Iran

Bible smuggling and translation

"I have so hoped to meet a Christian"

The Iranian church continues to advance. This is due in no small part to outspoken Christians sharing their faith with their fellow countrymen.

By Samuel

Darya met Ali the bookseller and told him about Jesus.

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Darya, a believer living in Iran, attended a course organized by Danish European Mission's partner and her faith grew rapidly within a short time. Her course leader encouraged the students to put what they learned into practice, which meant sharing their faith boldly.

Darya was excited and a bit nervous about taking this step. She prayed for opportunities to share Jesus with people in her community. One afternoon after class, Darya planned to meet with someone who was interested in receiving a copy of the New Testament.

She had carefully wrapped the book in gift wrap so as not to draw unwanted attention to it. She arrived at the meeting early and decided to go into a bookstore while she waited. While she was browsing around, the bookseller, Ali, came up and greeted her.

Before long, he was talking about his frustrations with the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy and his store. A little way into the conversation, Darya mentioned Jesus' name and Ali replied in surprise, "I've been so hoping to meet a Christian." Darya's heart pounded in her chest and she knew this was the opportunity she had been praying for. She shared the message of God's love in Jesus Christ with Ali and offered him the wrapped New Testament, saying: "The Lord has brought me here to give you this."

Afterwards, the woman who had been interested in the New Testament told her that she was traveling and could not receive it that day anyway. Darya rejoiced in the Lord's provision for Ali and the opportunity to give him the New Testament. She prayed that the Lord would use her conversation with him to call his heart to repentance and faith. Other local Christians reached out to Ali and hope to see him come to faith in Jesus.

Thank you so much to everyone who is praying for Iran and for Christians. It makes a huge difference that persecuted Christians are surrounded by prayer. Not only can the persecuted Christians feel the intercession, but it also means that more and more people can get a copy of the New Testament and experience God's love through faith in Jesus.

In 2021 alone, donors to the Danish European Mission have ensured that 29,908 copies of the New Testament can be printed and smuggled into Iran and neighboring countries where Iranians also live. In addition to Iranians, Afghans also receive New Testaments. It costs DKK 40 to ensure that a copy of the New Testament can be printed and smuggled into Iran and neighboring countries.

Support Iran: Smuggling New Testaments