With a gun pressing into the side of his head, there was nothing left for Ahmet to do but pray. He was trapped in a stranger’s house behind closed doors, and a man was shouting, “Give us your money!” In the dim light, another man laid the sharpened edge of an ax on Ahmet’s shoulder.

My friend, Ahmet, is the first Turkish Muslim to become a Seventh-day Adventist in the neighboring country of Bulgaria. Now he lives here in Turkey and tells people about Jesus. He is an older man whose mouth is filled with silver and gold—both literal and spiritual. His teeth truly sparkle when he smiles, and brighter still, his whole face and manner gleam with the peace and power of Jesus. Ahmet is a gentle servant who won our hearts immediately. Even our toddler, Mr. Chirpy, loves him and lets him rock him on his shoulder for a Sabbath afternoon nap.

Now a violent man held sharpened steel against the same shoulder. Ahmet wondered if he would get out of this with his life. Emptying his pockets, he gave them a 20-million bill (US$14). His mind was racing as he reflected on the events of the day.

A fortune teller in a city park had come up to him and insisted that she read his fortune for money. He refused. She insisted three more times. He refused each time, telling her that God alone knows the future and that she shouldn’t be telling people’s fortunes. She left in anger. Had she set these violent men against him?

Hitting Ahmet on the face, they told him that if he didn’t give them more money, they would take him to the police. (The police are corrupt.) Then, as quickly as they had attacked, they fled for no obvious reason. We praise God that Ahmet was spared to share the gospel in our city yet another day.

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