I navigated through a crowded living room, introducing myself to everyone I passed. I’d recently moved to the area, and although my new Frontiers teammate had introduced me to a few Muslim-background believers, it was my first time at this particular gathering of local followers of Christ.

As I continued shaking hands, I repeated every name in my head, hoping to remember each of them.

Suddenly I spotted a familiar face. “Bashir?” I called out to him, but the sound didn’t reach through the crowd. Weaving between the people, I made my way toward him.

Bashir had been a tutor at the short-term language school I had attended years before in a different city. After we became friends, I shared about Christ several times, but Bashir had never shown any interest.

I couldn’t imagine what he would be doing in a group of believers. Maybe it wasn’t him.

When I reached his side, there was no doubt. It was Bashir, and by the way his eyes widened, he was surprised to see me, too.

“Owen!” He opened his arms and hugged me. “It’s good to see you, my friend.”

I clapped him on the back. “What are you doing here?”

Bashir’s smile widened. “Two years ago, I had a dream of Jesus. You were right about Him. He changed my life.”

My heart jumped at the news. “Praise God!”

After sharing excitedly about his journey to faith for a few minutes, Bashir confided that it had not always been easy. “My parents were very unhappy when I told them I wanted to follow Jesus. They kicked me out of their house.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I remember how close you were. Have things improved?”

“They haven’t spoken to me since. My old friends don’t talk to me either.” Bashir’s joy dimmed further, but he still looked happier than he had when I first met him. “I have much to be thankful for. I have my brothers and sisters in Christ, and my Father in heaven.”

“And you have hope. You never know what God might do.”

Bashir was proof that the Lord works in surprising ways and according to His perfect timing. Despite praying for Bashir for years, until this moment I hadn’t been sure I would ever know how God worked in my friend’s life. Yet here Bashir stood, now my brother in Christ.

I pray one day in heaven there will be an even greater reunion, filled with many more unexpected faces. Perhaps Bashir’s family will be among them because of his faithfulness.

Pray:

• Lift up Muslim-background believers like Bashir who encounter rejection for their faith in Christ and pray for their families to join them in following Jesus.
• Pray that Frontiers field workers will continue to sow the seeds of the Gospel faithfully, trusting in God’s perfect timing.
• Praise the Lord for the wonderful ways He works, and ask Him to continue using dreams and visions to break through barriers in the Muslim world.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.**

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Original article: A Surprising Reunion • Frontiers USA