Run for Life

Zabi* escaped when the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. But how long can she keep running? Your support and prayers are needed more than ever, to keep hope alive for Christians facing the greatest persecution.

The Taliban know Zabi’s secret, so her life is in danger. “My family are secret believers,” she says. “A few years ago, the Taliban came and they took my father away, because he was a Christian. They tortured him for months and then they killed him. A few months later, my brother also disappeared. We never heard of him again.”

When the Taliban took over in August 2021, Zabi knew she had to run for her life. Zabi is young, well-educated, and active in human rights: all dangerous qualities that make her a target. Her life under threat, she was forced to gather whatever possessions she could find and run for the border.

Now, Zabi is living in another country. But the danger isn’t over for her. She says, “Our situation is desperate. I have money in my bank account but cannot access it from here. I have a visa but it will expire soon. I may have to go into hiding. Or I’ll be deported to Afghanistan. I may be killed if that happens.”

Strong faith remains

Thankfully, God led our frontline partners to Zabi and thanks to your help, we have been able to give her food, pay her rent and given her money to stay safe and survive. Our partners have prayed with her and encouraged her to stay strong in her faith. We pray that God opens a door for her so that she can be safe.

Immediate response

It’s been shocking to watch the speed of deterioration in Afghanistan last year. The situation is volatile, borders and camps remain closed. But we are continuing to do all we can to support vulnerable secret believers.

There’s no question the needs of the persecuted church in the region are significant. That’s why we’re launching a year of prayer for Afghanistan.

And if you feel moved to give, you can contribute to a fund that will provide long-term support to believers facing extreme persecution in the countries identified by Open Doors’ World Watch List as the ten most dangerous. With your help, our field teams are determined to reach every secret believer with the support they need.

Your support means everything to persecuted Christians like Zabi. She says, “Thank God for your food and clothes deliveries, your financial support and your prayers and encouragement. You are a strand of hope to me. There’s a chance I may live.”

*name changed for security reasons; image is illustrative