Chemongesi Mubaraka is a nineteen year-old living in Tororo, Uganda. Mubaraka is a typical lower-class Ugandan youth. He works to help support his parents. He cannot afford education. He worries about his future. I met Mubaraka a few days ago. Lindsay, Megan, Keith, and I were going door-to-door sharing the Gospel and encouraging believers. Mubaraka was standing outside of a small shop on the outskirts of a residential neighborhood. We spoke to Muba for a few minutes and learned that he was Muslim. Muba shared with us that, in his eyes, Jesus and Mohammed are equal prophets of God.
“Well, if Jesus is a prophet of God, then he absolutely must speak truth, right?” I asked.
We shared the words of Jesus with Muba, and the words spoke for themselves. Muba came to the realization that Jesus is more than a prophet, equal with God, the only way to salvation, the only way to fellowship with God, the only truth, the Savior.
Muba was ready to come to Christ, but he had a problem.
“What about my family? They are Muslim, expect me to follow Islam, and I’m afraid of what they will do if they learn of my new faith. More than that, I tell you, there will be calamity in my home if they hear of this,” Muba said.
By this point, Muba was staring at the ground. He had fear in his eyes. He realized that following Jesus could mean a complete and total upheaval of his way of life. He knew that his faith could destroy his relationship with his family. Muba was weighing his options and counting the cost. I shared Luke 14:25-33, the cost of discipleship, with him. Jesus says that following Him will require “hating” (loving less) our families, our lives, and all that we have. It means giving up everything for Jesus, taking up our cross daily to follow Him. That means dying daily, being crucified along with Christ and sharing in His afflictions. Jesus encourages us to count the cost, because following Him is not easy. Jesus wants us to know what we are getting ourselves into, and be prepared to give up everything we have.
This strengthened Muba’s resolve. He seemed to feel better about what was to come, because he knew that Jesus promised these things, and that he is not alone. Muba counted the cost, and decided that Jesus is worth it. Muba called out to God, and gave his life to Christ. He denounced Islam, understanding that he cannot continue to practice it, even just for the sake of his parents. He said he is going to begin secretly attending church, so that he can grow in his faith and continue his walk with Christ. We prayed that Muba will be bold enough to stand up for Jesus if persecution arises, even to his parents. We also prayed that God would use Muba as a witness to his parents, to bring them to Jesus.
It’s clear that Muba loves Jesus, because Muba didn’t receive a watered-down gospel. Muba was forced to count the cost. Muba got the full story, not just the convenient chapters. Please pray for Muba. No seriously, stop what you are doing right now, and pray. Muba needs prayer. Muba’s family needs prayer. Put Muba on your prayer list at church, your Bible study, your small group. Pray for Muba. Pray for his endurance.
Cole
