Write a letter to encourage Roda

Please note: all names featured in this campaign have been changed for security reasons

Roda comes from a staunchly Muslim background in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. On becoming a Christian, she kept it from her family, knowing they would not take kindly to the news. She moved with her husband to Ethiopia.

On returning home for a funeral – her first visit back home – Roda made an enormously brave decision. Fully aware that she would be surrounded by Muslims, she wore a gold necklace with a cross hanging from it. “What is that necklace you are wearing?” people asked. “Are you a Christian?”

“Yes, I am a Christian,” she boldly responded. “This is not a religion but a way of life.”

One day, her brothers arrived to issue an ultimatum: “You must repent or we have to kill you.” But Roda boldly stood firm, and remarkably she was not killed. But her family abandoned her, bitter at the shame they feel she has brought to the family.

Today, Roda lives with her husband, Tesfaye, and three children in Ethiopia, where your support has enabled her to start two businesses.

Will you write Roda a message to encourage her in her faith and witness?

Guidelines

We advise using greeting cards, artwork by children and postcards. If writing a postcard, please send it in an envelope and do not write the Open Doors’ address on the postcard
Be encouraging and include one or two Bible verses. For security reasons, please do not use verses that refer to Israel, armies or war
Write in simple English. Keep your message brief and print clearly
Show sensitivity. Please do not dwell on the recipient’s plight, or share about the blessings of life in your country.

For security

Do not mention Open Doors
Do not mention Islam
Do not criticise the region’s religion or religious extremists, its government, judicial system or political leaders
Do not send money or make proposals to help
You can disclose your name and country, but do not provide your full address.