Me Too!

Many of you have heard me share about the local Holiday of Sacrifice—that time of year when every household sacrifices a lamb to draw close to God. (In fact, my blog used to be filled with raw photos of the process that totally grossed a few of you out!)

For a while now, I’ve had a neighbour I regularly pass on the street. She was always friendly and often invited me over, but because she never actually gave me her address, I assumed they were just polite, empty invitations. That changed a few days before the holiday when we bumped into each other again. "You must come visit during the holiday!" she insisted—and this time, she told me an exact date, time, and location. I realized she truly meant it.

While sitting in her home during my visit, our conversation turned to faith, and I shared how central mine is to my life. She cut in gently: "Oh, are you a Chrstian?"

Knowing how loaded that word can be here—often carrying baggage of Western influence, colonialism, idol worship, or being an "infidel"—I replied carefully: "Yes, I seek to follow the way of Isa."

She paused, glancing around to make sure her sisters were out of earshot. Then, leaning in and lowering her voice, she whispered, "Me too."

My jaw practically hit the floor. Here was a woman who had just invited me over for a traditional Islamic holiday, sitting comfortably in her own home in a traditional headscarf, telling me she is a follower of J.

She went on to share her incredible story. Years ago, while living in Russia, she had a vivid dream where a voice told her: “Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lrd your Gd will be with you wherever you go.” The very next day, she unexpectedly lost her apartment and found herself with nowhere to go. Holding onto those words from her dream as comfort, she eventually found a new place. Resting on the table, left behind by the previous tenants, was a copy of The Word. Opening it up, she was stunned to read the exact same words from her dream! Right then, she decided to learn everything she could about this Gd who spoke to her.

She looked at me and smiled. “I knew the day you moved in here that you were the same,” she told me. “I could see the joy on your face.”