I met Fatima during the women’s French class at La Maison Blanche, where I am living during my FOCUS internship. She was from Morocco, but had lived in France for forty-six years. Although she could speak French fluently, she could not read or write in that language. Since I was also looking to improve my own speaking and comprehension, I proposed a language exchange: I would practice my conversational skills with Fatima while helping her work on her literacy.
One day after class, Fatima and I decided to go out together; it turned into an all-day excursion. Before I even knew what was happening, I was being introduced—as her daughter!—to her friends at the market. From there, she took me to her house and reasserted my new status.
“Marhaba! Wecome!” Fatima told me. “Come in, as our daughter!”
That day, I was served tea, treats, and an incredible Moroccan meal. After lunch, I helped her practice identifying letters and sounding out words, and then she took me to another French class happening at a local school.
When it was finally time for me to head home, Fatima walked me to the bus stop. There, she introduced me to her friend, also heading to Bethoncourt. “Take good care of her,” she told her friend sternly. “Kyla is my daughter!”
On the bus, I was grateful to have been entrusted into the care of Fatima’s friend, as I had never taken this particular bus route before. On top of that, my phone died on route, and I realized I could not map my way home! Eventually the bus came to our final stop. Would I be able to find my way home from here?
“Don’t worry, Fatima’s daughter!” the woman told me with a smile. “I live in this same neighborhood, too. I know where La Maison Blanche is, and I will get you home before dark.” Through broken French and a sprinkle of Arabic, she guided me home.
The beauty of Fatima’s hospitality and the kindness of her friend spoke to my heart that day. I thought of how believers are all adopted into sonship through Christ, received with open arms. Even though these women do not yet know Jesus as their Savior, Christ is at work in and through their stories. Just as Fatima and her friend opened their arms to me, so are Christ’s arms open to them. Please pray for their salvation, and for me, as I continue to invest in relationships here in France.
