By mission partner Mary Fairfield, Bethlehem

My husband Derek and I have been working at Bethlehem
Bible College for two years.

Our visas have expired and we are back in the UK, considering future steps. But I want to tell you about my last day in Bethlehem.

Since we first arrived, I've made weekly trips to Manger Square to share the truth and love of Jesus with tourists and locals. I've had some interesting and wonderful encounters and conversations. On my last day in Bethlehem I wanted to make one final visit.

I entered the church there and prayed that Jesus would be exalted in Bethlehem. Muslims respect Jesus as prophet, teacher and miracle worker – they actually have more respect for Jesus than your average secular British person who uses his name as an epithet. Yet, I prayed that people would get a bigger picture of Jesus as redeemer.

Then I prayed: "Please Lord, could this last time be a bit special in some way to confirm your interest in this tiny bit of work for your kingdom?"

After I exited the church, I saw a young Palestinian woman on her own and I asked her if she was interested in faith matters. Her reply astonished me.

"I was just in the church, praying God would send me someone to talk to about him!"

We went to a cafe and had a long talk about Jesus. Then we went back to the church to pray together. I showed her a prayer of commitment to Jesus and asked if she would like to pray this prayer and begin to follow him. As she read the prayer she began to cry and said yes, she wanted to take this step. Praise God!

I've put her in touch with someone at the college so that she has someone to talk to now that I'm gone. Please join me in thanking God for this amazing last day in Bethlehem and for all the opportunities I've had to share Jesus with people of different faith backgrounds during my time here. Please pray for this young woman, whose name I've withheld for security reasons – that she will grow in her faith.

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Published: 12:15 26 June 2012  |  1738 views
Last updated: 05 July 2012
See other stories in these categories: Evangelism, News: Mission partners, MISSION UPDATE, Middle East