“I came to Christian faith 8 years ago, because of the conversion of my sister. Like the rest of the family I was so opposed to her, I was angry because of the trouble she had caused. I was 14 when she was converted. I knew she was getting up in the night and every night for 1 month I followed her. She went to our yard and into a small store where we kept food. Every night for 1 month I heard her pray from 1 until 2 in the morning. I gave my heart to Jesus after this month. My sister did not know, but for three months after that, I went to pray from 2 until 3 in the morning in the same store.”
My family knows that I am Christian, but they do not know everything about what I am doing, since I am careful. I still live at home with my parents but they do not agree with my new faith. I try to be very wise and sensitive to them and try extremely hard not to give any reason for conflict. They have no idea what I am doing outside the home with my new religion. There was a lot of trouble when I first came to faith. About 10 days before this, it was agreed and decided I would go into the Muslim army to fight in other countries. This was a good thing for my family. Once I came to Jesus I said no, I would not go. There was a lot of pressure then from the government but I still would not go.
Now I work in a company shop, but I wish I had more time to do all I want to do for God. I love my job, since it involves a lot of travelling around, but that takes also a lot of time. Another friend who was a leader lost his job, because he was spending more time on ministry and now he has had to move to another city.”
Ministry
“I am a teacher and overseer in many house groups, I keep things going. Some of these groups I started. I have a ministry with young men of my own age. In the past 2 years I have led 20 young men to Christian faith. It is really great to see people come to faith. All these young men are in an adult group now. I am teaching 8 young men, I led them all to the Lord. They are all leaders now and have their own groups. I love teaching them and seeing them teaching others. I visit their groups sometimes to see how things are going. These are all young men and they really look to my life as an example. I am very aware of this.
I would love to know how exactly to train them and have resources for youth, but for now we just use the same as the adults. There are not enough Bibles in these groups. I know ways how to get them but I cannot afford to buy one.
All the young people give money, whatever they can. We went to the bank for a loan, so we were able to buy a computer. I love the computer and work hard to find things that I can produce and make to help all the groups, things for worship or study. There was only one songbook in the whole city, I have typed it up and made smaller booklets, so at least we have something. We have one CD player and three CD’s. Everyone gives what they can to buy materials because we also want to help others.
I have a friend from abroad who has something to do with the TV broadcasting and my friend gave me addresses of people in my living area, who had phoned in to the Christian programmes for advice and help. I have visited those people. Lately I told him not to do this anymore because it is too dangerous, since there is no safe email or safe way to get this information.
I made a prayer program for all the believers so that right through 24 hours every day someone is praying. Each believer prays for 1 hour every day for their personal safety, for the security of the Christians and for change and revival in their city.”
Training
“I feel very inadequate for what I am doing, because of my age. I am only 23 years young. There are many mature married couples coming to faith, how can I counsel people older than me? I have never been to training like this before and it is exactly what I needed, in fact it is perfect helping me. This course is excellent, and it will help me in a more structured way to help others. Before this training we were doing some things, but just reacting and guessing, but now we know a structure and a process to work through. Every part of it was useful.”
Prayer request
“Please pray for my future, that I will keep growing and maturing in my faith and that I will find a good Christian wife.
Also pray for our country, there are many people with open hearts asking questions but the believers need help and need materials.
The police frighten Christians in a very bad way and frighten people who are thinking about being Christians. The police think that they are succeeding but they are not. We have God and we have each other, we will stay close, we are more of a family than a natural family, I cannot explain just how close we are.”
Note of our contact, who spoke with Maziar:(*not his real name) “This young man is keen, alert and responded well within the group. It was amazing to hear him pray, it was so encouraging and he obviously blessed the others in those prayer times.”
