Tozens of Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus in Iran despite the risk of persecution. Church growth has even become a phenomenon that is the subject of research. For example, p estimates ph.d. Duane Alexander Miller, up to 500,000 Muslims may have converted to the Christian faith page the Islamic revolution in 1979Where. the number of Christian converts was under 500.
Two of the new believers are Shadi and Iman. Shadi tells us: – I was young when I fell in love with Iman. I thought I had found the man I would live with for the rest of my life. My mother was worried because Iman came from a family of divorce. "His father and mother are divorced," she said, "and one day Iman will divorce you too."
– We got married despite resistance. In the beginning we were happy. But unfortunately, my mother's prediction turned out to be true. Everything fell apart. After eight months, we realized that we couldn't live together anymore. Iman had lied to me again and again. We planned a divorce, but then Iman suddenly disappeared. I a long time I tried to get in touch with him, but his phone was switched off. For seven months I didn't hear a word from Iman. It felt like a knife through my heart.
– Then one day - after all these months - he suddenly called. He had fled to another country because he couldn't afford to pay the costs of the divorce proceedings. He wanted to see me again. I was so upset and angry that I just screamed and cried into the phone. He had hurt me so deeply. I was done with him.
– But months later, my uncle persuaded me to give Iman one last chance. It was a Wednesday, I remember. That evening I called ham and told him that I had bought a train ticket and would come and visit him the following day.
– When I arrived. by trainI saw Iman waiting for me on the platform. Even from a distance, I could see that his face had changed. I became curious. But nothing could Have prepared me on the story he had to tell:
"When I arrived in this country, I spent the first ten days on the streets," he explained. "I had no money. I even had to sell my wedding ring. But then I met a Christian who gave me a copy of the New Testament. I read it with him and I asked him a lot of questions. Everything changed when I met you.t New Testament and the love I experienced in church. I surrendered my life to Jesus."
– He continued: "As I was trained in the faith, my hard heart was softened. And after months of ignoring your calls, I finally called you. When you screamed i the phone, I understood why you were angry. I knew that I had hurt you deeply. I asked the entire congregationn to pray for our marriage. We prayed for months."
"Yesterday, while we were praying, suddenly there was a newly converted Christian who didn't know the situation at all. She came up to me and said, 'I think God has given me a word for you. On Sunday, your wife will be here in church and attend the service with you.' To me it seemed impossible. But then you called last night - out of the blue - and said you were coming. That's why I'm sure God has a plan for us."
– I was stunned by Iman's account. I didn't know what to make of it all. But I couldn't deny that he was completely changed. In the end, I agreed to visit the church. And I'm happy about that, that I did... fand through that church I also came to faith in Jesus, concludes Shadi.
Thank you very much to all, who pray for Iran and ensures that specimenis of the New Testament can be printed and smuggled into the country or neighboring countries where Iranians also live.
