Memorizing Scripture is a wonderful way for one to draw close to God and learn to do what’s right. Psalm 37:31 states, “The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.” Joshua 1:8 reads, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
For some, memorizing 87 verses from the Bible would be a huge feat. Remarkably, a blind Iraqi refugee has reportedly committed 87 chapters to memory.
Fadhil, whose name has been changed due to security concerns, is a refugee living in Amman, Jordan. Obviously, he has an uncanny passion for God’s Word. One might easily wonder how Fadhil accomplished this worthwhile task due to his blindness. The answer is simple. The evangelic ministry Leading the Way generously gave the refugee a solar-powered Navigator Bible. Dr. Michael Youssef, author of more than 30 books, established Leading the Way in 1988. From the beginning, the ministry’s vision included reaching the Middle East for Christ and evangelizing Muslims.
When referring to Fadhil, David Bottoms, one of Leading the Way’s partners, said, “It was convicting, because for us we memorize a couple of verses. But he memorized chapters. He just meditates on scriptures day in and day out.”
Ron Hughes, another partner with the ministry, added, “Fadhil is someone who would seem unremarkable by the ways of the world. But God doesn’t choose to reveal himself through the mighty and the powerful and the rich. He reveals himself through the poor and the humble.” Bottoms revealed the refugee felt “so overjoyed” when he received his Bible from the ministry. He said, “Day in, day out, he just listens.”
Hughes remarked about his extraordinary experience of meeting the man who holds God’s Word in such high esteem despite his humble circumstances.
“Being in this small, modest home and being in the presence of greatness and being in the presence of God as his word was magnified and filled the room and filled the hearts of everyone who was there was an amazing experience,” he went on to say.
The inspired Leading the Way partner asserted that the ministry he works for is “changing hearts, changing minds and glorifying God on the ground in the Middle East.” Hughes also noted that this area of the world is “starving for God’s love.”
Amazingly, the solar-powered Navigator Bible Fadhil received weighs a mere 2.3 ounces — smaller than the typical iPhone. Leading the Way has handed out more than 116,000 of these solar-powered Bibles in an impressive 25 different languages. In doing so, the ministry has reached some of the most remote areas of the globe with God’s Word. Approximately 10 people get the opportunity to hear Scripture when one device is given out.
Referring to the profound impact these solar-powered Bibles have on lives, Dr. Youssef said, “From India to Indonesia and across Africa, there are many villages where people will sit around a tree and listen to these Navigators while they hang on a branch. They will worship and bring their non-believing neighbors to sit with them. God is using these marvelous little pocket missionaries. I’m just so thrilled at what God is doing.”
According to its website, Leading the Way “is sharing the Gospel with the nations, broadcasting in multiple languages on radio and TV more than 13,000 times a week to audiences across 6 continents.” The Christian organization utilizes field ministry teams to evangelize searchers, disciple new converts to Christianity, and aid those being persecuted in locations of the world where following Christ is dangerous. Pray for the continued success of this Christian ministry and those, like Fadhil, that it’s reaching.
~ 1776 Christian
