As the Islamic call to prayer blared from the ancient minaret in his neighborhood, Diako watched his father bow in reverence, forehead touching his silk prayer rug, reciting prayers to Allah. He felt a pit in his stomach at the realization that this might be the last time he saw his father for a very long time. Unbeknownst to his family, tonight he would meet a smuggler at the border who would lead him through the mountains of Iran into the neighboring country of Iraq.
Diako was exhausted of the political system he was being raised in—weary from the oppression, the strict Islamic requirements, the lack of freedom, the persecution of his people … If only he could get to Iraq and join the band of Kurdish freedom fighters called the Peshmerga, life could be different.
Life in Iraq was different. He no longer enjoyed the comforts of his mother’s delicious ghormeh sabzi (his favorite Iranian dish) or danced in his family living room with relatives and neighbors. His new home was a small room inside a dilapidated concrete war palace that once belonged to Saddam Hussein with machine guns and missiles as the decorations. He was a political refugee outside of his homeland with no residency or paper documents. He was even more confined than before.
But God had a plan for Diako’s life. In the midst of hard places, Diako would meet Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Even if you have never experienced an oppressive governmental system that compelled you to make your way through mountains in search of freedom, you have surely experienced a hard place in your life. Is it the environment in which you were raised? A family relationship that stings? An illness you never expected? Poverty, anxiety or financial devastation?
Listen to this episode of the AIMS.ORG podcast to hear Diako’s story of getting a Bible, leaving Islam, fleeing Iraq as a refugee and experiencing Jesus in the hard places. This episode will reassure you that no matter what difficult situation you find yourself in, God is with you, in you and ready to use your story for His glory.
Discover how your life can impact nations by visiting aims.org.{eoa}
Bevin Bold serves alongside her husband at AIMS.ORG, a missions organization targeting unreached people groups with the gospel. She is known for her creativity and passion for God’s word. Since graduating Texas Bible Institute in 2000, Bevin has served in local church and overseas ministry. In 2008, she and her husband moved to northern Iraq as missionaries where they planted a house church, baptized former Muslims and opened a cafe. Bevin now spends her days using her gifts of writing and design to advocate for those who have no access to the message of Jesus. A loving wife and mom to Haven and Honor, she enjoys a good cappuccino, spending time with her family in nature and making jewelry. Connect with Bevin through Instagram or at aims.org.
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