After facing extreme persecution for his Christian faith, when Issa* fled his home in Syria to start a new life in Iraq, he lost everything. All his possessions and his livelihood had been taken from him.
But all that changed when Christian charity Help The Persecuted invested in his business to repair motorbikes and bicycles. Now he takes every opportunity to shares the tools to knowing Jesus with his customers.
Source: www.htp.org
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In 2010 Issa was going to participate in an event in his town in Syria that promoted atheism. The night before though, he had a dream about Jesus that made him decide not to go and instead leave atheism. He started to read the Bible and made the bold decision to follow Christ.
But because of his faith he faced extreme persecution, even threats on his life. He also lost his work, and all his possessions were taken from him. He moved to Iraq in search of a new life. However, his employers treated him like a slave.
But then Christian ministry Help The Persecuted helped him start his own business fixing motorbikes and bicycles, through their Enduring Livelihood initiative that aims to help persecuted Christians find a life of dignity and dependence.
He said this was a major turning point in his life:
When the ministry supported me, I felt freedom for the first time. I knew that I was not alone anymore.
I knew that the Lord is my partner now, not my old job where I used to feel like a slave. He will support me now.
This support has enabled him to expand his business by moving into a much larger workshop, which is thriving. But even more importantly, he shares his faith with all his customers:
I try my best to tell my anyone who comes here about Christ. This place is not just a blessing for me but for everyone. People keep me asking me about Christ, and I tell them about salvation in Him. This salvation is for everyone, not just me. Jesus came to save us. He told us in the Bible. It is my roadmap to tell everyone about Him.
And as Help the Persecuted continues to rescue, restore and rebuild the lives of people like Issa the ministry has now started more than 300 family businesses in 13 Islamic countries directly benefiting more than 1700 people. This enables them to break the cycle of poverty and dependency converts to Christianity often face.
Peter Wooding reporting for the Global News Alliance.
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