Afghanistan (MNN) — August marks five years since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. What has happened to the nation since the 2021 takeover, and how is God working in the midst of it? 

While the Taliban’s military rule appears entrenched, conditions are worse for the average Afghan than ever. Families are so poor that they marry their teenage daughters to avoid starvation. About 75 percent of Afghans cannot meet their basic needs. 

The regime has also systematically stripped away the rights of women. It has banned women from higher education, banned them from parks and fairs, and even banned them from speaking audibly in public. 

Afghan women’s attire is restricted by the Taliban. (Image courtesy of Faruk Tokluoğlu on Pexels).

Denise Godwin of International Media Ministries (IMM) says this hurts the whole country. Experts believe it is jeopardizing Afghanistan’s social and economic future. 

“Afghanistan is apparently, based on these new reports, one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, maybe the bottom. And part of that’s because they don’t allow women to teach men, so, therefore, men aren’t getting educated,” Godwin says. 

Ministering with media

IMM creates children’s programming on topics such as the biblical story of Esther. Some ministry partners offer educational programming with certificates.

“They are giving the people in Afghanistan, the children, the women, anyone who watches them, an opportunity to learn about truth outside of what the Taliban tells them,” Godwin says. 

Through satellite, Bluetooth sharing, and the internet, IMM’s programming is distributed by its partners to all areas of Afghanistan.

Godwin says, “And this is our passion at IMM, to make sure people understand the message of Jesus Christ through video.”

IMM works with people on the ground who know the language and culture to reach Afghans through secure apps.

IMM’s “Red” is a 6-part series that will go out to many languages and many countries, and make way for the brand new 3D series.
(Caption, screenshot courtesy of IMM)

“They can start chatting and getting to know somebody who’s a believer. They hear answers to their questions about Jesus, and who this God is, and how to get saved and have hope even though they’re in a very difficult situation,” Godwin says. 

Pray for creative solutions to sharing the Gospel in Afghanistan. Pray also for the ministries working in a dangerous situation — especially for workers risking their lives to be available for spiritual seekers. 

Godwin says, “Try to imagine yourself as a little girl who looks at the trees and nature and feels a great big God of glory out there and doesn’t understand why it doesn’t line up with the religion she’s being given. That’s the person we’re praying for.”

 

 

Header image courtesy of Faruk Tokluoğlu on Pexels