer and internet to search about it. We had no right to ask about it from a Muslim teacher. They say it is called polytheism, a big sin to believe God has a son and even they call it infidel.
When I went to university, internet was available there. I was able to search to find the answers for my questions. I inquired and read so many articles, holy Bible and watched videos about Christianity and Christians to know more about what their beliefs really are.
The result was that I found who is Jesus Christ and who is the real and one and only God. I understood Jesus Christ is the Messiah who Jews were waiting for, and he is the Lord and savior who came to this world and sacrificed himself for sinners.
Everyone who really believes in God and study and research and read the Bible will find the truth. Because the signs of all that Jesus Christ did show us it is impossible for an ordinary man or even for a prophet to do it by himself.
Jews and Muslims both believe that Messiah will come. So many prophecies were told by prophets about Messiah that he will come and fulfill all the prophecies. After reading the Bible we can find that Jesus Christ himself was Messiah.
Finding a pastor friend
During 2014, I was trying to find someone who really knows about Christianity and to get help on how to read holy Bible (Word of God) and to learn more about Christianity. I was seeking by sending emails to different Christian organizations.
Finally, I received a message from a pastor who wished to help me on this way. He did everything for me to grow spiritually and helped me anytime I needed him. I believe he was sent by God to help me. He is still with me as a very closest friend and teacher (Praise God).
Emigrating to Pakistan to Seek Asylum
Being a Christian in Afghanistan is an impossible mission, to keep it a secret and always act like a Muslim, not to be leaked otherwise the only thing you would face is death.
From 2013 to 2021, I had to stay with my family because they needed my support, so I was always acting like a Muslim; prayed five times every day at mosque, fasting each Ramadan month and followed all Islamic laws. Even so, I was studying holy Bible on my mobile and had online fellowships and online programs as well.
It is a very hard job to act as a Muslim and heartily be a Christian at the same time.
By coming of Taliban in August 2021 everything was changed at once. Everyone tried to escape or hide. Most people ran to the airport, and I was one of them. I stayed for three days and nights in Kabul International Airport to enter the gates, but I didn’t succeed.
I deleted all my mobile data because they were checking mobiles everywhere. I was so disappointed, but I didn’t lose my hope, believed in God and prayed so much that his will comes for me. After coming of Taliban, life was full of dangers.
I decided to leave Afghanistan to seek asylum where I could have religious freedom and start my new life with more joy. I needed to leave Afghanistan even before these things happened. But because of my family I stayed there to help them. Finally, I left in Dec 2021. I didn’t know anybody in Islamabad, but I went there trusting God, and I knew he has plans for me there.
I had a budget to survive for one month. I thought everything will be done in one month and I will be accepted for asylum because most countries had announced they would accept those refugees whose lives are in danger and escaped Afghanistan. But things didn’t go as I was thinking.
In Pakistan
I searched on google to find organizations that would help me. Thanks to God, I found one who is working with persecuted Christians [Christian Freedom International] and its CEO was directly in contact with me about my situation.
During my stay in Pakistan, I faced so many challenges; visa problems, family concerns, persecution, waiting for an uncertain future, shelter, food and many other difficulties. I didn’t have a job or any financial support.
But I never lost my hope and trust in God. He replied to all my prayers and provided all I needed. Praise God, I was connected to a group who supported believers with shelter and food. As God says in Matthew 6:25: “I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing?”
In Pakistan I received a huge love from believers who have been as a family for me during those tough situations. We had great fellowships and learned many things from them about the Word of God and Christianity. I found beloved brothers.
After passing ten months in Pakistan, I received a humanitarian visa [to a free country].
Life Outside of Afghanistan
When I came to [a free country], I found everything so different. For me many things are new and special, like Christmas. Now I can go to Church freely. Here we really enjoy praying and worshipping. It is outstanding.
I can fellowship and apply all things Jesus Christ ordered us to do. One of my favorite verses is, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8).
The difference in Christianity and Islam is the law. In Islam we must follow all the laws and Sharia which is in Quran and Hadith from which we learn extremism.
But the Bible encourages us to love each other. I found the exact thing (love) in a Christian community. Now I understand the meaning of these verses and the effects of it on societies and people.