{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Stories","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.persecution.com\/stories","author_name":"vomtechsupport","author_url":"https:\/\/www.persecution.com\/stories\/author\/vomtechsupport\/","title":"AFGHANISTAN: \u201cWe Miss Our Homeland\u201d - Stories","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"2AGC7W5KWK\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.persecution.com\/stories\/afghanistan-we-miss-our-homeland\/\">AFGHANISTAN: \u201cWe Miss Our Homeland\u201d<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.persecution.com\/stories\/afghanistan-we-miss-our-homeland\/embed\/#?secret=2AGC7W5KWK\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;AFGHANISTAN: \u201cWe Miss Our Homeland\u201d&#8221; &#8212; Stories\" data-secret=\"2AGC7W5KWK\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/assets.persecution.com\/stories\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.persecution.com\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/VOM-Stories-VOMRadio-Placeholder-768x503.jpg","thumbnail_width":600,"thumbnail_height":393,"description":"As the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, many Afghan Christians\u2014especially those widely known to be followers of Christ\u2014had to flee the country. Today, many of those Christians grieve the loss of their homeland, especially as they watch the suffering of their countrymen under Taliban rule. Some desire to return but while they wait are still faithfully reaching Afghans through a variety of digital means. In Part 2 of our conversation with author John Weaver (Part 1), he calls us to pray God will bless Afghan people\u2014including both persecuted Christians and the governing Taliban\u2014and that God will draw many to Himself. Listen as Weaver, the author of Najiba: A Love Story from Afghanistan (affiliate link), shares what life is like for Afghans now under Taliban rule. He will also tell what life is like for those who\u2019ve fled the country and deal with the culture shock of navigating healthcare, education, work and relationships in a completely new environment and culture. As Christians, John gives us advice on first steps in welcoming Afghans into our communities and churches. Christians in Afghanistan are seeing increased response to the gospel as they discern hearts that are hungry and seeking truth. Once they become followers of Jesus, new Afghan Christians hunger for like-minded fellowship. Pray for the Taliban to lead with peace and focus on what\u2019s best for Afghanistan\u2019s people. Most importantly, pray for their salvation. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan to know God is with them and for endurance in their faith. Pray for Afghans sharing the gospel through social media as they continue in their ministry. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast. Or you can listen each week\u2014and get daily prayer reminders\u2014in the VOM App for your smartphone or tablet."}