Kept Safe

Rashad’s story begins in 2006 when he was 12 years old.

One day Rashad’s father found a package at the family’s front door. When he opened the package, he found a message and a bullet. The message from the “Islamic State” instructed him to pay a sum of 3,000,000 Iraqi dinars (just over $2,000 U.S. dollars). The note said that if he did not pay the money, one of his children would be killed. The message was very distressing to the family. They did not have this much money and did not have a way to earn it. (Rashad’s father was handicapped because of injuries during the war.) Through God’s provision, however, the amount was secured with the help of extended family.

Rashad’s father decided to move his family to a safer area. They were very poor and had only enough money to live in an old, dilapidated house that most people would consider uninhabitable. While living there, Rashad and his brother got to know a fervent believer who helped them learn about Jesus. Rashad began to attend church every Sunday, which helped him grow in his faith. He considers this time as the most important in his young life – a time that would help him face hardships to come.  

Then in 2014, Daa’sh (ISIS) took over the entire province. Rashad’s family received a phone call at 4 am telling them to leave their home immediately; ISIS soldiers were entering their city. As they fled, they could see the troops advancing. They knew they had very narrowly escaped, and they recognized the Lord had again saved them. The family settled in an area in northern Iraq with many other refugees. God guided them as they again faced the difficulties of what to do, where to live and how to survive.  

Through the following years, Rashad continued to experience God’s care. He completed his schooling. He married, and he and his wife have a child. He works and provides for his family. His strong belief in God and his commitment, along with his family, to the church have given him the strength to go on. He aspires to serve the Lord who has kept them safe despite all the loss they suffered.

*name has been changed

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