“Nathan” (not his real name) is from an Asian country where Islam is dominant and extremism is strong. A friend of Feba (who once lived there and still visits regularly) shares Nathan's story, a refreshing tale of the gentle work of the Spirit in the lives of individuals.
“We met Nathan in 1992 when I was asked by Feba to meet with him. He had written to Feba for counsel on his decision to follow Christ. He had heard of Jesus, eternal life and forgiveness, from Feba programmes. He found them one day when he was going through the radio bands and heard his language being spoken.
He began to grow in the Lord, through the help of many and was baptised. As he shared his faith with everyone, he was persecuted for his faith and told by his family to never speak of Jesus in his village again. He began sharing the Good News with others in other places. He studied the Bible through correspondence courses, Theological Education by Extension and even went to a Bible school. He continued to grow and mature in his faith.
Then the day came when his family wanted him to marry. Following the local cultural traditions, when he was a young child he was promised to a girl, as two others in Nathan’s family had already married into this girl’s family. Now as an adult and new follower of Christ, he faced a dilemma. Should he obey God’s command to honour his father and mother by keeping the family’s long-standing promise (it was an official engagement) or follow the command not to be unequally yoked by breaking the engagement? After much prayer and counsel he believed he should stick to his word. But he was very open with his family and the girl's family that he was a committed follower of Jesus and would remain so. They all still agreed to follow through with the marriage.
Nathan has witnessed through word and deed to his wife ‘Nancy’. Many of us have prayed for her over the years. Last November she told me she was very close to accepting Christ. Praise God she has carefully considered Christ, has accepted him and wants to be baptised!”