Jason came to my office Friday evening in a real funk. He is not considering giving up his Christian faith, but he doesn’t understand why his father should be so antagonistic, or why God is letting him go through so much hardship. (Well, I can tell you one reason, which I didn’t have the heart to tell him: his family’s rejection is forcing him to make a sure choice for Christ…for the first few weeks after his conversion he wasn’t even telling Amos of his new faith, but now there’s no doubt about where he stands.) Anyway, he was so discouraged that I told him that I’ve been asking some of my friends in the United States to be praying for him. You have no idea what an encouragement it was for him to know that Americans who are complete strangers to him, yet his brothers and sisters in Christ, care about and pray for him. So on his behalf: thanks for all the prayers!
Jason asked me to request specific prayer for two things. He’s praying for a job, as he currently needs some means of self-support now that he’s without a house; and he’s praying that God would be merciful to him and not add any more to his burden of suffering at present, as he feels he’s currently at the limit of what he can bear. Indeed, may God be merciful to him and give him the needed grace for every trial he’s encountering! (Editorial note for additional prayer: Jason also needs to develop a better work ethic in order to secure a successful job. But he’s not two months into his Christian journey yet, so we won’t judge too harshly.)
Friday also brought another visitor to the office – surprise, surprise, Hassan dropped in, having read Genesis 1 with his Christian friend, and having told his father about his explorations with Christianity. His father wants to meet Mr. Joe and ask his own questions about the faith his son is investigating. Hassan also had a really insightful question: Why do Christians love each other more than Muslims love each other? We replied that we serve a God of love: we love Him – and others – because He first loved us. Isn’t it cool that the Christians Hassan knows demonstrate so much love that he can tell there’s a difference in their lives? “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” – John 13:35
May our lives similarly be showcases of God’s love…and may part of that love be lifting up these Ghanaian men in prayer to our Lord!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hassan's question brought tears to my eyes. Glad you are all such beautiful examples of love over there!
ReplyDeleteLeah, thank you for posting this information and reminding us to keep praying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping up on these two men. They've been on my heart and in my prayers.
ReplyDelete