The area where I live in Kabul is quiet a crowded one. People from different ethnicities, backgrounds and Muslim sects live here. It is rife with hatred, criminalities and insecurity. One cannot walk free of fear even in the day light, but by the grace of Jesus Christ I have not been subjected to any of them since I have been dwelling at this area.
However, it is difficult to trust individuals, but I have a friend who is loyal, broad-minded and pessimistic gentleman; his name is Paikar. He is married, he is poor, he has 5 children; one boy and 4 daughters. Amongst all human in my area he comes the second after God that I count on him.
One day I was contacted by his brother, he was talking about Paikar’s disappearance. They seemed to be very disappointed and nervous. I gave assurance to his brother that he is safe and God is protecting him. Upon arrival to home I contacted his brother and asked him some questions. I figured out that Paikar was on his way to village town and in the middle of the way he was kidnapped by unidentified armed gang. I started praying before God for his security. I felt confident that Lord is over there and protecting him from evils’ harm. The day after that day I was notified that he is in Taliban custody and Taliban wants a prisoners swap. This hostage tactic is used by terrorist factions to put government under pressure to release their hardcore members from jails.
He was in custody about 7 days, and according to my friend a group of Taliban’s senior delegation came to visit their covert prison where my friend was also there. He stated that a tall and bearded man come directly to him and asked him some simple questions. The tall guy went outside and came back after 2 hours; he had a gun and a letter in hand. My friend deemed that the guy is going to shoot him with gun. When he came closer and said that they were studying in the same school 10 years ago, therefore, he has the decree to release him. My friend is still claiming that he does not remember the guy from the school times. He accept that it is a miracle.
When he was sending outside the prison, the Taliban blindfolded his eyes and drove about 5 hours towards Kunduz province. When they arrived in a mountainous location, requested him to alight the car. He was asked not to remove the cloth from his eyes unless he hears the firing from a far distance. The firing happened and he removed the cloth from his eyes, he saw that there is no one around. Farther away there was a village so he started to run towards the village. When he approached to the village he rented a car to take him home.
During my last visit with my friend, I said him that invisible hand of Jesus was protecting you. He laughed big and said nothing. Thanks Lord that he is safe and back home.
May God bless all of us.
In Him
