Sunday

We were having a nice church service at the school where we meet. The children had gone to Bible class and Dick was preaching. He said "We as Christians are followers of Jesus Christ and we are more than conquerors!"
I noticed a man standing outside the doorway and he looked angry. He was wearing his Muslim prayer cap and clothes. This is Ramadan a Holy week for people who follow that religion.
I hoped that he had not misunderstood what Dick was preaching. He paced back and forth and then walked away. He came back several times. One of the Christians talked with him and came back in and whispered to Ronald.
I could tell by the look on Ronald's face that something wasn't right. He leaned over to me and said, "Do you see the mats on the floor?"
"Ya, I saw the vinyl flooring when we arrived." I responded
"Those are Muslim prayer mats! We have been walking all over them and even have the communion table set on them." Ronald said.
"Are you serious?"..."That's not good."I said

Ronald and I both were feeling the nervous tension. We looked at our watches and tried to figure out what to do. This could get ugly. Should we stop Dick while he is preaching? Or should we just let him finish?
"Lord, what should I do?"

Calmly the thought came to me, "show him Jesus"


When the Muslim man returned Ronald and I both went out to him. He looked angry.
We smiled at him. Shook his hand.
Wished him a happy Ramadan

And apologized

and apologized again

We explained how the mats were there when we arrived (I had arrived after the singing started because my clock on the TV changed by one hour so we were a little late. I still don't know how the clock changed.)
We meant no disrespect.

We apologized a third time. He accepted.

He apologized for interrupting our church service.

"You are welcome here anytime." I told him.

Dick finished his lesson and everyone bowed their heads in prayer.
"Through Jesus name we pray...Amen"
There were a couple of other Muslim youth who had also come to get the mats. I helped them move the tables and desks.
The Muslim man said, "You don't have to help us do this."
"I am happy to help you." I responded.

I asked him how his Ramadan has been and he told me that it has been good.

As he was leaving I said, "Have a happy Ramadan." (That is like saying Merry Christmas to a Christian)
He wished me one too!