He Walks on Water, She Whispered

The ten-hour layover was in Dubai, on Easter Sunday. My mission team was flying back from Johannesburg (SA) to Boston. You'd think an arduous day of travel only halfway accomplished, I would've been eager to get some sleep in the elegant UAE airport.

But as Adhan (the Muslim call to worship) rang throughout the Middle Eastern loudspeakers, that Sunday evening, I noticed myself vigilant. The same couldn't be said for my buddy Wesley who dozed off on a chaise lounge, before our leg the next morning. After awhile kicking it on the adjacent couch, I went in search of a yellow gatorade and some chocolate.

Much to my chagrin, walking back to our stuff fists full of sugar, I found a young woman sitting in my spot! Ugh. Guess I'll just sit uncomfortably close to her and hope she leaves - I thought to myself. But as she smiled warmly at me, I knew my plans to rot in isolation were cooked by a divine appointment.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under Heaven - Ecclesiates 3:1, emphasis added.

She had curious eyes. She spoke slowly and calculated, as if rehearsed how not to draw attention her whole life. The woman's name was Nada. I'll stop there with personal details, but as we began talking, I was impressed with her bright confidence and strong-will. We began to know each other. Hours passed in the airport.

Volunteering she was an Alawite Muslim, I sensed she really wanted to discuss faith. For context - Alawite are a branch of Shia Islam (who draw on elements of Christianity). I didn't know about their doctrine or rituals, but it turned out peripheral as she didn't prescribe to much of it. It was more cultural, traditional. That said, it was clear her belief in God was unwavering, she just wasn't sure how to approach Him. That was, until Nada told me how He had approached her.

I've been having dreams of a man who walks towards me on water. And a woman, dressed in white, calling me into peace.

Ok forgive a disruption of the narrative, but I must share what I was thinking in the middle of this witness...because by that point I'm buzzing. Though my gaze was still on her, my mind turned Heavenward. I turned my attention to God - Go ahead, whatever You want to say to your daughter through me. Help me speak not with my own understanding, but spread your Light alone. Resume.

Her curiosity was precious - who is this?? She knew him to be familiar, but didn't know his Name. With a breathe of faith I got to tell her - this Man is Jesus Christ. How dearly she clung to my words. Truly, she treasured every syllable close, like a child in wonder. She wanted more - how do you talk to Him? Kinda funny how quickly my prayer was answered as I was compelled to grab my Bible and open Matthew 6.

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners, that they made be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door; pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your father who sees in secret will reward you openly....for your Father knows the things you need of before you ask Him. - Matthew 6:5-6,8

At this moment, we were interrupted by an airport security guard looking guy who noticed I pull out my Bible. Are you Christians - he questioned. She looked down, and I just gave him a friendly nod; neither of us said anything. I thought the man would press me, and I was gonna have to stand on business for the Gospel. But by the grace of God he disappeared just as quickly as he appeared. By looking at my new friend's face, I could tell that his point had been made. We were knee-deep in Muslim country, the Good News wasn't exactly welcomed. Nonetheless undeterred, we continue to the Lord's prayer. I love that, I love that - Nada repeated. She even asked to take a picture of the page we were absorbing! Man this is when I knew God really appointed me, in particular, to witness to her.

Backtrack to the previous morning when we departed from our mission camp in South Africa. The van was packed and ready to go, when I realized I forgot my phone inside. Running back in like a dofus, this big ole blue New King James Version Spirit-Fulled Study Bible caught my eye. Story for another day, a random African man gave the Bible to me our last Sunday on the field and handed it to me. God wanted me to give you this - Prophet Paul (as he's now know) said. Without really thinking, I hastily stuffed it in my carry-on.

When Nada asked if she could snap a picture of the Gospel, by God, I can do you one better! Only by the good and intricate plan of the Lord, I able to bless her with the big ole blue NKJV Spirit-Filled Study Bible. Launching into a spiel that she ought to start in the Gospel of John or the Psalms, she stopped me with the Light now in her eye - I want to start at the very beginning.

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth - Genesis 1:1, emphasis added