02/20/2025 Africa (International Christian Concern) – Amara was born into a Muslim family. When her mother converted to Christianity, Amara watched as her father threatened to kill her mother. Soon, her mother became sick and died. Amara’s father ordered her and her siblings to not convert to Christianity, claiming that Christians had poisoned their mother.
But their mother had already planted the seed of the gospel in their hearts. She had told her children about the love of Jesus before her death. After their mother died, Amara’s sister ignored her father’s commands and became a Christian in 2018. Although their father beat Amara’s sister and chased her away, her sister urged Amara to put her trust in Christ.
“My sister would call me on phone and would share the goodness of Christ,” Amara recalled. “She would always pray with me. She explained that I should not forget that it was our father who fatally poisoned our mother since she converted to Christianity. She said Islam is not a religion of peace, rather of war. This touched my heart, and I accepted to follow Jesus Christ.”
Two days later, Amara bravely decided to go to church for the first time.
“I was bold to tell my father that I had decided to follow Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior,” she said. “All the struggles we had gone through since childhood, including the death of my mother, had been caused by us being blinded by the Islamic faith and the doctrine our father was pushing on us. He slapped me first, but still, I told him I was ready to die if he decides to kill me.”
Amara’s father beat her in front of her three children. He then burned her clothes and belongings. As she fled, he warned her that if he ever saw her again, he would kill her and her children.
Amara sought help from a local pastor, who contacted International Christian Concern (ICC).
“I am writing to recommend Amara, a courageous young woman who has recently converted from Islam to Christianity,” the pastor’s letter stated. “Her journey to Christ was not an easy one, but her faith and determination have only grown despite facing persecution from her own family.”
ICC helped Amara pay for rent, utensils, clothing, bedding, food, and school fees for her children. Her church is also collecting food for her and her children.
FOREVER CHANGED
Looking back on this time in her life, Amara said the help ICC provided her and her children transformed their lives in numerous ways.
“Before your assistance, I felt utterly helpless,” Amara said. “The challenges we faced were overwhelming — struggling to provide necessities for my three children. We lacked essential utensils for cooking food to nourish our bodies, proper bedding for restful nights, and the means to pay for their education. Each day was a battle against despair.”
“Thanks to your kindness, we now have the utensils we need to prepare meals together as a family. The food you have provided shall fill our home with nourishment and hope. The bedding shall give us comfort and security at night, allowing us to rest peacefully after long days of hardship. Most importantly, your support in paying school fees has opened doors for my children’s education that I once thought was closed forever.”
With tears in her eyes, her oldest daughter said, “I can now go to school without worrying about whether I will have enough money for fees.” Another child said, “Now we can eat together as a family every day!”
Amara said ICC’s support gave her family stability so they could rebuild their lives together.
“Thank you once again for your unwavering support and compassion,” she added. “You have made an indelible impact on our lives that will resonate through generations as my children grow up with opportunities they would not have had otherwise. Your support has not only uplifted us materially, but also emotionally. It has instilled a sense of hope and determination within us that we will overcome our struggles. We are committed to making the most of this opportunity you have given us.”
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