Life is hard for Hilola, her husband Jiyan, and their three children living in Central Asia. They share a home with Jiyan’s parents and his sister, and Jiyan is the only one in the household with a job. Feeding and caring for eight people on a single wage is a constant worry.

Their youngest son, now eight months old, was born without fingers on one hand. Hilola and Jiyan love their little boy dearly, but they also carry a deep sense of shame because of his disability.

In some Muslim–majority regions, a culture of shame runs particularly strong, and the family finds it hard to mix with others as a result. The isolation weighs heavily on them.

Recently, Hilola came to faith in Christ. As the only believer in her extended family, she is finding it hard to grow and flourish. Our partners are visiting her regularly, offering practical help and sharing a message she needs to hear: God sees her, and He sees her little one. Both are precious to Him.

They are teaching her that God understands her loneliness and the shame she carries. He created each one of us, and He treats us with love, mercy and respect.

As they read God’s word and watch the Jesus Film with Hilola, our partners are praying that she will come to see her baby as special, created by a loving God who cares for every person as an individual.

During these visits they also talk with the rest of the family, gently introducing them to Jesus and the good news of the gospel.

 

PRAY WITH US

• That Hilola would know she and her son are seen and loved by God, and that shame would lose its grip.
• That she would grow in her faith despite being the only Christian in her home.
• That Jiyan and the whole family would come to know Jesus.