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Gozal* lives in a village in southern Georgia, close to the border with Azerbaijan. Many Azeris — including Gozal’s family — live in this part of Georgia, and have held tightly to Islamic beliefs and traditional Azeri customs.
Gozal first met Terana* when she was five years old. Along with her sister and brothers, Gozal attended the children’s gatherings that Terana led. At these gatherings, she learnt about Jesus and placed her faith in Him.
After serving in Gozal’s village for five years, Terana was forced to leave due to pressure from the community. She returned to her home country of Azerbaijan. At that point, Gozal’s family would not let her attend Christian gatherings or even meet with her married sister, who was a believer. They did not want Gozal to grow in her young faith or marry a believer, as her sister had. Yet, in spite of the isolation, Gozal, then 10 years old, continued to faithfully believe in Jesus.
When Gozal was 14, her family tried to force her into marriage with a Muslim — even though child marriage is illegal in Georgia. A day before the engagement, she called Terana, sobbing, and asked for help. Terana told her, “Don’t cry. It doesn't help.” When Terana had lived in the village, she had seen this happen many times. No matter how much the girls had cried and begged, their parents had followed tradition and forced them into marriage.
Instead, Terana advised Gozal to stand firm and threaten to call the police. Gozal followed her advice, and her parents stopped the marriage. To this day, Gozal has continued to fight against being forced into marriage.
In May 2024, OM held a conference in Georgia where Gozal spent time with the children and helped translate some of the sessions. Her service was a blessing to everyone. At the conference, she asked Terana — the person who first taught her about Jesus and who had discipled her for years — to baptise her. Terana, of course, agreed, and the whole team celebrated Gozal’s resilient faith.
Now 18, Gozal dreams of studying English in the UK and serving the Lord in Turkey. She has found a school where she can study abroad, and her father has given her permission to go. He was initially hesitant, and it took several months for the Lord to change his heart. Even though she does not yet have sufficient funds, Gozal is preparing to go.
Please pray for the Lord to open the doors wide for Gozal to study and serve. Please ask Him to provide the funds and visa that she needs. May this trip be a blessing for Gozal and an encouragement to other girls from her community that higher education is possible for them.
*name changed
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