"I Want My Name Removed"

A young man we hadn't seen before came Church two weeks ago.  His name is Nadar and he is a career military man, working with Jordanian Air Defense.  Unlike Emad, he came back to request that his name be removed from the records of the church.

While he was there Nadar visited with the members, shook their hands and gave hugs and stayed for all three meetings.  Most people remembered him, even though he left about 11 years ago.  We thought he had a good spirit about him.  He speaks good English, and Sister Tolley sat by nearby and asked him to translate for her.  He participated in Sunday School and gave great comments during the discussion.

Nadar told us it was a requirement for military service in Jordan for his name to be removed from the records of the church.  Lynn explained that it would be necessary for him to write a letter and sign his name. Nadar left without doing it.  Then a week went by and we saw him in the market.  Again, he said he wanted his name removed.  Lynn told him what a serious thing it is to denounce your membership and reminded him of all the people who gave their lives, their families, their occupations and all worldly possessions for the church.  He counseled Nadar that he absolutely wouldn't recommend doing it under any circumstances.  Nadar said "God will forgive me."

Friday, Nadar came to church again  and made the same request, that his name be removed.  Lynn asked him to confirm that it is an order from the military and he said yes, it is and there would be negative consequences if he didn't do it.  All Nadar had to do was get a piece of paper, write "take my name off the records of the Church" and sign it but he just couldn't do it.  We think that the reason Nadar can't do it is because when he came back to Church he felt something and it awakened his testimony.

Nadar came to our house late Friday evening and stayed for a long time telling us about the history of the branch and all about the old members and missionaries.  He shared memories of his baptism and his activity in the Church.  Then he left.

What will happen next?  Nadar is in our prayers.