‘Let the world see that I love the Lord Jesus. He said whoever is ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of him in front of my Father. So why would I be ashamed of Him? He is my refuge and the shelter of my children!’ (Nisreen, Qamishli, Syria)
These are the powerful words of Nisreen, a believer from a Muslim background. She is clearly filled with the love of Christ and Jesus has clearly been calling her since she was young: ‘The love of Christ was planted in me since I was little,’ she says. ‘I used to see how Christians’ behaviour is better than ours. I’ve always liked Christians and I used to say to my parents: “There is something connecting me and Christians”.’
Centre of Hope
But Nisreen had yet to fully encounter Jesus and to follow Him. That happened when she came to a Centre of Hope in Qamishli, run by Pastor George.
‘I was in desperate need at that moment,’ she remembers. ‘My children had nothing to eat. I was very tired, I was emotionally exhausted.’
She met with Abu Farid*, a volunteer at the church, and asked for a cup of water while she waited for the food package which the centre distributes to vulnerable members of the community, whether or not they are Christian. When he pointed out that it was Ramadan, and asked if she was fasting, she said she was not.
‘Don’t you believe in God?’ he asked.
‘I have faith in God and feel that he is always with me, but not in the way Islam teaches,’ she replied.
Jesus came for all people
‘Abu Farid talked to me about Jesus for an hour and a half,’ says Nisreen. ‘At the end, I asked: “You talked about Jesus and you said that He came for all people, is it possible that I can become a Christian?” He replied “Of course, Christ came for the whole world!”.’
Being a Christian makes a big difference for Nisreen. ‘It is indescribable, millions of things have happened. Faith gives me strength. I am not afraid of life anymore. Years ago, I even tried to commit suicide. Most important for me now is Jesus in my life. I see also the difference it makes in Bashar’s, my son’s, life. He was so nervous in the past. The Bible helped him to become calmer. Every time he gets upset, he opens the Bible and calms down.’
Abu Farid is encouraged by seeing Nisreen in church. He said: ‘It gives me joy. I can see the fruit of the Spirit when I see her.’
