My visit to Morocco was very eye opening. Morocco is a country in Northern Africa on the west coast, and its name in Arabic means “the West”. It is a beautiful country full of wonderful cities, beaches, and mountains with beautiful people and culture. These people are the most friendly, kind, hospitable, welcoming, giving, and loving people I have met in my entire life. These people are muslims.
Everyone in the country practised to some extent the religion of Islam. You cannot get a job, get married, buy a car, or buy a home in Morocco without being a muslim. I had many fears at first when I entered a country that has, by law, a 100% muslim population. I expected hostility and anger towards my faith. I expected to have to hide away in secret what I believe about God, Jesus, and the Bible. I thought that I would be persecuted for my beliefs; I was very wrong. There was no hostility only discussion and often times interest in my faith. There was no secrecy needed because the people actually WANT to talk about religion and faith and convictions. I was not once persecuted for being a christian or for believing that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. I would have been ridiculed for some of the things I spoke about if I had been in the United States; it saddens me. My country, which claims religious freedom, condemns people for holding to certain convictions and beliefs. On the contrary, a completely Muslim nation with no religious freedom whatsoever shows more kindness and love and interest in the beliefs and thoughts of others. They are not so focused on themselves and what they want that they are blinded to the things of those around them. They do not hate us. They do not despise us for who we are and where we come from. People wanted to talk to us BECAUSE we were american. They wanted to listen to the gospel and find out more about Jesus, and that opportunity came because the wanted to speak to foreigners and show us kindness. I now have muslim friends. Friends that I hope to have my whole life. Friends that I hope to visit one day again in Morocco, and by God’s grace I hope to see them in eternity with God as well. I love my muslim brothers and sisters.
God commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. How can we say we love God, who we cannot see, and hate a brother or sister that we can see? I would encourage you as the reader to step out and have a conversation with the muslim people that you meet. They are kind people, and would love to talk. They have a different culture and religion but they share many things with us. Share the love and good news of Jesus to ALL nations and peoples.
Pray that God would continue to give me experiences that allow me to see people’s souls and not their faces only. Pray that God would continue a good work in me. Pray that I would turn to him constantly because I am a sinner. I thank you all for your love, prayers, and support, and I thank you for reading.
