For the last twenty-two years a lethal triumvirate of war, insecurity, and restrictive, extremist governments has left Afghanistan reeling and with little hope for the future. Twelve million uncleared land mines threaten to explode everyday. These hazards of war have depleted agrarable soil and destroyed life stock and irrigation systems, causing farmers to turn to opium production as the only lucrative cash crop available to them. This swath of destruction has left one in four women widowed and four million children orphaned.
Even though Afghanis are renowned for their passionate natures and generous hospitality, there are only 1,000 to 3,000 believers currently in Afghanistan. The translated New Testament has been well-received in urban areas, however distribution into the countryside remains difficult and illegal in tribal-controlled areas, which is about two-thirds of the country!
Christian radio messages are available in the urban areas, but are constantly at risk of being shut down. The democratically elected government in Kabul has agreed to uphold the International Charter of Human Rights and guarantee religious freedom, but most people still cling tightly to tribal leadership and customs that prohibit evangelism and disown and banish anyone who converts to Christianity.
All of these factors have led to Afghanistan being one of the least reached nations in the world with eighty four percent of Afghanis never having heard the life-giving gospel of Christ.
