CENTRAL ASIA: PRAY FOR 16 YEAR-OLD HYSAM REJECTED BY HIS PARENTS

What would it take for your parents to completely reject you? What would you have to do for them to no longer allow you in the house, to stop communicating with you and to tell you they don’t want or need you? It’d have to be something pretty terrible, and even then, most parents would still show concern, affection and some kind of support.

When 16 year-old Hysam* told his parents he had become a Christian, he knew they’d be unhappy. But he didn’t think they’d completely reject him. Being deaf, Hysam has faced plenty of struggles in his life already, so becoming a Christian and knowing he has a heavenly Father who loves him for who he is has helped Hysam grow in confidence.

But, he’s from a strict Muslim family in Central Asia, and from a region where the majority of people follow Islam. Sadly, it’s common for people in the area to believe that deaf people are cursed, so Christians and churches have been reaching out to the deaf community and showing those like Hysam that they are loved.

‘WHAT HAVE I DONE MUM?’

When Hysam chose to follow Jesus and got baptised, his parents were extremely angry and threw him out of the house. He’s being supported and helped by members of the ministry that are reaching out to the deaf community, but in the last week or so Hysam tried to call his parents and work through their anger. Being deaf, Hysam will video call people and use sign language to speak – the following is a translation of the conversation Hysam had with his mum:

Hysam’s mum: ‘We don’t want to have you back home. That’s it. I will tell everybody you will not be fasting in Ramadan with us”

Hysam: “What have I done Mum? Is my faith the reason?

Hysam’s mum: “Don’t come back any more. Even during our fasting time, don’t come, we do not want to see you anymore, we don’t need you. You are dirty, do not come. That is terrible what you did, you don’t obey us – your parents.”

Hysam: “Why? I really respect you, I work and I do my best to help you. What else I can do?”

Hysam’s mum: “Why did you accept Jesus? Why?”

Hysam: “Because I believe Jesus is the true God.”

Hysam’s mum: “We loved you always, took care of you, raised and fed you, but those people – they are liars. And you don’t obey us.”

Hysam: “They are not liars, you don’t know them. Just meet them once and you will understand me.”

Hysam’s mum: “Just don’t come, I will forget my son and your father will forget you too. We don’t have a son anymore, we don’t need you.”

‘MY SON IS DEAD TO ME’

Understandably, after the call, Hysam was very upset.

As a result, the leaders of deaf ministry visited Hysam’s parents to try and get them to change their response to Hysam’s new faith. They wanted to speak to Hysam’s Dad who is a strict Muslim and managed to get a meeting with him. Encouragingly Hysam’s dad did agree to a meeting, but he refused to change his mind saying:

“My son betrayed our faith, he is dirty now. The only way for him to return home is to renounce Jesus and become Muslim again. Otherwise, my son is dead to me”.

Please, pray for Hysam. This situation is obviously extremely hard for him. Use the points below to guide your prayers, and we’ll try and keep you updated on his situation.

*Name changed for security reasons. Images are illustrative.