Daniels in Diaspora – Reflections from Our U.S. and Canada Journey
By Dariush and Hodeis
The “Daniels in Diaspora” journey was far more than a trip — it was the continuation of a calling and a vision that God placed on our hearts years ago. We have always believed that, like Daniel, God has sent us into the diaspora — far from our homeland, our culture, and our families — not by accident, but with divine purpose.
In this place of exile, God has been teaching us, blessing us, and shaping us to grow in wisdom and faith, so that we may carry those blessings back to the persecuted church inside Iran. Just as Daniel was called to remain faithful in Babylon — to stay pure, to seek the welfare of the city, and to be a prophetic voice among the nations — we believe God has placed us in the West to be a voice of awakening.
The message we carry is simple yet urgent: “Wake up! Do not sleep! The Lord is alive, and His Kingdom is advancing.”
Our dream is to see a generation of believers — both inside Iran and across the diaspora — rise up like Daniel: steadfast, prayerful, and filled with God’s wisdom.
San Diego, California
Our first stop was in San Diego, where we had the privilege of ministering at the First Presbyterian Church. It was a powerful time of worship, prayer, and preaching, filled with the tangible presence of God. After the service, a woman came to us with tears in her eyes and said, “I’ve been a Christian all my life, but today I realized how much I’ve taken my freedom for granted.”
A young man told us that he felt called to begin praying weekly for the Middle East. Those moments reminded us of the power of testimony — how stories can stir hearts and awaken faith. Among the congregation, we felt completely at home, embraced as family. That sense of belonging beautifully reflected the vision of Safehouse Ministries: that in Christ, we become a home and an embrace for one another. From our love, the world will know who our God is.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Our next stop was Bethlehem, where we met with a group of young people. Having served Farsi-speaking youth for many years, this gathering was especially close to our hearts. From the very
beginning, we felt a genuine connection — full of laughter, conversation, and friendship.
As we were taking photos together, one young girl showed a picture of his father and said, “You look so much like him.” It was a simple sentence, but deeply meaningful — as if God was revealing His fatherly love through that moment. Another young woman said, “One day I’d love to join you on one of your ministry trips, to meet young believers from Iran and hear their stories.” Their words and prayers carried a freshness that only the Holy Spirit can bring. It was clear that God is doing extraordinary things among this young generation, planting seeds of calling and mission in their hearts.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Our final U.S. stop was Hilton Head, where Hodeis led profound sessions with women, focusing on ministry among women in the persecuted and diaspora church. Many women shared that hearing the stories of Iranian believers inspired them to live with more courage and faith in their own challenges.
Dariush also had a powerful meeting with men, discussing spiritual leadership, perseverance, and faith under pressure. One man shared, “I had never thought of persecution as something to learn from — but now I see the strength that comes from tested faith.”
In two Sunday services, we preached on the theme “Daniel in Exile,” and the message deeply resonated with the congregation. The warmth and hospitality of the people surrounded us like family, reminding us once again that in Christ, love crosses all boundaries, and His Church becomes one home.
Canada – Edmonton and Vancouver
After our U.S. journey, we traveled to Canada for several ministry events. In Edmonton, we held a series of seminars for Iranian families in diaspora and for youth — times filled with worship, teaching, and heartfelt fellowship. On the very first night, five people from an Islamic background gave their hearts to Christ. The following days were devoted to family and marriage seminars, teaching on Christian relationships and holy covenant. We also had the joy of praying over and blessing marriages, dedicating them anew before God.
Later, we traveled to Vancouver, where we had incredible gatherings with youth. New friendships were formed, and deep conversations flowed naturally. We shared lessons from the worshipful life of Abraham — a man who trusted God step by step — and saw how these truths came alive in their hearts. Two families surrendered their lives to Christ during those days.
In the nights of worship and prayer, God’s presence moved powerfully: hearts were touched, knees bent in humility, tears of repentance and joy flowed freely. There was a deep sense of awakening in the room — the living God was among us. Together with Iranians in diaspora, we prayed and interceded for Iran and Israel, blessing both nations in unity and love.
An Invitation: Safehouse Vision and Upcoming Gathering
At the heart of all these gatherings stands Safehouse Ministries — a movement dedicated to equipping and mobilizing the new generation of Iranian believers to discover their God-given calling. Through worship, mentoring, and biblical teaching, we continue to witness transformed lives across Iran, Turkey, and the diaspora.
The family we experienced during this journey was a living picture of the Safehouse vision: in Christ, we are one household of faith — a place of safety, love, and growth.
We are now preparing for our February 2026 four-day conference in Türkiye, together with a group of young people, our discipleship team, and several leaders from the underground church. It will be a time filled with prayer, worship, teaching, and powerful testimonies.
We warmly invite you to come and see what God is doing — the mighty works He is performing among His people today. You may find the detailed flyer on the Outreach website under Trips.
If you are unable to travel with us but would still like to make an impact on our work, we invite you to make a gift toward Safehouse and the conference. If you’d like to mail a check to the address below, please write “Safehouse” on the memo line. You may also make a gift to Safehouse online on our donation page.
Our prayer is that, like Daniel, we may all remain faithful, courageous, and steadfast wherever God has placed us — whether in exile or at home — for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.
