W* is a father of a young daughter in Afghanistan. He tells his story in his own words about how VOM partners helped him to escape with his family and daughter to freedom.
“As Taliban took control over Afghanistan, our project closed and I lost my job, and I feared for my life and my daughter’s future. I started looking for a way to get evacuated and I desperately tried any channel I could, but I was only receiving empty promises.
“I lost my hope until I was contacted once more and I was asked for details. I was not sure that it would work but I did not want to miss any chance. So I shared my details and some days later I was contacted and asked to be prepared. This call gave me a little hope but still I was not sure. Then, when I received the call which [gave] me the address to get there for evacuation, it was unbelievable for me.
“We arrived at the given location but all the way I was scared that I would get stopped by any Taliban, or get questioned. [We] arrived at the given location and got into buses and headed toward the airport. I was hoping to get to the airport because the Taliban can change their minds at any minute.
“At the airport gate our bus was stopped and two Taliban started checking the people in the bus. The way these two were looking at the bus passengers was like all the people inside the bus are prisoners and sentenced to death. It was the hardest moment of my life as I held my daughter and they were approaching me. I [felt] that someone is pressing my throat, until they passed without asking any questions and allowed the bus to enter the airport.
“We arrived at the check-in counter for boarding. As we got into the airplane, I was feeling that I am born again. I was getting hope that I will get out of Afghanistan and can start a new life, leaving all the security problems that me and my family were facing [behind], and my only daughter can finally have a better future.
“Now I hope that me and my family arrive to a final country where we can have a peaceful life and better future. Where my only child can reach to what she expects from life, and decide about her own future.”
*Name has been changed to protect W’s identity.
To learn more about VOM’s emergency response in Afghanistan and how you can support Afghan Christians like W* and his family, click here .
Source: Shai Fund
Please Pray
Pray for the peace, protection and provision of believers and their families. Pray that their faith will remain firm through opposition and persecution.
Pray for the safe resettlement of Afghan believers who have been forced to flee Afghanistan.
Pray for unity and fruitfulness for the teams who are working tirelessly to evacuate Afghan Christians.