I Didn’t Survive: A True Story

This is a book full of contradictions. It is easy to read, but at one point I involuntarily needed to stop reading because it was so difficult to read. In a Note to the Reader, the publisher advises ‘discretion in reading certain passages, particularly if you have suffered any form of abuse in the past.’ This is an account of love and cruelty, faithfulness and deception, sacrificial and self-serving attitudes, idolatry and obedience, and life in Iran and America. It tells of the amazing power of God, and of his mysteries that we will not fully understand in this life.

The book is the story of Naghmeh who was born with her twin brother in Tehran to loving Muslim parents. This was 2 years before the Iranian Revolution in which her parents supported different sides and 3 years before the Iran-Iraq war. Naghmeh relates the effects of the imposition of Sharia law for women and what it is like to be a child caught up in a war, especially for her brother.

‘By chance’ the twins listened to a Christian broadcast on their father’s radio and heard of the Loving God who would reveal himself to them if they asked him, which they proceeded to do. Very soon afterwards the family moved to the home of an uncle in America, who the twins discovered was a Christian. The first verse Naghmeh read from the bible her uncle gave them was Psalm 2:8*, a verse that has remained with her. And so, the persecution began. Their parents moved the family to Idaho where another uncle lived, in order to distance their children from the Christians in California. But the twins continued to believe in Jesus.

The book follows Naghmeh through university and her growing faith. When she graduates, she has an unexpected vision from God. This was to change her life radically, leading her back to Iran and so set in motion all that was to follow. During her time in America the persecution of Christians in Iran had escalated dramatically but as Christians were martyred so the churches in Iran grew.  

The rest of the book details how, following God’s persistent calling, Naghmeh began attending the fastest - and largest - growing house church in Iran, the church where she met Saeed. Together they see God working in power despite their personal difficulties and demonstrate what it is like to live as a Christian while under severe persecution, experiencing imprisonment and interrogation, and the threat of rape, torture and death.

Their toxic relationship dominates the second half of the book but there are also fascinating references to Persia/Iran’s connection with Hitler and to the part Armenia has played in the history of the church in Iran. This, together with the redemption and healing that is revealed in Naghmeh’s life, will be of interest to Flame International supporters. Despite and through all Naghmeh suffered she discovers her true identity in Christ.

This book is summed up in its final words, ‘Naghmeh’s story is the remarkable account of how God saved an ordinary immigrant Muslim girl from Iran and used her to proclaim his gospel before kings.’

*Psalm 2:8 NIV ‘Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.’

Reviewed by: Maggie Liggins

I Didn’t Survive – Naghmeh Abedini Panahi & Eugene Bach
ISBN-13: 979-8887690537
Available from Amazon.

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