While in Sunyani, Ghana I have been able to get close with so many amazing people. One of those people is named Miqdad. He has been such a light for me this month, making me laugh all the time. He is so full of joy and love for the Lord that is inspiring. The very first time I met Miqdad he told me that he was a rapper, then in the middle of a campus we were evangelizing at, he began to rap for me. I’ve never really enjoyed rapping, but his rapping was incredible. He talked about the grace of God and how lucky we are to have the Lord as our savior. We continued to get close and one day we swapped our stories. When I heard his story it taught me so much. Who knew that a 19 year old guy could teach me so much with his story. I asked him if he could tell me his story again while I typed it so that people could read it. I know that this is longer than my blogs normally are, but these are his words and they are so powerful. Please take the time to get to know Miqdad, I promise you will not regret it.
It’s Not Easy
“I have grown up in a Muslim home, being a muslim along with my family. It is really hard to convert from growing up being a Muslim to living a Christian life. It’s not easy. It is something that will get you thrown out of your house and disowned by your entire family. It’s not easy. It all began when I was in junior high and I started to be a little interested in Christianity, but I didn’t know enough about it. Then when I was in high school a man came to the school to preach, he was talking about Christ and I found it very interesting. Even though I was skeptical I joined in the meeting. When I walked in the man said that he was not going to minister, but that instead I was going to minister. I was shocked, I had never ministered or anything. He called me up and asked if he could place his hands on me to pray. I didn’t want him to, but he persisted so I allowed it. As soon as he placed his hands on me my mind was wiped and I couldn’t see what was happening in the meeting. Then I saw an image, I saw myself in a room full of people who weren’t moving. They were working, but like zombies, and would not pay attention to anything. They were so focused on the nothing that they were doing. I realized then that is how the devil is working in today’s world. Trying to destroy us by putting our focuson other things rather than on Christ. When I came back out of that image, my friends told me what had happened during the meeting because I did not know. They said that I was yelling things and telling people to fight the devil and calling people to come out and repent. They said I was praising the name of Christ, something that before then I had never done. But I don’t remember that. I realized later that the things I said were true, but I never knew how I got that information. After that I went back home a changed person. Now I knew Christ.
Since my parents are Muslims I have to keep my faith a secret. If they were to find out that I was a Christian they would disown me. This makes it hard for me to even read the word, I have to hide it. Right now as I’m talking to you my bible is hidden under my bed so my parents don’t see it. When I was still in school I’d go hide in a bush to pray so people wouldn’t know. I couldn’t let anyone see me or they would tell my dad. If my dad were to find out I don’t know what would happen. When I came home from school I started to feel that God had given me the gift of rapping and I wanted to use that to praise Him. I was writing raps and working on my music but I never had a platform to perform for people. I knew that the Lord could use me and rap to connect to the youth. When I rap, people from the youth will come and ask me about the things in my songs. This makes it a good way to evangelize to people about Jesus.God really answers prayers.
Back when I was a Muslim I did a lot of stupid stuff…watching porn, fighting all those things. But then I met Christ and He changed everything around. He changed everything about me. Even though it is hard I am so happy to be walking with Christ. It is difficult though in my situation. Sometimes I’m so sad and I just cry because my parents don’t know Christ. They are so lost and I want them to know. I have to lie to them every time I want to go to church. I’ll tell my dad I’m going to play basketball, I’ll even leave the house wearing my basketball outfit with my church clothes hidden in my bag. I’ll have to find a place to go change clothes away from the house. A family friend who stays near our home will let me go to his house to change and allow me to borrow clothes to wear to church. It is not easy at all, it has never been easy. I can’t pray at home with my parents around. I will tell them I’m going to a friend’s house and then sneak off to a field and pray there where no one can see me. It’s not easy. I love the verse Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” I try to always keep that in mind. I know that He is fighting my fight for me. I know that He is not dead, but alive. He never sleeps nor slumbers and He will make my life shine so bright.
I get really worried that my parents aren’t Christians. I have a dream that one day my dad himself will come and wake me up in the night to tell me that we should go for evangelism. By the grace of God two of my siblings have also been converted to Christianity. I have my parents and my one other sister who are still Muslim. It’s not easy. At home when I am listening to worship songs I have to cover the speakers when Jesus’s name comesup. I hate having to cover His name, but I have to in my home. It’s really serious and really not easy. Why? Why do I have to cover his name? Why can’t I proclaim His name proudly wherever I am? I want to work for God but I am so worried about how. I cannot even mention His name in the house or listen to songs praising Him. It’s not easy. But I know that everything is well in Him and that I should not be afraid because He is so good. Being a Christian is not easy for me. I know that one day they (my parents) will find all of this out. They will know I go to church. They will know that I rap. They will find my bible. When I think about this I get so sad that I will cry out. I know Christ is doing something great in my life and people will be amazed and get to know Jesus. I know that God will one day show them that the truth is actually Christianity. That He is the truth. Muhammad is not the truth, it does not say in the Koran that he will lead you to truth. But in the bible it says that God is leading us to the truth, that He is the truth. I am happy knowing that I am going to the kingdom.
I have to sneak to church and bring my Koran so my parents think I’m going to pray at the Islamic temple. I have to sit in church with my Koran in my bag, but I don’t touch it. I will only read my bible. I have to lie to my parents always hiding my faith. It is so difficult when I have to lie to my mom. I have to pretend to pray with her. I know that when she finds out the truth about my faith she will be so disappointed. I know that her disappointment will not last though, because she will soon also be converted and know the truth. Then I will be able to help her grow closer to the Lord. I know God is training me for a different kind of life. I just want to help the youth, that is where my main focus is. It is so serious, the devil is working. He is introducing so many things to the world and we need to really take charge as Christians. Remember that our lives, my life, is in christ. My life has never been easy. But by the blessings of God everything will be ok. In Jesus name, I know that He will be there for me, to help and use me.
God is so great and I know I just have to trust in God. I know He will make my life so great. I will have no idea how but He will do it. I just want to be a man of God, I want to be good for the Kingdom and to be used. God is good. I am not ashamed to mention his name. I love his name, He is what makes my life so good. I hate that I have to hide my religion from my family. I am hiding who I am because who I am is His. It makes me so sad that I cannot be bold and pronounce His name from the mountain tops. I know that day will come because He is so good. But as for right now…It’s not easy.” ~Miqdad
After hearing his story I was overcome with feelings of guilt, shock, and empathy. How many times in my life have I taken for granted the fact that I can read the bible in my home? How many times have I talked to my parents about Jesus and not thought twice about it? How many opportunities have I missed, when I should of been proclaiming His name? How many times have I not had the courage to put all my faith in God? When will I realize how incredibly blessed I am- for being able to openly praise him? I really hope that you have enjoyed reading Miqdad’s story, and that it has made you think about not ignoring the abundant opportunities YOU have to proclaim His name.
**Miqdad and I figured posting a picture with his face would not be a good idea because of his situation. A very talented photographer on my squad Katie Horst took the pictures and we did have a lot of fun doing a little photo shoot! **
