When we first arrived in Osh our host was telling us her story of how she ended up there and how she fell in love with the people there. We were quick to understand why – The people there are kind, joyful and just enjoyable to be around. I could never get enough of hanging out with the university students we became friends with!
While in Osh we had the privilege of leading several leadership seminars for university students, but my favorite part was spending time with the guys we met during our “free time” after those events happened. These guys were the coolest! I was naturally drawn to a handful of them and would be sending voice messages to them over whatsapp when we were not hanging out.
One day after we had finished hiking the mountain in the middle of the city, we were talking about religion and what it’s like to be a Muslim and why they believe what they believe. The discussion was tabled until the following day when we would meet for lunch because it was getting late. As we were walking away one of the guys came up and told me he thought we were really cool foreigners because we actually talked about important things like what we believe. It then led to him explaining how our beliefs were somewhat similar – for instance having holy books like the Bible and the Koran. So more conversation followed and I asked him if he had ever read the Bible before. He looked at me with a surprised look and said he had never even seen one before and asked if I had one. I was shocked, but responded with, “YES! Would you like me to bring it with me to lunch for me to show you tomorrow?” He looked surprised yet again, but excited and wanted me to bring it.
The following day we went to lunch with some of the same guys and got to eat one of my favorites, Lagmon (if you ever get the chance I highly recommend it). Towards the end of our meal I pulled my Bible out of my backpack and he looked at it with awe as I handed it to him.
It was such a special moment for both of us. He grabbed it and handled it with extreme reverence and he opened it and looked at in with utter amazement. I flipped it open to my personal favorite book of the Bible, John. I encouraged him to read the first verse (to get some extra English practice of course) .He read the first few verses with some difficulty, but it was beautiful. I got to share with him about how this book changed my life and how the Bible is compete truth and is living and active!
He then asked me if I could take my Bible wherever I wanted. I responded a bit confused and was like uhh yeah? Then the real question came out of…even into the bathroom with you? I wasn’t quite sure how to answer that one and honestly felt very convicted in that moment. I explained that I could take it wherever I want, even the bathroom if I wanted too. It is a holy book and I do my best to respect it as much as I can, but I mean I also have the Bible app and have it on my phone, so realistically it goes with me just about everywhere haha.
After our time together it got me really thinking about how I treat this holy, living, and active book. Do I treat it with the same reverence and respect that this Muslim guy did? Do I treat it like it is the literal Word of God? Needless to say I think a lot more about how I treat this book.
Taking it back though it was such a special moment I was able to share with this guy. Please be praying for him, all his friends, and this city! The people here are incredible and have taken a hold of my heart for sure. God is on the move here and has even called many to Himself while we were there!
