August 2009

Mercy Found by Dr. Pat

The Islamic religion forbids the use of alcohol and drugs, but even in the Muslim country of Egypt there are dealers who make them readily available.  A certain Muslim man was a drug dealer and was very corrupt in one of the rural towns in southern Egypt.  To keep his power hold on the area, he kept an eye on whatever was going on in his territory.  Dealing drugs gave him power and money but he was not satisfied with his life as it was.

One day, this particular Muslim heard about a Christian meeting that was open to anyone so he went to it out of curiosity.  While there, he heard the testimony of a woman who told of how God had transformed her life.  He thought that if God can change her, perhaps He can change me.  That night this man committed his life to Christ.  He attended the meetings regularly and grew in his spiritual life.  He quit using and selling drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.  He became a “new creature” as the Bible states.

One year later, this new convert added a large room to his house so the group could meet there.  This drew the attention of the local police who raided his home.  They thought he was still dealing in drugs. Imagine their surprise to find a man transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.  They said that they thought he had opened a drug shop, but seeing what he is doing now as a good thing, they said they would not stop the meetings.

Although the police decided not to stop the meetings, a fanatical Muslim neighbor devised a plan to destroy the meetings.  He was a leader among the Muslims in the area and could not allow the Christians to meet together.

In his thinking, it was dishonorable to him and his predominately Muslim village.  So, he incited a mob to attack the Christian meeting. 

This indignant man led the way on his donkey.  As they drew near, the donkey bucked him off and he found himself directly behind the donkey’s rear legs.  The next kick was going to kill him.  At that instant, a Christian man who was walking to the meeting, saw the situation and acted. The Christian man bent down hugged the endangered Muslim man around the chest and pulled him to safety. The Muslim man was winded but O.K.  His sons, however, screamed out, “You killed our father!” They were hoping that the mob would react and kill the Christian. The Muslim man shouted back, “You wicked, boys!  He saved my life!”  He then commanded the entire mob to disperse. The Muslim man said to his rescuer “It is not good to face the goodness with the bad. You saved me and I was going to destroy you.  I thank you for saving me and I am sorry for what we were going to do.  The Muslim man sent his greetings to all in the group.” 

It is not uncommon for Christians in Egypt, especially in the rural areas where there is much illiteracy, to face this type of attack.  Christians, men, women and children have been threatened, beaten and even killed simply for meeting together.

• Please pray for Christians who attend house church meetings in predominantly Muslim lands, for their faithfulness and for their protection.