HOPE THROUGH EDUCATION 1

Hope Through Education, Part 1 We all encounter tragedies in life, but the history of Bangladesh seems to be rooted in the storyline of tragic endings—poverty, chaos, cyclones, collapsing buildings—that lead many to hopelessness. But Abbus Ali, Siddikur Rahman and Shahinur Rahman Shagin see these tragedies through a different lens. “The Holy Spirit is really working in Bangladesh to change the religious people—Muslims, Hindus,” says Abbus. These three believers, from a Muslim background, have been earning theological degrees at a Bible school overseas. With the help of Open Doors, they are being trained to help Muslim background leaders in Bangladesh. Abbus Ali and his wife Nasima were going through tough times in their Christian walk before they heard, through Christian friends, about the Open Doors scholarship program. Abbus, who had been persecuted for his faith where he taught school, resigned to take advantage of this program. “The persecution will not go away,” said Abbus, who is studying for a Master of Divinity degree. “However, I believe that Muslims are not bad people.... the pressure eventually dies down when they see me living out a good testimony.” At the seminar, Abbus began to understand his faith through the Word of God. He is learning what it means to be Christ-like in thoughts, words, and actions—lessons that he will take with him when he returns to the mission field. For now, Abbus and Nasima are praying to discover which ministry God will eventually lead them. One With Them Stand One With Them, with Abbus and Nasima as they consider where God will lead them to minister when they return to Bangladesh. And, when God teaches you through His Word new ways to bring your thoughts, words, and actions, remember Abbus and Nasima and pray for them.  One With Them CHALLENGE Please prayerfully consider giving to the ministry that trains former Muslims how to share Christ with their neighbors. You can make a difference at the Open Doors website. Just click here.  2013.07.02

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)