Madaba is a long way from Husn, but we have been given the responsibility to follow up and finish the campaign that was started before we came and was handed over to us last month. We are changing the direction of the campaign and will focus more on the actual local needs, rather than what LDS Charities would like them to do. We want to find out what those needs are.
Developing a relationship with a new partner is sort of like dating. First you get to know each other and find out if you have common goals or interests. If the partner doesn't trust you or your motives, you can explain a little bit about yourself and help resolve his concerns. For us, today was our "first date" with Dr. Fathi.
Right off we could tell Dr. Fathi sensed that there was something different about us. He told us we were doing a holy work that he finds interesting. He has a background in philosophy and has wondered, "is there a God?" He wondered why so many people had different concepts of "The God." He seemed hungry for answers to his questions. His biggest concern about being a Muslim (by birth) and living in the Middle East is that he is not free to believe what he wants to believe.
We wanted to say, "YES, THERE IS A GOD!!!" and teach him about Heavenly Father and his great plan of happiness, but by law we cannot discuss religion with him. It is very difficult because we want very much to share what we know to be true but we must be silent. One day when all the barriers are down he will be free to listen and learn. We feel that there are more people in his situation than we realize. After the meeting we remarked that if there ever was a "golden" contact for the missionaries it would be Dr. Fathi.
No comments:
Post a Comment