Unlocking the Door

"There is a wide-open door for a great work here..." 1 Corinthians 6:9

This well-used Somali door was imported from Mogadishu!  It now decorates a restaurant in Toronto! The door is padlocked. The only way to get in is to use the right key. 

When we were in Pakistan, we ministered out of a hospital. Our staff was superb in showing the love of Jesus. We used it as a springboard to minister spiritually to people who came to the hospital and also followed up some of the patients and families scattered throughout the catchment area.

When I transitioned to full time in ministry in Canada, I searched for ways of connecting with Muslim men. It was easy overseas where we were part of an institution. So the door symbolizes what I had to do as a man. How do I start or get in? I had to find the key to minister to Muslim men and youth. One of those keys was to minister through programs. For several decades our government has funded programs to help settle newcomers. So, rather than reinventing the wheel, I started to volunteer at different places where I would have access to Muslims. Several of these are English conversation groups.

A number of years ago we helped settle refugees through Catholic Social Services. We were linked up to a newly arrived Afghan family of 6. The settlement counselor filled out an assessment for them of where they were needing help. There was a long list of options that included help with shopping, English practice, homework help, etc. The dad checked each item on the list--not possible for 1 volunteer!! It all got sorted out. 

Immigrants who come here obviously have to become proficient in English for their jobs and life here. Many things we take for granted are a challenge for those who are new. Reasonably good English is needed for reading notices from the caretaker, papers from the kids' school, paying bills, obtaining a driver's licence, and passing the citizenship test just to name a few. I'm thankful many Christians are involved in showing the love of God in practical ways.

Mohammad came here with ambitions to pass an exam to certify to service industrial equipment. Then he wants to sponsor other family members. So, he is learning English and trying to study for the technical exam. In the meantime he came to faith in Christ! While he treasures his new found faith, he still has to try to move ahead professionally. Its a privilege to help him with conversational English practice. He is very appreciative.

My wife and I spend time praying for each opportunity to serve newcomers by meeting felt needs. We want them to succeed. But there is more...we are intentional. We pray that I'll connect with the Muslims God wants us to follow up at the end of a term. 

Felt needs change as times goes on. Once the basic needs are met, the relationship with a newcomer may change. Life often gets busier and busier for them. The new felt needs are unique for each person--perhaps prayer for an ageing parent or encouragement in raising teenagers.

Thank-you Lord for the avenue of meeting felt-needs as a natural connecting point in ministering to Muslim immigrants. Amen.

International Students

"...but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2

"If I go with God, I'm afraid he will spoil my life", bemoaned an International student contact. I went on to share that God had given me a very fulfilling life when I put my trust in him as I pray and listen to the Holy Spirit for many important decisions. "Surely he has good plans for you," I reassured her. 

If the trend continues, it is possible that the number of International students sent to the West could double in 10 years. Many of these not only come for undergraduate studies but stay on for graduate studies or research. Who would have thought that we would have large numbers of Saudi students in our universities? Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam is a very challenging place to declare God's truth.

Bakht Singh was an International student studying engineering at University of Manitoba in 1929. He had previously been strongly opposed to Christ and even tore up a Bible to prove it. John and Edith Hayward befriended him in Winnipeg and invited Singh to live with them. After every supper they would read the Bible. It was reading the New Testament that brought him to a personal faith in the Lord Jesus. He became India's foremost evangelist and church planter. Haywards were part of that miracle.

Reminds me of conversations I had with an Asian student. Hussein read the Persian Bible I gave him from cover to cover. We met from time to time to discuss the Christian faith. He liked what he discovered to the point that he concluded that he would like to be a Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim. I explained that I didn't know about becoming a Jew but if he wanted to be a Christian, he would need to believe Romans 10:9, "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." "Do you believe Jesus is Lord and that he rose from the dead?," I asked. "No, I cannot agree with that," Hussein replied. "In that case, you are not a Christian yet," I added. There were many more conversations. The last chapter has not been written yet. I love this window of opportunity that we can have with inquisitive minds.  

Remember the incident I mentioned in my first post titled Redirection (click)? I believe God placed the District Commissioner in that strategic location to allow the Gospel to be preached in this remote town in Northern Pakistan. The students studying here are influential and how they view their experience in the West without a doubt will be remembered the rest of their lives. If they return to their homeland, they may appear in strategic places. It is possible for you to have a long term life-giving relationship with students from countries typically closed to Western missionaries. Like in the case of Bakht Singh, the Good News was carried to places we can never go. 

Heavenly Father, you direct students to come to simple places like Winnipeg to study but greater than that to meet you. Thank-you for allowing us to serve them and share the greatest knowledge they could ever get--that of knowing you personally. Amen

Food Court

Food courts in my city are busiest on cold or rainy days. The one I frequent is a central meeting place where many newcomers to Canada hang out. I pray that each time I go there would be at least one divine appointment. I do a lot of listening.

A typical morning or afternoon starts with a cup of coffee or something to eat so that I'm allowed to sit there. On this particular day, I scan the large area and soon see that at least 75% of the people sitting there are non-Caucasian. The Sudanese are sitting in one area, Ethiopians or Eritreans in another area besides Somalis, Aboriginals and pockets of University students and employees of shops. I spotted Lateef sitting with his Somali community. He was in a horrific car accident 18 months ago and was at death's door many times in ICU where we visited him. We prayed for him months before. His community discouraged him from having any contact with us. But there he was and I reminded him that it was a miracle that he was actually at the food court today. I talked briefly while other Somalis were listening in. He tires easily and had to leave for home shortly.

Newcomers who sit in food courts for hours have needs. Most need a job or they are waiting to be granted refugee status. Some struggle with a new culture and way of life very different from what they are used to. I remember talking to 2 African young men and after getting introduced, one of them turned to me and asked "What can you do for me?" He had the understanding that I as a Canadian held the key to him getting ahead. I wish I had that much power and influence! I try to get informed about where to send people who need help. After listening, I sometimes have opportunities to pray for guys.

I sat down next to a young African man and offered to buy the chap some coffee. He mentioned that he needed money to go to a certain pharmacy. When he left others who knew him said he'd probably spend it on booze. I noticed an Aboriginal man sitting at the next table watching me as I talked to this troubled African man. I  turned to him and greeted him. He responded, "I think you are a warrior." "Why do you say that?" I asked. "You genuinely tried to help that guy." He started talking about his life from the past, how he had been in jail for half a dozen years accused of attempted murder. And now he was working in a mining town in Northern Alberta. "I think God has been looking out for you. He is good" I said. "I believe in God too." My new friend gratefully accepted a New Testament and thanked me for praying for him.

I think Jesus would be comfortable at 'my' food court. He would have compassion for those who are truly hungry and thirsty for meaning and purpose in life.

"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink -- even if you have no money!...Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul!...I will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to David." Isaiah 55:1-3