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On August 3, 2001, the Taliban arrested Georg Taubmann, Dayna Curry, Heather Mercer, five other Westerners, and 16 Afghans affiliated with Shelter Now, a German aid agency. The Taliban held them until November, when U.S. forces rescued the Westerners. Taubmann, who directs Shelter Now, returned to Afghanistan last summer to resume his ministry. Taubmann spoke with Christianity Today from his office in Kabul.

After all that has happened, why have you returned to Afghanistan?

While we were in prison, we were praying much that God would open the door for us to continue our work in Afghanistan. I tried to go back as soon as I could. I feel that this is the place where God has called me. Also I'm excited to see a changed Afghanistan. For the 19 years I was [working among Afghans], things were going from bad to worse. I think now it's a good time. I and many, many others have strong hopes that things really have changed and are going to change, and I really wanted to take part in helping to rebuild Afghanistan.

How have things changed?

For the first time, really, we have a proper government. Most of the people are competent, are concerned for the country. It's much, much easier now to work with the government, to work out contracts and agreements. It's a completely different atmosphere.

What are you doing?

When we came back, we had to see what was left from our houses. Most of the stuff was looted. Our offices were looted. All my personal belongings were looted. So we had to practically start all over again—rent new office buildings, rent new houses, buy furniture. We at the moment are rebuilding several villages in the province of Shamall, north of Kabul. It had been completely devastated by the Taliban. In Logar province we're building a hundred houses, and also a clinic and a school. Then we have three large projects in Kabul city. We are helping to repair the famous Noor Eye Clinic, founded by Christy Wilson [a prominent American pastor who led the international church in Kabul]. We have approached different donors.

What is the biggest challenge for you there?

One of the challenges is the work in the provinces. We work very strongly in Pashtun provinces. These areas are not so peaceful and [experience] a lot of unrest. There are still Taliban in the area, Al Qaeda people. Security is quite a big challenge, not only for our organization but for many other organizations. We don't want to just sit here in Kabul. We want to go out to the provinces. There the needs are the greatest. Different areas of Afghanistan are ruled by warlords. Traveling in some areas is very insecure. There are reports of vehicles being stolen, offices being robbed and looted.

Do you feel safe?

There are a lot of people glad that we are alive, that we came back; but there are others that are probably quite upset still and [who] could be a danger.

Have many people said they're unhappy you're back?

No. When I go to different offices, even in the government, people are amazed that we are back. And a lot of them knew that [the charge of proselytism] was propaganda from the Taliban. Former Taliban guards shaved off their beards [required by the country's former rulers as a sign of piety] and asked me if I would have work for them.

Do you have more or fewer opportunities to minister among Muslims?

We are here to help Afghan people. We are known to be Christians, probably now even more than before. We still have the same rules. When people ask us about our faith, and of course many do, we talk with them about it. People of Afghanistan are to a great extent much more free to speak about things like that. If [people] want to know more about what we believe in, they feel much greater freedom to come up and ask us. There is more freedom for people in every area—to read books, magazines, to [meet] foreigners. You see foreigners all over the city. You see Afghans walking around with foreigners. Now the Afghan people feel much more freedom to inquire, to talk about religious things or political things.

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January 2003, Vol. 47, No. 1