Lahifa

I listened as Maria prayed before we entered Maysam's home, asking the Lord to break down language barriers and to give Anna the words to say as she shared about Isa.  The day before we had tried to initiate conversations about Ramadan and the assurance of forgiveness of sins.  Maysam was eager to discuss her faith and listen to us share ours, but the language barrier made conversation difficult.

As Maysam welcomed us into her home, Maria and I sat by Maysam's sister and began helping her work through her English lessons.  Anna and Maysam sat on the couch opposite of us and attempted to resume their conversation from the day before.  Maysam expressed her frustration at not knowing enough English to explain Ramadan and then listened as Anna began to tell her about Isa.  I could hear Maysam often asking Anna to translate English words into Arabic on her phone, but we were confident that the Lord can even use conversations in broken English and Arabic for His glory.  Maysam and Anna spent several minutes trying to explain their faiths and understand each other. 

At four o'clock (about an hour after we arrived at Maysam's house), Maysam's friend, Lahifa, knocked on the door.  Maysam welcomed Lahifa and introduced us to her.  We quickly noticed that Lahifa spoke perfect English.  She sat down on the couch beside Maysam and Anna and immediately began to discuss Ramadan with Anna.  Lahifa told Anna about the purpose of Ramadan, how Muslims pray, and many other aspects of Islam.  Their conversation quickly turned into a deep discussion of forgiveness of sins, salvation, and the assurance of going to heaven.  At the end of our visit, Lahifa exclaimed that she has read books about Isa and she had been wanting to talk to a follower of Isa.  She expressed her dedication to Islam, but also her interest in learning more about Isa and discussing the differences in our faiths.  We were amazed at how the Lord had provided someone so interested in talking about Isa and so able to have deep conversations in English!

After our visit with Maysam and Lahifa, Maria told Anna and I that she had told her prayer partners back home to pray specifically at three o'clock, because our conversation with Maysam the previous day had been so good and that was the time we would be meeting with Maysam again.  Maria realized she had forgotten the time change, so her friends at home were praying at four o'clock our time, the time that Lahifa walked into Maysam's home.  God is so good and faithful to answer our prayers and provide persons of peace who are willing and open to hear about Isa!