Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger and you invited me in”

John 15:5 “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

One day while sitting on a grassy hillside, Naisha told me, “Muslims are taught never to gossip about anyone. Do Christians have similar rules?”

There was a wide open opportunity to share the Gospel, that we are born sinners for whom rules are hopeless and need a Savior who can change us from the inside out.

Instead, I simply answered, “No, we don’t really have any rules.” I completely fumbled this opportunity and have often regretted my response.

Other times, I shared stories of answered prayers that got her hopes up. But then God didn’t answer the big prayers I prayed in front of her. “Am I doing something wrong?” I thought. The stories I told were exciting, but why wasn’t God revealing Himself to her this way? Was I off base?

Once, I invited Naisha and her sister to come join some friends as we gathered in my backyard for a livestream of our church. The pastor talked about a missionary to Muslims - something he hadn’t mentioned in any messages before - and my friends jerked a little when they heard this. We never talked about it, and they never joined us again for church. “Did that ruin their chances with church?” I wondered.

I only lived in that city for a year, including the 5 months of MTS. During that time, a fellow student and I gave Naisha a Bible and had a few partial Gospel conversations, but not anything notable. 

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Four years later, I told my church community group that I was planning to visit my old city a third time and try to visit Naisha again. “I’ve often missed opportunities to share the Gospel with her,” I told them, and they prayed for me and for Naisha.

On my trip, I was only in town for two days, and it nearly didn’t work to get together with Naisha. But at the last minute, she invited me to her home for lunch while the rest of her family was out working and in school. It was delightful to see her again. As we ate, she told me about Ramadan and that the season of fasting is to pray for forgiveness and whatever else they would like to request of Allah. She asked, “Do you Christians fast?” 

Acts 8:35 “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus.”

It was another opportunity. I told her briefly that Christians do fast from time to time, more to seek God’s direction or get close to God than to get a specific thing from Him. What came to mind next was the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 and how it pointed to Jesus. I thought, “Do I bother with this? It’s complex and would require me to give a whole bunch of backstory on the temple and Jewish customs and the law in lay terms… But, why not? We have time.” I shared these things with her.

Then she told me about their rendition of the story of Abraham and about the lamb that’s typically slaughtered at their Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan for their forgiveness. She said, “We believe God will provide.” I said we believe similarly, and that the provision of God has come through Jesus as the ultimate Lamb.

Next, she asked who killed Jesus, and I told the story of Jesus’ trial. After that, she told me they believe Jesus is still alive, and I shared the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection and ascension. 

She suddenly asked, “Who is Jesus?” 

Nearly dumbfounded, I responded, “Yes! That’s the main question of Christianity! He did and said things we all love, but also made some bold claims about Himself. That’s why we must read the Injil (New Testament) to see for ourselves.”

Then she shared her beliefs about final judgment, and I shared mine. 

I was astonished! I had been able to share the whole Gospel, and the entire conversation was led by her! The door had been wide open, and I stepped right through. Convinced from my own previous futile attempts, I knew this had been God answering prayers.

We cleaned up lunch and went to the living room, finishing our time together discussing boys and family and work and life. I was more open with her than ever and savored our friendship.

Before driving away, I felt a small tug to get back out of the car and ask how I could pray for her. Unfortunately, I ignored it and regret that now. And I wish I could say she put her faith in Jesus that day, but that’s not the truth as far as I know. What I did do was worship God in the car and marvel at this impossibly perfect conversation after years of hoping and praying.

1 Corinthians 3:7 “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

Please pray for my dear friend Naisha. Pray for these seeds to bear fruit, and for her to have a great Christian community to water these seeds.

And the next time you go to a boba tea shop, ask the person how to pronounce their name and consider inviting them to the park!

*Name and details changed to protect anonymity

At Missionary Training School, we prepare individuals with the head (knowledge), heart (character), and hands (practical experience) to make them effective in cross-cultural ministry locally or overseas.

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