Women Who Go - Closed homes, open doors

You may be surprised to learn that there are more women missionaries than men in pioneering locations such as in the Muslim World. In God’s great mission he wants to use each of us, whatever our gender, age, or stage of life, to spread the gospel message. We are all co-labourers (1 Cor. 3:8-10) and one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-29).

In the past 2,000 years the Holy Spirit has been actively using women as significant spreaders of the gospel. From the woman at the well, Lydia, and Priscilla in the New Testament, to pioneers like Gladys Aylward (China), Lilias Trotter (North Africa), and Jackie Pullinger (Hong Kong) in the modern missionary movement. The Great Commission was so much more than a few men receiving their marching orders.

CHALLENGES

Pioneering as a woman in the Muslim world is far from easy. While freedoms are slowly changing for Muslim women in modern cities, in many traditional societies women are seen as of less value than men and most are hidden away behind headscarves and veils. Some are unable to venture out of the home without permission from a male relative. Let’s be real, as pioneering female workers, living constantly with restrictions and feeling undervalued can threaten our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

When I was in the Middle East I faced occasional verbal and physical harassment and crude comments from men. I too struggled with being undervalued. Having advanced quicker at language acquisition than my husband, it was frustrating having my contribution to conversations ignored by locals. As a young married woman I was also constantly asked to give the reason why we didn’t yet have children.

However, these experiences also gave us compassionate insight into the lives of the women we’re seeking to show God's love to. We wanted them to know that there is a God who sees them and knows them, and is inviting them into the good works he has prepared for them through Jesus. Thankfully we sometimes saw God use distorted views of women for his purposes. One female co-worker was able to begin significant connections in a community because she was underestimated and overlooked as a threat.

The challenge for women through all these experiences is not to grow resentful and bitter towards the culture God has sent them to.

I remember a wise, seasoned single female worker who, in my first year overseas, prayed with me that I would stay soft when the environment around me encouraged me to become hard. This was difficult but forced me to go back to God and seek a stronger sense of how he sees and values me. Our male co-workers also affirm this when they honour us as co-heirs and co-labourers as we together work and pray to see the Kingdom of God come in the Muslim World.

OPPORTUNITIES

Amid these challenges God is also providing wonderful opportunities for the gospel. When Muslim women get together there is often no male present so they literally let their hair down and have fun, dance, laugh, and share their struggles, or have Quran readings and prayers. As foreign women we are often embraced into this sisterhood. These ‘women only’ gatherings can be wonderful opportunities for us to share God’s love and tell them of a man who loves and values them so much that he died for them.

There are so many women who are hungry for the gospel and when they respond to Jesus become as bold as lions. Today, according to sources in Iran, the country's rapidly growing church is predominantly led by women and is widely regarded as the fastest-growing house church movement in the world. Others struggle with the fear of losing everything so we help them to know how to graciously share with their family and friends.

Sadly, it’s likely that nine out of ten Muslim women in the world have still never met a follower of Jesus. However, at Frontiers we’re encouraged by the number of young women who are seriously considering God’s calling to go. As we continue to train them and help them take next steps, let’s pray that God will raise up many more to go behind the closed doors where men cannot enter.

Leyla - British Sending Base

P.S. If you’re considering God’s calling to go, please get in touch with us. We’d love to chat with you.