By a Pioneer in East Asia

Ten years ago my friend Mercy was riding her bicycle home from school. She was in sixth grade. She happened upon a very tragic scene that scarred her memory and her conscience. Despite her Muslim background, she began searching for answers in all the major religions. She would go to the library near her school and find books on religion. It became a curiosity to her. She was most intrigued by a book titled Stories of the Bible.

When Mercy arrived at college, she fueled her curiosity by taking several elective classes on religion. Her teacher provided a living example of the Christian life. She was struck by his kindness. Despite a few vivid and positive impressions of the Bible and the Christian life, she continued in a state of indecision, not knowing enough to discern who the true God is.

Shortly after sitting down across from Mercy at dinner, she asked why I decided to come to East Asia. I explained the reasons I was interested in East Asia and that I thought it was God’s plan for me to come.

“Oh ok, like fate?” she asked.

“No, not quite like fate. Do you believe in God?” She silently and awkwardly shifted her weight. “Uhh…do you believe in God?” I hesitantly asked again.

She blurted out, “Are you a Christian?”

“Yes, what about you?” I replied.

“It’s complicated. I’m interested in Christianity but I am Muslim…Well, my family is Muslim.”

We met again a few days later. After two and a half hours of being completely assaulted with questions about the Bible and Jesus, I practically danced the whole way home. She is now eagerly reading her Bible between our meetings.

Mercy is one of three of our friends with whom we just started a small group Bible study. All three of these friends are from a 12.6 million-person minority group here that is without a single church. These three friends are our most interested friends. They are engaging personally with the Bible and our discussions about the Christian faith. Please pray that Jesus will call them out of darkness into His marvelous light, that they might be His sheep who are called by name.