As the team in “Valor” was relaunching their ministry to focus on disciple-multiplication several years ago, Omar was one of the local believers who helped them shape their new vision. He was eager and passionate to share the Gospel with his people. He requested at the very beginning to be allowed to take the Gospel into his remote village, which was closed to foreigners and politically dangerous.
Omar visited his home with the Good News, but it was not received with kindness. The people of his hometown were furious with him for following Jesus, and soon the rampant terrorism in the area made the village completely inaccessible. Omar was devastated for his people, but he knew God still had plenty of work for him to do.
Soon, Omar began visiting a village in a nearby region, where he met Isa. Though just 18 years old, Isa was eager to learn everything about Jesus, and it wasn’t very long before Omar baptized Isa into a new life. Isa’s road forward became much more difficult, as his village responded with intense persecution. He was mocked, abused, cast off, and hunted. He faced opposition on every side, sometimes with scorn and sometimes with sweet bribes if he’d only return to his old faith. Through it all, Isa remained steadfast, with his eyes fixed on Jesus. Despite the intense persecution, Isa graduated and received highest marks.
Now, Isa is a student at the university in our city. He spends time often with Omar, who is discipling him and modeling what it looks like to share the Gospel and make disciples. Isa began connecting with other young men at his university, and quickly one was ready for baptism. Isa invited Omar to come to the baptism of his young friend, and Omar was happy to be there for Isa.
As Omar and the new believer began talking, they soon realized that both of them were from the same village — the very village where Omar had dreamed of sharing the Good News, but all the doors had closed for him! He realized the supreme grace and sovereignty of God, who could raise up a young man from the exact village where Omar wanted to be, bring him many hours away for university years later, and just “happen” to connect him with Isa, Omar’s own disciple, so he could hear about Jesus! He was not outside where God could reach.
With a God this good, Omar will never lose hope for his people.
Praise God for His grace and strength amidst adversity. May Omar and Isa be filled by God’s Spirit and be led in God’s paths to those hungering for righteousness.
Awesome uplifting stories! Praise be to God for His steadfastness and power in those persecuted in His name .