Facing Fear to Reach the Unreached
August 1, 2025
Fifteen years ago, on Aug 5, 2010, an international team of Christian workers was attacked, and 10 of them were murdered in the northeastern mountains of Afghanistan. They were returning from providing a two-week eye camp in a remote mountain village, several days’ drive off the main roads. They had performed sight-saving surgeries, dispensed glasses that enabled the poorly-sighted to see again, and treated various eye ailments among the local population. They prayed for their patients and shone the light of Christ into a place that had never experienced it before. And yet, despite their good deeds and kindness, they were somehow seen as a threat by some, and they were murdered. An investigation later revealed that the attackers were not locals, but had come from another region, maybe another country, to carry out the horrific acts.
We grieved with the families that lost loved ones on that trip. Some were seasoned workers, and some were in their first term, serving together. Most Afghans, when they heard the news of the murders, were very upset too—especially those who were long associated with the eye program. The international team was shocked, as some members had lived and served in Afghanistan for over 30 years. We were in the US when it happened, and it hit us like a gut punch. The remaining team pulled together, and by God’s grace, continued the eye care program as well as other programs the team was supporting.
I remember crying out to God: “Lord, I don’t understand this, but raise up more of your workers and send them out to bring hope and light to the lost. May your church all over the world hear of this and respond with love and send hundreds of your people forth.”
Persevering in the Face of Opposition
I was reminded of missionary stories from over 100 years ago, where many servants of the Lord perished in China. And yet, we, as the church, didn’t give up on China. We continued to send forth new workers, and they served as long as they were able, whether for just a few years or many. Some died because of rampant disease; others died in civil unrest and conflict.
It took years, even multiple decades, to see fruit multiply in China. But now, after countless missionaries and local Chinese Christians gave their lives, the church has grown incredibly. According to the Chinese government, it is almost 40 million, but outside estimates suggest it is much closer to 100 million.
Overcome Fear with Faith
We have to remember that Satan has twisted the hearts and minds of millions of Muslims, and they live in bondage and darkness. We are called to be people of truth and to be hope and light to the nations. The vast majority of Muslims are not fanatics. They are not out to kill us, but they are just as lost as the fanatics. They are just as lost as your neighbor and mine, who doesn’t know Jesus.
We are not to fear Muslims—we are called to love them. It is easy to give in to fear and pull back. But if those early missionaries to China had given in to fear, where would the church in China be today?
Let us pray and ask God to help us overcome our fear of Muslims and share the gospel with them. We need to continue sending workers overseas to predominantly Muslim regions, and also reach out to Muslims in our midst here in the West.
Fifteen years ago, on Aug 5, 2010, an international team of Christian workers was attacked, and 10 of them were murdered in the northeastern mountains of Afghanistan. They were returning from providing a two-week eye camp in a remote mountain village, several days’ drive off the main roads. They had performed sight-saving surgeries, dispensed glasses that enabled the poorly-sighted to see again, and treated various eye ailments among the local population. They prayed for their patients and shone the light of Christ into a place that had never experienced it before. And yet, despite their good deeds and kindness, they were somehow seen as a threat by some, and they were murdered. An investigation later revealed that the attackers were not locals, but had come from another region, maybe another country, to carry out the horrific acts.
We grieved with the families that lost loved ones on that trip. Some were seasoned workers, and some were in their first term, serving together. Most Afghans, when they heard the news of the murders, were very upset too—especially those who were long associated with the eye program. The international team was shocked, as some members had lived and served in Afghanistan for over 30 years. We were in the US when it happened, and it hit us like a gut punch. The remaining team pulled together, and by God’s grace, continued the eye care program as well as other programs the team was supporting.
I remember crying out to God: “Lord, I don’t understand this, but raise up more of your workers and send them out to bring hope and light to the lost. May your church all over the world hear of this and respond with love and send hundreds of your people forth.”
Persevering in the Face of Opposition
I was reminded of missionary stories from over 100 years ago, where many servants of the Lord perished in China. And yet, we, as the church, didn’t give up on China. We continued to send forth new workers, and they served as long as they were able, whether for just a few years or many. Some died because of rampant disease; others died in civil unrest and conflict.
It took years, even multiple decades, to see fruit multiply in China. But now, after countless missionaries and local Chinese Christians gave their lives, the church has grown incredibly. According to the Chinese government, it is almost 40 million, but outside estimates suggest it is much closer to 100 million.
Overcome Fear with Faith
We have to remember that Satan has twisted the hearts and minds of millions of Muslims, and they live in bondage and darkness. We are called to be people of truth and to be hope and light to the nations. The vast majority of Muslims are not fanatics. They are not out to kill us, but they are just as lost as the fanatics. They are just as lost as your neighbor and mine, who doesn’t know Jesus.
We are not to fear Muslims—we are called to love them. It is easy to give in to fear and pull back. But if those early missionaries to China had given in to fear, where would the church in China be today?
Let us pray and ask God to help us overcome our fear of Muslims and share the gospel with them. We need to continue sending workers overseas to predominantly Muslim regions, and also reach out to Muslims in our midst here in the West.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
