The Great Choreographer

The Great Choreographer

As a young Coptic Christian woman living in a small village in Egypt, Ghada dreaded the time each day when her father came home. Like many Christian families, her father’s character and mind was shaped by Islamic society. Nearly every evening her father would take out his frustrations on her mother and the children. One night, during an outburst, Ghada screamed at him to stop. Angered by her rebellion, he beat her severely. Mentality and now physically abused, Ghada lived in fear of her father… that’s when a miracle happened.

A few days later, a neighbor invited Ghada to attend a women’s retreat organized by local churches. Oh how she wanted to go, but she dreaded asking her father for permission. In her heart she could already hear him say “no.” Surprisingly, her father agreed!

At the conference Ghada understood for the first time how to accept Christ as her personal Savior. On the last day a counselor challenged her to forgive her father, and to start praying for him even if she did not believe anything could happen. Sobbing quietly, Ghada prayed; “God, I do not know if You hear me but please change my father.” 

Scared to return home, she was amazed to find that he was already a different man. Taking Ghada in his arms, he said, “I have hurt you deeply. Please forgive me.” What happened while she was away? Had God listened to her prayers? That same week Ghada’s father had also been invited to a meeting, where  he too came to know Christ in a personal way.

Now, over a year since the conference, Ghada’s father is growing in love for God. During a recent revival meeting many were surprised to see him arrive early bringing a large group of relatives and neighbors. This man, who was once known to be so brutal, had now become a witness for the Lord.  

One With Them
On the road to Damascus, Jesus made it clear to Paul (then called Saul) that his persecution of Christians was in fact, persecution of Him. The Holy Spirit must have had a similar conversation with Ghada’s father that night he gave his heart to the Lord. Open Doors, in partnership with local Egyptian churches, is involved with women’s empowerment ministries, helping Coptic women and girls know Christ and be healed from their wounds. Be One With these women today by joining in prayer for them, their families who may oppose their faith, and their persecutors. 

One With Them CHALLENGE
Please prayerfully consider the several opportunities that Open Doors offers to come alongside the women of the persecuted church through financial contribution to programs that minister to them. Some of these include ministering to isolated women through TV programs, teaching women and girls to read, training the trainer in ministering to other women,  and providing job training. Learn More

2013.06.26

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
(Acts 8:5b)