International Christian Concern (ICC), a non-profit organization that exists to serve Christians throughout the world who are victims of persecution due to the practice of their faith, has come to the aid of a born-again Christian in Uganda who was rejected by his family for leaving Islam.
24-year-old Hamza grew up as a devout Muslim. However in 2018, he got a job offer that required him to move to Kenya. It is during this trip that he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.
International Christian Concern wrote that while in Kenya, Hamza was assigned to stay with a Christian believer, who preached Jesus to him.
Immediately after hearing the gospel, ICC reports that Hamza wanted to know more about the Christian faith.
“I was not yet content with what I had been told,” he told the organisation. “I bought a Bible to know more deeply about what I was told, and I joined discipleship classes until I was convinced to truly give my life to Christ.”
Hamza delved deep into the Word of God during the three months he was working in Kenya.
Upon return to his family in Uganda, he kept his new identity a secret from his parents, for fear of their reaction.
Despite all the risks, ICC reports that Hamza knew that he had to tell his family the truth. Their response was one of disappointment and concern, as they tried to get their son to return to the Islamic faith.
Two weeks after Hamza returned home, his mother became terribly sick and died. Hamza was according to International Christian Concern blamed for her death, as his family concluded that it was due to his Christian conversion.
“I suffered from physiological torture and threats from relatives throughout the burial process,” he told the source.
Hamza decided to leave home, and in 2019 was able to rent his own apartment in a different town. Soon, his sister and younger brother also received Christ, and came to live with him to escape the threats at home.
Today, Hamza earns a living by doing his passion, art. While he has clients that buy his paintings, his business has been stagnant due to his inability to afford proper art supplies. Hamza desired to own an art studio, where he could showcase his work and fulfill the potential of his God-given gift.
When International Christian Concern learned of Hamza’s story, its representative in the country visited him to put together a plan. About a month later, he was given his very own studio, furnished and filled with the items and art supplies he desired.
Hamza could hardly believe his eyes.
“All I can say is, thank you for healing the pain I have carried since I gave my life to Jesus Christ,” he said. “May the good Lord bless everyone who is behind the fulfillment of my desire.”
News Agencies contributed to this report. For inquiries, please contact: press@persecution.org.
