October 4, 2013
Katheryn Haddad writes, “Another Muslim student in Iran was baptized last week. He knew that, if he were discovered being a Christian, he would be publicly hanged. Then his body would be strung from a crane and hoisted into the air 30 or 40 feet above the street for all to see as a warning.”
Prior to his baptism, Philip (the Christian name of Katheryn’s student) wrote, “I’m very interested in Christianity, but if someone changes his/her religion from Islam to Christian, the penalty is death in our country. I want you to know that I am Muslim because my father and grandfather and their fathers were Muslims too, and this is not my choice. I am a Muslim just in words. But Christianity is something different, and I do believe it by my heart.”
As this student progressed through the WEI lessons, his faith grew. When he completed his survey of the Bible, he asked about baptism.
A week later, he wrote, “I did it! I baptized finally! Thanks Mum. I owe you because the one who influenced me to become Christian is just you yourself. When I saw your message indicating ‘special inner peace you never knew before,’ I just cried and could not stop crying because from the very moment after finishing the baptism, I felt a relaxation and a special peace that I did not experience before. That was very strange to me at first, but when I read this part of your email, I understand what had happened, and I realized that my sins were vanished and purged completely, and now I am innocent like an infant.”
Why was Philip baptized? Listen to his testimony: “I lived with Muslims for about 49 years till now, but I realized that when anyone goes deeper into Islam, the results are not good. LOVE and happy life are two items that they do not know anything about. As you can see in any place, when Muslims settle down and live, the war starts there. The one who becomes a pure Muslim acts like Satan, not God!!!”
Since his baptism, Philip has downloaded the Bible from the Internet, and he reads it at least three hours a day. He is especially kind to his wife so that she will see that life is better as a Christian.
Katheryn has taught nearly 3,000 Muslim students, and many of them have come to Christ. Please keep Katheryn in your prayers as she mourns the death of her husband Richard.
