Many Things They Don't Know

We are working in a city and strategically targeting an upper class people group, and since they really don’t have any physical needs we can meet, we are learning to just live life as they do. We go to language school 3 days a week, the cross-fit gym several days a week, the boys go out and play basketball and football and we cook and go to coffee shops with our new friends. 

Through this new rhythm of life we’ve established, we’ve learned how to truly love Muslims. We’re beginning to understand how they think, how they relate to God (or rather their view of him), how they view the world, how they treat each other, and so much more. Now that we know them better and have embraced their way of life, we can reach out to them with the love of the Father in a way they can understand. This takes a lot of time and patience, because despite the fact that the majority of Muslims are some of the kindest and most hospitable people you will ever meet, “there is no love in this country” (quoted from our brother Mohammad*, a local Muslim Background Believer). 

In fact, the entire culture and religion is completely devoid of any concept of true love. They spend their entire lives trying to please Allah, and when they die they have no idea if they will find favor in his eyes. 
They don’t know that the Father has already made a way for them. They have no inkling that He is full of grace and loving-kindness, and that His wrath and judgement was satisfied at the cross. 
They don’t know the freedom of being a part of the kingdom. They don’t even know how they can be a part of it. 
They don’t know that all it takes is to repent and believe, and they can have complete assurance that they are his forever and nothing can snatch them out of His hand. 

But “how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” (Rom 10:14-15). 

Team members: Grace, Trevor, Sarah Elizabeth, & Mac

So... thank you for sending, and thank you for thinking of us as we strive to be the hands and feet of the Father in this dry and desert land. There is barely enough time in a couple months to even build a few relationships, but we know that our work is not in vain. Anywhere His word goes forth it will not return void. He was already at work here before we came and His word will stand long after we are gone. He is penetrating the darkness in ways we could not even imagine. He loves these people more than we ever could, so much so that he gave up his life for them. And so spending the entire summer with them so that they might have a chance to hear this truth and believe is no sacrifice, but rather our greatest honor. 

In these next few weeks, please be lifting up the individuals we have made connections with. Be asking that the Father will continue to show himself to them, in dreams and visions, in His word, and through more people that will come and pour into them. Be lifting up their families and circles of influence as well. Ask that they will be willing to lay down all if necessary to know and bring glory to the Father. And be lifting up all the rest of those trapped and blinded by Islam, that they will know the truth and the truth will set them free. 

Finally, ask that we will finish strong here. That we will wrap up our work well, and entrust the rest in our Father’s friends. Our hearts are broken for these people and this land, so join with us in asking the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 

Yes, the work is hard and tough, but it is worth it. 

The salvation of souls that are walking blindly into hell in the face of all risks and hardships is worth it. 

Every tribe, nation, and tongue giving glory and honor to the lamb is worth it. 

This work goes far beyond this summer, so let’s keep giving and going and serving with the rest of our lives. That way when He comes back for His own, He will have no problem recognizing us. Our banner will be clear. Until all have heard...

-Grace
Acts 20:24
Cross Fit Arabic Language Team
Middle East