By Linda Jones

05/03/2018 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern)- “After the death of my husband, I felt that life became very hard for me and our circumstances were very bad,” shared Magda, a Christian widow.

Christian women often face many challenges in predominantly Muslim countries due to their gender and religion. If a Christian woman becomes a widow, she assumes the responsibility of providing for her family and caring for her children. Unfortunately, job opportunities for Christian women are very limited since they are constantly discriminated against. Without their breadwinners, it becomes almost impossible for them to support their families financially.

Last year, ICC learned about four Christian widows in Egypt who were struggling to provide for their families. As part of ICC’s Suffering Wives and Children fund, we were able to help these women start up small businesses in order to sustainably provide for their families.

Following her husband’s death, Magda had to move to her father’s house along with her three daughters and had to find a job to support them. She was eventually fired because of her religion and her position was given to a Muslim woman instead. Magda has been struggling financially ever since. Furthermore, her oldest daughter attempted suicide soon after her father’s death. ICC assisted Magda in opening a small clothing store which will help her generate enough income to provide for her three daughters.

Nabila, the second beneficiary, has four children and is currently living in a small house in Minya. Her husband died of cancer and sold everything they had to pay for his treatments, leaving the family with nothing. ICC assisted Nabila by helping her set up a vegetable and fruit stand near her house. This small business is now helping Nabila provide for her family and cover all of their expenses.

“I thank the Lord for his great love to me and my children. He has stood with us and comforted us. I hoped that I had any project to meet the physical needs of my children after the death of my husband. I prayed to God and He answered my prayers that He sent me you to stand with me and do this project,” shared Nabila

Phoebe, another Christian widow, moved in with her in-laws along with her three children after her husband died in a car accident. Her in-laws cannot work anymore due to their advanced age; therefore, Phoebe has the responsibility of providing for all of them. Unfortunately, she has been struggling financially since her job does not provide enough to cover even their basic needs. ICC assisted Phoebe with setting up a grocery stand in her home to generate a sustainable source of income and help her provide for her family.

“I will do my best to make this project a big project because it will be the future of my children. The father of my children left them, but their heavenly Father hasn’t left them and has taken care of them. I thank God so much and say to Him, ‘You are the leader of the widows and the father of the orphans,’” Phoebe expressed.

Martha, the fourth beneficiary, has three young boys and also lost her husband to cancer. Similar to Nabila, Martha’s husband sold everything they had to pay for his cancer treatments, hoping that he would get better. Unfortunately, following her husband’s death, Martha has been struggling to provide for her family. ICC helped Martha by purchasing four ewes and three ram lambs, so that she can raise them and support her family with the earnings.

Martha shared, “This project will help me to earn good money for me and my children. I will raise the young sheep until they grow up and become adult sheep then I’ll sell them to earn good income and I will buy other sheep to raise them and enlarge my project.”

Please pray for the success of these projects and the provision of these women who have had to adapt to their roles as their family’s new breadwinners. Remember to pray for Christian women in the Middle East who continue to face discrimination, making it even more difficult for them to practice and share their faith.

For interviews with Claire Evans, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org