Far from the mountains of Afghanistan, Mara, a young mother heavily pregnant with her fourth child, joined our English class in sweltering Phoenix, Arizona. Coming from the #1 unreached nation in the world that is less than 0.01% Christian and under dire persecution from the Taliban, Mara’s move to the United States presented a unique opportunity from the Lord.
With her 2-year-old in tow, she expressed a strong desire to improve her English to pass her U.S. citizenship interview that summer. Despite her busy life, Mara made impressive progress. My teammate and I began visiting her regularly, and our sessions quickly turned into a joyful blend of studying, tea, and the delightful chaos of her children’s antics. We prayed and encouraged her, something that months ago would have been impossible in a place with almost no access to the gospel.
One day, she shared the thrilling news via a voice message—she had passed her interview and was now a U.S. citizen! Her excitement was palpable as she said, “Maaika, we prayed, and now I am a citizen! I am so happy!”
Over time, Mara’s improved English allowed her to share detailed stories from her childhood in Afghanistan. Inspired, we began incorporating “tea & story time” into our visits (tea is an important part of Afghan culture & hospitality). During tea & story time, we took turns sharing personal stories and discussing their spiritual significance. Our recent sessions have included reading parables, like the one about the lost coin, and discussing its meaning. It’s been a joy to see how our English classes have blossomed into deep, meaningful friendships, providing opportunities to share God’s love and the Good News.
This is a typical story from our diaspora ministry, where I teach English to refugees from predominantly unreached, Muslim countries. Our classes are about more than language; they’re a doorway to building relationships, meeting needs, and sharing the gospel. God has brought the nations to our backyard, and we’re responding. It’s been inspiring to see God work through this ministry to spread His message and involve the local church in reaching out to refugees in our city.
Stories from the Field
