At seven years old, Jonathan* was an unlikely evangelist. Skinny, sensitive, and unable to communicate well in the local language, Jonathan was constantly bullied by his classmates. His parents, workers in North Africa, had taught Jonathan not to fight back.

Lacking supervised recess and open play spaces, Jonathan’s local school offered limited resources for building friendships. When children were not in lessons, they had to go home. Concerned about Jonathan, his parents and their teammates prayed that the young boy would do well in his studies and that he would find a friend.

One day, when Jonathan’s mom, Marie*, arrived at the concrete courtyard to pick up her son, she saw him playing with Ibrahim*, another boy ridiculed by classmates. Drawn together by their common situation, Ibrahim and Jonathan quickly became friends.

“Mama, I love Jonathan because he has such love shining out of his eyes,” Ibrahim told his mother, Leila*.

Keen to develop the newly formed friendship, Leila arranged a play date at her home. Soon after, Marie and Jonathan visited Leila and Ibrahim, the two ladies drinking coffee while their sons played.

Reciprocating the hospitality, Marie invited Leila and Ibrahim for a second meeting. As the women chatted, Leila suddenly spoke up: “My son said Jonathan has love coming out of his eyes, but you do as well.”

“It’s because of Jesus,” Marie answered. Sensing Leila’s interest, Marie shared the Gospel.

“Are you telling me that God sent Jesus, and Jesus lived on earth, and Jesus died to save us all?” Leila asked. “Well, yes, I am telling you those things,” Marie responded. On and on the women talked, Leila repeating each Scripture verse and aspect of truth Marie shared. When the visit ended, Marie met with her team, praising the Lord for Jonathan’s new friend, and the opportunity to share God’s love with his mother.

Pray that Scripture will take root in Leila’s heart and that she will come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray that God will protect Leila and her family during Ramadan. May they not close their hearts to the Gospel.

Pray that even during Ramadan, they will continue to seek for the Truth about Jesus and may they find Him.

Pray that religious duty not cause this family to close their doors to the workers seeking to build friendships – but pray that the doors will open further.

*Names changed

Source: news.om.org