A Knock at the Door
Our team stood outside a large apartment complex with a clear purpose, but no clear direction. We had learned that a family from a closed country lived somewhere inside, and we hoped to invite them to a local showing of the Jesus Film. There was no apartment number, no prior connection—only a quiet sense that the Holy Spirit was leading us.
Trusting that prompting, we chose a door and knocked.
A woman in a veil opened it. Behind her, a large national flag hung on the wall, confirming what we had hoped—that we had found the right home. In that moment, what could have felt uncertain instead became deeply reassuring. The Lord had led us.
The woman welcomed us inside with remarkable hospitality. Tea was served, snacks were shared, and conversation began to unfold. As we listened, the family shared pieces of their story—one marked by hardship, displacement, and perseverance. The father, whom we will call Karim*, bore the physical effects of severe torture he had endured in his native land. His injuries had left him with a disability that prevented him from obtaining a driver’s license in the United States. As a result, the family relied entirely on walking for transportation, making even basic daily needs a challenge.
The following day, Karim attended the Jesus Film event, where he watched the Gospel of Luke presented in his own language. Afterward, we offered to assist the family with groceries and transportation—simple acts, but ones that addressed very real needs. Their response was immediate and filled with gratitude.
The next day, our team returned to spend more time with the family. While one of our church members drove Karim’s wife to run errands, the rest of us visited Karim and the children in their apartment. From the moment we entered, one of our team members felt a strong and persistent prompting to share the love of Jesus.
As he quietly prayed, Karim began to speak with intensity about his own faith, reciting portions of the Quran from memory. His devotion was evident, and for a brief moment, there was uncertainty about how best to respond. Should the conversation shift? Should it be avoided?
Instead, we chose to remain grounded in Christ and attentive to the Spirit’s leading.
With humility and conviction, our team member began to share his faith—speaking about the love of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit within him. He shared a passage of Scripture, not recalling its exact reference, but expressing its truth clearly and sincerely.
Karim’s demeanor changed. He grew quiet, and tears began to fill his eyes.
“Until now,” he said, “I believed I was a man of great faith. But your faith is greater.”
The response was simple and direct: “It is not my faith, but the Spirit of God within me.”
What followed was a profound moment. The atmosphere in the room shifted as the presence of God became deeply evident. Before leaving, we asked if we could pray for the family. Kneeling together, we lifted our prayers to the Lord.
When we finished, we saw that Karim and his family were in tears. These were not tears of sorrow, but of deep spiritual impact. In that moment, it was clear that God had touched their hearts.
The next day, we returned with a small gift as a gesture of care and appreciation. Karim welcomed us warmly, embracing us with genuine affection. Then, with visible emotion, he shared something deeply personal.
“I had two brothers,” he said. “Both were killed in his home country. One was a soldier. Now they are both gone. But now—you are my brother.”
He then told us about his morning.
“I was reading from the Quran,” he said, “and I asked God, ‘Who are these people, and why have you sent them to me?’”
In that question, there was a sense of wonder—and the beginning of something new. God had not only led us to the right door, but had opened hearts to His truth.
[ * Names changed to protect identities ]
[Photo by Magic Dnipro]
