Heart-warming questions

We enter the small living room of exiled Iranian couple Hadi* and Sara*. We are immediately surrounded by twelve teenagers thirsty for knowledge. With the exception of one Turkish girl, all the children are also of Iranian origin.

We are introduced to the teenagers and they immediately fire off their questions. ‘How long have you believed in Jesus?’ ‘How did you become a believer?’ ‘How often and for how long do you pray?’ The open and heart-warming questions from the young people give us a welcome opportunity to share what God has done in our lives.

Now Hadi asks us to bless each individual child. He also fetches a small bottle of oil and we begin to pray for the children, lay hands on them and listen to impressions from God. We are surprised ourselves at how strongly the Holy Spirit works through us and speaks into the lives of the young people. Some of them have had difficult fates, come from broken homes and are fatherless.

The presence of God is palpable. The teenagers are deeply moved, some of them cry. The Turkish girl experiences the Holy Spirit intensely and can't make sense of why the oil has such a strong effect. We explain to her that it is not the oil, but the power of God that she feels.

Finally, we all sit together and enjoy the delicious sandwiches that the hosts have prepared. Shared meals where stories are told are very important for Iranians. This is how friendship is cultivated and deepened.

Hadi and Sara lost their child a few years ago. Since fleeing Iran, they have been living in Türkiye. It is their calling to lead children and young people in Bible reading and worship, to spend time with them and to be there for them like parents. The couple dream of more space for their work. They have a vision of a farm in the countryside where they can live family and discipleship with their protégés and where the young people can experience healing for their wounded souls. We take their wish home with praying hearts.

* Names changed