Naima* lives in a Muslim-majority country in Central Asia where converts have to keep their faith undercover. When she chose to leave Islam to follow Jesus, she was supported by her secret house church – but the dangers of persecution weren’t the only
trials she faced.
“I felt ashamed and unworthy of life.”
Naima
In Central Asian culture, it is considered deeply shameful for a woman when a couple are unable to have children. It is often thought acceptable for a husband to leave his wife if she is infertile. The pressure to have a child and continue the family
line is immense.
“My husband and I had been trying to have children for over two years,” Naima shares. “We went through many medical tests, but nothing helped. It was incredibly painful. I felt ashamed and unworthy of life. Both my own family and my in-laws treated me
with disrespect.”
Naima’s baptism
She continues: “My husband is a Muslim and not a believer in Christ, but a year ago, I became a follower of Jesus. In my secret house church, I shared my desire to be baptised. I also continued to pray earnestly to become pregnant.”
Naima was experiencing two things simultaneously: great delight in her new walk with Christ, and sorrow at the fact she still wasn’t pregnant – and the damage this was having on her marriage. She knew she wanted to take the next step in her faith and
get baptised. It was a significant moment – she couldn’t do it fully openly, because of the dangers of reprisal from her community, but she joined in celebration with her house church.
“In April, the day finally came – I was baptised! Despite everything, it was a moment of pure joy.”
God’s answer to Naima’s prayer
The main change in Naima’s life is, of course, her relationship with her Saviour. But God also blessed her by answering her ongoing prayer. “Just two weeks after my baptism, I discovered I was pregnant. I couldn’t believe it,” says Naima. “I took several
tests and visited the doctor to be sure – it was true!
“My faith has grown stronger, and everyone around me has seen how God provided for me…”
Naima
“This is nothing short of a miracle from God. Since then, everything has changed – my life, my marriage, even how my relatives treat me. My faith has grown stronger, and everyone around me has seen how God provided for me, even though I am no longer a
Muslim. Praise God for this miracle.”
Join Naima in rejoicing in her new life with Christ, for the miracle of her pregnancy and in this transformation in her relationships. May God’s work in her life help show the light of Christ to those in her family and community who do not yet know Jesus.
*Names changed for security reasons
