Behind the Veils of Yemen
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Women began to arrive in the entry hall, peeling away their black outer coverings. I watched in amazement as shimmering bodies emerged from the black shrouds. One woman sparkled in a purple silk caftan, her arms gleaming with gold jewelry. I smiled to myself. If people only knew what was under those veils. I looked at their faces, artfully painted with makeup, not at all how they appeared in public: dark eyes in narrow black slits. They were like the beauties of Arab folklore. I was awed by the transformation.
With only prayer and a faith that always seemed too small, Audra Grace Shelby departed with her husband and children on a one-way flight to Yemen...deep into the heart of conservative Islam.
With honesty and passion, she shares her harrowing journey as a Christian woman thrust into a culture dangerously different from her own. From the friendships she forged, to her gnawing doubt and fear, to her offers of hope when her new friends' religion failed them, she gives us glimpses of a world most have never seen: behind the veils of real Muslim women--and how the grace of God touches lives in the midst of an Islamic stronghold.
My Thought:
What an amazing story! I have a heart for missions and after reading this book I feel differently for those who go in behind the walls of a closed nation. These missionaries need to be bathed in prayer every day. Reading about the dangers and the prejudice situations that these missionaries may face is heart wrenching. Audra Grace Shelby tells the story of how her family becomes missionaries to Yemen. She describes the cultural and religious traditions among the Muslims. She goes on to tell how she was able to use the Muslim prayer time to show ladies that she too, prays but in a different manner and to a God that is alive and hears her prayers. Audra also introduces the reader to her language tutor who at first is not willing to hear about Jesus. But after giving birth to a son with physical problems, Audra is allowed to pray for this tiny boy.
Audra is an excellent writer. She describes the scenes to where the reader can visualize what is being read. She goes in detail about traditions of how the women are treated. She mentions a couple of times questions that she asked in prayer, “Lord, if I had been raised to believe Islam, would I believe Mohammed to be God’s messenger as strongly as I believe Jesus is the Messiah?” and “If I had been raised to believe Islam, would I be a devout Muslim instead of a devout Christian? Was the difference only in what we had been taught?”. These were questions that arose in Audra’s heart while dealing with the Yemeni women. These women are so devout in their religion but yet they are fearful of things around them, such a sad way to live. During the times she was asking these questions, the Lord was able to show Himself to Audra.
This is a must read book for everyone, whether you are in the process of becoming a missionary or one of the many who are at home praying for those who are sent out to work. The book gives more insight on how the Muslim people believe. It opened my eyes even more on how much these people need the Saviour.
I received this book for free from Bethany House in return for my honest opinion.
 | Behind the Veils of Yemen: How an American Woman Risked Her Life, Family, and Faith to Bring Jesus to Muslim Women By Audra Grace Shelby / Chosen Books When Shelby and her husband answered God's call to minister in the Middle East, she was fearful---and wondered how God would use her to bring Jesus to conservative Muslims. Offering an eye-opening look at life for Yemeni women, she tells about the friendships she forged and how God's grace touched lives in the heart of Islam. 272 pages, softcover from Chosen. |
