Ilyas Ayoub is a London City missionary in Newham and Redbridge, supporting churches to share the gospel, especially among the borough’s large Muslim community. He shares a recent “day off.”
Ilyas Ayoub is a London City missionary in Newham and Redbridge, supporting churches to share the gospel, especially among the borough’s large Muslim community. He shares a recent “day off.”
6:30 AM – I wake up and spend my quiet time in prayer, meditation, and Bible reading. I pray, as I normally do, for opportunities that day to share the good news of Jesus.
8:30 AM – I make a simple breakfast of eggs and toast. I came to London 34 years ago from Pakistan. I must have become used to my new home because I sit down to eat my rather English breakfast without a second thought.
9:30 AM – I wash dishes and do some housework. I often go to the park around this time for a walk. It’s a great neutral space to meet with those I’ve been getting to know, as well as new people. But this Saturday, I stay home.
11:30 AM – There is an unexpected knock on the door. An Imam from Leicestershire introduces himself. He has been directed to my home by others on the street and asks for help. He’s on his way to the mosque and asks if he can use my visitor parking permit for the day. I share that I’m a follower of Jesus and ask if he has ever read the Injil (the Gospel). He’s is in a hurry but tells me, “The Qur’an is sufficient for all truth.” I gently challenge him on this and ask if he’d read the Bible if I gave him one. He says he’ll consider it. I joke that I’ll then consider sharing my visitor’s parking permit. Much to my relief, the Imam laughs. I give him the permit but not before inviting him to tea that evening.
12:00 PM – The Imam leaves for the local mosque. I search my home for Christian books in his language but can’t find what I’m looking for, so I walk to the New Asian Friendship Centre (NAFC) to find some. We have a library of Christian books in Urdu and other languages at the centre to share with the guests who visit us every week.
1:30 PM – I return home with some New Testament books. I have a light lunch of tea and biscuits!
4:30 PM – A Jewish family friend knocks on our door. My wife and I sit and share tea and cakes while we chat. The conversation ranges from Jesus, Israel, to faith.
6:30 PM – I drive our family friend home. I used to be a taxi driver in London, and find car journeys a great place to have conversations.
8:00 PM – I return home from a trip to Tesco’s to find the Imam waiting in his car. I invite him inside. I cook up a traditional Pakistani curry – it’s one of my great joys to cook and to share a meal with others. It’s so important to show hospitality to our neighbours. Sometimes, it need not take much more effort to invite people into our lives. We have a deep conversation about Jesus and faith discussing the Qur’an and the truth of the gospel.
9:30 PM – Before leaving, the Imam asks for a second New Testament to share with a friend. I give him another copy. I make sure we share contact details. I would love to continue our conversation after he reads the Bible. I encourage him to reach out with any questions he may have as he leaves our home. Please pray with me that he would take me up on this offer.
A day "off" in the life of a missionary is a series in Changing London, our free magazine that gives you an insight into the incredible things God is doing across this amazing city. Subscribe today and see how God is at work drawing people from all over London to Jesus through our missionaries.
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
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