UNWRAP HOPE FOR ROBIN THIS CHRISTMAS

Robin is 11 years old and lives in Bangladesh. He loves Christmas—it’s one of the few days he feels like he belongs. THANKS He gets to wear new clothes, eat cake, and celebrate Jesus’s birthday with other Christian kids.

But most of the year, life is really hard for Robin. He’s bullied at school and ignored by classmates. In Bangladesh, Robin’s faith marks him out. At school and around the village, people don’t even use his name: they simply call him ‘the Christian’.

“I feel sad when they treat me like this,” he says. “I want to play too, but I can’t even ask them out of fear. I just sit there and feel very lonely. I feel sad when they treat me like this. But I will never do the same to them. As a believer, we should not hurt others, even if they hurt us.””

WRITE TO ROBIN THIS CHRISTMAS…

Why are Robin and his family singled out?

Robin’s family converted from Islam to Christianity, which made them targets. After political chaos in Bangladesh, a radical Muslim group felt empowered and started spreading lies about them and other local Christian families, saying they were trying to convert others. Then, a mob attacked their house church.

“We had a church, our meeting house,” remembers Robin. “That’s where we all used to worship. Then some of the local imams [Muslim religious leaders] and some others came and destroyed our church. They were yelling, ‘You are Christians!’ and ‘Christians can’t live here!’ They came to kill us.”

Thankfully, the believers were warned and managed to flee just in time. When the mob found the house church empty, they turned their anger upon the building and the Bibles they found inside.

Even worse, Robin’s dad gave up his faith and left the family. He told Robin’s mum, Moly, to return to Islam or he’d divorce her. She chose to stay strong in her faith. “I miss my father,” Robin says, “but I have my mother who takes care of me.”

Now, Robin and his mum live in poverty and face threats from extremists. But they keep going. Robin reads his children’s Bible, provided by Open Doors partners, and loves the story of David. “I like the shepherd boy, David,” he says. “God said, ‘This is the king.’ Then he was made king on the throne – and he was a little boy.”

WRITE TO ROBIN THIS CHRISTMAS…

Christmas Hope

Christmas is a special time for Robin and his mum, because they get to gather with other Bangladeshi families who have converted from Islam. Other children who know what Robin’s life is like.

“On that day, I wear new clothes and we go to church,” says Robin. “We cut a cake for Jesus’s birthday, then we wear red hats, we eat cake, and have a lot of fun. We play with everyone.” He is keen to share the delight with as many people as possible: “If there were more people, it would be even more joyful!”

These celebrations are run by Open Doors local partners and made possible by people like you. A similar special gathering happens at Easter. But these are just two days out of the year: Moly and Robin need the support of Open Doors partners all year round.

As well as the children’s Bible and special gatherings, these local partners are stepping in with vital food and relief aid. They’re also paying Robin’s school costs so that his education can continue. From practical aid to spiritual nourishment, your help for children like Robin is a tangible reminder that they are seen, loved and remembered by their global church family – helping strengthen and grow the next generation of the church. Millions of children around the world need this encouragement today, and for the long-term.

Robin’s life has been torn apart by persecution. He has lost family, community and safety. Your Christmas gift and prayers today can unwrap hope for him.

WRITE TO ROBIN THIS CHRISTMAS…

*Name changed for security reasons