On a visit to one of Iran's neighboring countries, Samuel, Anders and Steven met a group of Iranian Christians who were out of Iran for Bible and leadership training. The mostly younger people all led small Christian communities that meet secretly inside Iran. Nasrin told her story to the Danish visitors.
She says: "My parents divorced when I was born and I never met my father. My mother remarried and became a second wife to a man who already had a wife and children. My stepfather raped me.
- I locked the door to my room. I couldn't forgive him. I thought about how I could kill him. I was depressed. All of my siblings struggled with addiction, except me. I got married, but divorced after 2½ years. I was on medication and seeing a psychologist, but I had constant nightmares at night.
Nasrin met her brother on Instagram
- On Instagram, I found one of my siblings - and I shared my heart with him. He had been a drug addict and had been hospitalized in the closed ward.
- He said: 'I can see my past in you.' 'What do you mean by that, I asked? How have you let go of the past?' He said: 'I know the great doctor.' At that time I knew nothing about Jesus. 'Tell me, what city does he live in,' I asked. He told me who the great physician was. At that moment I gave my life to Jesus. I cried and cried. It was a great night for me.
Read also: Iran: Gilda's anger was replaced by peace when she met Jesus
- In the beginning, my faith went well, but after a while, I was pulled back to the old life. My mother developed a tumor in her spine and had to have two operations.
- I couldn't pray or read the Bible. I had to work two shifts 14 hours a day to support my mother. My spiritual condition was worse than when I became a believer. I decided to commit suicide. I planned a method where there was no turning back, where death was certain.
- I wanted to take rat poison. I took four pills. The doctor said I had chosen the worst option.
The family planned Nasrin's funeral - before she was dead
- The doctor also told my family to prepare the funeral. They bought a grave for me. I was in a coma for a month. When I came home, I saw decorations and that everything was prepared for the funeral.
- While I was still in the hospital, I saw that everyone had abandoned me. With all my heart I said: 'Jesus I am sure you have a plan for me'. At that moment I realized that I didn't have a good earthly father, a bank account or anything. I only had Jesus. I was completely paralyzed. But I said, 'I will give my whole life to you and live only for you.
- After four months, I could start walking. The doctors were very surprised that my internal organs were healthy and functioning.
- The other kids have broken up with my dad, but my brother and I have contact with him. It looked like I had lost everything. But I have gained the best I could get. My whole life is dedicated to Jesus," Nasrin ends her story with a small but warm smile.
"After the suicide attempt, I have tasted Jesus"
It's hard to ask questions after this touching story. But I was left with a question that I had to ask. You lead two underground communities and evangelize once a week. You could go to jail, right?
Nasrin replied: "Before, I had heard about Jesus in sermons and read about him. But after the suicide attempt, I tasted Jesus. It was real. I want everyone to experience the same, even if it means death for me. I realize the risk, but I'm willing to pay the price. Now I know who I believe in, Nasrin replies firmly.
Around us are ordinary people, some with difficult baggage, who have found forgiveness and restoration in Jesus. They have tasted and experienced God's love themselves and can pass it on to their fellow human beings.
At this particular time, many hearts are open. Dissatisfaction with the Ayatollah regime is leading people to seek alternatives, including the Christian faith.
During the big protests in the fall, a Christian gave a copy of the New Testament to a group of girls in a park. They accepted it kindly, but as the Christian walked away, he heard them arguing. He went back and found out that they were arguing over who should have one copy! They then exchanged contact details so that everyone in the group could get a copy of the New Testament.
Thank you for praying for the underground church in Iran. Please pray that even more people will experience God's love as he showed when Jesus sacrificed himself for us.
