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 APRIL 5, 1998 MUSLIM SHEIKH BAPTIZED TODAY
No, this did not make the headlines of Uganda's leading newspaper. But by evening it was the buzz on the side streets of Kampala, the capitol. Have you heard? "Sheikh Deodatus was baptized today!"
How had this news spread so quickly? Wasn't it a private event? He hadn't even told his wife about his decision….until that morning.
After a chai breakfast, Deo asked his wife, Sarah, to go with him to a celebration – a party of sorts. A day with him alone, dressed up, without children. Wow! That would definitely be a REAL celebration. So, as Sarah got ready, she let her imagination wander. “What did this long-haired, bearded sheikh have on his mind?” she thought.
As she walked into their front room and saw Deo, her mouth dropped in amazement. Before her stood a man dressed in a coat and tie, with a cleanly shaven face and a fresh haircut. Before her stood a "wonder". Could this be her Deo?
“We must go,” he said as he whisked her out the door. She had never seen her husband looking like this before. Who was this man walking beside her? She barely recognized him. Why the change? What was happening? Where were they going? As they made their way to the Anglican Bishop's residence chapel for Deo’s secret Christian baptism, he unraveled the story of the last few months of his life. He told her how he, a devout Muslim leader, came to know Christ.
Deo Mwamba was a Muslim among Muslims, a sheikh of high standing. Born into an Islamic family in the Belgian Congo in 1954, he studied the Koran diligently to become an overachiever for the Islamic faith. As the first-born son, greatly loved by his father, Deo was given the best education opportunity by attending Madrasat, the Islamic school for young children. He recited the Koran and learned to speak Arabic fluently. In an effort to satisfy Deo’s hunger to learn French, his father sent him to a Catholic school. And it was there that he first heard of Jesus, studying Him as one would study math or geography.
Because Deo was a Muslim, Islam had deeply imprinted his receptive nature. The five pillars of the faith were already deeply rooted in his heart, mind and practice. He was educated at Medina International University in Saudi Arabia, earning a degree in Islamic Studies and Propagation of Islam, before returning home to preach and teach in mosques and universities in Eastern and Central Africa. His goal – spread Islam throughout the world.
On route to such an appointment he realized his passport had expired. He quickly had photos taken, but they did not turn out. Suspicious, and demanding a refund, Deo returned to the passport photo shop and found the owner sitting quietly, reading a Bible. Suddenly the passport photos didn't seem important, but his question did. “Do you know the relationship between the Muslims and the Christians?” Deo asked.
The shop owner shook his head and said, “No.”
Deo went on to explain that the Koran and the Bible speak of many of the same prophets. The Koran even speaks of an Isa Bin Mariam – a Jesus the son of Mary, who will return and bring final judgment. Deo was curious about these connections, telling him he wanted to know more about the Bible. The shopkeeper listened with guarded suspicion, imagining Deo a possible spy.
 A spiritual connection was made that day, so Deo returned and their conversations continued. Deo’s teachings soon turned to questions and a heart hunger to know more about Christ. The shopkeeper arranged for Deo to meet with the dean at the Anglican cathedral. At first he too was suspicious. What did this Muslim sheikh want? Was it truth, or was he setting a trap? Slowly, a trust developed and the dean sent Deo to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese to learn more about the Bible. Like Nicodemus, Deo had to learn of Jesus secretly – under the cover of darkness. After three months of solid study, Deo believed. He embraced Jesus  Christ as the Son of God and gave his life to Him.
Today Deo is the ICM Director of DRC in Kinshasa, Congo.
He is a teacher, trainer, leader,
evangelist, ordained Episcopal Priest,
and missionary to the Pygmy people.
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