This is the story of Anila and Perveen. Now these are not their real names, so as to protect their identity. But this is the story of best friends who became believers secretly in a Muslim community. They were ages 17 and 18, and this happened in 1997 in Pakistan. This story is out of the book, 'Jesus Freaks.' May of you may be familiar with it. It's called, 'On Trial for Sharing the Gospel;'
Anila met Perveen at school. As their friendship grew, Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs. Perveen quickly learned Christian songs and began to teach them to her younger sister when her parents weren't home. Perveen's parents soon learned of the songs. Being strict Muslims, they were not happy about them. But rather than confronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to find out where she was getting this Christian influence.
Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday service. When the young Muslim heard the Gospel presentation, she immediately accepted Jesus. Perveen became very excited about her new relationship with Jesus and saw great changes take place in her life. She read her Bible and praised God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would encounter opposition from her family.
Perveen's parents were furious when they learned of her conversion. They had previously arranged for her to marry a Muslim man. When Perveen again refused, she ran away.
When Perveen's parents could not find her, they accused Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her. They had Anila arrested. Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents for over nine hours. Finally she was taken to prison. Anila's pastor and his family were taken to prison on the following day. Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tortures in jail. She was whipped sixteen times (five times would make a normal man pass out.) When they were released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor would barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.
Perveen was later found by her family. In Muslim nations, children are often severely beaten for converting to Christianity. Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for apostasy, converting to another faith.
To restore the honor of his family...Perveen's brother stabbed her to death. He then turned himself into the authorities. As is not uncommon in such situations, he was eventually released without incident.
Anila was then arrested on charges of kindapping.
She was imprisoned, the released on bail a little more than a month later. She and her family went into hiding, as their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.
In May 1999, anila was aquitted of all charges. Praise God for prayers of faithful believers around the world! Continue to pray for her protection as she remains in hiding.
"I have seen the world." Anila said, "and it has nothing good. Jesus is my only peace."
"Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will raise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." -Mathew 10:21-12. ESV.
Are we willing to be Martyred for our faith? No one knows but God Almighty. But prepare yourslef daily for battles of all kinds against a dark world. Pray that God will help you sty strong in the worst time of persecution on earth...Pray for those suffer everyday for their love of Jesus. But rejoice that they go with God! The joy that this pain is temporary...because this life on earth will not last...Have a good week as you dwell on these thoughts. Stay strong!
"Fight the good fight of faith! Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses..." - 1 Timothy 6:12. ESV. :)
Anila met Perveen at school. As their friendship grew, Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs. Perveen quickly learned Christian songs and began to teach them to her younger sister when her parents weren't home. Perveen's parents soon learned of the songs. Being strict Muslims, they were not happy about them. But rather than confronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to find out where she was getting this Christian influence.
Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday service. When the young Muslim heard the Gospel presentation, she immediately accepted Jesus. Perveen became very excited about her new relationship with Jesus and saw great changes take place in her life. She read her Bible and praised God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would encounter opposition from her family.
Perveen's parents were furious when they learned of her conversion. They had previously arranged for her to marry a Muslim man. When Perveen again refused, she ran away.
When Perveen's parents could not find her, they accused Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her. They had Anila arrested. Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents for over nine hours. Finally she was taken to prison. Anila's pastor and his family were taken to prison on the following day. Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tortures in jail. She was whipped sixteen times (five times would make a normal man pass out.) When they were released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor would barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.
Perveen was later found by her family. In Muslim nations, children are often severely beaten for converting to Christianity. Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for apostasy, converting to another faith.
To restore the honor of his family...Perveen's brother stabbed her to death. He then turned himself into the authorities. As is not uncommon in such situations, he was eventually released without incident.
Anila was then arrested on charges of kindapping.
She was imprisoned, the released on bail a little more than a month later. She and her family went into hiding, as their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.
In May 1999, anila was aquitted of all charges. Praise God for prayers of faithful believers around the world! Continue to pray for her protection as she remains in hiding.
"I have seen the world." Anila said, "and it has nothing good. Jesus is my only peace."
"Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will raise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." -Mathew 10:21-12. ESV.
Are we willing to be Martyred for our faith? No one knows but God Almighty. But prepare yourslef daily for battles of all kinds against a dark world. Pray that God will help you sty strong in the worst time of persecution on earth...Pray for those suffer everyday for their love of Jesus. But rejoice that they go with God! The joy that this pain is temporary...because this life on earth will not last...Have a good week as you dwell on these thoughts. Stay strong!
"Fight the good fight of faith! Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses..." - 1 Timothy 6:12. ESV. :)
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