{"id":23395,"date":"2025-10-30T07:58:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T12:58:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openbiblemessage.org\/?p=23395"},"modified":"2025-10-30T12:06:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:06:30","slug":"friendship-across-cultures-faith-across-tables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openbiblemessage.org\/es\/2025\/10\/friendship-across-cultures-faith-across-tables\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendship Across Cultures, Faith Across Tables"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My wife, Leona, was at an eye exam, and I was waiting in the lobby when a good-looking couple walked in. Thinking they were Hispanic, I greeted them in Spanish. With a look of surprise, they responded that they didn\u2019t understand. Noticing their accent, I asked what language they spoke. \u201cArabic,\u201d they replied. They were from Cairo, Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was just there!\u201d<\/em> I exclaimed. We introduced ourselves, and when they asked about my trip, I explained that I had gone to teach at INSTE Global Bible College. As we talked, we discovered common ground\u2014Youssef and Fatima are both college professors, and Leona and I also work in higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the conversation turned to food, my Italian roots\u2014revealed by my surname\u2014caught their interest. I asked them what their favorite Italian dish was. \u201cWe love eggplant parmesan,\u201d<\/em> they answered.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nDr. Nick Venditti with Open Bible missionary Andy Wagler during a trip to Egypt.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\u201cWould you come to our house for dinner if I made that?\u201d<\/em> I asked. They gladly accepted. When Leona\u2019s appointment ended, we compared calendars and set a date to host Youssef, Fatima, and their four sons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At home we talked about what to do with our dog Barney. Living in a townhome, we couldn’t put him outside. Knowing that Muslims traditionally view dogs as unclean, we decided to banish Barney to our finished basement during the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before dinner, we explained our custom of thanking God for our food. They understood, appreciating that we blessed them also in our prayer. Conversation flowed easily as we shared the meal. Afterward, the younger boys, full of energy, spotted the basement stairs. Leona explained about Barney, assuring Fatima that he was friendly. With her permission, the boys bounded downstairs to play with one very happy dog. The older boys preferred the TV room to watch football, while we lingered at the table with Youssef and Fatima, enjoying the chance to connect as fellow educators. Our first dinner together was a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Fatima and Leona washed the dishes, the conversation was salted with quotes from the Koran and the Bible…<\/mark><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
That Thanksgiving, we invited the family back to share in a traditional holiday meal. Barney had a sleepover at Leona\u2019s sister\u2019s house this time. We set the table for a 1:00 p.m. feast, but our guests were delayed returning from Wisconsin and arrived closer to 5:00. Once gathered, we enjoyed another rich time together.<\/p>\n\n\n
Leona and Fatima washed dishes side by side, as Youssef and I chatted in the living room. All four boys bundled into the TV room to watch sports. Later, gathered by the fireplace, Youssef asked, \u201cDoes the Bible talk about the end of the world?\u201d He was genuinely interested in comparing Christian and Muslim viewpoints on the end times. We had a very interesting conversation that evening! It was 11:00 p.m. when six-year-old Ahmed sleepily stumbled from the TV room, asking, \u201cCan we go home now?\u201d<\/em> Shortly thereafter, we said good night to our guests with gratitude for another memorable evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Months later, Youssef and Fatima invited us to their home for the Muslim celebration of Eid, marking the close of Ramadan. Fatima had prepared the traditional feast of Egyptian dishes. We arrived in time to count down to sunset, and then the banquet began. As Fatima and Leona washed the dishes, the conversation was salted with quotes from the Koran and the Bible as Fatima explained Eid. The rest of the evening was filled with relaxing conversation, along with plans to get together for the Fourth of July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friendship and food opened doors for evangelism.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Our last gathering was at Christmas. Once again, we shared a meal, meaningful conversation, and plenty of laughter. Wanting to give them New Testaments in a respectful way, we sought guidance from friends experienced in ministry to Muslims. Following their advice, we wrapped the books beautifully, adding a heartfelt note expressing our joy in their friendship. We presented the gifts as they left that evening. Though we haven\u2019t heard from them since, we often remember Youssef, Fatima, and their boys in prayer. Friendship and food opened doors for evangelism. We learned that sensitivity to cultural and religious differences keeps those doors open, and above all, we were reminded to live out 1 Peter 3:15: \u201cAlways be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…\u201d <\/strong><\/em>(NIV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/openbiblemessage.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dr.-Nick-Venditti-with-Open-Bible-missionary-Andy-Wagler-during-a-trip-to-Egypt.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/openbiblemessage.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Barney-Venditti-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/openbiblemessage.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Nick-and-Leona-Venditti-author-photo-scaled-e1760482519289-873x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>