PIONEER POSTCARD
Egypt
The Secret’s Out I
t was an excruciating secret. I hid it deep in my heart, protected from shame and ridicule. Only Jesus knew it was there, but that was about to change. My doctor had given me devastating news. I, who wanted so badly to have children, would never be a father. I was brokenhearted. "How could you do this to me, Lord?" I railed. "Why?" For years, I vasillated between doubt and faith, torture and peace. Eventually, I met a woman whom I wanted to marry. I shared my secret, hoping that somehow my love could be enough for her. "Why should I stay with you?" she seethed. "This is your problem, and I'm not going to make it mine. I never want to see you again!"
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Suddenly, everyone in my town knew I couldn’t have children. It was like she had grabbed a megaphone and shouted it to the world. In my culture, this condition is considered shameful, so imagine my humiliation. It was my worst nightmare come true! I was surprised to find that her rejection drove me closer to God. I started to pray more, immerse myself in His Word, and hold onto His promises. I began to heal. In time, I met another woman, Hanaa Eid, and the two of us fell in love. She accepted me as I was and happily became my wife. Now, instead of me wrestling alone with God, Hanaa Eid and I petitioned His throne together, pleading that if it was His will, He would bless us with a child. Her faith was tenacious. She often
reminded me that “whatever is impossible in the eyes of the people can never be impossible in the sight of God.” Three years ago, we had a baby boy! Prayer has become the most powerful force in my life, and not just because God eventually gave me the desire of my heart. He taught me to trust Him while in the throes of longing. I learned that if He didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted, it was because He had a better plan for me. I became certain that He listened, that He was good, and that He cared. It was while I was still struggling with God about my desire for children that He called me to become a Global Mission pioneer. I began visiting families in my community and met people with
