Fama’s heart was full of anger and hatred. She had been brought up in a family where conflicts and tension were a normal part of their daily life. Her response to this environment was anger and hatred toward others.
One day, she took a job as a babysitter for some foreigners. “I knew they were Christian missionaries,” she said, “but they never spoke to me about Jesus.”
However, Fama noticed how the couple treated one another. “Their love for one another, and how they treated me and their children, made me curious about their faith.”
Now and again, the wife spoke to Fama about love and how to choose peace instead of hatred. The husband ran an organization in the capital city, where they served people’s medical needs and helped them start up small income-generating projects. The family was servant hearted, kind and loving toward everyone.
One day, however, tragedy struck this family, and the husband was murdered, a horrible event that eventually caused the wife and children to leave the country.
Fama was in shock. How could these peaceful and loving people be so brutally attacked? Was it people from her own Muslim faith who had done this?
“This event changed my life,” Fama said. “I was so deeply saddened whenever I remembered what had happened to this kind family. The love they had shown to everyone made me want to know more about the Jesus they had followed.”
Over time, her heart was softened. As she contemplated the kindness and love the missionaries had shown her, Fama eventually decided to place her faith in Christ. As Jesus taught her about living a life of peace and faithful dependence on him, she began to change. “I went from hating others to loving others,” she said. “Now I show Christ’s love through my actions, and all my children know Jesus. My eldest son also recently gave his life to the Lord.”
Sadly, when her husband discovered that she had chosen to follow Jesus, he left her and said she should rely on her new religion and on her God to provide for them. Despite this, Fama is praising God.
“I believe God is with us,” she said, “protecting us, and providing for me and my family. My only desire is to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus so that I can show his love to others.”
