Refugees

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1.

This is a silhouette of the lifeless body of Iraqi toddler Ayan Kurdi found on a Mediterranean Beach in September 2015. Pictures of him sent shock waves around the world and represent a tsunami of unstoppable migrants from Syria and elsewhere. They risk their lives and savings to cross the Sea or walk for hundreds of kilometers to safety. When some countries tried closing their borders, the appeal by the migrants was "treat us as humans".

In the fall of 2015 Canada was in the midst of an election. The party that won the elections promised to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year if elected. It was a bold move that paid off when Canadians' emotions were stirred by virtual images of people seeking refuge in Europe.

Government and settlement agencies with the help of Churches and individual Christians were involved in rescuing desperate 'boat people' in the 70's after the fall of Saigon. Years later many responded again to help resettle refugees from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Sudan, and Somalia. Millions of refugees are stuck in Refugee camps for an average of 17 years--usually very difficult places to raise a family. Kurdi's picture accelerated efforts to resettle many new refugees from Syria and hopefully streamlined the process for others. Today we have a new frontier--asylum seekers desperately trying to find a way to cross the border into Canada. They are risking life and limb to do this in frigid temperatures.

Pictures of desparate people have stirred the hearts of God's people. "I'd love for our church to sponsor someone" or "We are so glad our church is sponsoring a refugee family" are popular sentiments heard in church meetings nowadays. I'm grateful that compassion is alive among fellow believers.

Sometimes in meetings where evangelical church groups want more information about culture or religion of Muslim refugees we ask "Why are you sponsoring?" Sometimes we only get blank stares. It is possible that a committee was assigned to work out the logistics and was primarily implementing a decision. We challenge them "go ahead and bring a refugee family in but do what only the church can do". The government will not pray with newcomers or share the Good News that the only permanent refuge we or any refugee has in the world is the Lord.

What are realistic expectations when newcomers arrive? Should we expect that they will start attending church? Certainly not if they are Muslims. Sooner or later they will find their own communities. They will start meeting each others' needs. From our experience, many of the newly arrived refugees are quick to beg churches or Christian agencies to sponsor other family members stuck in hostile environments. Naturally they want to be reunited.

Each sponsoring church will benefit greatly from people in their midst with cross-cultural giftings and experience. Many Christians and churches have jumped on the band wagon because their emotions were stirred but have not had a track record of showing concerns for refugees who have settled around them. If we merely sponsor Muslim refugees and leave them to themselves, we may help the Muslim cause more than the mandate of the church.

Dear Heavenly Father, as my brothers and sisters show your love to newcomers in practical ways, help them to also proclaim you. Amen.

A Mosque Visit

Romans 10:2&3. “…I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself…”

Muslims love to showcase Islam. When I take groups to the mosque to observe a Friday(Jumaa) prayer service, I give the person in charge a heads up. The 5 daily required prayers currently start at 6:45 a.m. and end at 8 p.m., adjusted as the sunrise/sunset changes. Here is what my friend Dallas and I prepared for a recent group (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWOKB5EzHSo):

Friday prayer order:

1. Wudhu(ablutions) – ceremonial washing of head, hands/ forearms, and feet, performed before entering prayer hall--or simply shower at home before arrival

2. Khutba(sermon) – for about 20 minutes, right after the Adhan(prayer call)   

3. Salat(prayer) right after the 2nd call to prayer(Iqamah) – memorized Arabic prayers in 4 different postures(standing, bowing, prostrating, kneeling)
4. Zakat(alms)--usually collected after the prayer service.

When we arrive, some Muslims will be going through 2 identical sets of prayers before the sermon begins. Once they are done many pick up a Qur'an from the shelf off to one side and start reading to prepare their hearts. The sermon begins at 12:45(1:45 daylight saving). The leader gives the prayer call, recites from the Qur’an in Arabic, and delivers his sermon. At the 2^nd prayer call, all will form parallel lines to lines in the carpet and face Mecca.

‘Allah Akhbar’(God is the greatest) is recited 6 times in each prayer call. Following 2 more sets of prayer, the worshiper greets the recording angel on his right and left shoulders.

Muslims also pray personal prayers called ‘dua’ before or after the regular prayers or thumb through prayer beads with the 99 names of God for extra merit.

Protocol for the mosque:

• Dress modestly...for women: long sleeves, long skirt or pants, nothing tight, a loose scarf on your head, men dress respectively
• Remove shoes before entering prayer hall
• Normally greet people of the same gender...wait for conversation after their prayer. Simply "Hello" or Arabic: salam a laykum(peace be unto you), response: wa laykum a salam
• Discreetly observe Muslims performing mandatory ablutions
• Men and women sit and pray separately in the prayer hall
• Sit quietly at the back on the floor as a group during prayers. Pray for Muslims present
• No pictures

Attitude during your visit:

• Come to observe and learn
• Speak with respect--no negative comments about Islam
• Be friendly and smile!
• Build trust--avoid arguments(about Jesus' divinity, Trinity, Israel, etc.)
• If a Muslim tries to convert you--listen with respect
• When appropriate share your faith--an answer to prayer, etc.
• No loud laughter. Be reverent and in constant prayer during the visit
• Connected with someone? Meet again one-on-one

   Questions to ask in a mosque:

• Where are your roots--where did your family come from? "Welcome to _____!"
• What do you like best about being a Muslim? Then share what you like about being a Christian/follower of Jesus!
• What is the hardest thing about being a Muslim?
• What does a Muslim believe will get him into Paradise?
• Have you read the "Injeel"(New Testament)? Would you like to have one?

Questions to think about during your visit:

• How do I feel visiting a mosque?
• What did I learn?
• What do I see that is in line with Scripture? What do I see that goes against Scripture?
• What is God's will for the people in this mosque?
• What unanswered questions come to mind?

Read the first chapter of the Qur’an beforehand.  It is a short prayer of seven verses, recited 17 times each day in ritual prayers. http://quran.com/1.

Dear God, thank-you for our knowledge that you love all people. Help me to communicate your grace to Muslims. Amen.

Isolate or Engage?

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7.

"Do you believe this is the last generation before the return of Christ?" asked a visitor to our table at a large Missions conference. "It is possible...yes, it may be. There are many signs of apocalyptic proportion.", I answered. "Then you must get ready. Are you getting ready?", he continued. "Yes, I believe I am trying my best to prepare.", as I gestured with a sweeping motion over the banner with Muslims in front centre. "I want many of these to be in heaven with me!" "No, no...I mean, are you planning to move to an isolated place and invite your friends and family to come to a place of sanctuary? You know Jesus instructed the disciples to "flee to the mountains" in the scenario in Matthew 24.", he pressed on. "But sir, God has called me to tell these dear people about Jesus. That's what I want to be...busy with sharing the Good News if Jesus comes in my lifetime." He sighed and walked off. That was the gist of the conversation. His end time fixation got in the way of engagement with Muslims.

The news is shocking. "2015 continued to get worse for worldwide persecution of Christians, rising to "a level akin with ethnic cleansing,..." On top of the list is North Korea and Muslim majority countries."(Open Doors) There are basically no human rights for believers from Muslim background. 

"I am so afraid for my children and grandchildren when  I watch the news. Our world is a mess and Muslims seem to be getting stronger.", bemoaned a mid-aged woman. I agreed that things were really getting tough in the world and we too are praying especially for our grandchildren that they would remain strong in Jesus. Our sister broke down in tears as she dwelt on the grim reality of terrorism and rhetoric from the Middle East. These thoughts had taken over. I tried to reassure her that God is still God. "He is with us and will be with our grandchildren. Let's continue praying for our offspring."

I presented a workshop titled 'Middle East Events' Effect on Missions' at a Christian college this past week. A colleague, who ministered in Syria until it got dangerous for westerners, reported in the workshop that Syrian refugees who fled and settled on the border in Lebanon are responding to the love of Jesus, "We didn't see this kind of openness in Syria."

Western nations are welcoming Syrian refugees to their peaceful shores. Canada for example is bringing in 10,000 more Syrian refugees over the next 3 years. Our sovereign God is placing these at our doorsteps!!

My heart was warmed as I watched a local church welcome a Muslim Syrian family. They really loved on them. The family decided to move to another city. Just before they left 'Asif' requested to thank the church publicly.

I concluded my workshop at the College with "What If?" (click). The clip challenges us to engage with immigrants. Many of you readers are involved already. I believe God is pleased.

Lord Jesus, help me to effectively engage with Muslims you have brought here. Draw them to yourself through your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Moving Towards Christ

"...I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:18.

Ever been to an auction sale? I've been to quite a few automobile auctions and estate sales. The auctioneer looks for even a glimmer of interest and a slight nod is all that is needed to complete the sale in small auctions.

In 'Evangelism for "Normal People" (click) John Bowen refers to a 'bounded set' and a 'centered set' when it comes to evangelism. In the old paradigm a seeker comes to Christ in a more traditional way--a response to a Gospel presentation or an altar call at an evangelistic meeting. Assent to a set of beliefs is typically given in 'the sinner's prayer'. In the 'centered set' the focus is on Christ and any movement towards him is an indication of openness to his message. The focus is on what is happening in the seeker's heart. This 'centered set' is what usually happens with Muslim seekers. They are on a journey and it may be a long one. Read on to see how this is typically fleshed out.

My friend Ahmed was faced with deportation from the US. His lawyer advised him to seek religious asylum in Canada by claiming conversion to Christianity. His kids would need to be baptised in a church and he would need to know Christianity well enough to pass the scrutiny of a Canadian immigration officer. He was like a dog after a bone as he spent hours studying the Bible and comparing it to Islam. The more Ahmed studied, the more he became convinced that Jesus is the only way to become right with God. When he reached his decision, his wife was resistant for a season. Praise God, today they are a beautiful family who follows Christ.

Asif was drawn to kind Christians and started attending their lively worship services. He kind of belonged before he believed. This is quite typical where Muslim seekers check out a Christian community to see whether this would meet his or her needs. In this case a Christian with a 'cross-cultural gift' befriended him, understood his journey and pointed him to Christ. Every church needs a group of people who understand and accept people coming into the church from another culture or religion. We just heard of Christians who turned a Muslim away from exploring the Christian faith because of the trouble a decision to follow Christ would bring on the family. Miraculously, God found another way and today she has a glowing testimony.

Easterners are wired for the supernatural. Many Muslims are having dreams about Jesus. This of itself does not bring them to faith but gets their attention--like a flag waving. They need the truth of the Word of God to bring them to faith. A sister who was wavering in her new found faith and struggling with some aspects, had a dream that confirmed the truth. She never turned back. A Nigerian Muslim was a debater that no Christian could silence. One night in his sleep, he was chased by some evil force. Each time he woke up terrified. Finally, as he had another episode, he called out 'Jesus'. The evil force's pursuit stopped. It got him thinking--there is something to that name. He came to faith in Christ.

Jesus transformed Paul, the terrorist of the day and an unlikely candidate to become his follower. Paul, by God's grace did a 180 and started a movement. Be encouraged. Inspite of today's horrific news from the Muslim world, Jesus is building his church. We never know what method he will use. God is hearing the longing of Ishmael and his descendants. Even in the darkest of places, Muslims are responding to the truth!! In our setting, we may have the privilege to nurture faith in seekers when we remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit!

Lord Jesus, lead me to a Muslim seeker in my travels or in my neighborhood. I want to be your messenger to bring Good News to this person's heart. Amen.