Years of Seeking and Finding Jesus in the Near East

Disillusioned with Islam, Nadia* fasted and cried out to God for eight years, hoping to find Him. Her life was falling apart – with an alcoholic husband and trouble children – and felt that she didn’t want to go on. But, God heard her cries and had plans to bring her into the Kingdom.

Enter Frances*, a new worker fluent in the language who met Nadia one month after arriving in the country. The two women began studying the Bible several times a week. Frances didn’t have a formal study program, but “prayed for God to guide me.” The Lord led Frances to teach Nadia different Bible stories and then challenge her to draw lessons from the stories. Nadia was hungry to learn and read the Bible on her own, as well. In fact, when friends and family interrupted her study time, Nadia would tell them to come back. “Normally (Muslim seekers) wouldn’t want others to know and see us study the Bible, but she didn’t mind,” Frances added.

During another study time, Frances and Nadia prayed out loud and Nadia’s neighbor, a strict Muslim, overheard the prayers and scolded Nadia for praying to Jesus, reminding her that she was a Muslim. Nadia replied, “yes, I am a Muslim, but I have decided to follow the way of Jesus.”

“Nadia always had a special relationship with God, but she didn’t know about Jesus or understand who He is,” said Frances. “Through the years, God prepared her heart.”

During the winter, Nadia moved to a different part of the country and the two women were unable to study together. But recently, Frances started again to study with Nadia. She asked her how she is experiencing God in her daily life. Nadia responded: “This week I was sitting in my house and felt God’s presence so clearly. I was totally filled with peace and joy, totally satisfied. I was stunned and asked myself, when was I last totally satisfied just to be close to the Lord?”

After a powerful dream she had recently, Nadia is now convinced there are others in her community who long to have the same close, intimate relationship with God. In her dream, she was walking on a barren plane; in the distance, she saw only one bare tree. As she approached the tree, she saw a few leaves and one pear on it. She reached up, picked the fruit and ate it. She then saw another person walking towards her. As the person got closer Nadia once again looked up into the tree to see if there was maybe another fruit she could offer to the visitor. To her amazement there was another pear. She took the pear and gave it to her visitor. A few more people came along and each time there was another fruit in the tree. Nadia was able to give each person a pear. As time went on the tree was full of leaves – with each fruit more leaves grew on the tree. Nadia understands now that she has been given the bread of life and it is her responsibility to pass it on to those the Lord leads to her.

Praise the Lord for how He worked in Nadia’s life over the years and for her desire to know Jesus. Praise Him for how he is revealing Himself through dreams. Praise Him for Frances’ obedience to teach and challenge Nadia in her journey. Pray for Nadia as she continues to grow in her faith and relationship with Jesus. Pray for her husband, children and neighbor to also come to faith.  And pray for more people, like Frances, who will share their lives with Muslims around the world.

*Names changed