Searching for Open Doors

     It was a cold winter night on Monday, January 29, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. For the past week, eleven other missionaries and I had been listening, studying, and implementing everything we’d been learning while at the Avant training center. Tonight was the night when we’d use what we'd been learning in a team activity. We would have the opportunity of going into the community to pray with individuals and share the gospel with those who were willing to listen. By the look on some of my team members’ faces, I could tell they were nervous- either because this was outside of their comfort zone or they had never done this before. I was anxious too, but I knew God was with us.
     As John, my partner, and I drove to the apartments we were assigned, I started to ask questions - about him, the community, and the population living there. I learned a lot, which helped me understand more about the people who lived there. Upon arrival, I knocked on the first door and introduced myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Steph. My friend John and I are going around the area to pray with people. Do you have anything you’d like us to pray for?” Sometimes doors opened; other times no one would answer. We were often answered with, “No” or silence. Still, we continued up each level of the apartments.
     We got a different response on the third level at door 360 with a man named Muhammad. John asked Muhammad if he had any prayer requests. To be honest, I thought he’d say “No” and close the door like a couple of his other neighbors. To our surprise, Muhammad answered, “No, but would you like to come in?” I knew in the Muslim culture this was very unusual. This was a God moment! 
     For the next forty five minutes Muhammad asked questions about the trinity and the birth of Jesus. John and I also learned about Muhammad’s family and their journey to America. As the topic of conversation changed, I knew either John or I had to ask, “Muhammad if you were to die today and you stood before God and he asked, ‘Why should I let you into Heaven,’ what would you say?” I glanced at John and could see he was thinking the same thing. In African culture, if a male is leading the conversation, like Muhammad, and someone else has something to add, it’s better for another male, like John, to ask a question rather than a female, like myself. Knowing this, John asked the question. From experience, I was already anticipating Muhammad's answer, but his reply still surprised and saddened me. Muhammad said, “Yes, I’m 99.9% sure I’d go to Heaven, because I’ve never killed anyone, I pray and read the Koran. I’m a good person.” At that moment, I saw a man who at first was so confident, but when I looked into his eyes again, I saw a completely different emotion. Instead of assurance, I saw loneliness and someone searching for the truth. I will always remember this moment. For the rest of our stay in Muhammad’s apartment, John shared how Muhammad could be 100% sure he’d be going to Heaven when he dies.
      I’m confident that God brought me and John to Muhammad’s apartment for a reason. No, Muhammad didn’t surrender his life to Christ that night, but he did receive the answers to the questions he’d been searching for. Now it’s up to God to continue harvesting the seed that’s been planted and watered like He promised (1 Cor. 3:6-9, Mark 4).