A lot of people don't like me hanging around with Nassim, but I don't see anything wrong with him. He's a good kid who just happens to be Muslim. His family moved here from Iraq two years ago and a lot of people have given them a hard time about it.
Well, I'm not like most people. I try to accept people for who they are, not for what they are or what they believe in; I am a Christian, and I try to be like Jesus in all that I do, think, or say. I am in no way near perfect; I will never BE perfect. I make mistakes; it just goes to show that I am human.
Anyway, Nassim Ali Hamad is the same age as me (11) and he lives two houses down from us. He has his mom and twin sisters (both younger; they're nine) and a baby brother. His dad died in Iraq due to an insurgent's bomb; the surviving members of the Hamad family came to America, to get away from the war and the violence. They still have nightmares about what happened and I don't think they'll ever forget it anytime soon. I really feel bad for them.
Nassim has always been shy and quiet: maybe it's because he doesn't speak English that well. He and his family have been taking ESL (English as a Second Language) courses at the local high school twice a week. They also don't trust a lot of people, especially since two weeks ago when some punks wrote racial slurs on the front of their house and toilet papered their trees in their yard.
People want to do them bodily harm; I'm surprised more people haven't gone after them. Ever since September 11, 2001, most people don't trust those who are of the Islamic faith, but I don't see that. All I see are people who only want to be accepted, respected, and loved.
The Hamads are nice people and I choose to be their friend; nobody can stop me. If they try to, well, they have another thing coming, especially since my dad happens to be a bouncer at a bar and my mom is on the city's police task force. They'd best keep away from not only me, but also my friend Nassim and his family. I will fight to defend them and I will fight to show them the love of Christ.
I have invited the Hamads to come to church with me on Sunday; I don't know if they've taken up on my offer. I hope they do; they need to know that there are people who do care for them and love them.
Be praying that my friend and his family comes to church with me on Sunday; it would really mean the world to me if they did! They are so scared as it is about life and they need to have peace and comfort in their lives! I would greatly appreciate any (and all) prayers and I know the Hamads would too!
~To be continued!~
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