My name is Cindy, and I’m a Goer! I graduated college in May with a degree in Business Administration and I am going to use it overseas. I am using my business degree in the Middle East to work and live among people that don’t know Jesus or have access to the Gospel. Through a small business, we are able to build relationships with locals and point them to Jesus.
Choosing to move to the Middle East did not happen overnight; rather, this story is God’s story that He has been writing in my life since elementary school. His patient, guiding hand has led me down this road so far.
I grew up in the States in a city with a large Muslim population. I was always fascinated with the ornate mosques, beautifully recited prayers, and fantastic food. I had many Muslim classmates from all over the world who quickly became my friends. Even though I met Jesus at a young age and had firm faith in His finished work on the cross, I began to ask questions about our religious differences: What makes Muslims and Christians different? Do Islam and Christianity have more in common than I think?
The book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi changed my life. I read it as a young 8th grader and was immediately captivated by Nabeel’s story. He grew up in the States as the son of Pakistani immigrants in a strict Muslim household and met Jesus through his college roommate. Nabeel’s journey of leaving Islam and embracing Jesus opened my eyes to the ways Holy Spirit is meeting Muslims in unique ways.
Through my own study and talking with mentors who knew more about Islam than I did, I came to the conclusion that Islam and Christianity have different views on the person of Jesus, and because they have different views, only one can be correct. Jesus is the Son of God who lived a perfect, sinless life. He died on a cross bearing our sins and wrongdoings, and three days later rose from the dead which made a way for you and I to have a personal relationship with God. This new relationship with God is not one out of fear or submission, but out of the overflowing of His love for us. I obey God because He loved me first, and He loved me so much that He gave up His only Son for me.
The freedom and hope found in Jesus is worth everything I have. Jesus has changed my life from the inside out and keeping it to myself would be disobedient to God’s call to share the Good News. His love has taken up so much room in my heart that it sloshes out onto everyone I meet. I can’t help but testify of His goodness and grace.
So I am journeying to an unreached land where few have embraced the Messiah Jesus. Jesus has led me down this road so far, and I trust that His nail-scarred hands will guide me all the way.