Bahar, a Christian Iranian woman, has led more than 100 Iranians to Christ. At the time of writing, she is working with her husband to train others in discipleship and evangelism. When Bahar describes what it's like to be a woman in the Islamic Republic of Iran, she doesn't hide the fact that it's tough. Women are pressured from many sides and they experience discrimination both in terms of legislation, but also in religious and social contexts.
We wish we were men
"It's great to be a woman. And it's great to be Iranian. But it's really hard to be a woman in Iran. Women in Iran lack identity and security. We fear hell, no matter how hard we try to please God. There are many rules that restrict us. As a woman in Iran, you are forced to cover your hair, arms and legs. You are told not to look happy, because people will judge you and think you are billig. You're rarely praised for who you are. That kind of encouragement belongs to men. Women endure the pain of childbirth, but children in Iran belong to the man. Women have to put up with the fact that their husbands can have up to four wives. And only women are punished for adultery, not men."Bahar says.
Bahar emphasizes that Iranian women are tired of these conditions. They are: "... Tired of not being noticed, tired of all the hidden tears and tired of feeling like we are never heard. We wish we were men.".
Jesus changes everything
When Iranian women receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they gain a new identity and joy. Bahar says: "Can you imagine what it must be like to hear the gospel in the midst of such a life? For an Iranian woman, it feels likeAs if that Jesus comes and changes everything. He certainly did for me! I had been taught that women should mourn. But Jesus brings us joy. I had been taught that women should be silent. But Jesus asks us to talk about him... I had learned that God is far away. But Jesus wants to be close to us and asks us to open our hearts to him. That's why an Iranian woman's heart is filled with joy when she tastes Jesus' love, and she can't keep it to herself. Like the Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John, an Iranian woman can transform an entire village after experiencing the love of Jesus. There are so many Iranian women who want to serve God and spread the gospel. I am a Such a woman.".
You can help ensure that even more Iranians can find salvation, love and identity in Jesus by giving them the New Testament in Farsi. Women like Bahar are ready to spread the good news. It costs DKK 40 to give an Iranian the New Testament. Thank you for supporting and praying for this work.
