Trapped!

"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." Isaiah 42:6-7

I was providing orientation for our new co-worker who had just arrived on the field the day before. We had gone by one of the markets in town to get her a headscarf so she would be properly clothed while moving among our people group. We did not realize until all the mats were being unrolled and men started coming out from everywhere that this parking lot right next to where we were standing was turning into a mosque at prayer time. Since Ramadan, the month of prayer and fasting, had just begun, there was a larger than normal crowd at this impromptu "mosque." We two female foreigners tried to make our purchase quickly and get away before the prayers started, only to realize that we couldn't back up our car because they were praying too close behind it. By this time we were in front of all the men praying; that morning we had just talked about why it is improper to walk or be in front of Muslim men when they are praying. We tried to hide by ducking behind a large concrete post, and then did some praying of our own. We felt so trapped! While praying, we came to a stark realization of how trapped all of these people were by Islam. It broke our hearts. We spent the time praying in our hearts to the One and Only who can provide freedom for the captives. Ten minutes later as the men dispersed and we were driving away in the car, we were holding back tears in realization of what we had just experienced. The spiritual darkness and oppression we felt was overwhelming! Our hearts' cry to God is that people will come and share truth and freedom with these who are trapped in this religion of works.

Join us in asking God to send more messengers who can share the Good News of the Light of salvation. Pray that the veil of darkness will be lifted and the barriers broken down so that these captives can be freed.

An IMB worker