Samuel Zwemer, often called the “Apostle to Islam,” once wrote: “The history of missions is the history of answered prayer.” We experienced this recently when my husband and I served as furlough replacements for a short time in England, a country where we had previously served.
Three months before we left, I began to pray. “Lord, we will be in England for only four months—such a short time. But I’m asking You to give us a young Muslim man who will listen to the Gospel, think about it, ask us to his home, and be willing to meet more than one time.” That was a big request. It was asking for a miracle.
The city in England to which we went has a large Muslim population. There is a park there where many Muslims walk the perimeter for exercise. The team from our church goes there once a week, walking around in pairs, passing out literature, and frequently having gospel conversations.
It was a very cold, blustery day. Anne and I were wearing our mittens and beanies and looking forward to the time after we finished when we could meet with our six-person team in the little park cafe for a cup of tea—with milk of course! We gave out many tracts, one to Mo who stopped to talk with us. We talked about family, the weather, our countries (England, USA, and Morocco), and most importantly, the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.
“I’ve never met two ladies like you before,” he said. Meaning, I hope, that Anne was winsome and kind, and that I was an American in England working for God. We assured him our “difference” was because we were Christians. “I have to go now, but I would like to talk about God further. I have been interested in this [Jesus] for some time. Can you come to my home and listen to a video of a Muslim apologist?”
My husband and I went within a few days to his home. We were served tea and nuts by his covered wife, who graciously received us. We watched the video for ten minutes, then claimed equal time to talk about Jesus Christ. Mo’s position was: “If you can prove to me that Jesus is God, I will believe.”
That was the beginning of a friendship and an open door. We and others met with Mo numerous times, most of time with the Bible open. Mo was given the Gospel and many other spiritual truths in the months that we had with him.
This story continues. At the end of four months, we returned to our home in the USA. But I still talk with Mo through social media, and I always receive a kind answer.
My original prayer was answered and continues now with a different request. “God, open Mo’s eyes.” Many seeds were planted, “God, make those seeds of truth take hold and grow. May he see that Jesus Christ is God, Who came to die for his sins to save his soul.” Amen