“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” These words echoed in Hana's* mind as she walked home from the mosque with her family. While her parents discussed the mullah’s teaching, she pondered the words of the prophet Jesus she had read in the Injil, one of Islam's holy books. These words captivated her, and her desire to seek the truth grew stronger.

When the family arrived at home, Hana went to her room and closed the door. She had so many questions, but the answers she received from the religious leaders failed to satisfy her. As a journalist, Hana was used to going straight to the source to find answers. Now, she pleaded with Allah once again to answer her most important questions. Even as she did, she heard the prophet’s words in her mind once again: “Seek, and you will find.”

SEEKING ANSWERS

Like virtually all her Middle Eastern peers, Hana grew up knowing she was a Muslim. Her father was a teacher at the local Islamic school, guiding his pupils in their Arabic studies. Her mother adhered well to Islam's tenets and wished for all her children to do the same, teaching her girls how to become good Muslim women.

Hana had always been curious and full of questions. While growing up, she heard about the Injil, and she developed a fascination with its stories about the prophet Jesus and his teachings. She knew some religious leaders deemed the book untrustworthy, but their dogmatism only increased her interest.

Hana's curiosity grew in other ways as well. Her desire to seek knowledge and truth had led her to study journalism. By the time she turned 17, she had become a journalist and an aspiring lawyer. Her propensity for asking tough, important questions often led her to solid answers for her audience, but in her search for spiritual truth, she was often frustrated by a lack of straightforward and convincing answers.

ENGLISH 101

As a journalist, Hana knew that learning English would improve her career prospects, and she determined to master the language. As a preteen, she had listened in while her two sisters practiced their English with native speakers on social media, and now, she began watching English-language TV shows to learn more. Her skills and vocabulary improved, but she knew she needed to find someone with whom she could practice. During the summer of 2022, she decided to join the same social media group as her sisters. She quickly seized the opportunity to improve her English skills. After joining the group (part of Reach Beyond's Ephraim Project), she met Angela*, one of the volunteers, and the two quickly struck up a friendship.

Hana's desire to know the truth quickly got the better of her. In their first private chat, she started asking Angela questions about Jesus and the Injil, and Angela, a project volunteer, answered her questions. After their conversation ended, Angela sent Hana a short allegorical video about a man who was set free from a dark, colorless prison cell into a world of living color.

Hana watched the video. Later, she messaged Angela and told her that she thought maybe Jesus had set the man free. Wondering, she then said to Angela, “Maybe I am in a jail.”

SO MUCH MORE THAN ENGLISH CLASS

Over the next several months, Hana and Angela continued to converse, although spotty internet access made long, deep conversations difficult. They often chatted about family and daily life as well as current events and Middle Eastern culture, art, music, and poetry. Whenever an appropriate opportunity arose, Angela shared bits of the Bible with Hana. During one conversation about a Scripture passage, Hana told Angela, “I like the Bible.”

One day in May 2023, Angela invited Hana to meet for another English lesson. When Hana responded, Angela noticed that she did not seem like herself. She seemed sad. When they were able to chat, Angela asked her about it. Hana told her that she had just lost a close friend her own age. Her friend lived in a distant city and had been killed in a car accident. Hana wanted to attend her friend's funeral, and she needed to figure out how to travel safely across the country.

Angela realized that a unique opportunity to share the Gospel with Hana may be developing, yet God did not open the door in that moment. The conversation ended, and Angela began praying with The Ephraim Project team for God's wisdom and guidance regarding what she should say to Hana when the right moment did come. While she waited and prayed, she sent encouraging Scripture passages to her hurting friend.

A DIFFICULT CHOICE

As she traveled home, she thought about what she had read in the Bible passages Angela had sent her. It was a book of clarity, filled with answers to her biggest questions. As she pondered these things, Hana weighed the significance of what it would mean to become a Christian. She knew that when a Muslim chose to become a Christian, they usually lost and suffered many things. Was she willing to give up everything she knew for the unknown?

One week after her last chat with Angela, Hana contacted her again. “Can I ask you something? In Islam, in order to become a Muslim, people only need to recite the shahada. In Christianity, how should a person become a Christian?”

Angela’s prayer was answered! She answered Hana with a clear presentation of the Gospel. Hana then responded, “I want to become a Christian, but my family should not find out.” She asked, “Would Jesus be upset with me if I keep my new identity a secret?”

Angela told Hana that Jesus would understand and that, at least for a time, secrecy was wise. Then, Hana asked Angela what she needed to do to be saved right away; she did not want to wait any longer!

As the conversation had unfolded over chat, Angela felt compelled to type a salvation prayer for Hana to follow. Now, she sent her the prayer, and on the other side of the digital void, Hana prayed.

After a minute, Angela asked her where Jesus was at that moment. Hana replied, “In my heart.”

GROWING IN FAITH

As she rejoiced in God's answer to her prayers, Angela told Hana that Jesus promises to transform us but that the process of sanctification takes time. “He will teach you His ways,” she promised.

Angela told Hana she would send her chapters of the Bible to read. She promised to send the passages in English to give Hana more practice, but she would also send them in Hana's native language. Angela wanted to make sure Hana was fully understanding what she was reading.

Hana's next words surprised Angela. Hana declared that she wanted to be baptized. She said there was a church in her town, but she could not leave home without her mother’s permission. Angela cautioned Hana to wait a little while first and to read the Scripture passages Angela was sending her.

As their chat ended, Hana was very happy. She had finally found answers to her most important questions! Soon, new questions started flooding her mind, and each time she met with Angela, she would ask them. With each answered question, she grew in her faith.

Hana continues to grow in her faith and boldness as Angela sends her more Scripture and answers her questions. Being a Christian in the Middle East can be extremely challenging, but for Muslim background believers like Hana, the Christian life can be dangerous as well. Please ask the Father to encourage, strengthen, embolden, and protect our brothers and sisters in the Middle East as they pursue Him and shine His light into the darkness around them. Please also join us in thanking Him for volunteers like Angela who faithfully share the Gospel with those God places before them.