by: Ashley Peterson
Harmonie is a 15-year old girl who has the privilege of sharing the gospel with the people of Herat, Afghanistan. She is a very giving, thankful, God loving person with a heart after Christ. As you read this, you will see this too. Please keep Harmonie and her family in your prayers.
T4J: How long has your family been in the ministry? Which countries? How many churches?
Harmonie: My parents moved to France after they got married and lived there for 17 years. My dad had been an MK [Missionary Kid] there with his parents. We also lived in Africa, in Burkina Faso-for 5 months, and in Northern Ireland, Belfast-for about one year. In most places that we lived my dad helped with the churches in every way they needed him. Sometimes, as the pastor, worship leader or even youth group leader. He also helped with missions in one church. These past two years we have been living in Knoxville, TN, where my dad started a Bible college at our church and I went to school at C.A.K, GO WARRIORS! This next chapter of our life has brought us to Afghanistan, where we will be living indefinitely.
T4J: How did you get from Knoxville, TN to Afghanistan?
Harmonie: We flew from Knoxville, to Atlanta, to Paris, to Baku (in Azerbaijan), to Kabul, and finally home, in Herat. Our arrival here was very different from let’s say…coming to America, but the people weren’t unkind at all. Being a woman, I have noticed that they view certain things much differently-especially women. But the reason we are here is to replace a couple that will run an N.G.O here for the next couple months.
T4J: What has been the biggest change thus far from America?
Harmonie: I would have to say one of the things that is the most different from America is the women. When I say this I mean out in public, most of them are totally covered with a burka (which I have heard are very hard to see through). It is so different from America in that, in America most women are waiting for men to see them, here an Afghan woman’s goal is not to be noticed. Women in the West have so much freedom, here they are sometimes considered with less value than a dog. There are many women in the burn victim unit at the hospital, because they burn themselves because their husbands are beating them.
T4J: What do you want Christian Americans to know about Afghanistan?
Harmonie: Afghanistan is a country that needs the Lord, just like any other place. Right now Afghanistan is in a time of reconstruction and if we can get as many Christians helping them to rebuild this Nation, then they will have a stronger foundation.
T4J: You mentioned getting official Afghan garb, what is it like? What is it called?
Harmonie: The clothes they wear here are very different. You wear loose pants, then a long tunic type of garmet that has slits on the sides and comes to your knees or ankles. And to top that off, all the women wear a burka or a very long sheet like thing so you can’t even see what they are wearing underneath. However, being a foreigner, I only have to wear a “showdar” that covers my hair and upper body.
T4J: What are some things that you had to change, since you are a Christian in the middle east?
Harmonie: Obviously I can’t talk freely to anyone about Christ, we can’t say the ‘M’ word (missionary), but that’s about it. They mention god a lot, but they are referring to their god. This country is also in a time of change and I believe that [this] will open certain doors to the gospel.
T4J: Spiritually, what are the people wanting?
Harmonie: I have only been here for a little while, but I can sense that people are hungry for something. There is a stirring happening and I am so glad that I’m here to take part and help influence the people towards our Saviour.
T4J: Can you have Bibles in the streets?
Harmonie: I don’t think it would be a good idea to have them out so anybody can see, but to most people our Bible would look like their Koran. If someone did see that you had a Bible, they would guess that you are a Christian and that would not go over to well. Whenever we go to our meetings, we just put them in a bag.
T4J: How long have you been in Afghanistan?
Harmonie: We arrived in Herat on September 5th.
T4J: What was your initial impression on Afghanistan vs. the one you now have?
Harmonie: At first I was a little scared, there are so many men and they all stare, but as I have gotten out of our house I feel more confident and Herat is a very safe city. Most young men, who pass me riding their bikes or mopeds, tend to stare when I am walking alone outside and I am waiting for the day that one of them rolls into a tree!!! (Joke!)
T4J: How are you completing your High School years?
Harmonie: I am doing some homeschool classes and taking some online classes from Pellissippi State Community College [based in TN]. I have just started Dari classes (Dari is the language they speak here). They are quite hard, but really neat, especially the writing it’s all in little scribble things:)
T4J: What have you become truly thankful for these past few days?
Harmonie: I would definitely have to say all the emails I have received from my friends, sometimes it gets pretty lonely here and there is always a jump in my heart when I see that I’ve got mail. On a food side of things, Coke Cola and peanut butter.
T4J: What do you have to say to your generation?
Harmonie: To my generation, I say: “Follow the will of God, no matter where it takes you, don’t be afraid to get out of your box. We are called to be a zealous [passionate/fervent] people so flow in that and be forever moved by the love of Christ.”
T4J: What do you like about Afghanistan?
Harmonie: I love the women here and children, there is a uniqueness about them, I am not sure what it is yet. Herat is also a very beautiful place, we are surrounded by mountains and there are trees everywhere. It truly is amazing that in a land so spiritually dry-like a desert, God shines in His love with His beautiful creations.
T4J: What are you reading?
Harmonie: At the moment, book by Francine Rivers called Leota’s Garden. It’s very good!
T4J: For those fellow missionaries reading this, how did you determine the importance of one item over another?
Harmonie: We really had no idea what to bring and we brought some stuff we will never need. But we did have to pay extra two times because of heavy luggage, so pack light!
T4J: Your former school in Knoxville has recently lost a student, someone you knew, how has that impacted you?
Harmonie: It was very hard to read about my friend’s death and on the same day I heard about Jessie. I witnessed a terrible accident that had happened here in Herat. A watermelon truck had fallen into a ravine throwing the passengers about 80 ft. away and killing six of them. It was a pretty hard day, but God really gave me grace and the strength to carry on. He is amazing like that, in moments when you think you can’t go on any more, He picks you up and carries you though the storm.
T4J: What scriptures are particularly uplifting at this point?
Harmonie: There are so many that the Lord has given me, but I was really encouraged by what Paul wrote in Philippians1:27 about ‘What ever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.’ We all go through so much in a lifetime, and whenever trouble hits we sometimes forget that we serve a mighty God, and that He is in control. He is our Father and our protector, and even though it’s hard sometimes, we should always try to be worthy examples.
T4J: Have you had any one on one experiences with the people of Afghanistan?
Harmonie: Oh, I don’t think I can count all the times I have been able to be with Afghan women, I am in the process right now of teaching two teenager girls English, and also my Dari teacher is a female, I pray I can be a witness to these women. We also have been able to meet some people at the hospital.
T4J: God is blessing you mightily for all your hard work in Afghanistan, what are your hopes for the people of Afghanistan?
Harmonie: I hope and pray that this Nation will find peace, they have been at war for far too long. I have seen so much suffering, people sitting on the streets looking so desperate, my prayer is that the people will come to a realization that there is a God who cares for them and loves them.
Again, I want to say to be bold, do what God has called you to do and be a shinning light in this world full of darkness.
“The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” [Zeph. 3:17 NIV]
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