Sowing Seeds: Mohammad and Jihad

Our principal church liaison in Iraq, Ibrahim (named changed for safety reasons), described how he frequently goes through a certain security checkpoint on the outskirts of town. There, two young boys aged seven and ten, sell sunflower seeds after school every day.

(Image: Typical security checkpoint)

One evening Ibrahim stopped and asked them their names.

"Mohammad and Jihad," they answered.

Ibrahim went on to inquire why they were working so hard to sell the seeds each day when they should be playing with friends or doing their homework.

Mohammed and Jihad explained that their father had died and their mother was very sick. They needed to peddle seeds to support their three siblings, all under the age of ten, as well as their ill mother who could not work.

"How did your father die and how old was he?" asked Ibrahim.

The father was seventy when he succumbed to age-related conditions. The firstborn of this group of brothers and sisters was conceived when the father was already sixty, presumably to a second, third, or even fourth wife. Upon his death, the older wives would have cast out their mother, leaving her destitute and unable to raise five children alone. Her illness would considerably compound the difficulties ahead.

Mohammad and Jihad hitchhike to the checkpoint after school each day in order to work late into the night to earn $3 to $4 for the family. They would then have to rely on a passerby to transport them back home to their village – ten minutes by car, but over an hour walk if they were unsuccessful in securing a ride.

(Image: Sunflower seeds for sale in an Iraqi market)

Although he doesn’t even like sunflower seeds, Ibrahim started to buy seeds from the boys in order to build a relationship with them. One night, as he was in the area, Ibrahim gave them a ride home to their village. He explained that Jesus loves them, their brothers and sisters, and their mother.

"You should pray to Jesus for comfort and strength as you work to support your family," Ibrahim said.

A few nights later, Ibrahim went out of his way to again take the boys back to their home. He asked them if they have been praying to Jesus. The older boy quickly smiled and replied, "Yes, we have."

"Has it helped?" asked Ibrahim.

"Yes, we can feel different. It has given us peace," the boys responded.

(Image: Two Iraqi boys)

Ibrahim recently went to the checkpoint to take the boys home a third time. As he drove up, he saw them standing under a tree to find shelter from the pouring rain. Despite the cold, wet night, he could "see the hope in the eyes of the children."

During this third trip, Ibrahim learned how Mohammed and Jihad continue to ask Jesus for help and guidance. They want to know more about Him.

Ibrahim may indeed be the answers to their prayers as he sows seeds of love and truth to these seed sellers, the namesakes of Islam.

The one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:23)

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:10)