Free Forsaken by James David Jordan Page B

“Reverend Mason, when are you going to Lebanon to preach to the Muslims?”
    Simon laughed. “Now there’s an invitation that I don’t recall getting in the mail.”
    “I’m not sure the Middle East is ready for Christian revival meetings,” Elise said.
    Hakim took one hand off the wheel and turned his palm up. “Neither was Rome two thousand years ago, wouldn’t you agree?”
    Elise narrowed her eyebrows. “It would be suicide for a prominent Christian preacher like Simon to go to the Middle East and try to convert Muslims.”
    Hakim adjusted his mirror so he could see her face. “Suicide? Perhaps. I suppose one could say that Jesus’ apostles committed suicide by spreading the Word in the Roman Empire. They were martyred you know, all except John. And they knew it was coming. Does that make it suicide? There is no place on earth where the people need Jesus more than in the Middle East. If Jesus gets a chance to compete for the people’s hearts, he will win.”
    “Competing for hearts—I like that. I never thought of it that way,” Simon said.
    “Jesus is love. And given a choice, in the long run people will always choose love,” Hakim said. “He conquered the Roman Empire without firing a shot because thousands were willing to be martyred to spread the gospel. That’s a lot different than the way Islam spread.”
    “You know a lot more history than any cab driver I’ve ever met,” I said.
    He wagged a finger. “It’s not a cab; it’s a town car. Anyway, I only drive at night. I’m a seminary student at Lakeshore Bible Institute during the day.”
    “Now it’s starting to make sense. So tell us how Islam spread.”
    “The prophet Muhammad was a warrior and a politician. The history of those who came immediately after him—his apostles, so to speak—was one of assassination and war and bloodshed, not peaceful martyrdom like Christ’s apostles. Islam spread through military conquest and political domination—a starkly different beginning from Christianity.” He pulled the limo to the curb in front of Pascali’s. “Here we are.”
    Simon reached in his pocket and pulled out a money clip. He peeled off two bills and reached over the seat toward Hakim.
    “No, no. The tip will be on the bill the limo service sends you for all of the rides during your visit.”
    “This is something extra. We appreciated the lesson. I’d like to continue this discussion when we finish dinner.”
    “Sorry, Reverend Mason. I won’t be here. They’re sending another car to pick you up. I’ve got to study for a test in the morning.” He smiled. “It’s eleven-thirty. Do you think I’m starting to study too soon?”
    Simon and I laughed. Elise didn’t seem to get it.
    “That brings back some college memories,” I said.
    Simon leaned one arm across the back of the seat in front of him. “Do you have something with a phone number on it?”
    Hakim grabbed a pen from the drink holder next to him. “I’ll write it on the back of a receipt.” He rippeda receipt off a pad, scribbled on the back, and handed it to Simon.
    Simon put the receipt in the inside pocket of his jacket. “I get to Chicago fairly frequently. Okay if I call you sometime? Maybe we can get a cup of coffee.”
    Hakim turned around. “Are you kidding me? You’re Simon Mason. If you call, I’ll be available. Wait until my professors hear about this. Maybe you could come speak at school sometime. Do you think that would be possible?”
    “I’m sure we could work it out. Elise, do you think we could schedule something?”
    Elise sighed, pulled out her phone, and started punching buttons. She shoved the phone back in her purse. “I made a note in my calendar to call.”
    I reached for the door handle, then stopped. “By the way, do you know the driver who is coming to get us?”
    “No, ma’am. But you can call the printed number on the receipt and ask. The dispatcher should know.” He jumped out of the driver’s side and came