Christian Persecution in Pakistan: "Nathan's Story"

“Nathan” is an ex-Muslim, converted in 2000.  Initially had tried to convert two Christian men to Islam, believed in Muhammad and offered them money and home if they would accept Islam.  He went to their home (where they worshiped) and disagreed with God sending a Son for their salvation.  Told Christians this was a lie.  Christians told him to read the Bible for himself.  Learned that it was Isaac and not Ishmael who was offered as the sacrifice by Abraham.  As he continued to read the Bible, he felt something happening within him.  He continued to study the Bible, hoping to prove Islam right, but after reading Genesis, he felt at peace.  “Nathan began to think that this was all wrong.  “How can I accept Christianity and reject Islam?”  He had to conclude the Qur’an was wrong.  

As he read the Bible his brother asked him what he was doing.  When “Nathan” told him, his brother beat him severely and told him to consider what he was doing.  “Nathan” read Gospel to his Brother and he stopped beating him, they embraced, and brother urged him to preach.  “Nathan” preached to other villages, first alone, but team grew.  Muslim leaders of villages turned on them & led an attack on the team.  Fled to Karabi and moved in with a Christian friend.  Wanted to preach, not marry, but this changed.  His friends convinced him to marry.  Found a close friend who was a Muslim, told him he and his brother had accepted Christ and asked him to find a girl for him to marry.  Friend went to Aunt’s home who had a daughter.  They met and married.  His wife’s family  opposed the engagement due to “Nathan’s”  faith.  His wife’s parents were nominal Muslims.  They lived in Lanuala village and eventually agreed to marriage as they liked “Nathan”.  Decided though they couldn’t meet his parents until after his marriage due to his faith.  Told his wife of his faith, she questioned it, but eventually converted as well.  Her family now demanded she divorce him, she refused.  Now both families against them.  They beat them and had to flee.  Chose salvation over family.  Let everything behind and moved to Lahore.  Lived there for 1.5 years.  Later baptized.  

Their families are still looking for them and don’t know where they are.  Continually threaten them and their children with death.  When they left home, they had some money, so they bought a popcorn machine and started a popcorn selling business.  Then became a painter but lost his job when he broke his hand.  Now they make sheets and sells them for a profit of 200 Rupees each.  Unable to do hard work, church assists with rent and food, but it’s difficult for the church to help everyone.  “Nathan” doesn’t make enough to live on, let alone to send kids to school.  His business is a house business as he cannot afford a shop.  Still documented as a Muslim on his ID because he’ll be arrested if he changes it.  Muslim colleagues once saw him in a church and grew suspicious.  His family was contacted and he had to flee again.  His Brother helped whim with acquiring a loan, slowly paying him back. He wants his children to know Jesus and wants to stay in a Christian community.  Would take Asylum to any other nation, it’s not safe for him in Pakistan.  Wants to increase his business so he can live better and to provide school fees to his children.  We need to help his family with rent and school fees until his business is self-sustaining.

If you wish to help "Nathan" & his family, please send a donation to Express Missions International, and make a note that you'd like this donation to go to the "A&R Relief Project."