When a fully veiled woman came to his church and asked to be baptized, this pastor from Iraq wasn’t sure how to respond. But the woman had been reading and memorizing the New Testament, and her faith in Christ was genuine. After the pastor and another church leader met her and asked many questions, she was baptized in their church.

VOM Executive Vice President Cole Richards answers a question received recently from a VOM reader.

It is the fourth week of Ramadan, and Muslims around the world are fasting and praying. Muslims are required to cease eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. Only those who are traveling or who are sick are exempt from the requirement of fasting during this time.

The sheikh had just exited Syria, where he'd been providing Islamic theological training to ISIS fighters. Now, he was looking for a Bible. Not to burn it--but to learn more about Jesus Christ.

Two of my friends recently attended a conference to learn about outreach ministry to Muslim women. They had the opportunity to visit a local mosque. They did not participate in the prayers, but they were still welcomed by the Muslim women. My friend shared with me that the hospitality the Muslim women displayed astonished and humbled her. She didn’t expect to be welcomed at all, but instead, the women warmly greeted her, asked questions about her life and her family, and demonstrated an openness that went beyond her expectations.

The focus for VOM's free monthly newsletter in June is Christians facing persecution in Africa, with stories from Niger, Uganda and Kenya.

Last night my small group from church met together, as we do weekly. We spend time together, catch up on each other’s lives, study the Bible and pray.

One of my favorite memories is of a trip to North Africa some time ago. It was on this particular trip that I had the opportunity to stay in a remote village and visit with the people who live there. I remember walking the dusty village streets and being captivated by the sights and sounds of village life. On occasion passing the local people and exchanging glances, and when appropriate a smile — that needed no translation, and was mutually understood by all.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with a Muslim convert to Christianity. Thousands of Muslims have experienced dreams and visions of God, and “Baris” took the time to share how a vision of Jesus changed his life.

“If they want all three of our kids,” said Tawadros’ widow, Malaka, “it isn’t too much [to give] for Christ.”