Year 2007 is now underway, and it seems like we are in full swing here in the Middle East. Our break in Egypt was great. God really blessed us with good weather and with only afew hang ups. Most of our experiences there were good, except for one bus ride. Lets just say the Egyption Muslims were less than cordial about sharing a bus with 4 Americans. But it worked out ok. If you would like to see afew pictures from our trip, check out the photoblog.
God has truly blessed one of the friendships I have been working on latly. We will call him Freddy for now. Freddy and I recently met up for lunch at a little sandwich stand not far from my apartment. I had been getting kind of discouraged about this relationship. It had developed into a good friendship over the past several months, but the level of spiritual discussion had been next to nothing. I was begining to think that he was merely using me just to practice his English. The only topic of spirituality we had discussed up to this point was “The Passion” and what his feelings were towards the film. Although this sounds promising, it was quickly dismissed in the conversation as just a good movie. This afternoon, however, was different. We started talking about the winter break trips he and I had made and the different expieriences that had come our way. It was just like normal. Then it happened. He brought up the latest christian film production, “The Nativity.” He said that it was really great how people were combining the story’s from the Quran with other “sources.” The Quran has a version of the Virgin Birth of Isa in it, that is actually very close to the stories in the Gospels, with some differences. This was an excellent chance to share the differences between Islam and Christianity. The growing mentality of college students here in Jordan is that the two religions are very closly related, and even lead to the same God. A pluralistic view of God has become more popular here among the shabab (younger generation). We then began to discuss the differences in the two religions. Mainly, that the story of Isa in the Quran and the story of Jesus in the Ingeal (Gospels) are much differnt. That is, that Jesus did not die in the Quran, rather Judas was replaced by God on the cross to pay for his sin of betrayel. Although most Muslims know this difference, few know its significance. Freddy was not one of the few. I had the amazing opportunity to sit across from him and discuss the significance of the Cross of Jesus. The facts that He had to die in order for me to live in the grace of God here on Earth and forever in Heaven. This was his first encounter with the Gospel. As most of you know, I get passionate about the things I care so much about. I thought I had pressed him too hard in this coversaiton, but Skywalker and I are invited over for lunch at his home this week! The Gospel still works.
Joel:
I so look forward to your emails and pictures. It is hard to beleive that you are the young man that came to our little country church in Lyndhurst, VA. I must admit I do not take the time to really absorb all that you are doing and when I do I realize how much I am missing out in sharing your good news. I am so glad God has blessed you in such a way as to allow you to do his work in this manner and experience seeking the lost. Your story on Freddy should inspire us all to not give up and take the easy way out when we cannot get some one to realize that there is only one way to true salvation. You are a blessing to all who see your work, your pictures, and your blogs. May God keep you safe and may your work be fruitful.
what a good book title. “The Gospel Still Works,” by Joel Furrow…..If you don’t I will….