I met with Ozlem at the very beginning of the month for coffee. She had had a really close friend betray her, so she was very sad. Although surprised she had reached out to me after so many months of silence, I think she is realizing how I am different from her other friends. As a result, she is more open to the gospel than before.
She talked about the Quran, and in the context of talking about friendships, I asked her why the Quran says we cannot be friends. She said it does not say that but then admitted she has never actually read the Quran. Then, she asked what kind of things are in the Bible. I started with Adam and Eve and gave a gospel message as the general overview of the Bible. She said she would like to learn more about both the Bible and the Quran, and I said she should come to our church worship gathering with me. She said she would love to, but she always has to work on Sundays. I sensed a softness in her, though, that she did not have before.
From this experience, I have learned it is good to try to share again and again with someone, even in different seasons of life. Something that she might be closed to at one point, she might be ready to listen to at another point.
May the Lord open Ozlem’s heart to the gospel!
