Fayed* has been a follower of Christ for three years, but his passion for sharing the hope he found in Jesus has already marked his life and the lives of many around him. He lives in a small community where poverty is a reality for nearly every family, and education is seen as one of the few ways out. In this setting, Shem*, the younger brother of one of Fayed’s friends, had always been considered the family’s hope. His parents, like many others in the region, had invested heavily in his education, spending an amount nearly equal to the value of their small home so that he could prepare for university entrance exams. The family dreamed of Shem’s success bringing honor and stability to their household.
But when Shem failed to gain admission, his entire world seemed to collapse. The shame he felt was intensified by his family’s bitter disappointment. Their words turned harsh and accusatory, and every day he was reminded of the financial sacrifices they had made “for nothing.” Unable to bear the crushing weight of his family’s reproach, Shem withdrew into himself. He rarely left his home, and neighbors began to notice that he no longer smiled or greeted them as he once did.
Prompted by the Lord
Fayed, who lived nearby, had seen Shem’s growing despair. One day, while walking home, he noticed Shem’s house was unusually quiet. Feeling prompted to check on him, Fayed knocked on his door, but there was no answer. He knocked again and again, certain Shem was inside. Finally, Shem opened the door, his face pale and his voice shaking as he asked Fayed to leave him alone. He confessed he wanted to end his life. Alarmed, Fayed quickly stepped inside and discovered Shem had been preparing to hang himself from an air-conditioner cord.
Acting on instinct and faith, Fayed spoke to Shem about the love and mercy of Jesus. He gently read Matthew 11:28 aloud: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Then he placed a New Testament in Shem’s hands and urged him to give himself one more chance. “Read this,” Fayed pleaded. “If you still want to give up after reading it, I will not stop you. But please, let God speak to you first.” He prayed over Shem, embraced him, and left him to read.
Rescued and redeemed
The next day, Shem knocked on Fayed’s door. Tears filled his eyes as he explained he had stayed up all night reading the New Testament. He had been deeply moved by the words of Jesus, words that spoke of love, forgiveness, and a hope greater than his shame. That night, Shem gave his life to Christ. His despair was replaced by a spark of hope that had been missing for so long.
This encounter has transformed Shem’s life and renewed Fayed’s passion for evangelism. In a region where faith is often met with hostility, Fayed continues to distribute New Testaments to those who are searching, trusting God to work in their hearts just as He did in Shem’s.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for Shem’s spiritual growth, that his new faith would take deep root and bring lasting healing to his mind and heart.
- Pray for his family, that they would see the transformation in him and come to know Christ themselves.
- Pray for the distribution of Scripture in the Persian-speaking world, that every copy of God’s Word will reach someone who is desperate for hope.
*Names changed to protect identities
Something Greater
Nepal is best known for the highest mountain peak on earth, Mount Everest at over 29,000 feet (8848.86 m). This year over 1000 people will crowd the mountain between the beginning of April and the end of May in an effort to reach the summit. It is a dangerous endeavor. Over 200 frozen bodies litter the mountain. Climbers prepare for years honing their skills on smaller mountains before they undertake Everest. The cost to try is from $40,000 to $100,000 to spend two months in below-freezing temperatures and a few brief minutes at the summit, if you are successful.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit first in 1953. In a Forbes interview, Hillary said, “Clients are spending a large sum of money just to trek up our route, mainly so they can go back home and boast about it more.” Climbing is a welcome industry in Nepal that attracts adventurers looking to accomplish something “greater.”
What is not particularly welcome in Nepal is a testimony of the power of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, in whose name salvation resides. Over 80% of the country is Hindu. Less than 2% is Christian.
Imagine believers gathered in a pastor’s home to pray, study, and sing. When suddenly local Hindu extremists surround the house, shouting abusively, demanding the Christians cease their worship, finally torching the home and burning it to the ground. What do you do? You move to a relative’s house where you continue to, quietly and humbly, pray, study, and sing while rebuilding the pastor’s home. You stay the course knowing that God is at work. You live daily prepared to respond to any who would ask “why?’ (1 Peter 3:15).
Christ calls us all to live as our Nepalese brothers and sisters on the frontline of Satan’s attack against His Church. Resolute. Confident in Christ. Given fully to God, all we have, all we own, all we are. Knowing we need look no further. We have found the Greatest. We boast in Christ alone.
