Stepping Forward

"For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared." Ephesians 6:15

“That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", declared Neil Armstrong as he placed his left boot on the surface of the moon—way back in 1969. As a teenager I was glued to the TV. Armstrong literally had to dream, eat and sleep space and becoming an astronaut. He remained focused on this career path. A huge team prepared for this historic mission. God hand-picked Paul for a far greater Mission to be a pioneer missionary to Gentiles in Asia Minor. Good 'ole Barnabas came alongside of Paul until he was launched in ministry. When cash-flow was tight, Paul supported himself as a tent-maker. In the above verse, I don’t think he was referring to combat boots. After all, there have been effective ‘bare footed’ missionaries in developing countries over the years. It appears that it has to do with preparation of the heart to be in harmony with God and ready for action. Paul walked the talk. Even though his job description included Tent-maker, he was a Church Planter at heart. I think his workbench was also his ‘pulpit’. I love this marketplace stuff.

When we left for Pakistan for our assignment at Bach Christian Hospital, I had several skills in my ‘toolbox’. On the practical side, I had years of preparation on the farm where I learned the basics about farming, construction, welding, machine repairs, etc. which I later honed in subsequent jobs. I learned a lot of ‘mr. fixit’ skills. I even learned to fly, thinking that I was destined to become a Missionary Pilot. On the spiritual side, many people invested in my life. The list includes my parents who prayed for me, Sunday School teachers, and those who involved me in outreaches like teaching Vacation Bible School and Camp Counselor. To make a long story short, I graduated from Bible College in Theology, praying for the Lord’s will for my life. So, my heart was ripe to respond to God’s tap on the shoulder ‘go to Pakistan’.

Was all that preparation wasted after a decade in Pakistan and returning to home base? No, not at all. In fact, we think God was preparing us for a more effective ministry in the homeland. I had a better handle on cross-cultural communication and sharing Jesus with Muslims. I mastered another language. Now when I tutor a newcomer learning English, I can empathize with him and be more helpful. The East is very relational and I can appreciate the ministry of hospitality more fully. I understand the role of community to a greater extent. In evangelism, exploring a 'new community' is a huge thing for Muslim seekers considering the Christian faith. These are all new skills in my ‘toolbox’ and they've been put to work. God knew how to prepare me for ministry on both sides of the ocean.

The fact that you are reading this post, probably indicates you are interested in this subject. Good for you! If you are a follower of Jesus, you too are on a Mission similar to Paul...probably not in Asia Minor but in your 'backyard' or elsewhere. May God take your boots to the person of His choice to befriend and share God's wonderful news, peace with God through Jesus.

Dear Loving Father, Thank-you for wisely shaping us in order to be of service to you. Prepare and guide us in this ministry. Amen. 

Redirection

“That night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia in northern Greece, pleading with him, “Come over here and help us.” Acts 16:9

Sept. 14, 1978: "We are approaching Islamabad International Airport where it is 6 a.m. and 30 degrees C. Welcome to Pakistan," announced the British Airways flight attendant. Joy and I along with 2 year old Christina had entered a new phase of our lives. I was a rookie in living in a new country and in ministry to Muslims. Shortly after arrival, I took a tour of the town we lived in on a hot day. The new sights, sounds, and smells made me nauseous and out of commission for a few days!! What a wimp. But over a period of 10 years God helped me adjust, learn Urdu, and thrive in our adopted land.

 Leading up to our departure, my wife and I saw clear markers that God was directing us to serve in Pakistan at Bach Christian Hospital. He helped us prepare for ministry and provided an amazing team of prayer and financial partners. My first assignment was to give leadership to the Maintenance and Building Department. It included small building projects, maintaining hospital equipment, keeping utilities going, a stand-by generator and hospital van. Doing so in a developing country is a chapter all of its own. Each of the dozen Pakistanis on my maintenance team did his part. As time went on I helped a Pakistani brother gain experience and confidence to eventually take my leadership role. The security of raising a family on a 15 acre compound composed of a hospital portion and residential allowed Joy, as a young mom to get involved in evangelism.

 Fast forward, we were now into our 9th year of service preparing for Home Assignment and were experiencing some uncertainty about our future. Initially I fought the idea that God might be redirecting us. A timely incident that later helped confirm a new direction was when a mob attacked four Pakistani brothers and I selling Christian literature in a conservative town. We were dragged in front of a judge who himself had studied in Canada and obviously had a positive experience. He said “Our people have freedom to share about Islam in his country.” With that he let us go. Our return to Winnipeg happened at a time when there was a new wave of Muslim International students at our Universities. We recognized that we had entered a new season in life and ministry. Although I was working full time in my old trade, as a mechanic, we got connected to a campus ministry where we learned the ropes about ministering to International Students. For the past decade God’s people have allowed us to again serve full time in sharing the Good News with Muslims and mentor others.

 In the verse I highlighted, God directed Paul in an unusual way but with clarity. You may be in a confusing stage in your life or ministry. If so, God is able to clear away the fog and give clarity and confirmation of his will. He is our 'Mission Director'.

“Dear God, we know that you have a purpose and place for each of us. Please help us to recognize your voice in directing to specific people or places of service. Amen.”

Embracing Christmas

John 3:13. "But the Son of Man came down from heaven."

Many people l-o-v-e the festivities of Christmas now referred to as the 'Holiday Season'. Secular Muslim friends take pictures of their first Christmas in the West in front of the largest tree in the mall or even of their younger children on Santa's lap. They have endearing titles like Baba Noel for him, like he's part of their family! They love all the hoopla in the mall. It's a bit like the bazaars and souks back home. 

Candlelight services on Christmas Eve with the pleasing ambience are popular events for the whole family. Several of these events where we took our Muslim friends to, come to mind. One was at a small church where we formed a big circle around the sanctuary, candles in hand and sang songs like 'Joy to the World' and 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' at the end of the service. Our friends were touched. Another time newly arrived Persians noticeably took many pictures of the superb decorations in the foyer and sanctuary of the church before and after the Candlelight service.

Yusef, from Shia Muslim background, visited our house. After discussing many aspects of the Christian faith including the message of Christmas, Yusef asked “What about the Mahdi?” You may recall that Shia Muslims believe there is an Imam figure who is currently hidden and will re-appear when things fall apart on earth. His question gave us an opportunity to explain that according to Muslims, the Mahdi is from the earth but the Bible tells us that Jesus came from heaven. He is the Savior of the world and wants to give everyone an opportunity to have eternal life. My answer to Yusef was that we are focused on Jesus, not on the Mahdi.

It's a great privilege to share the message of Christmas with our Muslim friends. And they need help in interpreting the mixed messages. Favorite Christmas carols in the Malls include a mixture of Jingle Bells, songs about Santa Claus, and the birth of Jesus. Santa Claus' presence encourages the commercialization of Christmas. He 'gives' gifts to deserving kids. The Bible on the other hand, shows that God came to us in the form of a baby. We didn't deserve this kindness. Muslims have it right, that God truly is merciful.

We visited a Muslim home where their kids had a very small ceramic Christmas tree in the bedroom--hidden away but greatly treasured. Another thing they treasure is this centerfold of a manger scene from a Guidepost Christmas card I gave them 5 years ago. I glued a bunch of these on hardboard and made them available at an English Conversation Group party. They were all taken in minutes...mostly by Muslims!

While the mall is not our favorite place at this time of year, we try to maximize on sharing the reason for the season. So, that's why I've learned to embrace Christmas rather than dwelling on the commercialization. The whole world desperately needs the message of Jesus...Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Man!

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere...
That Jesus Christ is born...

Lord Jesus, as the shepherds did so long ago, help us to announce the coming of Jesus to our friends.

see also "Telling the Christmas Story" by Joy.