Written by: Open Doors
Article source: www.opendoors.org.za
In East Africa, the price many Christians pay for following Jesus is being sidelined. It is a hidden cost, not visible to the untrained eye. Open Doors’ economic empowerment programs equip marginalized believers towards fruitful Christian living in the face of hostility. Earlier this year we travelled to Ethiopia to meet Khalid*, one of the many persecuted Christians Open Doors has helped in East Africa.
Khalid* (32) was born into a Muslim family where he enjoyed the support and care of a community.
Everything changed after a Christian friend testified to him about Jesus.
“It is very difficult for a Muslim to come to Christ, because in Islam, Jesus is said to be human, and in Christianity it is said that He is Lord. I used to believe that Christianity is a lie, because you can’t be God and human at the same time. How can a God come to earth, born as a human being and save us?”
He slowly became convinced that he should not follow Allah, but Jesus. “It was hard, but God helped me answer all the questions in my heart.”
Khalid arranged to see a pastor in his town. He wanted to understand God’s Word.
“All my questions were answered, and I became a free man.”
Afterwards, he was baptized and started attending church.
He thought it was time to tell his family.
“They told me that I had betrayed them and their faith, and they forced me to leave the house.”
He left and moved to town to start anew.
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Khalid (32).
The isolation and sadness were hard on Khalid, but today he shares his past troubles without bitterness.
“When I lived with [my] family, life was comfortable. But when they kicked me out, life turned dark. What helped me to stand strong, was the Word of God where it says, ‘I will not forsake you.’”
Abandoned by his family for choosing Christ, Khalid became dependent on the goodwill of others to survive. “It’s hard to survive without work. Nobody would give me a real job. Fellow Christians supported me, but only with food and clothes.”
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Khalid soon found a new family.
He had been friends with Mulu for a few years. Their relationship was difficult at times. “I repeatedly told her about Jesus, but she assumed my testimony was lies.”
With patience and persistence Mulu came to see the truth and accepted Jesus as her Savior. The couple got married and moved somewhere safe to live.
Khalid with his wife Mulu and their three children.
Khalid is thankful for the support he received from his faith community but he did not want to be dependent on the goodwill of other Christians.
One Sunday at church he heard about Open Doors’ economic empowerment program providing vocational skills training and income generating incentives. With OD’s help, the local church was able to give Khalid a micro-loan with which he opened a shop.
This is Khalid, pictured inside his convenience store. There’s only enough space for one person to move around comfortably. The shelves are full – anything you might need you can find here!
Khalid has now paid off his loan with his profits.
“The loan changed many things in my life. I can now provide for my family.”
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Khalid pictured inside his shop.
His profits also enabled him to rent a plot of farmland where he grows onions and maize to sell.
With just a little bit of seed money from Open Doors, Khalid has grown into an independent and thriving business – and family man.
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Khalid grows maize and onions to sells at market.
Open Doors’ economic empowerment programs strengthens marginalized believers to regain their self-worth so they can become salt and light. But it does so much more! Your support changes communities, the fate of children, and helps build resilient Christian families amidst persecution. And it all starts with helping just one person.
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Date published: 03/10/2020
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