Debt Slavery: A Modern-Day Exodus
In regions vulnerable to extreme poverty, Christian families are in danger of exploitation in the form of debt slavery. Their stories often have this in common: Burdened by an unexpected financial crisis, such as a medical emergency affecting a close family member or a bodily injury preventing the breadwinner from providing for their household, fathers like Mahmoud and Tariq take on untenable debts through a brick kiln. (see testimonies below)
These loans are to be repaid through hard labor, but brick kiln workers in regions throughout the Middle East and south Asia are given less than half of the standard laborer’s wage, with half of that going toward repaying their debt. The remaining is collected as payment for the meager living conditions they share with their families on site. Workers like Mahmoud can strive for many years without making significant progress toward repaying their loan. Any portion of their debt not repaid during their lifetime is then inherited by their families, who live in slavery alongside them.
These debts, while crushing to our brothers and sisters, are dwarfed by the value of the American dollar. At the time that Harvest the Nations learned of his need, the remainder of Tariq’s debt–after 22 years of labor–was equivalent to $478. Working closely with a nearby minister, we were able to release this father, pastor, and shoemaker to live out the remainder of his days in freedom.
From Slavery to Freedom: Pastor Tariq’s Story
For 22 years, Tariq worked tiredly under a blazing sun for the local brick factory outside the town where he lived. He was originally trained as a shoemaker, but after his wife’s sudden sickness, he found himself overwhelmed and unable to pay for her care. He was determined to do whatever it took to save his wife: so he took out a loan. However, sadly, his wife passed away, leaving him by himself, in debt with his two daughters. No matter how much he worked off his debt, he debt continued to grow.
Tariq did not let his servitude crush his spirit. While spending countless days at the kiln, he developed a pastoral ministry and ministered to his fellow workers in the evening.
In 2024, someone told Pastor Tariq’s story to one of our partners. After telling us, we decided to paid off his debt, freeing him after 22 long years. Since his release, Tariq has become a value member of our team in the area, often serving as a touch-point between Harvest the Nations and the local brick kilns.
A Farmer Becomes Unburdened: Mahmoud’s Story
Mahmoud spent most of his younger years as a humble farmer. However, about fifteen years ago, he fractured his spine from a terrible tractor accident. He was in excruciating pain and required medical intervention. But much like Tariq’s story, he had no money to pay the doctor, so his family took out a loan at the brick kiln, selling their labor for their father’s procedure.
Mahmoud and his wife Tanzeela, and his four children: Amber, Saheed, Eliya and Ponshazadi, worked for over fifteen years, with no end in site. All of his children were born in bondage, and the brick kiln was the only life that they any of them knew.
Pastor Tariq learned of their story from one of his disciples, a pastor who was the brother of Tanzeela. Pastor Tariq told their story to our local minister, who reported it to us. So after visiting them and listening to their story, we learn that this Christian family had been praying that Jesus would deliver them from their bondage.
In 2025, Harvest the Nations paid off their debt, and gave Mahmoud a couple of months’ wages so they can transition into their new life. It was the first time we saw him smile. They have now moved out of the kiln, and they have moved to a new house in town. Mahmoud told our minister that he plans to return to farming, selling guavas and mangos.
Partnership that Makes a Lasting Impact
At Harvest the Nations, it’s our vision to connect the global church with these poor Christians stuck in bondage. With your support, it is our plan to alleviate their burdens through supplying food, clothing, spiritual care, and school materials. In addition, by highlighting their plight and telling their stories, the you will be given a opportunity to significantly impact these Christian’s lives by helping pay off their debt.
So, by becoming a partner and committing prayer and resources towards these goals, you will become the conduit the lord uses to accomplish his work in these terrible places. Will you consider becoming a partner?