A friend from Iraq

This post refers to a refugee, who for the sake of his security I will refer to as Jon throughout this post.

After Will's talk on the first Wednesday the bibles were collected up. One guy, Jon, from Iraq hesitantly handed in his bible. Both myself and Will realised he wanted to hold on to a copy so Will returned with an English/Arabic dual translation of the New Testament he could keep.

I got into deep discussion with him and discovered that before he left Iraq he had started going to a church with a friend. He explained how he looked at Islam and saw the denominations killing each other and looked at Christianity and didn't see this happening. From later conversations it transpired that his interest in Christianity wasn't because of a belief in Jesus Christ, but because he preferred Christian values over what he saw in Islam. It was because he didn't want to be part of Islam any more that he fled Iraq from a fear of being killed as a Christian.

We continued in discussion and I pointed him to several bible passages and helped explain them. He had questions on how to pray so we looked at the Lords Prayer among other passages. He was really very eager to read and learn the bible. I also explained the Trinity to him, particularly explaining that Jesus is God, not just a prophet (which Jesus is in Islam). Before he left I had the opportunity to pray with him. It was a very encouraging and interesting evening.

Thursday night was Coffee Bar, a relaxed evening for the refugees. Jon returned and was asked if he would be interested in watching the Jesus video in Arabic. He jumped at the chance so I joined him and sat through the 2 hours, following the gospel by picture only. At the end of the showing he expressed how it had helped him understand the passages we had read together more clearly, specifically that Jesus is God. Although I had explained this the day before it was difficult for him to understand in English. Having the Jesus film in his native language was a great help to him.

Once again the following day he returned while we were doing odd painting jobs around the Oasis building. We opened the bible again together and read many passages of scripture. One of the passages we explored was the prophesy in Isiah of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. He told me that when he came to Austria he was interested in Christianity because of its values, but now it was changing his heart and he was believing it.

Monday was Men's clothing room and Jon came again. This time we had more of a general chat about each other. It was fascinating to hear about him and his home culture etc.. During the conversations I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to share testimony about my Mum's stroke and complete healing. To bring the conversation nearer the subject of my Mum I asked him about his Mother. His reply was that she had died. It felt that this confirmed my prompting by the Holy Spirit, as it now seemed that speaking about my Mum's healing in the context of his Mothers death may have more relevance or impact on him. I pray that God used my testimony to bring him closer to God.

This was the last time I saw Jon as I returned home to England on the Tuesday. We had struck up a great friendship during the time and it was very encouraging for me as well as I'm sure it was for him. I have his email address and intend to stay in contact. Sharing in such depth was new to me so I thank God for the opportunity to share, it was only by His grace and strength that I was able to do what I did. The other members of our team have continued to see Jon so I am waiting further updates on his story.