The man wrote to Open Doors that he felt encouraged and strengthened by the reports of his brothers and sisters in Christ inside his country. He writes the following:

They say there’s a different conversation from the area’s secret Christians: “I’ve noticed how believers are a blessing, as they talk about how to deal with this pandemic in a spirit of hope, encouragement and prayer,” Shoki tells me, adding that Christians are following prevention measures and safe health practices.

Lack of awareness about the seriousness of COVID-19 and about the importance of personal protective measures like social distancing are contributing to the rapid spread of coronavirus in Yemen, so believers are trying to model these practices to those around them. This has not been easy in Yemen’s communal culture.

“We’ve stopped giving a kiss of greeting as we’re accustomed to doing,” a believing mother said, “and I feel embarrassed because the women I would normally exchange visits with don’t understand the importance of social distancing.”

In this environment, believers in the hardest hit areas of Yemen shared they are overcoming their sadness and fears by turning them into a driving force to pray and to encourage one another to follow reliable advice about treatment and prevention.

“We pray for each other that the Lord Jesus will deliver us from this pandemic,” a believing woman said. “It has brought us closer to Him and brought us closer to each other as His children in Yemen. We’re trying to spend more time with our children, teaching them and praying together and praying for the salvation of our people.”

Read the full report here.