Afghans first came to the San Francisco Bay area in the late 1970s after the Russian invasion. They kept coming through years of civil wars and the 20 years of American and NATO fighting. Now, the Bay Area is home to more than 60,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees.

• Some of the new arrivals were well-educated and secular Muslims. They were leaders in business and education and have assimilated into American life.
• Others were widows and children with a limited understanding of English, a lack of education, and minimal financial resources. These Afghans often struggle with housing, language and job skills, and chronic illness.
• Still others were translators who assisted the U.S. military and desperately sought asylum.
• Many of these Afghans could benefit from mental health services to treat their war trauma.

Having endured decades of war and tribalism, Afghans understandably struggle with trusting others, but many seem comfortable engaging with their Western neighbors.

A core group of Christians in the Bay Area has reached out to their Afghan neighbors with the love of Christ for more than 15 years. Mike, an Afghan pastor in the Bay Area, disciples groups of Afghans throughout California and spends hours each day reaching Afghans worldwide through Facebook.

Mike is grateful that Afghans responded to the Gospel in such positive ways. But he prays that God will send more workers to connect with more Afghans, many of whom still remain in touch with family and friends back home.

Pray that Afghan war victims will heal from their trauma.

• Pray that local churches will extend hospitality and resources to the Afghan community.
• Ask God to grant wisdom and courage to Mike and other Afghan believers as they share Jesus with Afghans in California and Afghanistan.