MY ACCOUNT
The sun beats down on the small village as Moussa Abdel welcomes visitors into his modest compound with the warmth that defines Chadian hospitality. At first glance, his home tells the story of countless families across rural Chad—makeshift tarps covering damaged roofs, water containers requiring daily trips to distant pumps, and sleeping quarters that offer little respite from the relentless heat. Yet beneath the surface challenges lies something far more precious: a faith that has endured eleven years of struggle without wavering.
"Salaam. Alhamdulillah," he greets his guests, his weathered face breaking into a genuine smile as he gestures toward the simple chairs arranged under the sparse shade of his courtyard. This father of nine has learned to find joy in the midst of hardship, a lesson that began nearly four decades ago when he first trusted Christ.
Chad's rural communities face overwhelming challenges that test both physical endurance and spiritual resolve. With limited access to clean water, inadequate housing, and scarce economic opportunities, families like Moussa's navigate daily survival while clinging to eternal hope. The literacy rate in rural areas often falls below the national average of 22%, leaving many believers dependent on oral tradition and audio resources for spiritual growth.
For Christian families in predominantly Muslim regions, the challenges multiply. Social pressure and economic discrimination create an environment where faith requires extraordinary courage. Yet it's precisely in these circumstances that some of the most remarkable testimonies emerge—stories of believers who choose hope over despair, community over isolation, and trust over fear.
The Word of God says when you persevere through [hardship], God will be with you and He will fight for you.
Holding Fast Through Seasons of Struggle
Moussa's journey with Christ began in 1986, when as a young man he made the decision to follow Jesus. "I gave my life... I don't know exactly the date, but it is around 1986, believing in Jesus," he recalls with the clarity of someone whose conversion marked a defining moment.
Growing up in his village, he witnessed his community's gradual transformation from traditional beliefs to Christianity, though the process wasn't without challenges. "We face a lot of things," he explains when asked about the difficulties of Christian life in Chad. "But sometimes we are prepared for it already because we know in advance that [these challenges] exists, and sometimes it is hard, so God is willing to strengthen our faith."
The past eleven years have been particularly difficult. "There's been 11 years I am facing lots of struggle and sometimes it is hard, but this is where I'm living these last 11 years," he shares, his voice carrying both weariness and determination.
Despite the hardships, Moussa has built a life centered on faith and family. Of his nine children, four or five can read, while others rely on church attendance and oral teaching for spiritual instruction. The family treasures their physical Bible, prominently displayed in their sleeping quarters, though access to God's Word in their heart language has been limited.
When asked about the source of his perseverance, Moussa points to Scripture's promises: "The Word of God says when you persevere through [hardship], God will be with you and he will fight for you." This truth has sustained him through financial struggles and social opposition alike.
When presented with an audio Bible during a recent visit, Moussa's joy was unmistakable. After cycling through several languages, the device finally spoke in his native tongue—the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew chapter one filling the air with familiar words in an unfamiliar format. "Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Judah," the device proclaimed, each name carrying the weight of God's faithfulness across generations.
"In my family, we have been able to discover that the word of God is a blessing and is truth," he reflects, describing how Scripture has shaped their household. The new audio Bible will allow the entire family to gather and listen together, creating opportunities for discussion and deeper understanding that printed text alone cannot provide.
"In my family, we have been able to discover that the Word of God is a blessing and is truth."
— Moussa AbdelA Quiet Dependence on God’s Provision
His prayer requests reveal both the practical and spiritual dimensions of his faith: "We are facing... We have a lot of challenges of financial help, and sometimes it is hard, and also for the persecution. So if you guys can pray for God—financial help and protection."
As evening approaches in his village, Moussa carefully places his new audio Bible alongside the worn physical Bible in his sleeping quarters. Tomorrow will bring the same challenges—the need for water, food, and income to support his large family. But it will also bring new opportunities to hear God's Word, to gather his children around the solar-powered device, and to be reminded that their struggles are temporary while their hope is eternal.
His story represents thousands of similar testimonies across rural Chad, where believers choose faith over fear despite overwhelming circumstances. In his perseverance lies a powerful reminder that sometimes the strongest testimonies emerge not from comfort, but from the crucible of daily dependence on God's grace.
GIVE THE GIFT OF GOD'S WORD Your Gift Puts Scripture in the Hands of Courageous Christians
In rural Chad and across the persecuted church, believers like Moussa are choosing faith over fear every single day. Many have never held a Bible in their own language. Others lack the resources to sustain their families while remaining faithful to Christ. Your partnership provides both Scripture and practical support—audio Bibles, printed Bibles, and the essentials that help courageous Christians persevere. When you give, you're not just sending resources. You're standing shoulder to shoulder with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
