Noor’s Journey to Christ: A Story of Faith and Courage
Noor’s life was deeply rooted in the traditions of her strict Islamic tribe in Sudan. At 35 years old, she was a devoted wife and mother of three, living with her husband, a soldier in the Sudanese army. However, when war erupted, her world was torn apart. On that fateful day, two of her children were staying with their grandmother in another part of the city, while her youngest son, Sami, was at home with her. A rocket struck near their house, and fierce fighting broke out across the area. Since then, Noor has not seen her two older children—a grief she carries with her every day.
The Cross That Would Not Leave Her
For years, Noor had experienced something she could not explain. Every time she or a family member faced severe illness or hardship, a cross would appear in her vision, and soon after, the situation would improve. She did not understand the meaning of these visions, but they brought her a deep sense of peace. She longed to enter a church to learn more, yet she knew that doing so could cost her life.
Even in the streets, she found crosses discarded on the ground, and she would pick them up and keep them. Most astonishing to her was her little son, Sami, who would often take wooden sticks and shape them into a cross, gifting them to her without understanding their significance. These signs were undeniable, and they stirred her heart toward Christ.
A Divine Appointment
When war made life in her city unbearable, Noor fled with her cousins to another region. To support herself and Sami, she began selling tea in the marketplace. There, she met a Christian woman from a different ethnic background who attended a local evangelical church. This woman openly shared her faith and answered Noor’s long-held questions about Jesus. She explained how believers worship God, sing songs of praise, and study the Bible. Then, she did something Noor had long wished for—she invited her to church.
When Noor finally entered a church, a revival meeting was taking place. The preaching stirred her heart, and she knew she had found what she had been seeking for so long. She met Pastor Kareem and shared her decision to follow Christ. That day, new believers were being baptized, and she eagerly asked to join them. However, Pastor Kareem explained that she first needed to go through discipleship lessons to understand her new faith. Noor was overjoyed to begin this journey.
A Compel International Connection
During this time, a Compel International staff member came alongside Noor, mentoring and discipling her as she grew in faith. She helped her understand Scripture, answered her questions, and encouraged her in her journey. When her family began to notice the changes in her—her speech softened, she no longer prayed as before, and she often left home in secret to go to church—Noor realized she was in danger. Her relatives became suspicious, and the threat of being exposed became too great.
With the help of the Compel International staff, Noor made the difficult decision to flee to a safer country where she could continue her discipleship. Just five days ago, she arrived at the border, and in a few days, she will travel to the capital to join a discipleship group facilitated by a local church partner. Though she has left everything behind, she holds onto God’s promise:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
Noor’s journey is far from over. She needs a safe place to stay, work to support herself and Sami, and protection as she walks this new path of faith. Please continue to pray for her safety, provision, and spiritual growth as she follows Christ with unwavering courage.
Names, locations, and images have been changed to protect the identity of individuals in sensitive regions.