A Softened Heart
*Keke worked at a craft shop in Israel. We met her there in March 2024. She was very curious about us as travelers to Israel from Hong Kong. One day, as we had coffee together, Keke shared her strong anger about the massacre that occurred on October 7, 2023. She wondered why, if God exists, He would allow it to happen. She said she was an atheist, yet she also had a tattoo on her arm that read in Hebrew, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill” (Psalm 137:5).
Later, our team member *Shue sent her a picture of the red anemone, Israel’s national flower, together with this Bible verse. Keke replied, “We should read the Bible together sometime. Should be interesting.”
We invited Keke to have dinner and study the Bible together. When we started to read Isaiah 53, however, Keke immediately told us Jewish people were forbidden to read this chapter. She disagreed that the Suffering Servant referred to Jesus. Keke told us frankly that she didn’t like people preaching the gospel to her. We understood she felt upset.
We lost contact with Keke for one year. Then, in March 2025, Keke responded when Shue reached out to her via text. “I will be very happy to meet you,” Keke told us, “but on one condition: please no religion or Bible anymore.” We were very thankful God opened this door for us to meet again.
During our meeting, very unexpectedly, Keke asked Shue, “Why did you come to Israel?”
In return, Shue asked, “May I share my belief? Because God asked me to come to Israel. Is that okay?”
Keke answered, “Yes, please.” Thank God, Shue then had the opportunity to share her testimony, as well as her faith in God’s promises to Israel and the Jewish people.
Keke’s heart has been softened. On one occasion, she asked Shue about the congregation we joined. “What was the sermon about?”
This story is still ongoing. Keke recently helped us to create a gospel T-shirt printed with Hebrew Bible verses; the design included Deuteronomy 7:7–9, which is about God’s faithfulness to His chosen people. When God prepares the soil of a person’s heart, our role as His workers is to plant seeds of the gospel. May God complete His work in Keke’s heart. May God help her to know Jesus is the Messiah!
—Life in Messiah Hong Kong team
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