That’s outrageous!

My name is Burul. I was born in a village in Kyrgyzstan in 1974. My parents were very religious, firmly believing in Allah, the Muslim understanding of God. After my ninth birthday, according to custom, I started reading the Koran, the Muslim holy book. My father died when I was 14, and hard times started for our family. My mother had five children. I finished high school, won a gold medal and was offered a scholarship to university to study physics and electronics.

In this same year, I heard about Jesus Christ from a friend, but for me, a devoted Muslim, to believe in Jesus would be a betrayal. Out of curiosity, I visited a Christian church several times, but I felt very depressed by the statement, “All are sinners.” That was outrageous! I, who always strove to be an exemplary, good person – how could they declare that I was a sinner! I could never agree with this accusation. This was in 1993.

But I liked the Christian people and continued to visit their meetings. Five years later, I finally saw myself as I really was. I realized that I, too, had sinful thoughts, that I really was a sinner and I needed Jesus Christ. Letting go of my pride, I called to Him in prayer: “Jesus, I really am a sinner, and I need you!” I was changed on the spot.