{"id":101726,"date":"2025-01-17T12:36:14","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T12:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opendoorsuk.org\/?post_type=news&p=101726"},"modified":"2025-01-27T14:56:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T14:56:33","slug":"somalia-rooble","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/wwl.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/blog\/news\/latest-news\/somalia-rooble\/","title":{"rendered":"Serving secretly as a Somali believer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Rooble asks us to pray for our Somali brothers and sisters: \u201cThey are in danger\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Somali society, to be Somali is to be Muslim. \u201cSomali Christian\u201d is a paradox, and yet Rooble* \u2013 a Somali Christian living in the Horn of Africa \u2013 exists. \u201cOnce I realised that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and eternal Life, I believed in Him, and He changed my life,\u201d Rooble says. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n\t\t <\/iframe>\n\t\t <\/div>\n\n\n\n

From follower of the Quran to follower of Jesus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As someone who was raised in a Muslim family, even becoming a sheikh in a mosque at one point, he admits he was the least likely person to become a Christian. \u201cMy family was firm in the Quran,\u201d he says. \u201cI, too, had put all my heart in the teachings; my entire life was committed to it, searching for eternal life and salvation and how I could enter heaven. My family and I were doing a lot to make sure the Quran would lead us to heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn the end I came to realise that Jesus was the truth\u201d<\/p> Rooble<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

But it was conversations with other Somali Christians that led him to Jesus. \u201cI listened to their words, even though I did not accept it yet,\u201d Rooble remembers. \u201cThey had the Bible and the Quran. These people told me about the Bible, but when I saw it, I did not accept it immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLater, I stole a Bible from them. I read it many times. I started testing these Scriptures and even showed it to other people. The people I showed it to came to faith in Jesus even before me! It took me a period of four years going round and round\u2026 In the end I came to realise that Jesus was the truth and the way to salvation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saved by an insanity plea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But remaining faithful to the God who changed his life came at an enormous cost. \u201cAfter I believed, I encountered a lot of problems,\u201d Rooble says. \u201cThese are things that some people would not be able to bear unless their heart is settled in Jesus Christ, who is the One that makes you endure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was living with my family who chased me away; I also lost my inheritance. Where I was working, they chased me, my life became hard and full of pure suffering.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After fleeing to another town, Rooble and his brother were arrested and imprisoned in two separate pits for sharing the gospel. \u201cThere were bodies of murdered people in those pits,\u201d he says. \u201cThey had put us there to die.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n
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World Watch List<\/div>\r\n\r\n
Find out more about the World Watch List 2025, and how you can pray for and support believers facing extreme persecution.<\/div>\r\n Find out more<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\n\n\n

Sadly, Rooble\u2019s brother was killed. Rooble\u2019s wife convinced the authorities that Rooble was insane, even bringing witnesses to testify that he was possessed. She saved his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rooble has been in prison several times since then \u2013 but has kept going because he knows God is with him. \u201cThere was a time in prison when life became so hard, I asked myself if I could bear it,\u201d Rooble says. \u201cBut I focused on the Word which says, \u2018Do not be troubled because I am with you\u2019 and that calmed me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray for believers in danger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rooble still lives among Somali people in the Horn of Africa \u2013 and he is still telling people about Jesus. \u201cI live in the midst of Muslims, so I serve secretly,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a dangerous place, very difficult for me and my children. I only endure because of my faith. But it\u2019s a place that needs prayer.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to your prayers and support, Rooble was invited to workshops supported by Open Doors partners for discipleship and encouragement. \u201cIt was a privilege to meet fellow believers I had never met before,\u201d he says. \u201cThat encouraged me to be strong in Jesus. I also received knowledge that I didn\u2019t have before. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\u201cUntil death we will stand firm in the eternal life\u201d<\/p> Rooble<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to say this to Somali believers: You need to know you\u2019re people of light, and many times people in the darkness do not like light,\u201d he continues. \u201cEven though they suffer or even die, that hope is eternal life \u2013 that they are children of God.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rooble asks for your continued prayers for him and all Somali believers: \u201cI am sending a message to Christian [brothers and sisters] everywhere, so that they pray for Somalis who are saved and going through persecution. They are in danger, their situation is not good; pray for them wherever you are, especially those who are in danger and are in danger zones. I am requesting that you remember those who are suffering and being persecuted because of the name of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for Rooble and his wife, they know they will remain followers of Jesus until the end. \u201cUntil death we will stand firm in the eternal life, and we will continue standing firm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Name changed for security reasons<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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