I never would have thought
00:00:38.43\00:00:39.80
my peaceful life in
Nazareth would come to this.
00:00:39.83\00:00:42.40
God, are you still there?
00:00:50.78\00:00:52.55
I have always
dreamed of visiting Israel.
00:01:21.14\00:01:25.11
Of walking where Jesus walked,
00:01:25.15\00:01:26.92
and seeing where
some of the greatest
00:01:26.95\00:01:28.75
miracles of all
the time took place.
00:01:28.78\00:01:33.79
Yes, it is different now.
00:01:33.82\00:01:35.52
The cars and skyscrapers
that dot the Tel Aviv sky,
00:01:35.56\00:01:38.69
remind me,
00:01:38.73\00:01:40.06
we are not in
Bible times anymore.
00:01:40.10\00:01:42.20
But when I step into
the Old City of Jerusalem,
00:01:42.23\00:01:45.20
or climb the Mount of Olives,
00:01:45.23\00:01:47.00
I am transported back in time
and the stories of a Messiah
00:01:47.04\00:01:50.87
and miracles come alive.
00:01:50.91\00:01:52.47
Israel is a country
of diverse cultures.
00:01:57.05\00:01:59.65
Even in the relatively
small area of the old City,
00:01:59.68\00:02:02.42
Jerusalem, four
distinct sections appear,
00:02:02.45\00:02:06.02
the Muslim
Quarter, the Jewish Quarter,
00:02:06.05\00:02:08.72
the Armenian Quarter,
and the Christian quarter.
00:02:08.76\00:02:12.23
Each group leads
lives full of tradition.
00:02:12.26\00:02:15.10
They religiously preserve
their rich cultural heritage,
00:02:15.13\00:02:18.27
and seldom mingle with
those of another quarter.
00:02:18.30\00:02:21.37
Despite past and
present conflicts,
00:02:21.40\00:02:24.04
for the most part,
peace currently reigns.
00:02:24.07\00:02:26.57
During my time here,
00:02:30.65\00:02:31.98
I have been privileged to
see the Bible in living color.
00:02:32.01\00:02:36.89
Standing on Mount Carmel,
00:02:36.92\00:02:38.39
I envisioned the Prophet Elijah,
00:02:38.42\00:02:40.42
and how God demonstrated
00:02:40.46\00:02:42.09
His almighty power to
the unbelieving Israel.
00:02:42.12\00:02:45.03
I have walked the Via
Dolorosa, with a heavy heart
00:02:48.63\00:02:51.57
for what my Lord
carried for me that day.
00:02:51.60\00:02:54.37
Stepping into the Garden Tomb,
00:02:54.40\00:02:55.90
I thought about
Mary and how she felt
00:02:55.94\00:02:58.44
when she found it empty.
00:02:58.47\00:03:00.01
And then the joy
of a risen Savior,
00:03:00.04\00:03:02.94
we still celebrate today.
00:03:02.98\00:03:07.52
But my time here
will be remembered,
00:03:07.55\00:03:09.65
not only by what I
have seen, but also heard.
00:03:09.68\00:03:13.32
Come with me to Nazareth,
00:03:13.36\00:03:15.12
the little city in the
northern part of Israel,
00:03:15.16\00:03:17.79
where Jesus grew up.
00:03:17.83\00:03:22.00
Here I met a man named Wisam,
00:03:22.03\00:03:24.17
whose life of
extraordinary miracles
00:03:24.20\00:03:26.50
has indelibly shaped my own.
00:03:26.53\00:03:28.57
When I tell
people where I'm from,
00:03:36.21\00:03:38.25
they always laugh and say,
00:03:38.28\00:03:40.25
"Can anything good
come from Nazareth?"
00:03:40.28\00:03:43.52
My country is
occupied primarily by Muslims.
00:03:43.55\00:03:46.89
And I was born
into one of the largest
00:03:46.92\00:03:49.56
Muslims family
tribes in Nazareth.
00:03:49.59\00:03:53.29
Wisam's father
was head of the tribe
00:03:53.33\00:03:55.33
and his uncle, the imam.
00:03:55.36\00:03:57.30
At age five
Wisam was chosen to be
00:03:57.33\00:03:59.23
the next leader.
00:03:59.27\00:04:00.60
And from that time on,
00:04:00.64\00:04:01.97
he was sent to
special Islamic schools
00:04:02.00\00:04:03.81
and trained for
the sole purpose.
00:04:03.84\00:04:07.18
Wisam learned
the Quran my heart,
00:04:07.21\00:04:09.08
studied Sharia
law, martial arts,
00:04:09.11\00:04:11.38
and was taught to be
fearless and feeling less.
00:04:11.41\00:04:15.45
But the harder Wisam
studied, the more empty he felt.
00:04:15.48\00:04:18.65
He always thought,
00:04:18.69\00:04:20.02
if he memorized
more of the Quran,
00:04:20.06\00:04:21.69
if he prayed
more or became rich,
00:04:21.72\00:04:24.03
it would fill the
emptiness he felt,
00:04:24.06\00:04:26.53
but it never did.
00:04:26.56\00:04:28.16
At age 17.5, Wisam
decided to leave home.
00:04:28.20\00:04:31.83
My decision was the
ultimate shame to my family,
00:04:35.97\00:04:39.07
and they called a
council to discuss the matter.
00:04:39.11\00:04:43.55
I sat on the ground,
00:04:43.58\00:04:44.91
in front of my father and uncle,
00:04:44.95\00:04:46.98
and expressed
my desire to leave.
00:04:47.02\00:04:50.02
Everyone started shouting
and threatened to disown me,
00:04:50.05\00:04:54.19
and take away
all my possessions.
00:04:54.22\00:04:58.66
Despite threats
from this angry family,
00:04:58.69\00:05:00.80
Wisam packed his bag and left.
00:05:00.83\00:05:03.00
He traveled from north to south,
00:05:03.03\00:05:05.07
looking for what to do next.
00:05:05.10\00:05:08.50
One day Wisam met
the owner of a hotel,
00:05:08.54\00:05:10.91
and after talking,
00:05:10.94\00:05:12.27
the man offered him a
job working in the kitchen.
00:05:12.31\00:05:15.64
Wisam was so excited.
00:05:15.68\00:05:17.61
This was his first real job.
00:05:17.65\00:05:20.82
The hotel chef was
a kind and honest man.
00:05:20.85\00:05:24.15
He taught me many things.
00:05:24.19\00:05:26.29
Every day was a new experience.
00:05:26.32\00:05:28.86
As I learned how to be humble,
00:05:28.89\00:05:31.23
ask for help and
many other life lessons
00:05:31.26\00:05:33.90
that I had never learned before.
00:05:33.93\00:05:36.56
Soon I had mastered cooking
00:05:36.60\00:05:38.33
and enjoyed working
alongside the head chef.
00:05:38.37\00:05:43.97
One day a
stranger came to the hotel.
00:05:44.01\00:05:46.24
Wisam went out to meet him,
00:05:46.27\00:05:47.78
and learned that he
was in the Russian mafia.
00:05:47.81\00:05:50.31
The man heard of
Wisam's skills in martial arts,
00:05:50.35\00:05:53.01
and had come to ask
him to be his bodyguard.
00:05:53.05\00:05:56.12
Wisam refused, and
immediately the man
00:05:56.15\00:05:58.79
became very angry and
threatened to kill him.
00:05:58.82\00:06:02.02
I was in constant
dangers and fearing for my life.
00:06:02.06\00:06:06.19
Then one evening,
00:06:06.23\00:06:07.56
I saw several men at a distance,
00:06:07.60\00:06:09.90
point their guns at me.
00:06:09.93\00:06:12.13
Bullets flew through the air.
00:06:12.17\00:06:14.50
Three bullets hit me,
and I fell unconscious.
00:06:14.54\00:06:17.17
Wisam regained
consciousness sometime later,
00:06:22.41\00:06:25.11
and found himself in
an unfamiliar hotel room.
00:06:25.15\00:06:28.45
Upon inquiring,
Wisam was told that
00:06:28.48\00:06:30.65
a doctor had seen
him lying on the street.
00:06:30.69\00:06:33.36
And after bandaging his
wounds had brought him here.
00:06:33.39\00:06:36.79
The doctor had
paid for six months
00:06:36.83\00:06:38.59
of medical treatments,
and then left anonymously.
00:06:38.63\00:06:42.96
Wisam's heart
was full of gratitude
00:06:43.00\00:06:45.37
for this doctor's kindness.
00:06:45.40\00:06:47.40
But as he began
healing from his wounds,
00:06:47.44\00:06:49.97
discouragement set
in, what should he do now?
00:06:50.01\00:06:53.68
He could not go
home for fear of death.
00:06:53.71\00:06:56.14
And for the same
reason he could not go out
00:06:56.18\00:06:58.21
on the streets either.
00:06:58.25\00:06:59.85
As Wisam pondered the situation,
00:06:59.88\00:07:01.95
his thoughts surprisingly
went to a sister in Austria.
00:07:01.98\00:07:05.35
He had not seen her in years,
00:07:05.39\00:07:07.56
and had no way
of contacting her.
00:07:07.59\00:07:10.06
But for some reason,
Wisam felt that she could help.
00:07:10.09\00:07:15.33
I knew my mother's heart
would be the softest toward me.
00:07:15.36\00:07:18.67
So I called home.
00:07:18.70\00:07:20.10
She answered and
immediately said,
00:07:20.14\00:07:21.87
"Son, your sister
is searching for you.
00:07:21.90\00:07:24.61
Here's her
number, please call her."
00:07:24.64\00:07:27.51
Astonished by
his mother's words,
00:07:27.54\00:07:29.61
he immediately
called his sister.
00:07:29.64\00:07:32.11
She answered and said,
00:07:32.15\00:07:33.92
"Do you want to
come to Austria?"
00:07:33.95\00:07:36.28
For the second
time, he was taken aback,
00:07:36.32\00:07:38.79
but answered yes.
00:07:38.82\00:07:41.09
His sister suggested that
00:07:41.12\00:07:42.52
he attend a special
language school in Vienna,
00:07:42.56\00:07:45.46
and gave him
directions on how to get there.
00:07:45.49\00:07:49.43
Wisam was soon on his way,
and upon landing in Austria,
00:07:49.46\00:07:52.73
was amazed by
all the big buildings
00:07:52.77\00:07:54.60
and people everywhere.
00:07:54.64\00:07:56.34
His sister had instructed him
00:07:56.37\00:07:57.77
to take a train and get
off at a certain station.
00:07:57.81\00:08:02.68
When I arrived at the
appointed train station,
00:08:02.71\00:08:05.61
I found it in the
middle of nowhere.
00:08:05.65\00:08:08.18
With one lone man
standing on the platform, Wisam!
00:08:08.22\00:08:12.45
He called with excitement
and gave me a big hug.
00:08:12.49\00:08:16.52
This was the first
hug I have ever received.
00:08:16.56\00:08:19.29
Arriving at the language
school during summer vacation,
00:08:23.47\00:08:26.53
Wisam was assigned
to work in the garden.
00:08:26.57\00:08:29.14
It was not until
the students returned
00:08:29.17\00:08:31.07
and classes resumed,
00:08:31.11\00:08:32.57
that Wisam realized he
was at a Christian school.
00:08:32.61\00:08:36.51
I could hardly
believe my good fortune.
00:08:36.54\00:08:39.41
I fell to the ground
and began to thank Allah,
00:08:39.45\00:08:41.65
that I was destined to
become a Muslim missionary
00:08:41.68\00:08:44.89
to hundreds of
Christian students on campus.
00:08:44.92\00:08:48.39
If I had anything to do with it,
00:08:48.42\00:08:51.26
this Christian school
would soon be a Muslim school.
00:08:51.29\00:08:54.26
As Christians, our
family is much larger
00:09:00.20\00:09:02.80
than our
immediate biological family.
00:09:02.84\00:09:04.87
In fact, we have
brothers and sisters
00:09:04.91\00:09:06.51
that live in more
than 200 countries
00:09:06.54\00:09:08.31
all around the world.
00:09:08.34\00:09:12.21
We want to remember
them in our estate plan.
00:09:12.25\00:09:15.15
We can help you
with that process.
00:09:15.18\00:09:16.79
Just call 800-337-4279 toll free
00:09:16.82\00:09:21.32
or log on to awr.org.
00:09:21.36\00:09:24.59
Wisam began
praying five times a day,
00:09:28.23\00:09:30.90
through his open window,
00:09:30.93\00:09:32.73
thanking Allah for
the wonderful opportunity
00:09:32.77\00:09:35.84
to be a Muslim missionary
at a Christian school.
00:09:35.87\00:09:39.67
He was
confident in his abilities
00:09:39.71\00:09:41.54
to convert the students,
00:09:41.58\00:09:42.94
and as time wore on
became more and more bold.
00:09:42.98\00:09:46.48
Become a Muslim or go to hell
00:09:46.51\00:09:48.48
he would tell the
frightened students.
00:09:48.52\00:09:50.19
Wisam even started reading
00:09:50.22\00:09:51.55
the Bible
attempting to prove it false.
00:09:51.59\00:09:54.06
But all these
efforts were in vain,
00:09:54.09\00:09:56.49
and instead of converts,
he received only criticism.
00:09:56.52\00:10:01.03
My sister
started receiving calls
00:10:01.06\00:10:02.90
from the teacher, saying,
00:10:02.93\00:10:04.27
the students were
feeling threatened
00:10:04.30\00:10:06.37
and asking that
she come and get me.
00:10:06.40\00:10:08.80
Instead of relenting,
my sister begged the school
00:10:08.84\00:10:11.54
to give me a second chance.
00:10:11.57\00:10:13.88
They finally agreed.
00:10:13.91\00:10:15.24
One day Wisam sat
basking in the warm sunshine.
00:10:20.42\00:10:23.69
When a lady came
and started engaging him
00:10:23.72\00:10:26.02
in a conversation.
00:10:26.05\00:10:27.42
She asked, "How he was,
and how his sister was doing."
00:10:27.46\00:10:30.69
Then she inquired,
00:10:30.73\00:10:32.13
"How is your
sister's boyfriend?"
00:10:32.16\00:10:34.76
Wisam jumped up in disbelief.
00:10:34.80\00:10:37.03
My sister has a boyfriend?
00:10:37.07\00:10:39.13
His face grew hot with anger.
00:10:39.17\00:10:42.94
It only got worse.
00:10:42.97\00:10:44.47
The lady shared that,
00:10:44.51\00:10:45.84
not only was my
sister a Christian,
00:10:45.87\00:10:48.21
but the man she was
planning to marry was a pastor.
00:10:48.24\00:10:52.21
In fact, he was the same man
00:10:52.25\00:10:54.72
who had met me
at the train station
00:10:54.75\00:10:57.09
and give me the first hug.
00:10:57.12\00:11:02.42
Filled with rage,
Wisam called his family
00:11:02.46\00:11:05.39
telling them of the emergency.
00:11:05.43\00:11:07.26
His sister had
become a Christian.
00:11:07.30\00:11:10.73
The family commissioned
him to find his sister
00:11:10.77\00:11:12.97
and tell her that if
she would not repent,
00:11:13.00\00:11:15.54
she would be killed.
00:11:15.57\00:11:17.71
Wisam was unsure of where
in Austria his sister lived.
00:11:17.74\00:11:21.08
So he called her
on the telephone.
00:11:21.11\00:11:22.98
He begged her
to return to Islam.
00:11:23.01\00:11:25.95
But in response, she
quoted Matthew 16:26,
00:11:25.98\00:11:30.35
"For what profit is it to a man
00:11:30.39\00:11:32.55
if he gains the whole world,
00:11:32.59\00:11:34.36
and loses his own soul."
00:11:34.39\00:11:37.13
I have found Jesus, she
said, and I won't go back.
00:11:37.16\00:11:41.83
Wisam was furious.
00:11:41.86\00:11:43.20
"I will have to
kill you," he said.
00:11:43.23\00:11:45.63
"I serve an almighty
God," his sister calmly replied,
00:11:45.67\00:11:48.80
"Do what you want."
00:11:48.84\00:11:51.14
My sister requested that
00:11:51.17\00:11:52.51
I studied German for one year
00:11:52.54\00:11:54.01
at the language school.
00:11:54.04\00:11:55.84
And if I did this,
at the end of the year,
00:11:55.88\00:11:58.71
she would hand
herself over to be killed.
00:11:58.75\00:12:01.78
I thought this was a good plan,
but I left her with a warning.
00:12:01.82\00:12:05.89
If you don't come
at the end of one year,
00:12:05.92\00:12:08.89
I will kill one Christian
every day until you come.
00:12:08.92\00:12:13.70
Wisam studied German
00:12:13.73\00:12:15.06
and worked hard to
pass the state exam.
00:12:15.10\00:12:17.47
After completing his studies,
00:12:17.50\00:12:19.00
he returned to work in
the garden for the summer.
00:12:19.03\00:12:22.07
As the days passed,
00:12:22.10\00:12:23.44
and the appointed time
drew near for his sister
00:12:23.47\00:12:25.31
to hand herself over.
00:12:25.34\00:12:26.88
Wisam spent much time,
00:12:26.91\00:12:28.28
contemplating what
method he would use to kill her.
00:12:28.31\00:12:32.65
One day, Wisam received
a call regarding his visa.
00:12:32.68\00:12:35.52
Problems had risen,
and he was told to report
00:12:35.55\00:12:38.19
to the immigration
office immediately,
00:12:38.22\00:12:40.42
or be deported.
00:12:40.46\00:12:42.56
Realizing the
seriousness of the situation,
00:12:42.59\00:12:45.03
Wisam asked his boss if
he could leave work early,
00:12:45.06\00:12:47.50
and go to the office to
hopefully resolve the issue.
00:12:47.53\00:12:50.13
His boss said no.
00:12:50.17\00:12:52.07
I was in shock that my
boss wouldn't let me go.
00:12:57.11\00:13:00.68
And the situation with my
visa weighed on me heavily.
00:13:00.71\00:13:04.61
I didn't want to dishonor
my family for a second time.
00:13:04.65\00:13:10.02
Wisam sank to the
ground in discouragement,
00:13:10.05\00:13:12.99
and resting against a
tree, fell into a fitful sleep.
00:13:13.02\00:13:17.93
All of a sudden,
he saw a bright light
00:13:17.96\00:13:20.66
and heard a
powerful voice saying,"
00:13:20.70\00:13:22.96
You are mine."
00:13:23.00\00:13:26.87
Shocked, Wisam woke up
to see the theology teacher
00:13:26.90\00:13:30.04
walking toward him.
00:13:30.07\00:13:32.34
Have you seen
the man from Israel?
00:13:32.37\00:13:35.41
I answered him, "That's me."
00:13:35.44\00:13:38.01
"I have a gift
for you," he said,
00:13:38.05\00:13:40.92
"Here's an orange from Israel."
00:13:40.95\00:13:44.09
Confused, I
looked into his face.
00:13:44.12\00:13:47.16
I asked him, "Who's your God?"
00:13:47.19\00:13:49.96
"The Father, Son
and the Holy Spirit,"
00:13:49.99\00:13:51.59
he answered me.
00:13:51.63\00:13:53.26
With these words,
00:13:53.29\00:13:54.63
I was jolted back
reality and I said to him,
00:13:54.66\00:13:59.27
"I'll accept your
orange, but not your God."
00:13:59.30\00:14:01.80
Wisam sat in bewilderment.
00:14:09.61\00:14:12.15
What was this all
about, he thought.
00:14:12.18\00:14:14.48
Before Wisam
could find an answer,
00:14:14.52\00:14:16.38
he fell asleep.
00:14:16.42\00:14:18.05
Again he saw the bright
light, and heard the words,
00:14:18.09\00:14:20.89
"You are mine."
00:14:20.92\00:14:22.86
And again he woke up
and saw the theology teacher
00:14:22.89\00:14:25.36
walking towards
him, orange in hand.
00:14:25.39\00:14:28.16
"Have you seen
the man from Israel?"
00:14:28.20\00:14:29.53
He asked.
00:14:29.56\00:14:30.90
And again,
Wisam took the orange.
00:14:30.93\00:14:32.73
Now, I sat there
with two oranges,
00:14:37.31\00:14:39.87
and more confused than ever.
00:14:39.91\00:14:43.14
But despite the
questions, I fell asleep again.
00:14:43.18\00:14:46.92
This time the voice
was even more powerful.
00:14:46.95\00:14:49.95
"Fear not, you are mine."
00:14:49.98\00:14:54.06
My body shook,
00:14:54.09\00:14:55.42
and I opened my eyes to
see the theology teacher
00:14:55.46\00:14:57.66
standing right beside me.
00:14:57.69\00:14:59.86
"Are you from Israel?"
00:14:59.89\00:15:01.46
He calmly said,
00:15:01.50\00:15:03.77
"Here is an orange
from Israel, take and eat."
00:15:03.80\00:15:06.50
All I could respond was,
00:15:13.58\00:15:15.91
"Your God, I want to meet."
00:15:15.94\00:15:19.95
Before leaving,
the theology teacher
00:15:19.98\00:15:21.88
invited Wisam to supper,
00:15:21.92\00:15:23.59
and a Bible study
at his home that night.
00:15:23.62\00:15:26.19
As Wisam sat there,
00:15:26.22\00:15:27.79
now with three
oranges in his hands,
00:15:27.82\00:15:30.33
he decided to pray
for the very first time
00:15:30.36\00:15:33.23
to the God of the
man who gave the oranges.
00:15:33.26\00:15:38.93
If you are the God
who can fill my emptiness,
00:15:38.97\00:15:42.00
help me to get
my work done fast,
00:15:42.04\00:15:44.91
so I can get my
visa figured out,
00:15:44.94\00:15:47.98
and attend the
Bible studies tonight.
00:15:48.01\00:15:50.41
After this simple prayer,
00:15:50.45\00:15:52.15
my heart was
filled with joy and peace
00:15:52.18\00:15:54.65
and I got back to work.
00:15:54.68\00:15:56.02
Wisam's boss had assigned a job
00:16:00.66\00:16:02.42
that would take
around 13 hours to complete,
00:16:02.46\00:16:05.06
ensuring his
inability to leave early.
00:16:05.09\00:16:08.06
Miraculously, Wisam accomplish
that task in just four hours.
00:16:08.10\00:16:12.80
His boss was astonished
and asked who had helped him.
00:16:12.83\00:16:17.04
Wisam told him,
00:16:17.07\00:16:18.41
he had prayed to
the God of the man
00:16:18.44\00:16:20.14
who had given him three oranges.
00:16:20.18\00:16:22.28
But his boss only
shook his head and sneered.
00:16:22.31\00:16:25.05
God would not
listen to a man like you,
00:16:25.08\00:16:27.78
and assigned him
another long job.
00:16:27.82\00:16:29.88
Wisam prayed once again,
asking the God of the man
00:16:36.42\00:16:39.59
who gave him the
oranges to not only help him
00:16:39.63\00:16:42.26
get the job done quickly,
00:16:42.30\00:16:44.23
but prove his existence
to the "Christian man."
00:16:44.27\00:16:48.90
Once again, the
Lord answered his prayer.
00:16:48.94\00:16:51.17
And Wisam completed
the job in record time.
00:16:51.21\00:16:54.78
My boss couldn't believe
00:16:54.81\00:16:56.18
how fast I had
gotten both jobs done,
00:16:56.21\00:16:59.28
and suggested that I
was possessed by demons.
00:16:59.31\00:17:02.18
I told my boss that he
was rejecting the true God.
00:17:02.22\00:17:05.82
But I was receiving him today
00:17:05.85\00:17:09.72
Wisam was able to
fix his visa issue,
00:17:09.76\00:17:12.39
allowing him to stay in Austria.
00:17:12.43\00:17:15.06
He began studying the
Bible with a theology teacher.
00:17:15.10\00:17:18.63
Soon he was baptized
00:17:18.67\00:17:20.44
into the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:17:20.47\00:17:23.84
Instead of killing his sister,
Wisam was there to bless her,
00:17:23.87\00:17:28.31
as she united her
life and marriage.
00:17:28.34\00:17:32.01
As Wisam grew in
his knowledge of truth,
00:17:32.05\00:17:34.22
he longed to return
and share with his family,
00:17:34.25\00:17:37.02
the joy that comes
in following Jesus.
00:17:37.05\00:17:40.82
So one day Wisam
packed his bags again,
00:17:40.86\00:17:43.69
this time heading home,
00:17:43.73\00:17:45.46
determined to be
the first missionary
00:17:45.49\00:17:47.60
to his community in Nazareth.
00:17:47.63\00:17:50.63
But upon his arrival,
00:17:50.67\00:17:52.00
instead of
being warmly welcomed,
00:17:52.03\00:17:53.67
a council was called
00:17:53.70\00:17:55.24
and he soon sat in
front of his father and uncle.
00:17:55.27\00:18:01.04
They asked me many questions.
00:18:01.08\00:18:02.64
How is your faith?
00:18:02.68\00:18:04.05
Do you still read your Quran?
00:18:04.08\00:18:06.38
Do you still
pray five times a day?
00:18:06.41\00:18:09.12
Before answering their question,
00:18:09.15\00:18:10.79
I asked my own,
who's the creator?
00:18:10.82\00:18:14.52
Who raises people from the dead?
00:18:14.56\00:18:17.63
The questions made
the leaders very angry,
00:18:17.66\00:18:20.16
and they ordered my stoning.
00:18:20.20\00:18:21.90
I grew up in Indiana,
00:18:37.48\00:18:38.81
and I've been a
farmer all my life.
00:18:38.85\00:18:41.82
My father, every
time we'd plant a field,
00:18:41.85\00:18:44.39
when we got through,
00:18:44.42\00:18:46.35
we'd always kneel
down and have prayer.
00:18:46.39\00:18:48.46
We'd done our part,
now the Lord would do His,
00:18:48.49\00:18:51.46
and He always come through.
00:18:51.49\00:18:53.19
After praying about it,
00:18:57.07\00:18:58.50
my wife and I
decided to do a gift annuity
00:18:58.53\00:19:01.20
through Adventist World Radio.
00:19:01.24\00:19:03.57
It goes to people that
normally is not going to hear.
00:19:03.61\00:19:07.74
And that's what our
00:19:07.78\00:19:09.71
three angels'
message is all about,
00:19:09.74\00:19:11.65
to every nation,
kindred, tongue and people.
00:19:11.68\00:19:15.98
When you're a farmer,
00:19:16.02\00:19:17.35
you don't have
a retirement plan.
00:19:17.39\00:19:19.85
It was a good way to
supplement our retirement.
00:19:19.89\00:19:23.36
It's been a blessing to us.
00:19:23.39\00:19:25.03
And I know it's
gonna be a blessing
00:19:25.06\00:19:26.43
to those others
around the world.
00:19:26.46\00:19:28.33
After eight or nine stones,
you don't feel them anymore.
00:19:37.07\00:19:40.78
But seeing the familiar faces
00:19:40.81\00:19:42.54
of the ones I had grown up with,
00:19:42.58\00:19:45.35
worked with, and played
with throwing stones at me,
00:19:45.38\00:19:49.28
hurt deeper, I
fell to the ground.
00:19:49.32\00:19:52.22
As Wisam lie on the ground,
00:19:55.72\00:19:57.36
he heard his father's voice
commanding his eldest brother
00:19:57.39\00:20:00.10
to cover him.
00:20:00.13\00:20:01.46
The brother immediately
obeyed and the stoning stopped.
00:20:01.50\00:20:05.53
Wisam brother
had saved his life,
00:20:05.57\00:20:07.94
but he was still badly injured
and taken to a nearby hospital.
00:20:07.97\00:20:13.54
Wisam's father was upset,
00:20:13.58\00:20:15.21
that his son had not
been given a fair trial,
00:20:15.24\00:20:17.88
and suggested that
another council be called.
00:20:17.91\00:20:20.52
So when Wisam had
sufficiently recovered,
00:20:20.55\00:20:23.18
he again sat before his
father, uncle and other leaders,
00:20:23.22\00:20:27.29
this time with a
Bible in his hand.
00:20:27.32\00:20:31.39
He shared the plan of salvation
from Genesis to Revelation,
00:20:31.43\00:20:35.06
explaining that the
only way to the Father
00:20:35.10\00:20:37.70
was through Jesus Christ.
00:20:37.73\00:20:40.60
At these words,
00:20:40.64\00:20:41.97
Wisam's uncles aroused to anger,
00:20:42.00\00:20:43.94
and ordered his
stoning once again.
00:20:43.97\00:20:47.14
As I fell to
the ground bleeding,
00:20:47.18\00:20:49.08
I saw my mother standing nearby,
00:20:49.11\00:20:51.51
tears streak down her face.
00:20:51.55\00:20:53.85
And I reached my hands for her.
00:20:53.88\00:20:56.32
She only shook her
head and quietly whispered,
00:20:56.35\00:21:00.16
"Son, give up."
00:21:00.19\00:21:02.22
"I cannot give up
Jesus," I said collapsing.
00:21:02.26\00:21:06.86
Again Wisam's brother
was ordered to protect him
00:21:06.90\00:21:09.40
with his own body,
00:21:09.43\00:21:10.93
but at that point
Wisam lost consciousness.
00:21:10.97\00:21:16.87
Luckily, for the
second time Wisam experienced
00:21:16.91\00:21:20.38
a full recovery in the hospital.
00:21:20.41\00:21:22.74
But at home, his
family was still enraged,
00:21:22.78\00:21:25.91
and Wisam was given one
week to leave the country.
00:21:25.95\00:21:31.05
Permission had been given
00:21:31.09\00:21:32.45
for any of my
relatives to kill me
00:21:32.49\00:21:34.22
without punishment.
00:21:34.26\00:21:36.16
And if I chose to stay,
I would surely face death.
00:21:36.19\00:21:40.00
Wisam returned to Austria
and began studying theology.
00:21:40.03\00:21:43.77
But after
receiving threatening letters
00:21:43.80\00:21:45.70
from his family back home,
00:21:45.73\00:21:47.14
he was forced to leave
Austria and move to Germany.
00:21:47.17\00:21:50.64
The threats did not cease there
and he went to South Africa,
00:21:50.67\00:21:53.98
Zimbabwe and then America,
where he finished his degree.
00:21:54.01\00:21:58.65
After graduating, Wisam
returned to South Africa
00:21:58.68\00:22:01.48
and settling down,
married his sweetheart.
00:22:01.52\00:22:04.42
They soon welcome
00:22:04.45\00:22:05.79
a beautiful
daughter into their family,
00:22:05.82\00:22:07.82
and enjoyed a peaceful
life of ministry together.
00:22:07.86\00:22:11.26
But with the events of one day,
00:22:11.29\00:22:13.36
their little world
would abruptly change.
00:22:13.40\00:22:15.43
My father passed away.
00:22:20.44\00:22:21.94
It had been years
00:22:21.97\00:22:23.30
since I had talked
to any one of my family.
00:22:23.34\00:22:26.24
But one day I
got the phone call,
00:22:26.27\00:22:28.18
and was shocked to hear
my mother on the other end.
00:22:28.21\00:22:31.81
Please come home, she begged.
00:22:31.85\00:22:34.98
All those who want you
dead are now dead themselves.
00:22:35.02\00:22:38.65
I sat stunned.
00:22:42.02\00:22:43.79
I knew what I had to say.
00:22:43.83\00:22:47.20
If I come back,
no one can stop me
00:22:47.23\00:22:49.40
from preaching the truth.
00:22:49.43\00:22:52.67
But my mother not only agreed,
but offered me a special place
00:22:52.70\00:22:56.77
in the family business.
00:22:56.81\00:22:58.54
At the end of 2014,
Wisam returned to Nazareth,
00:22:58.57\00:23:02.31
this time with his wife
Audrey and daughter Rochelle.
00:23:02.34\00:23:05.91
Wisam works as a
full time pastor,
00:23:05.95\00:23:08.08
and together with his wife
has opened a beautiful center
00:23:08.12\00:23:11.62
of influence in
the heart of Nazareth.
00:23:11.65\00:23:15.99
Here they hold
classes several nights a week,
00:23:16.02\00:23:18.29
teaching English
and computer skills
00:23:18.33\00:23:20.13
to eager Muslim children
00:23:20.16\00:23:21.80
and the youth
from the community.
00:23:21.83\00:23:24.97
English classes are conducted
straight from the Bible,
00:23:25.00\00:23:27.70
and they learn about
Jesus, who taught and healed
00:23:27.74\00:23:30.67
in the very
places they call home.
00:23:30.71\00:23:35.51
Despite the openly
Christian perspective
00:23:35.54\00:23:37.28
Wisam holds,
00:23:37.31\00:23:38.65
they have dozens of
kids on their waiting list,
00:23:38.68\00:23:41.55
who also want to
attend these classes.
00:23:41.58\00:23:43.89
Audrey has a
special work with women,
00:23:49.72\00:23:51.93
teaching them English
and how to cook healthfully.
00:23:51.96\00:23:56.40
She has made many friends
00:23:56.43\00:23:58.07
and is excited to also
be giving Bible studies
00:23:58.10\00:24:00.54
to several women
in Wisam's family.
00:24:00.57\00:24:04.31
Wisam is an influential
member in his community,
00:24:04.34\00:24:07.68
even holding a
prominent position
00:24:07.71\00:24:09.44
in the local school
where his daughter attends.
00:24:09.48\00:24:13.05
He has helped to start
music and computer classes,
00:24:13.08\00:24:16.12
which are not usually taught
in Muslim elementary schools.
00:24:16.15\00:24:21.19
The school also has
an extensive library
00:24:21.22\00:24:23.63
sponsored by
Wisam and his family,
00:24:23.66\00:24:25.66
and donated in the name
00:24:25.69\00:24:27.20
of a Seventh-day
Adventist Church.
00:24:27.23\00:24:29.56
The principal has
great respect for Wisam.
00:24:29.60\00:24:32.03
Together they discuss
all details before making
00:24:32.07\00:24:34.57
any decision for the school.
00:24:34.60\00:24:36.81
His Christian perspective
00:24:36.84\00:24:38.27
is welcomed despite
everyone else being Muslim.
00:24:38.31\00:24:43.55
Every day Wisam
and his family witness
00:24:43.58\00:24:45.71
the mighty power
of God in this land,
00:24:45.75\00:24:48.32
as they boldly share
00:24:48.35\00:24:49.68
the truth of
Jesus and salvation.
00:24:49.72\00:24:53.76
Faithfully
fulfilling his pastoral duties,
00:24:53.79\00:24:56.46
Wisam does visitations
00:24:56.49\00:24:58.03
three times a
day in his community.
00:24:58.06\00:25:00.46
And is currently
studying the Bible
00:25:00.50\00:25:02.06
with several Muslim men.
00:25:02.10\00:25:06.57
Many Muslims are having
dreams and seeing visions,
00:25:06.60\00:25:10.41
and they are
searching for answers,
00:25:10.44\00:25:12.84
answers that Wisam gladly gives.
00:25:12.87\00:25:15.51
From my home, I
can see the place
00:25:22.58\00:25:24.49
where I was once stoned.
00:25:24.52\00:25:27.52
It is now a place
where children play.
00:25:27.56\00:25:30.03
So much has
changed since that day.
00:25:30.06\00:25:33.03
Today I'm unafraid and freely
share about my friend Jesus,
00:25:33.06\00:25:37.23
introducing Him
to everyone I can.
00:25:37.27\00:25:39.73
Some people might be frightened
to talk so boldly about Jesus
00:25:43.24\00:25:47.31
in such a Muslim area.
00:25:47.34\00:25:49.74
But my people must hear
00:25:49.78\00:25:51.35
and until the
Lord allows otherwise,
00:25:51.38\00:25:54.32
nothing can stop me.
00:25:54.35\00:25:59.99
In his short time
since returning to Nazareth,
00:26:00.02\00:26:02.56
Wisam has led five Muslims
00:26:02.59\00:26:04.63
to dedicate their lives to Jesus
00:26:04.66\00:26:06.43
through baptism and is
preparing several more.
00:26:06.46\00:26:09.66
Wisam gives all
the glory to God,
00:26:09.70\00:26:12.10
knowing that Christ method alone
00:26:12.13\00:26:14.07
is what makes
evangelism successful.
00:26:14.10\00:26:17.21
As I listened to Wisam
share his incredible story
00:26:17.24\00:26:20.21
of deliverance, and
witnessed his commitment
00:26:20.24\00:26:22.38
to sharing the truth,
no matter what the cost,
00:26:22.41\00:26:25.55
my own faith has
been strengthened.
00:26:25.58\00:26:29.85
I am returning home energized
00:26:29.88\00:26:31.92
with Wisam's favorite
Bible verse ringing in my ears,
00:26:31.95\00:26:35.36
"Them that
honor Me, I will honor
00:26:35.39\00:26:38.13
and those who despise Me
shall be lightly esteemed."
00:26:38.16\00:26:41.90
Will you join me in
standing up for Christ today?
00:26:41.93\00:26:47.80
Recently Wisam began partnering
with Adventist World Radio,
00:26:47.84\00:26:51.04
and is now sharing Godpods
00:26:51.07\00:26:53.31
with those who
attend his classes
00:26:53.34\00:26:55.04
and others in his
community there in Nazareth.
00:26:55.08\00:26:57.98
We are excited to see
how God will use to further
00:26:58.01\00:27:01.28
His work here in Israel.
00:27:01.32\00:27:04.19
In addition to
receiving AWS broadcasts,
00:27:04.22\00:27:07.26
each of these Godpod
radios are pre-programmed
00:27:07.29\00:27:10.59
with the entire Bible,
in both English and Arabic,
00:27:10.63\00:27:14.30
as well as various
Bible stories for children.
00:27:14.33\00:27:17.10
Only the Lord knows
how many countless lives
00:27:17.13\00:27:19.93
will be touched by these
radios of hope and truth.
00:27:19.97\00:27:24.87
Thank you for supporting
Adventist World Radio,
00:27:24.91\00:27:27.28
together we are making waves.
00:27:27.31\00:27:29.14
From broadcast to baptism,
00:27:29.18\00:27:31.55
this is AWR360A°.
00:27:31.58\00:27:34.22