Tucker (he's still in the hospital but is growing and doing better. He is 5 lbs now!


The following account is real. It is about a believer in a land where it is illegal to be one. I ask you to pray for this man and his family. I pray we are inspired by his courage, and that we will get uncomfortable for Christ:


July 6th, Jamal was taken from his home by the local authorities. Now matter how much the family tried to see him, they were not allowed to see him. In fact the government denied taking him. Finally, August 11th, his brother was allowed to see him. Today, August 18, 2011, Jamal’s wife, daughter and youngest son were finally allowed to see him. He told them his story.

After he was taken from his town, he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and taken to the capital. For 10 days, he was constantly handcuffed, blindfolded and put in solitary confinement. During the day he was confined to a room where there were 3 air-conditioning compressor units blowing hot air on him, and was not given any water or food during the day. At night he was put in a very small jail cell, and his hands were released just long enough to eat a small piece of bread and drink 1 liter of water. At night he was not able to sleep. He stayed awake praying and singing praises. The guard would beat on the door and tell him to be quiet so he could sleep. Jamal would reply, “This is my room, if you want to sleep don’t let me keep you from sleeping.” And he would continue singing and praying. He endured these conditions for 10 days. When he went into prison, he weighed 231 pounds (105 kilos). Now he weighs 187 pounds, (85 kilos) and his skin is like leather from the heat and dehydration.

Everyday when he was in the hot room, he prayed and sang praises to himself. On the 10th day of this torture, he thought he was going to die because he was very weak and would lose his balance and almost fall over while sitting in the chair. His body felt cold even though it was extremely hot and his clothes were soaked with sweat. Suddenly his strength returned and in a loud voice (Jamal has a voice like a bull horn) he began to pray and sing praises loudly so that all could hear. As he was doing so, he could see below his blindfold, there were many feet in front of him. He continued for some time as they stood there, listening not making a sound. Then they took off his blindfold and took of his handcuffs and brought him a table, food and water. He gave thanks in the name of Jesus and ate his food. After he was done, he thanked the guards and they took the things away. Then one of the higher-ranking officers asked him if he was crazy raising his voice and making all that noise.

Jamal replied, “this is my room. I am here alone. What’s the matter?”

They said, “Being in this room has made you crazier. We are sending you to the general population.”

After these 10 days he was taken and interrogated. Before they took him to the interrogation room he was blindfolded and handcuffed. They questioned him for 20 days after the 10 days of torture. During the questioning, he was not physically abused but verbally abused. The interrogations would last three to four hours or so. They would ask him questions about why he worked with Americans helping people in dangerous places. They accused him of having relations or permission from terrorists and they were allowing him to take people there and do his missionary work. (Terrorists would kill him, they would not allow him to do this. They can’t even lie good.) They accused him of being a spy for America.

They accused him of having friendships with bad people. Now many of these people are followers of Jesus and are good people. The government is accusing him of being bad just like the people he befriends. They also said they had followed him for many weeks and noticed that he only left his house if he had something to do. They asked him what he did at home all the time. He told them he prays, reads, and sings songs to God. They told him to quit that.

But in the end of the questioning, they always asked him why he became a follower of Jesus and left Islam. This is the only reason they have imprisoned him; because of his faith in Jesus.

Many people questioned him many times. Only one time has he been before a judge. The judge told Jamal, “Last time we put you in prison for your faith, and now we have done it again. Why haven’t you returned to Islam, are you getting paid good for this?”

Jamal replied, “I do not receive anything because I am a believer in Jesus. I am on this Way because of Jesus, and what He has done for me.”

The Judge replied, “Then go back to jail for Jesus.”

The Judge again asked him if he would leave his faith and quit spreading his religion. He said, “There are many people in your city, even Christians, who do not like what you are doing.”

Jamal replied, “What I do, I do it for those who want me to do it, not for those who don’t want me to. I will gladly go back to jail for Jesus because I am much closer to him there. Also I am freer in jail than I am outside. I do have one request from you though,” he told the Judge.

The Judge asked him, “What is it you want.”

Jamal said, “Everyone in the jail is Muslim and has a Koran. I would like to have my glasses and my Bible.”

The Judge told him forcefully, “Get out of here.”

This was 2 weeks ago and they have not interrogated him any more.

He is in a jail with about 50 terrorists, real terrorists. When he is among them and he talks about his religion, someone tells the guard and they put him in solitary confinement to keep him from talking about his religion.

This is a perfect example of Middle Eastern Democracy. But most importantly this is a perfect scenario of what believers endure all over the middle east and Asia. Believe it or not, governments in this part of the world are not worried about their citizens individual rights.

Please keep the family and Jamal lifted up.
And next time you have the opportunity to share your faith and don't because you are scared, think about the freedom you have to do so.

Let's remember to lift up his family. He understands his purpose, but his family is gravely concerned. They are believers also!


Let's get uncomfortable for Him...


dad