Miracles overshadow Sharia law

Islam is firmly rooted in Chechnya. The elite Muslim rulers govern the population with the help of Sharia, Islamic law. One of the consequences of this is that Christians are not allowed to practise their faith freely. And yet people still find Jesus.

The doctors are amazed
One reason for this is disappointment about Islam. Our partner was in contact with a Muslim family. ‘The man came to us because his wife was in a lot of pain due to a brain tumour. The painkillers were not helping, and the religious practices did nothing to improve the situation. We invited them to pray with us because Jesus Christ can heal illnesses.’ The woman invited Jesus into her life and became a Christian. Full of joy and faith, they began to pray and a short time later she felt better. Three weeks later, she was astonished at an appointment at the hospital. ‘The astonished doctors could no longer find a tumour - Jesus had healed her!’

Waiting for a son
Another family also experienced God's intervention. Children are very important in Chechen society. They carry on the family and are also a kind of old-age insurance. The pressure of their own family weighed heavily on a childless couple from the community. She gave them an ultimatum: they had to give birth to a child within a year, otherwise the man would have to marry another woman. ‘We prayed, and sure enough, the woman became pregnant and gave birth to a girl. But as the man's family demanded a male offspring, we prayed again. And God answered. The long-awaited son was given to both of them.’

The Christians in Chechnya are challenged, but also experience miracles. And the community is growing. It is very grateful for every form of support.