One of the challenges of interacting cross-culturally with our neighbours is that we understand our own worldview very clearly, but people coming from other cultures come with a different perspective. Each of us is convinced we understand how the world ‘really works’ and may struggle to understand why people have different thoughts.
This difference carries into spiritual realities. Imagine the challenges that might be faced in understanding someone’s journey to faith. They may not need to fully understand that their sins are forgiven as much as they need to realize that their shame has been lifted; or that the God of the Bible is the truly powerful one with authority over all of heaven and earth.
As we have opportunity, we want to share stories from people who have found Jesus who come from different worldview. What follows is one of those stories. Maybe you won’t fully understand it; maybe it will make you a bit uncomfortable. I encourage you to listen with your heart to this journey to Jesus that might be quite different than your experience.
I had a dream recently. I could be wrong, but I think it was a dream from God with a message for me. And maybe it’s a message for you too.
Someone was promoting the idea of a coffee shop space. It was a small room—almost set up and ready to go, but not quite—there was some more work yet to be done to make it a welcoming and inviting space. Though it did already have some bookshelves, some decor, and a few comfy sofas chairs. For the colors, you need to imagine a typical Latin American street scene, where even humble spaces can be lit up by eclectic assortments of paint colors.
A story from a Muslim Background Believer and a church who prayed for the mosque in their community.
Imagine getting this email:
“My name is Rachael*. I am a born-again Christian of 2 years. I actually used to be a Shia Muslim. I attended the mosque on your street for many years of my life. The Lord pulled me out of the darkness of my former life as a Muslim and brought me into His loving light ...
I recently heard that your church prays specifically for salvation over people at the mosque. Is this true? If so, I’m not sure how long your church has been doing this, but I wanted to email you as an encouragement to you and your congregation to let you know that the Lord has heard your prayers and is AT work in this Muslim community...
We have a couple of empty bedrooms in our house. At one time they were occupied by our kids, but for the last few years they’ve sat empty except when they’ve been temporarily occupied by visiting family or friends. A quick change of sheets, dust and vacuum, lay out fresh towels and the rooms are ready for the next occupants.
Recently we’ve been preparing these rooms again—but we’re not exactly sure when their new occupants are coming, nor when they’re leaving. They are coming to Canada for an indefinite period—homeless because of violent conflict in their home country that has driven them, along with many others, to search for a place of greater stability and safety. They are staying with us until they can find more permanent housing—but in a tight, expensive housing market that could mean days, weeks, or months.
As carefully as we are making preparations for these ones to join us, it pales in comparison to the careful preparations that Jesus assures us he is making for us.
Anybody who has visited my house knows I like to garden. A few years ago, my husband and daughter built me a greenhouse so I can start my plants from seed. Each precious seed is carefully placed in prepared soil and carefully nurtured to grow strong before being transplanted into the garden to grow up and produce a harvest.
Recently I’ve been rereading the Parable of the Sower (or maybe better called the Parable of the Soils) from Matthew 13.
What is startling to me in this parable is the complete disregard of the sower for all the seed that is wasted. No gardener deliberately throws seed on the path, or amongst weeds, or on rocky ground. Seed is reserved for fertile soil.
So why is this sower apparently happy to waste so much seed?
When I first heard what Allan was doing among refugees in Winnipeg, I felt a desire to learn more. After meeting with him and hearing the details, I was convinced that this amazing story, describing what God can do with a willing and servant heart, had to be shared with the world.
The website, ScriptureEarth.org, containing one of the largest repositories of Bible resources available, is a hidden jewel in the toolbox for diaspora ministry in Canada!
A story of unexpected hospitality! A broken fence that led to neighbours showing mutual hospitality to one another...
Muslims are noted for their hospitality. They are gracious and friendly. But one thing they will not tolerate are snails. I mean I don't want to eat a snail, but this is anathema to Muslims. Now, if you are a Christian living in a Muslim country, they will treat you with hospitality. People will be friendly and try to help you if you have a difficulty. But you will be viewed as if you were a Snail Salesperson.
The House of Omeed (House of Hope) exists to inspire hope in the hearts of refugees and newcomers to Canada as they make the necessary huge adjustment to their lives now transplanted into a new, unfamiliar, and often incomprehensible society.
From the very beginning, the existence of the House of Omeed has been a story of miracles.
Given their track-record, it's not surprising, on a recent visit in the middle of Covid restrictions, to find that the staff and volunteers are as busy as ever. In fact, perhaps they’re busier than ever, as they tackle the needs of the community in a way that complies with public health directives.