Esther John Why Esther matters Esther is a

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Esther John Why Esther matters: Esther is a modern day martyr, killed for her

Esther John Why Esther matters: Esther is a modern day martyr, killed for her belief in Jesus. As such she represents a great many of Christians who are secret believers; who risk suffering and death; who live in fear of forced marriage to non-Christians; who serve and talk about Jesus despite the risks. Esther was one of 10 martyrs from the 20 th Century honoured with a statue in London’s Westminster Abbey. Mini-Bio Qamar Zia: One of seven children in an Islamic family, Qamar was born in December 1929. Her family sent her to a Christian school where she was inspired by the faith of her teachers and became a believer in secret. The Zia’s moved from India in 1947 to the newly formed Pakistan – a missionary there was able to give her a New Testament which she read 27 times. Scared that her family would marry her to a Muslim man for her she ran away, first to Karachi and then to Sahiwal Esther John: At 26 Qamar was Baptized and chose the name Esther John to represent her new life in Jesus. She worked for an orphanage and then as a nurse in a mission hospital before training to teach the Bible at the United Bible Training Centre. Esther and her fellow students would visit woman in rural villages, sharing their testimonies and teaching God’s word. Esther continued this work after graduation. On the 2 nd February 1960 Esther’s body was found; she had been murdered, y someone unknown, for her faith in Jesus. Isaiah 53: 4 -6 & 10 -12 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. “Leave all other ties, Jesus is calling. ” “This girl was in love with your Christ” – police officer to a Christian friend of Esther’s during the investigation into her death. “I knew that God would use this lovely woman’s life and death for his glory. ” – fellow student Vivienne Stacey