The Day Everything Changed
The June 2014 day broke like almost any other day in Mosul, Iraq – hot, dusty and teeming with people, traffic, and trade. People flocked to marketplaces in Iraq’s second-largest city (population 660,000). Horns honked amid the pent-up traffic. As the day progressed, the din of streetside chatter rose appreciably. By noon, it sounded like a cacophony of blackbirds chattering among themselves. That is when Abu Fadi, a sixty-five-year-old Mosul native, living just miles from the city, received the phone call that changed everything. For some, the phone call marked the beginning of the end of life as they knew it – and, in some cases, their very lives.
ISIS Is Coming
“Abu,” said a friend in Arabic, “ISIS is coming. We have heard from someone we trust – today is the day.” For weeks, the rumour mill had been churning that self-proclaimed ISIS terrorists who had been ravaging cities elsewhere in Iraq would take Mosul next; and, that is where Abu’s mother, Sara, and sister, Dleen, still lived. As Christians, they would be in grave danger. ISIS hated many people in the world, but especially Christians. The ultimatum to followers of Jesus? Convert to Islam, pay an outlandishly high tax, leave, or be killed.
Chaos Descends on Mosul
“How can we hope to get my mother and sister out?” asked Abu. Both women were disabled and in wheelchairs. “It will not be easy,” his friend stated. “And if Mosul falls, can your city be far behind? We must pray very hard, Abu. We must__” Baroooom An ISIS military water tanker, rigged with explosives, blew up near the Mosul Hotel, where government security officers were stationed. Abu’s friend hung up the phone. Chaos descended on Mosul.
Date: 26th October 2024
Martyr: Abu Fadi
Location: Iraq
Source: Tortured for Christ ( The voice of the martyr)
Author: Richard Wurmbrand
Suffering Saturday 114
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