Hasan's story

Day 5: Pray for city laborers

Fleeing drought and war, millions of Hazara moved from the mountains to find menial labor in the cities of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. Pray that God's Word will spread through crowded labor slums and transform the Muslim world.

Hasan's story

Meet Hasan*, Ahmina and their 6 children. Living a simple existence among extended family in the foothills of the Hazarajat, Hasan provided for his family by raising a wheat crop and herding a few goats. One small river supplied water for the crop. One well provided drink for the goats and family. For five years, the sky withheld its blessing. There was no rain. The river disappeared. Wheat sprouted, then shriveled in the scorching sun.

When the goats could no longer find enough desert grass, they too succumbed to the harsh climate. When the family well went dry, Hasan had no choice but to abandon the land of his inheritance and seek work as a tailor in the city of a neighboring country. Though he and his family live shoulder-to-shoulder in just one room, Hasan finds it difficult to provide the bread and tea diet to which they have grown accustomed.

But today, a small flame of hope flickers in Hasan's eyes as he walks to work. The tailor shop is small and dark. Five men sit cross-legged on the floor leaning over sewing machines as they crank them by hand. For 12 hours every day of the week, the workers sew mens' suit coats for export.

As Hasan enters the shop, one of the workers, named Ali, lays a cloth- wrapped book on a high shelf in the corner of the shop. Hasan can hardly wait until tea time.

Ali closes the door, unwraps the book, and begins to read the words of hope and life found in its pages. The words from the Bible are ringing true in his heart. The other men are singing and praying quietly. Hasan struggles with his thoughts. His decision to follow Jesus will cause further hardship and danger for his family. It could cost his life.

With head bowed he breathes, “Yes! I will follow Jesus!” As he looks up, his once empty eyes are full of hope!

This is the Hazara church in the city. City laborers work together for long hours. Pray for a movement of God among them and their families. Ask God to transform these work places into the hub of the emerging Hazara church!

Use Ezekiel 34:11, 26 and Acts 4:13

*Names have been changed to protect individuals. Photos do not represent the individual described in the story.

Go to Day 6