Today I have a guest post from a young man in Egypt named Nabil. He submitted his testimony for my Young Adult book a few months ago. We have become email "pals" ever since. It's not always easy being a Christian, and sometimes bravery is what it takes. This is from the beginning of his testimony for my upcoming book:
Once when I was returning by train to my university in Cairo from our village in Upper Egypt by the Nile, the passenger sitting next to me noticed the cross tattoo on my wrist, an ancient Coptic Christian custom. “Did you know that a thousand Christians convert to Islam every day?” I was a little surprised by his question, but not surprised who was asking it. His thick black beard without a mustache revealed that he was a member of the extreme Salafi Islamic sect, recently elected to the Egyptian parliament with the Muslim Brotherhood. I quietly prayed to the Holy Spirit for wisdom. “Mabrook” (Arabic for congratulations), I replied with an ironic smile. “Our religion is not about numbers, but about faith and love.”
Beautiful. Wait until you read the rest of his testimony and how this mission has touched his life.
Todays first reading (2 Tim 4:10-17b) couldn't have enhanced Nabil's testimony any better:
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.
In Volume Seven, St. Philomena gives us the encouragement to remain faithful:
"At the end of this time, Jesus will return and the earth will be beautiful again. Before that, there will be a time when it will appear that the enemy has taken control of the world. The darkness of sin will reign and our beloved Church will suffer even more. Followers will face grave and constant attacks for their faith in many areas of the world. They will persevere and set the most beautiful example for others. This will draw others back to the faith in great numbers, so you see, the enemy’s strategy will backfire. The more God’s enemies persecute His children, the more children will choose God and remain true. It has always Volume Seven 14 been this way, sadly. God’s children should serve Him faithfully in good times also, but many do not. Many become worldly when the times are easy. Be brave. Your courage will come from heaven and inspire many."
Lay apostles, we should all be so brave to stand up for Christ as Nabil did and does. Despite dangerous conditions, he is willing to profess the Good News. He is truly an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Nabil, for such a heartwarming testimony. I can't wait for the world to read it!
Thank you, Lord, for young men like Nabil who are willing to risk their lives for You. Please continue to strengthen and protect him and all who fight the courageous battle of spiritual warfare.
God bless,
Bonnie
Once when I was returning by train to my university in Cairo from our village in Upper Egypt by the Nile, the passenger sitting next to me noticed the cross tattoo on my wrist, an ancient Coptic Christian custom. “Did you know that a thousand Christians convert to Islam every day?” I was a little surprised by his question, but not surprised who was asking it. His thick black beard without a mustache revealed that he was a member of the extreme Salafi Islamic sect, recently elected to the Egyptian parliament with the Muslim Brotherhood. I quietly prayed to the Holy Spirit for wisdom. “Mabrook” (Arabic for congratulations), I replied with an ironic smile. “Our religion is not about numbers, but about faith and love.”
Beautiful. Wait until you read the rest of his testimony and how this mission has touched his life.
Todays first reading (2 Tim 4:10-17b) couldn't have enhanced Nabil's testimony any better:
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.
In Volume Seven, St. Philomena gives us the encouragement to remain faithful:
"At the end of this time, Jesus will return and the earth will be beautiful again. Before that, there will be a time when it will appear that the enemy has taken control of the world. The darkness of sin will reign and our beloved Church will suffer even more. Followers will face grave and constant attacks for their faith in many areas of the world. They will persevere and set the most beautiful example for others. This will draw others back to the faith in great numbers, so you see, the enemy’s strategy will backfire. The more God’s enemies persecute His children, the more children will choose God and remain true. It has always Volume Seven 14 been this way, sadly. God’s children should serve Him faithfully in good times also, but many do not. Many become worldly when the times are easy. Be brave. Your courage will come from heaven and inspire many."
Lay apostles, we should all be so brave to stand up for Christ as Nabil did and does. Despite dangerous conditions, he is willing to profess the Good News. He is truly an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Nabil, for such a heartwarming testimony. I can't wait for the world to read it!
Thank you, Lord, for young men like Nabil who are willing to risk their lives for You. Please continue to strengthen and protect him and all who fight the courageous battle of spiritual warfare.
God bless,
Bonnie
1 comment:
How can we help support this brave Christian young man Nabil, "a voice crying in the wilderness" of Islam?
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