E-Connected Archive - September 2011
FROM THE UK TO THE MUSLIM WORLD // Journeying Together Part Two
Last month we began looking at how people journey from the UK to the Muslim world. If you missed that edition, you can click here to catch-up! |
 |
Helping People to Find Their Place - Matt, in the UK, preparing to go!
“Where there’s the greatest need, as the Muslim world seems to my wife and I, there’s also the greatest number of possible paths to meeting that need. What is God’s perfect place for us and our 10-month-old among the 1.6 billion? We met with the Frontiers guys and searched through who we might work with. We got to know those who had been and come back and sought advice from them. We even placed a “classified ad” for team leaders who know their situations and could see opportunities in situ. We prayed and prayed and had others join us! After 9 months we think we’ve narrowed it to a region, our potential vocations and a good list of considerations to be made. Next step? Get in contact with some teams and plan a ‘holiday’ in South Asia!”
Providing Short-Term Experience - James, 23, worker, East Africa
“I’ve just returned from two life-transforming years in East Africa. When I decided I wanted to work in the Muslim world I wasn’t yet ready to go for a lifetime, but two years seemed doable. So off Iwent - I joined a team, I learnt a language, I worked in the office, I shared about Jesus with my Muslim friends - and I loved it! But more importantly, what I have learnt is a foundation on which I can build. This time in the field allowed me to learn many things, while also helping me to learn what I still needed to learn! And so I’m now preparing to go for a lifetime and I’m already looking at ways I can form a team to go with me to reach those who have still yet to hear. Maybe you’re the same or you know someone who is? We’re all in a process; we’re all ‘in transit’ Let’s be sure we don’t miss our next flight!"
Helping People through the Unexpected - Becky, in South Asia.
“Just one month before I was planning to leave the UK, my visa application was denied. It just so happened that during the same week I met with leaders of another team based in a bordering country with the same people group focus. They invited me to visit, so I left the UK not knowing where I would be based, or which team I would be on, but knowing that God would show me the next step when I needed to know. That was back in October last year, and I’m still here! The visit turned into a long term commitment. Life in this region is often uncertain, but I’m certain of God. I’m here. I’m happy. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be and I love it!”
“God is looking for ordinary people empowered by Him to do extraordinary things!” Anonymous.