- A story about the Hostel Night in The Shelter Jordan where a guest was ready to accept Christ, even before the main meal was served.

- Short News Facts

- Prayer Support

I was born in Iran, into a family that was not religious. I only learned about Islam in school. As I grew up and started reading books outside of class, I learned that there are many contradictions in the Koran. When I began to work for a newspaper I met a Christian colleague who talked to me about her religion. Our boss heard us talk and became very angry because he was afraid that she would try to convert me to Christianity. He warned me not to talk to her any more, otherwise I would have to leave the job. I was afraid to talk with her again but during the short time that I had spent with her, I could tell that she was a good woman. She was faithful, kind, and peaceful. I started to wonder about the differences between our religions. When my boss told her to leave, I had no opportunity to talk to anyone about Christianity anymore.

Time passed, and I had to leave my country. My husband and I went to Holland as refugees. We stayed at The Shelter City. As I checked into the hostel, they gave me a small book with the Gospel according to John. Because I didn't have anything else to do, I started to read it. I opened up the book and read that Jesus is the light. That same day someone of the staff invited me to the Bible study. The study was about 'Who is God?' Nathan, the discussion leader, asked me who I thought Jesus is. I answered, " Jesus is the light." The discussion continued. At the end, a few people stayed to talk with my husband and myself. They knew we were from Iran, so they asked what our religion was. I answered, " Islam, but in name only." From that time on I went to the Bible discussions every day.

One Sunday, the manager of The Shelter City invited us to go to an Iranian church service in another town. At this church I met Iranian Christians, and it made such a difference to me to have the answers to my questions in my own language. Although I could not understand it completely, I can't tell you how much it meant to me to hear songs about Jesus in the Farsi language. I had never heard anything like that, nor had I ever seen people praying like that in my language before. It was like Jesus was standing right in front of them and they were talking with him face to face.

When we came back from church, I talked to one of the staff members. I asked her what a person should do to become a Christian. She told me that all you need to do is trust Jesus as your Saviour, and know that He died because of our sins. I told her that I did believe. She prayed for me and said, " I know that there is a party in heaven right now because you became a believer."

Two days later, someone stole our luggage from the hostel. I cried and cried, and I said, " Maybe God is trying to see whether I believe or not." But the staff said, " No,
this is not from God, because God doesn't want to make you unhappy. It is from Satan, because he knows you're with God now, and wants to attack you." A week later we were robbed again. This time I didn't cry. I knew that when you want to have something, you need to pay the price for it. It just made me go closer to God.

My husband and I could not continue to stay in the Netherlands we had to go to Greece. But because I found Jesus here, I wanted to be baptised in the Netherlands. There were only five days left before I had to leave the country and we quickly arranged to meet with the pastor of the International Anglican Church. The day before we left the country I was baptised.

When we arrived in Greece, we faced many problems and difficulties. But I prayed and knew that God would take care of us. After a few days, I met an Iranian Christian girl who was a big help to us. I'm so grateful to God that He made me part of His family.

When Stuart left that morning he was sad that he would miss the Hostel Night, but he had to get his flight back to the UK. When he arrived at the airport he found out that his ticket was actually not for that day but for the next. Stuart came back to the hostel and checked in again for another night.

I saw him sitting at a table when I entered the café just before the start of the Hostel Night. I felt that I should join him and so I sat down at his table. The program started and so did our conversation. Right away we talked about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit there was no small talk. This guy was ready to hear about Jesus being his Saviour. He asked about the Trinity, the identity of Jesus, and whether you can be saved without Christ. I felt the guidance from the Holy Spirit when I answered his questions. Stuart took everything in, he didn't argue at all. He just said 'yes', or 'wow', or 'amazing'.

I started thinking the funniest things, like, " He cannot accepted Jesus now, the evening has just started! I guess he is ready but shouldn't I wait till after the main course before I ask him? O Lord, he really wants to accept you but I have never done this before, what do I ask him?" . It was just before the soup was served that I asked him if he wanted to accept Jesus into his life. And he said yes!!! We left the table and went to the bible discussion room. I asked one of the male staff members to join us. We prayed for Stewart, and he also prayed himself. It was just overwhelming. When we returned to the dinner table we all had a big smile on our face.

When I came in the next day for my shift, I saw him reading the bible that we had given to him. He had been reading for the whole morning. When he left for the airport that day, he told me that he was very happy with the decision he had made. A couple of days later I received this email from him:

" Many thanks for changing my life. I feel much happier with myself and the world as a result of the chat we had that night. God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have entered my heart and there they will stay for evermore. (…) The next Alpha course starts in the new year and I hope to attend. Last Sunday I went to Church for the first time in over ten years and I had a nice time. I read the Bible every night before I go to sleep and it puts me in a good frame of mind. (…) Rest assured that the seed
you sowed that night is growing in good soil."