Rafiq couldn’t keep his hands from trembling as he knocked on the door of his friend Daniel’s home. A few months before, the two had struck up a conversation when Daniel came into Rafiq’s café and shared something he’d read about Jesus that morning.
Daniel, a long-term Frontiers field worker, had become a regular customer and a good friend. They’d had many spiritual discussions, and now Rafiq hoped Daniel could explain the terrifying dream that he’d had the night before. Like many Muslims in his community, Rafiq believed dreams had meanings that could be deciphered.
Daniel greeted Rafiq and welcomed him inside. Rafiq felt a bit shaken as he walked across the tiled floor.
“Is everything alright?” Daniel asked.
“I want to tell you about a dream I had,” Rafiq explained. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
”What do you think my dream means?”
Daniel took a seat in the living room and gestured for Rafiq to join him. “Tell me about your dream.”
Rafiq took a deep breath. “In my dream, I was going out on a dark night and saw a house full of light and people,” he said. “As I got near the house, I saw a man standing in the doorway, speaking to the people inside. It was you.”
“Really? I was in your dream?” Daniel’s eyes widened. “Then what happened?”
“I tried to get closer so I could go in,” Rafiq continued, “but vicious dogs attacked me, biting me and pulling my clothes with their teeth to stop me from entering.” He shuddered.
“I believe that the light and goodness you saw in the house was the good news of God’s Kingdom.”
Daniel leaned forward and furrowed his brow. “Wow. That sounds frightening.”
“It was.” Rafiq nodded. “What do you think my dream means?”
After a moment of hesitation, Daniel responded. “I’ll tell you what I think it might mean.”
“I believe that the light and goodness you saw in the house was the Good News of God’s Kingdom,” Daniel said. “Other people are already entering it, but those dogs in the darkness are evil forces that want to keep you away from believing God’s love for you and entering His house.”
Rafiq believed what he’d heard about Jesus.
Rafiq nodded. “I think you might be right. What can I do to enter God’s house?”
“I’m glad you asked,” Daniel answered with a smile.
For the rest of Rafiq’s visit, the two men discussed what the Bible says about God’s Kingdom. Their conversations and friendship continued, and Rafiq believed what he’d heard about Jesus.
The dogs in the darkness had not kept Rafiq from entering God’s house. Instead, he stepped into the light and fellowship of the family of God.
Pray:
- Ask God to give Muslim men and women dreams that encourage them to learn about Jesus.
- Praise God for drawing Rafiq to Himself.
- Pray that God will call more workers to the Muslim world to engage with seekers like Rafiq.
Learn about the legacy of Black men and women in missions and discover God’s heart to maximize their contributions for His Kingdom.
This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.