In Egypt many Christians are tragically killed for their faith each year. Although the deaths cause much pain, families and friends are often proud of the faith and courage of those who have been killed. They say their faith has grown despite the loss, and here we hear from three people on the lessons they have learned from those that have died…
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As remembered by his father Atef
Atefâs son, Karam (20), was one of the workers killed in the Minya bus attack, where the men were given the choice to deny their faith or die. Karam choose to keep his faith and lose his life. Atef misses his son terribly, every day. Every night, Atef watches the videos of his son working at the monastery, if he doesnât he canât sleep.
Asked about a visible reminder of the faith of his son, Atef doesnât have to think long: âhis life was his testimonyâ he says. While usually sons learn about God from their father, with Atef and Karam it was the other way around. âHe was always talking to me about the Kingdom of God,â Atef says âand he encouraged me to go to church and work on my relationship with God. Now my son is gone, I try to remember his words even more. My faith has really grown.â
As remembered by his wife Mariam
In a rural village house, the picture of a broadly smiling Wahib decorates the wall. He was a good father, his children say. But he isnât with them anymore. He said ânoâ when an Islamic extremist forced him to convert to Islam. It cost him his life. âHis absence hurtsâ says his wife Mariam âespecially the fact that my children have to grow up without a father makes me terribly sad.â
âWe are simple farmers,â Mariam says. âAnd my husband was a simple man.â Not being able to read and write properly, Wahib and his family used to sing along to psalms on the Christian TV channel. âAnd we used to pray together as a familyâ says Mariam âwe havenât broken that habit, and every time we pray, I think of my husband.â
As remembered by his wife Nadia and his daughter Marian
Nadia lost her husband, Nabil, just before Christmas 2016, when he tried to stop a suicide bomber from attacking their church. She now has to raise her three children without him. Nadia goes to church almost every day now – itâs the church where her husband died, but the memory gives her strength, instead of scaring her away. Her husbandâs strong faith and willingness to die for Jesus is what is inspiring her now.
âMy husband was always telling me that we live in the grace of God, that he provides for usâ Nadia says âand even under this difficult circumstances we have experienced the truth of it; God is very close to us, we experience his peace.â Marian, Nadiaâs oldest daughter, adds: âPeople ask me why I look so happy under this circumstances. How I âdo itâ. Then I tell them: âI donât do anything. Itâs not me, itâs Him in me.ââ
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Praise God for the faithful and courageous witness of Egypt’s Christians. Pray that God will continue to work through them as His ambassadors, for protection over them, and provision for those who are denied work and access to education because of their faith in Jesus. Pray for comfort for those in this story that still miss those who have been killed.
We support people who are beaten, tortured,
imprisoned, falsely accused, and hated simply for following Jesus.