Behind the Veils of Yemen
Read Behind the Veils of Yemen Online
Authors: Audra Grace Shelby
Tags: #Biography & Autobiography, #Religious, #Religion, #Christian Ministry, #Missions, #missionary work, #religious life in Yemen (Republic), #Muslims, #Yemen (Republic), #Muslim Women, #church work with women, #sharing the gospel, #evangelism
Copyright © 2011 by Audra Grace Shelby
Published by Chosen Books
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55438
Chosen Books is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ebook edition created 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-3438-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
™
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
All names and certain identifying details have been changed to protect the identities of those involved in the story. Certain elements have been compressed for organizational readability and length.
Cover design by Dan Pitts
“This book genuinely reflects the ups and downs in the life of any missionary who serves in a restricted country that is drastically different culturally, religiously, politically and economically from his or her own country. The trials and frustrations, as well as the excitement of experiencing the joy of God’s provision, care and love, are well expressed. In a beautiful and candid style, Audra captures the interest of the reader and takes him or her on the journey into the Lord’s ministry.”
Samuel Shahid, Ph.D.,
senior professor of Islamic studies,
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Americans have a stereotypical concept of Islamic culture that reflects their own ethnocentric cultural bondage. Audra Shelby, with her husband and three small children, not only ventured to live within a Muslim society; they sought to understand and penetrate the hearts of those to whom they hoped to introduce God’s love. Insights into the strong beliefs of others forced them to see their own convictions in a new perspective. The personal trials and challenges they encountered gave them a glimpse into God’s faithfulness, power and grace beyond what they had previously known.
Behind the Veils of Yemen
will captivate the reader with intrigue and a new dimension of faith and commitment.”
Jerry Rankin, president emeritus,
International Mission Board,
Southern Baptist Convention
“Audra is one of several women who have been instrumental in addressing women and mothers in the Islamic world. She provided leadership in developing a strategy for an unreached Islamic people group with little or no access to the Gospel before her family began their ministry among them. She writes with this unique knowledge and experience as her context. I am blessed to call her friend and co-worker.”
Michael H. Edens,
professor of theology and Islamic studies
and associate dean of graduate studies,
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary;
associate director, Institute of Christian Apologetics
“This book gives you a glimpse behind the scenes with real, live missionaries. Audra shares her deepest fears and thoughts as she interacts with the Muslim culture and religion. If you want to know how God calls and uses missionaries in very difficult situations to share the Good News, this book is a must-read.”
Avery Willis, executive director,
International Orality Network;
former vice president, Overseas Operations,
International Mission Board,
Southern Baptist Convention
“Audra has great concern for the Islamic women she lived among for many years. Those concerns have translated into action. She often speaks to groups about her experiences in the Middle East and is always upbeat and positive in the images she conveys to her audiences. Her deep understanding of her Christian beliefs and the knowledge she has gained about the role of women in the Islamic faith allow her to speak with love and compassion. I am honored to have a woman with her breadth and depth of experiences as my friend.”
C. Ray Warrior,
former IT executive
“Intriguing story! Knowing that God uses the weak to intimidate the strong, this mission work with Middle Eastern women may be an essential step in God’s final plans for redemption of the world.”
Dr. Deborah Gunderman, D.Min.;
founder, Walking in the Way, Inc.
“For a modern American woman, following Christ as she raises her family is always an adventure. Sometimes it’s smooth; often not. So what happens when that adventure with God takes a woman to a far and difficult land and through heartbreaking family experiences? You will find that this book is not about the strength of a woman’s heart or even of her faith. This is a story, again, of God’s goodness in all of life, no matter where He takes you. You will read it, as I have, and be reminded of His great grace.”
Madelyn Edens,
missionary emeritus to the Middle East,
International Mission Board,
Southern Baptist Convention
“Shelby’s book is one that I do not recommend that you begin reading at nine in the evening—unless you want to be up all night. Yes, trite as the phrase may sound,
Behind the Veils of Yemen
is one of those can’t-put-down books.
“Shelby prayed—not just in morning devotions but throughout her day—and learned to give thanks in all things. She writes with an honesty about her struggles, failures and victories that gives glory to God for what she and her husband saw happen in Yemen. Her book is one I highly recommend—if you want a challenge to pray more, give more and perhaps even go to someplace where people have yet to hear the Good News that Jesus saves!”
Aretta Loving,
former translator and current writer and speaker,
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Papua New Guinea;
author,
Slices of Life: Stories and Devotions from a Bible Translator
and
Together We Can! A Mosaic of Stories
and Devotions Displaying the Impact of God’s Word
“Audra Shelby’s sharing is powerful and heartfelt, impacting and educating audiences for whom Islam—especially from a woman’s unique point of view—would otherwise remain a mystery. I was deeply moved not only by her personal experience but also in my own spiritual walk.”
Lori Koch,
ministry leader and former missionary
“This is a compelling tale, skillfully told, of a young family embarking upon an extraordinary adventure with God and both the struggles and victories that infuse their lives of faith. With rare sensitivity, Shelby introduces readers to the lovely country and people of Yemen, particularly the women who live and love unveiled beyond the walls. As she brings to life this fascinating culture with riveting detail and charming poignancy, she creates a hunger to experience the world of the Middle East, God’s activity in it and how He leads those who choose to walk in His ways.”
Karen O’Dell Bullock, Ph.D.;
professor of Christian heritage and
director of Ph.D. program,
B. H. Carroll Theological Institute
“The story enclosed within the pages of this book invites a reader to take a fascinating faith journey with a young missionary family in Yemen as recounted through the pen of Audra Shelby. You will journey along with Audra and discover that your senses come alive through sights, smells and sounds as well as joys and sorrows that have lain behind both real and figurative veils for centuries. Let a reader take good care! You will be drawn quickly into her story as though you were living it with her and find your heart beating with new gospel vibrancy as her pioneering path invites you to follow closely in her steps.”
Larry C. Ashlock, D.Min., Ph.D.;
professor of pastoral leadership and ethics
and director of D.Min program,
B. H. Carroll Theological Institute
“Most of us here in America have a fear of the Muslim people and what we believe they represent. This is an insightful book written from a Christian perspective on the Muslim world with a compassionate heart. It removed some of that fear and enabled me to have a genuine concern for Muslims and also gave me a greater understanding of God’s love and grace toward me. Everyone should read it!”
Harold Velasquez, vice president,
US Hispanic Ministries,
Mike Silva International
To my Lord, the God of all creation,
who gives the mouth the ability to speak
and knows all thoughts before they are words.
You chose me, and I remain overwhelmed.
This book is for You,
that others may know You as I have known You.
To my husband,
who believes in me when I do not,
who is the keel God placed to upright my life,
and who is my love and my greatest birthday present ever.
To my four children,
who have brought me joy from the moment I held them.
This is their legacy.
May they never forget.
Jeremiah 17:5–8