In the early 1970s the Marxist dictator in Somalia, Siyaad Barre, threatened that anyone caught listening to a radio broadcast from Western capitalists would be jailed. Nevertheless, one young Somali man turned his dial to the Voice of New Life (VNL), a Christian shortwave radio broadcast for Somalis. “My family was very liberal,” recounts Iikar. “They didn’t mind that I listened to VNL, although my grandmother used to ask, ‘Why do you listen to those liars?’”

Even after the regime jettisoned its “scientific socialism” in 1978, Iikar listened, but was afraid to write to the VNL office. “I began listening just out of curiosity,” he says. “Actually, I had become a strict Wahabi Muslim as a young man.” Eventually he fled the civil war in 1993, after it destroyed his neighborhood of peace-loving urbanites, which had few ties to the factional gunmen representing warlike nomadic clans. He fled to the Netherlands, where tens of thousands of Somalis live today.

It was not until 1996, 22 years after Iikar’s first exposure to Christian radio, that he first wrote to VNL. Soon the correspondence became frequent and he completed many basic Bible correspondence courses that the radio ministry offers to listeners. He also spent much time reading the Bible and books about Christianity.

One year ago a Dutch colleague involved in full-time gospel outreach to Somalis was able to contact Iikar and determine his whereabouts. Recently this colleague and I had the privilege of meeting Iikar in his apartment on the outskirts of one of the Netherlands’ largest cities.

While Iikar welcomed us warmly, the apartment was chilly. Given his physical handicaps, inability to work, and need to economize his modest welfare check, Iikar kept his thermostat low. As we listened to his story, I pondered the contrast with his past life in a large coastal city of Somalia, where warm winds from the Indian Ocean swayed the coconut palms.

Iikar brought us plates heaped with steaming spaghetti, the staple food of urban Somalis, from a local carry out restaurant. Then he sat down and began to recall his change in attitude over the years. Iikar paused and grinned, “Back in 2003 I thought that your broadcast was either hypnotizing me or that I was going mad. I was experiencing an irresistible attraction to the message of the Bible.”

I vividly recalled the spiritual conflict that marked his letters that year. In one he would profess faith in Christ; in the next, he would retreat back into Islam. Finally, by the end of the year, the spiritual turmoil ended. Iikar made a definite break with his past religious commitment and trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. His letters often contained short poems composed in his coastal dialect.

As we finally emptied our plates, Iikar confessed that he remains very fearful of being known as a Christian by his family. While he spends considerable time reading Scripture, his understanding of some key doctrinal points has been confused by the influence of a radio preacher of dubious orthodoxy, and frequent visits by a cult group. Since my Dutch colleague lives far from Iikar, he has tried to connect him with Christians within his neighborhood, with some success.

Simon and I drove away from Iikar’s flat rejoicing at how God has used radio broadcasts to change lives—even if this particular listener took 29 years to surrender to the “irresistible attraction” of the gospel.

Pray

• for Iikar to find fellowship with local brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that relationships with local Christians will encourage and strengthen him.
• for protection and encouragement for other Somalis who are listening to VNL radio broadcasts

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	In 1974, visionary SIM workers launched a Somali shortwave radio broadcast for the evangelism and discipleship of Somalis in their homeland and across the diaspora.Radio and internet, accessible in many Somali homes and work places, remain the most effective voice for the gospel.