I Met With Samar Yesterday

I met with Samar yesterday. We ate breakfast as he told me his story. 

I asked him if I could take his picture and he said it was OK, so I did. Seems pretty joyful, don't you think?

He was filled with hate for most of his life, but not any more.

He grew up studying the Quran and attending the mosque in a refugee camp in Lebanon. His devotion took him to a madrassah led by a radical sect from Saudi Arabia where he was taught all Jews and Christians were enemies. He was appointed by the sheikh to teach sharia law. 

His path was set.

But he was befriended by a Lebanese Christian. Samar intended to convert him to Islam, so when his Christian friend gave him a Bible he threw it on the ground in disgust. His friend didn't shrink back. Instead, he invited Samar to meet with other Christians. Samar wanted what those Christians had. He studied the Bible and eventually committed his life to Jesus.

Samar was baptized in 2002. That's when his difficulties began. Thinking they were doing Allah a service, his community tried to kill him. His own brother tried to kill him. He escaped to Beirut where he became known as a man who shows only love and respect for Muslims as he fearlessly preaches the Gospel to them. Four times he has been arrested and jailed for sharing Jesus; each time he shared Christ with his jailers.

I aked Samar if I could take a picture of his Bible. It's printed in Arabic and by all appearances, it seems that he uses it a lot. 

Samar now offers shelter to Beirut's "Muslim background believers" ("MBB's" as he calls them). He provides them relief and discipleship. Just as he needed a place to stay - and help in adjusting to new life as a follower of Jesus - so it is that many of Lebanon's refugees need the same. That's what Samar's life and ministry on the streets of Beirut delivers.

I'm sure you're concerned that I might be exposing Samar to unwanted public scrutiny. I understand. I was concerned too. I talked with him and offered to keep his story quiet so I wouldn't expose him to trouble. He told me his greatest joy is seeing people come to know Jesus. His story has already been publicized so anything I pass along only serves to advance Christ's Kingdom. He wants the Story of Christ's work in his life to be known, so I'm passing it along to you ... with Samar's blessing.

Galatians 1:10-13a  -  Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life...

 

Comments

[Shane]

Sweet. Thanks for passing this along, Mark.

[skoutz]

I want to meet Samar!

[Weblady1]

I had the opportunity to hear Samar give his testimony at First Baptist Concord in Knoxville TN on March 9, 2014. I have heard many, many testimonies from great men of God throughout my lifetime but never one as powerful as this one. Throughout the past 15 months, God has really tested me about loving my enemies -- the numerous trials I have experienced have been monumental, but through it all God kept telling me to love my enemies, don't burn bridges, and not to get revenge. After hearing Samar's testimony, I now know why I have been going through those trials. There are great days ahead for God's people and many opportunities to love those that others would choose to hate.