Seeking and Finding
a Gospel-Miracle
By Ben*, Executive Director of a Billion.Global Partner
It was a simple prayer. And honestly, I wasn’t sure how it would be answered
or what that answer would look like. “Lord, please let there be a Gospel-miracle
in these next four days.”
Our small team would be in this war-torn, creative-access country for just
a brief time. Could much good really come of a trip like this? Especially since
most of the staff we were working with were nationals, firmly entrenched in
their Muslim beliefs, turning a blind eye to our Christian faith that compelled
us to be there. We were different in every way: our faith, our backgrounds, our
opportunities, our outlook on the world, our view of hope, and our definitions
of safety and comfort. And yet, here we were, working together, implementing
a school for children and a business diploma program for young adults that
would help break the cycle of poverty and contribute to their lives and country
in a meaningful way. While there were so many differences, we stood shoulder-
to-shoulder, demonstrating compassion and investment to a people who were
ready for both.
But I kept praying for more … praying that these physical expressions of
God’s love would create a moment for something else. It did. And I didn’t even
see it coming.
I was sitting in an office with two Muslim staff workers, between facilitating
sessions on business basics to a group of young adults. In broken English, staff
worker #1 said, “There is a young lady who would like a copy of the Book.” I
stared at him with an obvious confused expression on my face. He repeated
himself, “She would like her own copy of the Book.” Here I am, the leader of a
missions organization, sitting there completely missing what he is asking. Finally,
staff worker #2 said, “She wants a copy of the Bible.” Imagine both my embar-
rassment (at how slow I was to pick this up) but also my shock that these two
Muslim men were requesting this on a young woman’s behalf!
Fast-forward two weeks later, and not one but six young Muslim women have all
asked for copies of the Bible. One of our Christian staff is meeting with them, tak-
ing them through Scripture and helping them understand the hope of the Gospel.
The story isn’t over yet, but I love seeing—and having a small part in—wholis-
tic expressions of God’s mission like this one. I’m thankful to be part of some-
thing that addresses economic needs, justice needs, and relational needs, but
also to be part of something that addresses the spiritual need as well is thrilling.
I can imagine these six young women quietly, secretly, and faithfully learning the
Scriptures and falling in love with Jesus and his message of hope.
This indeed was a beautiful, gracious, and significant Gospel-miracle!
*Names withheld for security reasons.
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