I recently went to Jordan to meet, encourage and address a gathering of about 15 tentmakers who hold jobs in the MENA region. I was impressed with their testimonies! Each told a story of earnest desire to impact others. Isabella, an Adventist nurse, is working in Saudi Arabia and is really shining for Jesus, praying with patients and showing love. She found her delight and life purpose in sharing Christ secretly.

After this event where I was helping tentmakers shine more brightly, God treated me to a unique opportunity—a chance to see the light of tentmaker influence shine back on me!
On my flight back from Jordan, I sat next to a devout Muslim Somali man. He has been working in Saudi Arabia for five years and is the father of seven children, all of whom were seated elsewhere on the plane! (At one point, two of his teenage daughters, with heads covered, came from the rear of the plane and spoke politely with him.)

He began to tell me of the love and unity in his home. “The key is to have friends in your children,” he said. I could see that he was an upright man with a laughing, happy way about him. I have met many good Muslims, so his intentional integrity didn’t surprise me. But what he said next really caught me off guard: Drawing me in with a warm smile, he said, “Jesus must live in our hearts.” He said this in an appealing and kind way as if to convince me. “Jesus is forever, and He wants us to live forever. Allah sent Jesus to save the world. You know this?”

(Yes, he asked me this question!)

He continued, “God loves all people. That is why we must pray to God for all presidents and leaders.” As I was still in shock, pondering his evangelistic words, he said, “I have a Christian friend, Matthew, who works with me at the hotel in Riyadh. He and I talk about these things. And another friend—Victor, from the Philippines—he always says, ‘Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve. Serve like Jesus.’”

Suddenly the whole mystery of my Muslim seatmate’s Christian appeal made sense: He had been influenced by tentmakers in his workplace! He is a now a Muslim with a message of Christ’s salvation.

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