“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Yesterday I met “Ali,” an Iranian parishioner, in Hamburg’s Steindamm district near the central train station, to help him with some logistical issues. This is an area heavily populated with immigrants—mostly from Islamic countries. Walking past a panoply of shisha cafés and Afghan markets, Ali told me about his fellow Iranian barber whom he has been telling about Jesus. Unfortunately, up to now, Farhad hasn’t been interested, Ali admitted. We soon came upon a barber shop sandwiched between a Turkish döner snack bar and a discount electronics store. We walked down a few steps and opened the door. A bell chimed. Farhad was busy giving a customer a trim but looked up and gave a big smile when he recognized Ali, who introduced me as his pastor. I noticed that Farhad was wearing a cross around his neck. Ali explained that this Sunday is Easter and that he hoped that Farhad might join us on the most important day of the year for Christians. Farhad smiled politely. Two chairs down, I noticed another barber clipping away. “Isn’t that Mohammad, one of our new visitors at church?” I whispered to Ali. “Yes, I think so!” he replied, calling over to the man, “Hey, Mohammad, I didn’t know you worked here!” Amazed to see us there, Mohammad put his scissors down and greeted us warmly. Farhad looked surprised. “I didn’t know you’re a Christian!” he said. “Sure,” Mohammad replied. “I’ve believed in Jesus for years and I’m going to take classes at their church so I can be baptized.” After a moment of reflection, Farhad asked, “Say, where is your church and what time does that Easter service start? I’d like to check that out…” Ali and I exchanged quick glances. After a few minutes we said goodbye and walked back up to the street. “Wow, that was the Holy Spirit at work…” Ali stated. “Indeed… and here I was wondering why we went to that barber shop in the first place…” Ali grinned. Truly, what we sometimes think are just coincidences, are actually fingerprints of God’s handiwork; because every good thing in life comes from Him.
The Tiews in Germany 