Our students are encouraged to write up and send us stories of how they saw God at work during their summer trip. As you read this story from one of our Middle East team members, would you join us in praying for the work throughout that part of the world, and specifically for the young lady in the story? 

My two teammates and I had just finished up our day of prayer walking and prayer journaling near the university and were heading back home when a sweet Arab girl approached us. She spoke English and immediately asked where we were from and what we were doing. She wasn’t shy at all and invited us to go inside the university. We were so excited and happily accepted.

We went inside and sat down and got to to know one another. Her name was Halla, she was 21 years old, and she was attending the university to get an English degree. That first day we got to begin a sweet journey of sharing Christ with Halla. We continued to met up with her. We laughed and told stories and just did life together as we truly became friends. We were able to share the gospel every time we met up.

One day when we went to see Halla she introduced us to her two American friends Claire and Elizabeth. They were our age and were spending 2 months here to learn Arabic and more about the culture. It became obvious that Claire and Elizabeth were not there just to learn the language. We shared a common purpose for our time in this country. Along with these two girls we were able to again share the gospel with Halla.

She was so shocked to learn how we can pray anywhere and anytime. She told us that it was frustrating how she must cleanse before prayer. God opened a door that day for us to pray over Halla and show her how Jesus cleansed us because there was nothing we could do that could cover our shame.

Claire and Elizabeth continued to pour into Halla that summer as so did we. As our summer drew to an end we again met up. The two girls left that day and had seen Halla one last time and gave her a English bible. She showed us proudly and proclaimed how beautiful it was. I couldn’t contain my excitement. We showed her where to start in the Bible and told her more about it.

The day we left we brought Halla another Bible. This one was in Arabic. She was SO excited because she could really understand it. She told us she’s been reading her English one already. As we sat and talked, another Arab girl approached and took the Bible from Halla. She sat down and began to read it. As she read she asked questions like “How could God have a son?” We answered her by showing her scripture that she could read.

As she left she told Halla she wanted a Bible and asked her to get her one. That day Halla got her a bible. We asked why she wanted one. Halla said casually “she wants to see if she believes it. Me too.”

This summer I got to see God begin to draw a sweet young Muslim girl to Himself. I can honestly say that I love Halla and I pray and hope one day she will fully accept the good news of Christ. God is doing sweet sweet things in the Middle East.  All for His glory.