10/14/2024 Middle East (International Christian Concern) – Abigail, who comes from a Muslim family, received Jesus as her savior two years ago. Since then, her mother has pressured her to leave Christianity or threatened to reveal her conversion to family members, who might kill her.

After encountering Christ, Abigail’s life has totally changed. She joined a Bible study and a church, where she met other Christians and grew in her faith as part of a community of believers.

Outside of church, Abigail decided to keep her conversion from her family. She continued to wear a hijab so she would appear Muslim. Despite doing this, she would run into Christians who recognized her as she walked through her small Middle Eastern city.

“Aren’t you Abigail, who attends church with us?” they would ask. “Why are you wearing a hijab?”

This made her afraid to continue going to church and meeting new believers. She worried that they would accidentally expose her. Eventually, Abigail’s mother noticed that she was not praying during the Islamic calls to prayer and accused her of disbelief. To punish Abigail, her mother withheld food from her and threatened to expose her to her family.

“After I met Jesus, I experienced that every step in my life proceeds with amazing planning and that God cares about every detail and always sends me help at the right time,” Abigail said.    

Abigail started to attend a weekly discipleship group for former Muslims. She struggled to meet her needs for food and transportation. She sometimes would go days without eating because she was trying to save money to pay for transportation to church.

Abigail’s wish is to live freely for Christ and to preach the gospel, telling people about the miraculous ways Christ has revealed himself to her. With her church’s help, she found an apartment and lives with other church members. ICC has helped Abigail pay for her rent and others at the church are helping her look for a job so she can support herself.

“I don’t have to worry about paying rent for the next year, which will allow me to manage my life and find a decent job to support myself,” Abigail said with eyes full of tears. “I thank God for this project.”

To read more stories like this, sign up for ICC’s free monthly magazine.