Turns out Feroza has been in the US for over 20 years. It's been over 11 years since she's been back to Bangladesh, in part because she's actually a Muslim woman who has been divorced. Talk about shame...I was able to just be very empathetic to her pain at this point.
In the spirit of Carl M., I decided that that was a good point to start talking about Jesus (Issa), at which point the conversation took on an interesting twist. This newfound Muslim friend of mine told me that just like Jesus was my God, that Muhammed was hers. I had never heard this before, so I told her 'did you know that the Qur'an seems to say that Muhammed wasn't even sure where he was going (Surah 46:9)? If he was god, do you think he would know the way to heaven?' The fact that I had read the Qur'an and had respectfully asked her such an insightful question was mildly shocking to her again, but I kind of regretted the question after having asked it....and needed to change courses (fast). Even though the question could have been interpreted as a slam on Muhammed (not intentional), she saw that my demeanor was one of an inquisitive peacemaker, and instead was just even more impressed that I could speak eloquently about the Qur'an. (thank you, Jesus, for saving that situation)
At this point, I just said "Feroza, can I pray for you? (Carl M. asks to do this with every Muslim he meets; I like it.) I'd like pray for God's favor, revelation, and blessing to fall upon you." "Yes, you may pray" she said.
So there in the Burger King booth, I prayed a fairly simple prayer that God would reveal Himself to her, this Bangladeshi woman who had children almost my age. When I opened my eyes, I looked up at her - to see a face full of tears. At this point, Feroza's whole complexion had changed. While the tears flowed down her face, she told me of all the difficulties of being a single Muslim woman in a workplace that seems to show mild discrimination towards Muslims, about how much guilt and shame she's felt, about how hard life has been, and all sorts of stuff. I silently prayed that I would exhibit the face, emotions, and body language of my Abba father towards her. Within 15 seconds, my own eyes started to well up with tears. "God loves you, Feroza, and He wants to be near to you" was all I could think to say.
She then started to get excited. "Daniel, while you were praying, I felt this very good burning sensation in my stomach." (That's what I'm talking about! When Keter talks to people, he oftentimes asks them if they feel things in their gut...in this case, I didn't even need to ask! =))
"Feroza, that's the spirit of God - his 'Ruhallah' - confirming it within you that He loves you and wants to be near you." (WOW!)
Yes, the Holy Spirit was in that place, you guys. The air was thick with Him....and I love it when that happens.
Feeling a little bit giddy at this point, and really sensing the Spirit at work in that Burger King, I decided to keep moving forward. "Feroza, I would like to buy you a gift - I would like to buy you a Bengali Injeel. Would you like to receive an Injeel?" (Injeel = Bible)
"Yes, I would!" she said "And, would you like for me to teach you how to study it?" "Yes, I would!" she said (Oh boy!)
Turns out Feroza has another Bengali Muslim man named Sam who lives in her same home, and then she invited me to come to her house very soon and start teaching her to study the Injeel. And we're going to give Sam one also; she thought that would be a good idea =)
Got her cellphone number...and then she was leaving....but the story wasn't over yet....
(to be continued tomorrow....)
(End of Part II)
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