Double-edged encounters

At college, visiting missionaries were asked about difficulties of ministering in the Middle East. They told a story about an encounter at a university.

A young Austrian woman, dressed with long sleeves with her head covered, was coming out of a lecture on Sharia law. She saw a Muslim woman making her way towards her, who was covered from head in black with only her eyes showing. She reached the Austrian woman and said, "God showed me in a dream that we would meet here. I know your name and that you a Christian. We will talk about our faiths. After we talk, I will become Christian or you will become Muslim."

So the women met again few days later to talk about their beliefs. Now the Austrian woman was no slouch, she had a masters in Theology and doing a more post-graduate studies. As they talked, the Austrian woman reflected later on how she could feel the strong spiritual forces at work. It's a high stakes encounter.

We live in a post 9 11 world. As the rest of the world investigate the claims of Islam, they will hear the Muslims present their faith. Muslims are articulate, well educated and evangelistic. They work hard at commending Islam to others.

There will more encounters to come, like that of the Austrian woman. How will these encounters turn out? As people engage many will be won over to Islam and to Christianity.

To do mission work in the Middle East, the missionaries said, "we need the soundest minds, the strongest wills and the most courageous of hearts."

Stirring words.

Who will dare pray, "Lord, if it's your will, send me"?