Leveraging Shared Experiences
Friday, November 1
Whenever a hurricane or a typhoon of the highest category hits a country, lives are lost. Even with emergency services deployed ahead of time and numerous warnings, there will still be loss of life. It is tragic and inevitable.
I was talking with a Muslim family about the recent floods and loss of life in the US Southern States. They were amazed that even in America, people die from storms. I mentioned that everyone needs to be ready at any time to meet their Maker and they agreed. No one knows how much time they have left on this earth. These tragic storms remind us that our lives can be snatched away in a second, in the blink of an eye.
I explained that when that moment comes—and it will, not if—the time for confession and repentance is over. Muslims feel the weight of having to earn their salvation and God’s favor. They are uneasy with sudden disasters because they are cut off from being able to seek God’s favor. This leads them to become very fatalistic saying, “If God wills it, what can I do?” So, they just muddle through life as best they can.
There is an Afghan proverb that says, “In childhood, you are playful. In youth, you are lustful. In old age, you are feeble. So when will you worship God?” Sometimes we have to be gently challenged to take time to think and reflect on God in a personal way, whatever culture or society we live in.
I was talking with a Muslim family about the recent floods and loss of life in the US Southern States. They were amazed that even in America, people die from storms. I mentioned that everyone needs to be ready at any time to meet their Maker and they agreed. No one knows how much time they have left on this earth. These tragic storms remind us that our lives can be snatched away in a second, in the blink of an eye.
I explained that when that moment comes—and it will, not if—the time for confession and repentance is over. Muslims feel the weight of having to earn their salvation and God’s favor. They are uneasy with sudden disasters because they are cut off from being able to seek God’s favor. This leads them to become very fatalistic saying, “If God wills it, what can I do?” So, they just muddle through life as best they can.
There is an Afghan proverb that says, “In childhood, you are playful. In youth, you are lustful. In old age, you are feeble. So when will you worship God?” Sometimes we have to be gently challenged to take time to think and reflect on God in a personal way, whatever culture or society we live in.
Finding common ground for gospel conversations
I mention this because sometimes Christians have said to me, “I don’t know how to share Christ with a Muslim.” Or, “I don’t know what to say to a Muslim, they are so different from us.” Yet, in many respects, we are very similar. We all feel pain and loss. And this is a way to use current life events to share with your Muslim neighbors or colleagues.
Draw from current events or relatable experiences as a natural segue to bring the good news of Jesus Christ. There is real pain and tragedy in everyday life, and sometimes that is what it takes to wake us up to think about God. Too often, we read the news, pray for those affected by tough circumstances, and then move on.
Draw from current events or relatable experiences as a natural segue to bring the good news of Jesus Christ. There is real pain and tragedy in everyday life, and sometimes that is what it takes to wake us up to think about God. Too often, we read the news, pray for those affected by tough circumstances, and then move on.
But for those whose lives have been turned upside down, life is a huge struggle and challenge.
Many of our Muslim refugee friends have lived through or have family members currently experiencing major upheavals in their lives. Being able to talk and share about it helps them to process it. It gives us an opportunity to listen, feel their pain, and pray with them. It allows us to share God’s love for the nations and for them to hear of his tender mercy and compassion. It also gives us the opportunity to pray for God’s peace that surpasses understanding into their lives.
Many of our Muslim refugee friends have lived through or have family members currently experiencing major upheavals in their lives. Being able to talk and share about it helps them to process it. It gives us an opportunity to listen, feel their pain, and pray with them. It allows us to share God’s love for the nations and for them to hear of his tender mercy and compassion. It also gives us the opportunity to pray for God’s peace that surpasses understanding into their lives.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Muslim friends
Speaking of opportunities, the fall brings the harvest season. Please try to take advantage of Thanksgiving and consider it a season. Canadians have completed their official Thanksgiving Day, and Americans are still awaiting theirs, but if we all consider Thanksgiving (and Christmas) as a season then we can celebrate it for months!
Take the opportunity to invite Muslims you know to join in celebrating God’s provision and harvest. Take them to an apple orchard, have a bonfire, take them for walks in your local state or national parks to enjoy God’s handiwork. There are countless ways you can connect with your Muslim friends and colleagues every autumn!
10/10 Prayer Initiative
On the first Friday of every month, we have covenanted to join in prayer for 10% of the Muslim world to come to Christ in 10 years. This is a bold and challenging prayer that can only be answered by a bold and all-powerful God! Feel free to ask others to join in for these first Friday prayers, or if another day works better for you that is fine, too!
Please also pray for:
- Peace in the Middle East. Local Christians who are from and live in the area are caught in the ongoing conflict between Israel and her neighbors. Pray that they would be spared and that they would be able to live out the love of Christ in a difficult place.
- Ongoing conflicts around the world. Pray that these will not impede the gospel from going forth with power and in truth to needy areas.
- Those hit by severe weather events all around the world. May local churches be responsive to help and be a blessing, so that Christ may be praised.
- Ryan Corbett to be released from the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pray for grace for his family as they struggle through the second year of his captivity.
- Christians living in Muslim lands. Ask God to give them the boldness to share their faith while showing sensitivity to the people they minister to.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
