Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary

Hiding in the Light is the memoir of Rifqa Bary, a Sri Lankan girl from a strict Muslim family. She, her parents and older brother moved to the United States in 2000 when she was eight years old. At first they lived in New York City, but three years  later moved to Columbus, Ohio.  It was at school in Ohio that Rifqa was befriended by a Christian girl named Angela who invited her to church. That invitation, to a Wednesday night church service, was what changed everything for Rifqa.
Rifqa's childhood was one that most American's can't quite imagine.  Born Muslim, she was required by age three to eat only certain foods and to memorize prayers during Ramadan.  At age seven, Rifqa fasted all day during the holy month and began memorizing the Qur'an. As a young student of the Qur'an she had no idea what she was saying when she recited from the holy book, only that they she was expected to say it perfectly. Any contact with non-Muslims was forbidden and a girl was taught early that her place was in the home.  Education for girls was unimportant and she held no authority or status.
Two traumatic events marked Rifqa's life: the first was when she was six years old and her brother angrily hit her with a metal toy, permanently blinding her in one eye.  Rifqa's vision loss caused her parents to disdain her, her value greatly diminished to them.  They began treating her with contempt and their hearts grew cold toward her. The second was when she was seven or eight years and she was sexually molested by an uncle. When Rifqa told her mother, despite threats from the uncle, she blamed Rifqa for shaming the family.
Thus began a cycle of abuse, both physical and mental.  Rifqa's parents beat her frequently and often without reason.  She was completely miserable and began cutting herself in an attempt to relieve her pain. Without friends or the love of her own family, the invitation from Angela was an unexpected lifeline.  Knowing she was risking much, Rifqa said yes.

That first "yes" led to Rifqa saying yes to an altar call at church, yes to surrendering her heart and life to Jesus, yes to a secret baptism, yes to a double life.  But that double life was doomed to failure.  Eventually Rifqa's parents found out that she had become a Christian.  She knew she was in grave danger she fled her home; forsaking her family and her heritage, with only the clothes on her back. 

I won't give away any more of the story, but it an exciting one. Exciting the way that Jesus wooed this sweet girl to himself from the time of her earliest memories. Exciting how God continually placed people in Rifqa's life just when she needed them. Exciting courtroom drama. Exciting healings, explained only by miracles. Rifqa's faith is inspiring, her story powerful.

Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for my honest review.