She walked into the center with her head down and, hidden under
her coverings. Because she had lived in America just one year, she didn’t know
English well enough to read the general questions on our form. Her husband
signed her name and answered every question for her. Reviewing the completed
intake sheet, our Client Advocate read the client’s religion: Muslim. This
Wednesday morning appointment was a practicing Muslim from Israel. Our Client
Advocate took a deep breath and prayed for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s
leading. She knew what we all know in this pregnancy center: every client is
brought here on purpose by God Himself to know the passionate pursuit of the
Savior. The Client Advocate led the woman in to counseling room.
She began the appointment with the basic, required questions on our intake form. She asked about previous pregnancies-the client had none. She asked about drinking or drugs-the client did none. She asked about her husband, and the client beamed with pride, saying in English as best as she could say, “I love my husband, and my husband loves me very much!” They had just been married one year. They both grew up in Israel, but he moved to America 20 years ago. He built a life here, but one still incomplete. He returned to Israel, and married our client, bringing her back to America. After confirming the news through today’s positive pregnancy test, this was their first pregnancy.
The Client Advocate bravely asked this woman about her Muslim
faith, genuinely wanting to understand religion through the eyes of this
client. This was the woman’s background. This was her culture. This was what
she had known for so long, and she did allow our Client Advocate to share about
her own faith-the Christian faith. The counselor then introduced her to the God
that she worships—the one and only Living King of Kings. She explained who God
Almighty is. She explained who Jesus Christ is. She shared the unconditional hope
in life and after death through the Savior of the World. The
client nodded, comprehending all she could from the language.
Wanting to capitalize on this clearly divine opportunity, we offered this couple a limited ultrasound. Because we are not a medical facility, our abdominal ultrasounds do not investigate or diagnose any problems. Our volunteer nurses verify a baby’s presence in the uterus, listen to the heartbeat, and give a more accurate due date. This appointment was already a God-orchestrated moment to show this Muslim couple the love of Christ, so our Wednesday nurse, Claire, welcomed them into her ultrasound room. Together, they viewed the now 11 and a half week old baby.
Claire explained that the baby already had the 4 chambers of the heart. She showed them the baby’s form as she measured the size. She gave them their first view of their baby, but so much more than that, she gave them a new, generous view of God’s love, pouring into them through a pregnancy center appointment. It was more than a machine with a monitor now showing a baby. It was a woman of God with saved heart showing the love of the Savior.
After the ultrasound, Claire led them back to the counseling room to finish the appointment with their Client Advocate. The counselor shared their excitement over the ultrasound and asked the couple if they had any final questions. The husband then asked, “Where do you go to church?” A little surprised by the topic, the counselor told him the name of her church, her non-denominational Christian church. She knew their hearts were open, so she asked him about his religion. He too was a practicing Muslim, but he admitted, “I’ve been comparing them, Muslim and Christian. I want to know more now.” The Holy Spirit was active and obvious and led our counselor to share Jesus Christ with this seeking soul. At the husband’s request, the Client Advocate gave them a Bible to study and the name of a church to visit. She told this husband of the loving God who already made a way to Heaven for ALL who will accept Him. He wanted to take his wife to our Thursday classes, but more importantly, he wanted to take his wife to the Christian church to learn more about the God shown at this pregnancy center.
The couple left in
overwhelming gratitude, ready to pursue this new love they experienced today.
We praise God for the honor of showing this lost world even a glimpse of the
Living, Loving Lord of Lords.
“This is how everyone will recognize that you are
my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
John 13:35
John 13:35
