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Let's add some sunflower seeds," Donna told three Afghan women as she taught them how to bake streamlined batter bread out of a Betty Crocker recipe book.

With firm hands yet a gentle grip, she demonstrated mixing the batter to Farhana, Nazifa, and Rozama. They have been perfecting some Western baking recipes for weeks at the Women's Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. Soon enough, they will also train other Afghan women how to make Western breads and cookies.

But beyond helping the three women become Western cooks—and thus making them more employable—Donna has something else in her heart that she wishes they could learn. "I wish they would know Jesus," she prayerfully murmurs as she thinks about the Muslim ladies.

Since August 2004, Donna and her Afghan American husband, Aziz [for security reasons, only first names are used in this article], have been managing the center. It is run by a private organization in Kabul that seeks to teach Afghan women how to become cooks and maids to service Western homes. The center also operates schools for orphans in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

A few weeks ago, the Women's Center achieved a breakthrough. A major charitable group called and placed a standing order for 500 cupcakes per week. "Westerners love these baked goods," Donna said.

Some training programs are self-sustaining, but Donna and Aziz have also developed a network of American supporters. Many donors are from Saddleback Church in Southern California (pastored by Rick Warren).

"My family thought I was crazy for coming back here after enjoying a good life in America," says Aziz, 54. "But I've come here for a reason. God loves my people, and I've come here because of that love."

Aziz was born and raised in Kabul. At the age of 21, he studied urban planning at California State Polytechnic University while working as a dishwasher and busboy, among other odd jobs.

He came back to Kabul after graduation, but shortly after his return, the Russians colonized Afghanistan, which pushed Aziz to return to the United States. He sought asylum status to flee from communism.

Aziz's hunger to seek Christ started around eight years ago with his daughter, Sophia, from his earlier marriage. One afternoon when Sophia came home from school with a homework assignment about God, she asked her father, "Who is God?" Aziz found himself fumbling for the right words. He ended up going to the library, where he browsed through an English version of a Qur'an.

"I wasn't satisfied with the God that I found [in the Qur'an]. It was so empty," he said. When a librarian referred him to the Bible, Aziz read voraciously. He began a search that led him to Christ.

Soon, he connected with people who attended Saddleback Church, where Aziz became a member and grew deeper in his walk with Christ. He became part of the new-believers ministry and often shared his testimony publicly at church.

He and Donna met three years ago at a missions event, where he told her about his recent trip to Mazar-e-Sharif. Aziz had just set up a school for orphans. Donna talked to Aziz more about his trip and the two were later drawn to each other after sharing a deep conversation about Afghanistan.

"My heart was just so broken for the women, especially the widows," Donna told me, recalling her first exposure to the needs of Afghans. "In this culture, there are very few jobs available for them." Donna gave up her six-figure salary as a consultant in order to work at the center in Kabul.

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September 2005, Vol. 49, No. 9