Letters to Theophilus - Meet Aisha

A weekly series of heart felt correspondence (extracted)

The sun was fast falling beyond the horizon. Aisha sat outside her home in the warmth of the evening. She was in her mid-thirties, born to a Muslim parent.

It was 1997, the year the sun rose on her — an encounter with him that brought good tidings. Bale had asked about her faith and listened to her intently. He shared the gospel with deep concern. The preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ had its eternal work in her. She had fears.  Finally, Bale led her to Christ. They spoke briefly and he got to know her children, Muhammad and Fatimah. Muhammad was nine and Fatimah was four. Bale gave the children new names, Musa and Faith. Aisha looked pleased with the idea as she smiled warmly. Shortly after, Bale travelled. He endeavoured to keep regular contact with his new convert family.  

Aisha had been expecting to hear from Bale any time soon. She wasn’t surprised when she received his letter. But this had been the least of her worries. Her life was threatened. She dares not to share her new faith with her husband. She was both worried and happy – a feeling she could not explain. For the first time in life, she felt something had happened to her. She wished her husband could know about her newfound treasure. On a deep thought, she knew this treasure had to be buried. She can’t trust her husband enough to relate the incident. She felt alone but joyful.   

Aisha knew that no matter how long she concealed it her husband would eventually find out. Nevertheless, she has to do her best for as long, while she buys time to draw up a better plan for defending herself against the evil day.  

28th March, 1997  

Madam Aisha,  

Calvary greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. How are you faring ma and your Children?  

I should have written to you earlier but did not find the time to do so soon enough. Things have been quite serious since I came back and I had a lot to fix. I was worried about how you were doing. But recently I began to feel some peace in me knowing that the good God who had chosen you will keep you, as it is written He that keepeth Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers.   

I have also been praying for you that God will strengthen you and make you a light to your family. I am certain persecution and the temptation to deny your saviour will come. Therefore, I encourage you to be faithful to your Lord and Saviour. And at the end of the road, he will graciously reward all his faithful servants. I would love to hear from you and to know how you are doing. You can please write back with the address above. Please don’t forget what I told you earlier that there is a reason God had brought you my path; that it is his divine plan to make you escape the destruction coming upon this world. Please do send my regards to your children and take care of them, bringing them up in the fear of God.   

Thanks, and God bless you. I hope to hear from you soon.  

Your brother in the Lord Bale.  

She safely hid the letter. She must not be caught. Three weeks after receiving Bale’s letter, when the coast was clear, she wrote back… [CONTINUED]