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Mike Shreve was a teacher of yoga at four universities. (The portrait above was drawn by one of his students in 1970.) Then a spiritual rebirth brought him into a real relationship with God and drastically changed his heart, his life and his belief system. Read his story here.
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Alexandria Pearl's StoryNote from Mike Shreve: To those who read this story, please note: normally our personal testimonies involve advocates of various religions who converted to Christianity. In this case, Alexandria Pearl (assumed name) never became a Muslim though many around her try to force such a change. I felt her story merited our attention, though it is from a different slant than the rest of those on this site. Alexandria unfortunately drifted away from a Christian background and became spiritually vulnerable. Thankfully, she never succumbed totally to the darkness, but was retrieved and brought back to the Light.
“I was lost and forsaken, broken and crushed, torn and shredded, terrorized and destructed. My soul was enveloped in darkness; my spirit near death. Libya was not my home; Allah was not my God. However, it was in the Sahara I found the will to live: it was in the desert where I found my God." Greeting dear friends, I pray my words will find you well. May the Lord Jesus bless you and bestow His mercy and grace upon you and yours. I am grateful to live in a country where Jesus can be worshipped freely and openly without fear of prosecution or death. I was born in a small Midwestern town in the 1960’s. Ever since I can remember I attended a Bible Baptist church. When I was ten years old my mother was brutally murdered by a serial rapist. After the man was caught and punished, my church expelled my family as their members. The church was afraid that mother’s murder would tarnish their reputation. My disenchantment with church and religion began the day my father informed me that we were not welcomed in my once beloved church. Mother’s horrific murder did make national headlines and unfortunately landed in a scandalous detective magazine. Life after mother’s murder became extremely complicated; my father remarried shortly afterwards and soon I would be joined with two new brothers. My older brother left for college as soon as he could. I felt alone and unwanted. I tried to communicate with God but words failed me. My heart wasn’t into listening or receiving God’s word. Many sleepless nights I demanded to know why God took my mother away from me. Why did her murder have to be so violent and detrimental to my life? How could a just and loving God ruin my life? I petitioned God for a sign that He was still with me and that I was still worthy of His love. I never received an answer, or if I did it fell on deaf ears. Even though I had a very high intelligence; I barely made passing grades in high school. Once I graduated I went to a finishing school in a large city several states away. Thrust into a new and exciting world; I found myself flung into the world of high fashion and modeling. Eventually I learned that a woman’s beauty is not based on her outward appearance; true beauty comes from within. Some of the most beautiful women had very hard and unflattering hearts while possessing a soft and beautiful outward appearance. I soon met a man who professed to be from Iran. He said he was Persian and a Muslim; he was very proud of his heritage. I had no idea what a Persian was or where Iran was even located. He claimed that his God was the same as mine; just named Allah. When he said Jesus was a Prophet and great man; I never understood the double meaning. A marriage blessed by the local Mosque’s Imam eventually produced two beautiful children. The Persian man claimed that the only marriage of importance to him was the union granted from his religion and mosque. I couldn’t understand the Persian man’s reluctance about a marriage by a Justice of the Peace. I was reluctant to go to church but knew a judge or Justice of the Peace could unite us legally. Eventually the Persian man would reveal that he was already married to another American woman. Betrayed and ashamed; I asked him why he didn’t tell me he was married and why he married me the Islamic way? His reply was that the great and merciful Prophet Muhammad allows a man to marry more than one woman; especially if they are in a foreign country. I soon left this man due to his destructive habits. With a heavy heart and two very small children to take care of; I soon found myself staring into the eyes of a man who professed to be Christian. This handsome man’s hair was curly and jet black, his eyes were very dark and intriguing. I couldn’t help but notice the Armani clothing and the Rolex hid discreetly under his starched white shirt’s cuff. He had darker olive skin and very high cheek bones; he appeared Italian or Greek. His apparent contempt for the Iranian man I had previously been with and his feigned fondness for my children captivated me. He insisted that I work for him part time and offered me a very lucrative income. His offer was irresistible. I soon discovered that he was not the person he pretended to be. I was not allowed to mention the name of Jesus or God in our house and whatever religious symbols I had disappeared. In a drunken rage he informed me that he was Muslim and from Libya; but more importantly that he involved himself in some very dangerous and terrorist activities. However, a marriage by a Justice of the Peace and a beautiful daughter born to our union began a very unstable and dangerous life with this man He was abusive and oppressive and eventually turned his wrath onto my beloved children. I sought shelter twice from local agencies that help women and children in need. But each time my husband or one of his men found the shelter location by bribery, intimidation, or trickery. I even contacted a divorce lawyer but when my husband found out; he took my son away from me and would not return him for several days informing me that if I continue with the divorce my son will be returned in a body bag. After one particularly dreadful evening; I called the police and waited in the closet until they arrived. When the law enforcement kicked in the door they found my husband clutching his chest and crying. He informed the officers that he had simply lost his head and did not mean to threaten me with a knife. He stumbled onto the ground and began to plead and beg the officers not to let me leave. With tears streaming down his face; he informed the officers that his life would not be worth living if he didn’t have me and the children. He hinted to the officers that I spent all of his money and was going to abandon him and my children for my new boyfriend, my lawyer. All of these accusations were lies and I informed the officers that he was lying and had previously held me at knife point and forbade me to leave with the children. My words and tears of fear fell on deaf ears and the officers left giving my husband their sympathies and informing me that I was lucky to have such an understanding husband. As soon as the door clicked shut; my husband jumped up and threw me to the ground threatening me that I would never see my son again if I ever contacted the police, FBI, or a divorce attorney. I felt hopelessly trapped! In my desperation I made a naïve alliance with my husband’s father and sisters who resided overseas in Libya. They informed me that if I could bring my husband to Italy and Malta for a wedding; than they would make him go back to Libya, by force if necessary. However, the children and I would be free to return to America. My husband was in trouble with the INS, FBI, other Governmental agencies, and numerous dangerous people. His father did not want him to go to prison or end up hurt and thought the only way to prevent his son’s imprisonment or death was by returning him to Libya. In my distressed state of mind; I reluctantly agreed to travel overseas. I was desperate-there was no way out. Once we entered foreign soil; I was tricked into entering an oppressed Islamic Society. My husband and his family tried to force me to obey their culture and religion; I adamantly resisted. The family insisted that I convert to Islam but I refused. I had met other American and English women who were forced to live in Libya I was shocked and somewhat aghast that they had converted to Islam. I knew in my heart that life was much easier for them if they followed the teachings of Islam but something deep within my soul wouldn’t let me do it. Even though I hadn’t faithfully followed my faith or acknowledge my God the way I should have-I would not convert to Islam and profess Allah as my one true God. As I watched the women who converted I began to realize that it was not my place to judge any of these dear women. Life in Libya was very hard especially for a foreign American Christian woman. I wished their lives to be easier and safer than my own. My continual refusal to convert to the religion of Prophet Muhammad made the tension and stress in the villa unbearable. I was taken to several Islamic Holy Men to purge the Christianity spirit and any curses that were delivered unto me. I still would not convert. My husband took me to be interrogated by the regime and even under dire stress and extreme pressure; I would not convert to Islam and claim Allah as my one true God. Even with AK47’s cocked and held against my temple; my knees quivered and my heart fluttered in terror-but I still wouldn’t convert. My husband’s continual quest for power and money soon proved dangerous for my children’s welfare. He would capitalize from my two daughter’s beauty and use my son’s charisma and intelligence to entice certain groups of men. Desperate to leave Libya with all three of my American born children; I attempted to escape numerous times. Each time I was caught and punished. My failed escape attempts caused me and my children to be placed under constant guard. My husband and his family grew weary of my rebellion; I became expendable. Not only did I choose to openly not convert but I also spoke my opinions on politics and my husband’s activities. Many days and nights I had to wear the hajib for my own protection. My health was deteriorating rapidly. I had fallen violently ill and following the advice of his father, my husband took me to a private British clinic. After a brief examination and blood test; the doctor revealed my illness to my husband but ignored my request to reveal the diagnosis to me. My husband pushed my inquiries aside and told me that I was cursed by Allah for my continual disobedience to Islam. Realizing that my death was imminent; I called out to the God of my youth. In desperation as the muezzin sang the last and final call to prayer one desolate Sahara evening, I surrendered my life and will back to the God of my youth. I vowed to live whatever life I had left for my God and to teach my children about Jesus. Even my tender children knew the dangers of mentioning Jesus in an Islamic country. Therefore, the children and I worshipped Jesus in secret and prayed in hiding, realizing that at any moment we could be caught, punished, or even worse. We eventually did return to America whereas my husband was detained and arrested at JFK for his numerous outstanding warrants. I would soon be diagnosed with cancer but through the mercy and grace of God; I am a cancer survivor. It took years to achieve a divorce from my ex husband. I was eventually granted full custody; visitation of the children was allowed only if a law enforcement officer was present. I would like to say that my ex husband’s tyranny and abuse ended at the divorce. But it did not. However, through the mercy and grace of my Savior; my Lord has given us the strength to endure what every situation we come under. We have remained somewhat physically safe and, for the most parts, emotionally unharmed. My ex husband is no longer in the United States of America. He has fled its jurisdiction to avoid prosecution of numerous state and federal warrants. I have been recently diagnosed with Semi-Circular Superior Canal Dehiscence and Ménière’s Disease. Both of these disease/disorders are inner ear and trigger disabling vertigo and other symptoms. I find it very challenging some days but I know with the help of Jesus I can deal with anything.. My precious Jesus has graciously shown me how to forgive my ex husband and the abuse and persecution he inflicted upon me and my children. However, the forgetting part has become a little more complicated. But with my Lord’s mercy and grace, it will happen. "Forbidden Prayers," has recently been published and is now available. Although the book is titled fiction; it is based entirely on real and actual events. This book is about my quest for freedom from an oppressed Islamic society and my deep desire to pray and worship Jesus within a nation that only prays to Allah. I pray my words will lead you to a desire and hunger to find and embrace the Savior I know as Jesus. Please dear friends and readers do not confuse me with other organizations that want to purge the Islamic religion. I harbor no ill will toward Muslims or the Arabic people. I realize that my precious Jesus was sent by God to be crucified and died to save our souls; and yes, even the souls of individual who do not believe in Him. Jesus is the one and only judge of souls, not I. Please dear friends pray for the nations of people who confess Allah as their Lord. Through our prayers and examples, Lord willing, we can show them how great and merciful Jesus is. (identity and name disguised for security reasons)
Alexandria Pearl For prayer or comments: email me.
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by Mike Shreve.
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