My journey to repentance began when I was sentenced to death for simply reading the Bible. I fled therefore from my home country. When I came to Denmark, I met the true love of God in Jesus Christ by reading the New Testament. I lived in Denmark for four and a half years. During that time visited I went to different churches. I have also attended Bible classes several times.
Three and a half years ago, the Danish authorities decided to send me back to my home country. MI couldn't live there because I had a death sentence hanging over my head. I am now in another Muslim country where I'm in charge A small house church.
To kind of Muslim countries
There are basically two kinds of Muslim countries. In the first kind, the population and authorities are very suspicious of anyone who has anything to do with Christianity. You can risk being imprisoned or killed - but as Islamic law protects the perpetrators, there are never any consequences. These are countries like Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.
In these countries, underground churches have to be extremely cautious, and they have to vet new members over several years before they really commit to them. That's why it's easier and safer for congregations to meet online through programs like WhatsApp, Zoom or Skype - and their meetings can even to be arranged from abroad, where it is safer to stay.
I That kind of heathland even spouses can hide from each other, that they are Christians. I know a woman who had become a Christian. She plucked up the courage to tell her husband the news. He happily told us that he had been a Christian for 10 years. He had become a Christian during his studies and had kept his faith a secret ever since. Now they could practice their faith together.
"It is important that the police do not discover that we meet to pray, because house churches are illegal"
However, there is also another group of Muslim countries. DIt is in one of these that I am now a refugee. Here, the population, the authorities and the local Muslim leaders are not happy with Christianity either, and proselytizing is not allowed - but there are some legal measures in place to protect religious freedom.
Was beaten on the face
When I arrived in this city, I had to go to the police station to get a id-card. First, I was asked about my past, and when the officer found out that I had converted from Islam, he punched me in the face and shouted that I should go home and read the Quran. A few months later, the police came to my house. When they saw a cross on the wall, they kicked me. I have also been attacked and beaten by my own countrymen because I am a convert. When I went to the police for that report it, they wouldn't listen to me. It was very clear that they were discriminating against me because of my faith.
When I moved here, I asked my Danish church for help finding other Christians in the city. Through the Danish European Mission I became put in touch with local Christianthat can help me in my work. When we started our little underground church in my house, there were only seven of us. We metttwice a week for prayer and Bible study. Eight months later we were 11, but it's hard to get new members. The congregation includes a mother and her daughter. Her husband and son don't know they are Christians. There is also a man who has not told his brother that he is a Christian.even though broren lives in the same city.
It's important that the police don't discover that we meet to pray, because house churches are illegal and foreigners are not allowed to meet in large groups. Most people in the group keep their faith hidden from the police. At one time we were actually 28 members, but many moved to other cities and are now with in churches dér.
Patience and love
For people, living in a Christian country, it may sound like, It's hard to be a Christian here. But we read in the Bible that our Savior Jesus Christ in Markusvenagelite 8.34 says: If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Just as Jesus gave himself to save us, we do this to save other people.
"I'm not very brave - I tried to escape to Europe"
I am is Not very brave - jharrow tried to flighte to Europe. MGod led me away from Denmark to send me to this land and this city. In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read: For your plans are not my plans, and your ways are not my ways, says the Lord; for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so are my ways high above your ways and my plans above your plans. Now I understand that this is the best thing for me. And what I have received from God, I can pass on to others.
To start an underground church in a Muslim country, you need to have experience of the culture or get advice from someone who grew up there. It takes a lot of love and patience to make the church thrive. With patience you will succeed, and with love you will find people whose hearts are ready to receive God's love and his living word. In conclusion, I would like to read this from Matthe gospel of thaeus 6,10: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I surrender my will to you, Jesus.
Church planting in the Muslim world
Danish European Mission's donors ensure that churches can be planted in the Muslim world. The church plants receive help and support from local Christian pastors. Thank you to everyone who supports this important work.
