Fruit in Frustration – How God is Moving in Unlikely Ways
A recent report from one of our field workers in the Middle East
A few months ago, I was feeling deeply discouraged in ministry. Progress felt painfully slow—like one step forward and three steps back. Friends were moved by the gospel one moment, then resistant the next. I was exhausted, unsure how to move forward, until I sensed God inviting me to press deeper into prayer.
What is the number one thing you want to see God do by the end of this year?”
God soon answered. Whilst venting to my friend about how frustrated I was in ministry here, she asked me, “What is the number one thing you want to see God do by the end of this year?” Without hesitation, I answered, “Starting a Bible study with a group of Sudanese seekers.” We prayed together for this.
One day, after a long Arabic class, some neighbours’ kids came to visit me for a game of cards and tea. Suddenly one of the boys blurted, “My parents say you believe that Jesus is the Son of God so why do you dress and act like a Muslim?” Most Muslims here believe that to be a Christian is to drink alcohol, have a cross tattooed on your wrist and have license to do anything you desire, good or bad. I tried to explain what Jesus as ‘the Son of God’ actually means and, in all honesty, it felt like a disastrous conversation. The boys were yelling at me and trying to get me to say the shahada (the Islamic confession of faith), while one of the girls ran through my house grabbing stuff and asking if she could keep it. After two hours, I was overstimulated and exhausted and told them that the visit was over.
As soon as the door closed, I got a call. It was from a new friend; a young Muslim background believer called Salma. “I am outside your main gate with a friend. She has questions about Jesus and I want you to talk to her. Can you open the door?” Exhausted, I prayed for strength and let them in.
“If the worst someone can do is kill me, shouldn’t I know the God I would be going to?”
During the next four hours Noura told us how she’d been dissatisfied with answers to life found in Islam, and how Salma’s testimony had shown her that it was possible for a Sudanese to become a follower of Jesus. She asked deep, honest questions about Jesus being the Son of God. We looked at Scripture together, and when asked about the danger of following Jesus, she said, “If the worst someone can do is kill me, shouldn’t I know the God I would be going to?” I was speechless at her answer and amazed by her hunger for truth.
Now we’re beginning a Creation to Christ study with Salma and Noura. God is at work—even when things feel fruitless. Please keep these precious women in your prayers.
