Peace Lily

By Julie Thompson

After 9/11, a friendship blossoms between a Muslim and a missionary

Every day while I waited to pick up my children from school, my eye was drawn towards the low wall by the school gate. Shading myself from the South African sun under a towering tree, I would watch the huddle of women by the low wall, their faces concealed by head scarves. They stayed secluded, rarely speaking with the other mothers as they awaited the giggling horde of children. I often wondered, "How can this isolated group be reached for Christ?"

I would never have suspected that my experience playing Little League as a tomboy kid would lead to my friendship with Fatima, one of these women. During the school term, I started coaching the school baseball team for children who are younger than eight. As the weeks went by, I became more involved with the children's parents. Ever so slowly, when they came to collect their children, the women began to talk with me, the baseball coach.

Fatima, Ibrahim's mother, excitedly confided in me that she was expecting another child, and so while on furlough, I bought a cute little baseball cap for the baby, mistakenly thinking that with three boys already in her family, it would be a safe gift. Upon our return, I talked to her every day as we waited for our children at school. Finally, in November, Fatima invited me over to see her new baby girl. After many months went by, Fatima told me that she would be moving-to a house around the corner from our own-and asked me to tea.

Then 9/11 occurred, and we were caught up in the horror of events. My own cousin was thought dead in the Pentagon, but eventually made it to safety. It was a tense time between Muslims and Americans in South Africa . Flag burning demonstrations in front of the American consulate made front page news. Many South African Muslims talked of going to Afghanistan to join the war effort. How could we give out the gospel message in an atmosphere so heavily charged with tension?

I wanted to take a housewarming gift to Fatima and consulted a converted Muslim from church as to what would be appropriate. We decided on a plant. At the nursery, I was overwhelmed by all the choices and asked the attendant's advice. She quickly pointed to a luscious green plant with long slender leaves. Blooming from the top was a beautiful white flower. She called it a "peace lily," and suddenly I knew this was the perfect gift to give.

Greeting Fatima at her door, peace lily in hand, I was met with a gracious smile. She quickly informed me that she had always wanted one. How fitting for us, an American and a Muslim, to be exchanging a peace lily.

God continues to allow our friendship to grow. This next week I will once again enjoy the opportunity to have tea in her home. As I finish this, I hear the call to prayer from the local mosque and am challenged to continue praying for Fatima and many others like her in South Africa who need to hear the gospel message. Pray that God will continue to use friendships to enable us to reach out in love to even the most isolated groups.