AN AMERICAN TEACHER & HIS MUSLIM DAUGHTERS
Bob & Amina
Bob teaches English to international students, many of them from Muslim countries. Those on scholarship must pass an English proficiency exam in order to retain their scholarships and start their BA program.
After the initial excitement passes, cultural maladjustment, homesickness, roommate problems, time management issues, and the looming exam weigh heavily on these 18- to 20-year-olds.
Bob counsels every student in his weekly office hours and asks God to highlight whom he and his wife should reach out to. Amina was one of them.
Amina is from Afghanistan. She lost her father at a young age. Summer of 2021, she was home to see her family when US troops withdrew, and Kabul was in chaos. Having worked for an American NGO, Amina barely escaped the Taliban to make it back to the university. Her sister was kidnapped. Her mother and little brother went into hiding. Amina no longer had a home or a country to return to.
Traumatized, she would call Bob and his wife in the middle of the night, distraught and crying. Bob felt inadequate to help, but he did what he could to listen and comfort her. He would pray for Amina’s family with verses from the Psalms and the Old Testament. Amina came often to their home. Before long, she was calling Bob “papa” instead of “professor”. She even sought his approval when she started dating.
Last year, Amina was granted political asylum in the US. Bob recruited his church friends to help her settle down. She trusted these strangers because she trusted Bob. Bob drove Amina to work during the summer, taught her to drive, and found her housing.
Bob has been sharing Scripture and praying with Amina. She loves and respects him and his wife. But Amina grew up a strong Muslim and knows the Quran well. The Trinitarian God of Christianity and the historicity of Jesus’ crucifixion are at odds with Islam’s monotheism and the teachings of the Quran. Furthermore, Islam is baked into Amina’s identity and culture. To people who have suffered persecution or displacement, their Muslim identity offers a much needed sense of belonging and solidarity. To convert to Christianity is to betray one’s roots and bring deep shame to the family.
One day, Bob felt compelled to explain the full gospel to Amina. She was at the wheel, practicing for the road test with Bob by her side. She did not see the car that ran the red light as she was driving into the intersection. “Watch out!” Bob shouted. They narrowly escaped a fatal crash.
When they got home, Bob said to Amina, “If we were to die today, I know I will be with God in heaven. But I don’t believe I will see you there, which makes me very sad. I would deeply regret if I did not explain the gospel to you before I die.” So, they sat down, and Bob proceeded to share.
Because Bob and his wife are like parents to her, Amina pays attention. She trusts and honors them. She understands that their love for her is never just to convert her to the Christian faith. Bob’s concern for her soul is clear, but he leaves that up to the Lord.
In any conversion, it is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit that changes the heart. For Muslims who convert, it is often the personal vision of Jesus in their dreams that brings about the change. This takes us to the story of another of Bob’s students, Raima.
Bob & Raima
Raima’s parents were alcoholics. When she was abandoned, the state placed her in a Christian orphanage. Raima is book smart and wants to make something of her life.
Bob met her when he taught IT English at a coding school where Raima studied under a donor’s sponsorship. As usual, Bob prayed for the Lord to bring students to him. Growing up at the orphanage, Raima was already exposed to elements of the Christian faith. So, when she showed spiritual interest, Bob started to study the Bible with her.
Later, Raima earned a scholarship to study in Europe, but she was happy to continue their weekly study online. A few chapters into their reading of Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, Raima popped the question, “What do I have to do to become a Christian?”
It turned out that Raima had a dream. She saw a man in a white robe, surrounded by children. She knew the man was Jesus, and the children reminded her of the orphanage. At first, Raima was afraid. Then she saw Bob. He was in the dream too! Immediately she felt safe. The vision of Jesus touched a deep longing in her heart. God sees and cares for her. Bob was the father she never had, sent by God to show her His love. She no longer feels orphaned in the world.
On Loving Muslim Neighbors
Bob sees his role as that of a father to Amina, Raima, and others. If or when they come to faith is God’s work. His part is simply to bring God’s love and truth into their lives whenever there is a need.
To fellow believers who wish to join God in reaching Muslims, Bob has this to share:
· Pray for God to highlight individuals to you.
· Beware of a transactional mindset; know and love people for who they are, everyone created in God’s image.
· Be curious: listen to their stories, learn about their culture and traditions.
· Engage them in spiritual conversation; they are very open.
· Seek common ground, beginning with the God and the word in the Old Testament.
· Practice hospitality, invite them to your home.
· As need arises, ask permission to pray for them and bless them.
· Build trust over time, be patient and sincere.
· 1 John 3:18, “let us not love with words and speech but with actions and in truth.” They welcome our prayers and blessings, but practical help speaks volumes.
See "Join God's Spirit on the Move Among Muslims" on major obstacles for Muslim conversion to the Christian faith, and what accounted for the unprecedented breakthroughs in recent years.