Meeting up with a family that lived in the country of Morocco in North Africa for many years, they said it was an enlightening experience. The majority of the people in Morocco are Muslims and the religion of Islam gives them a different mentality and a different way of looking at the world around them. When they first arrived in N. Africa, they needed to learn the language. So they enrolled in language classes. They then needed to practice what they had been learning, so they lived with Muslim families. They also spent a lot of time with the local people in the outdoor market places. They were happy to teach me their language - Arabic. It was hard though. It took a lot of work. The family made a lot of friends this way. They also ate the food that they ate and tried to follow some of their customs.
Christmas in Morocco was always interesting. It provided an opportunity to tell the real story of Jesus' birth. "Papa Noel" (Santa Claus) was beginning to show up as inflatable toys in the mid 1990's. And New Year's eve provided an opportunity to give Bibles to people as gifts. All accepted with appreciation.
Their purpose for leaving their home country and living in Morocco as a family was to tell the people the truth about Jesus Christ as written in the Gospel. When presenting the gospel, they learned that they had to be careful. First, they had to earn the right to be heard. They first had to listen to them and let Muslims tell what they believe. After, they were able to tell their Muslim friends what they believe. The best way to witness to a Muslim is by giving your personal testimony and tell them what Jesus has done for you. So, that is what they did. Sometimes the Muslims would want to argue. Most of the time the discussions were spirited. Muslims have some BIG misunderstandings about the Bible. They think that...
1. The Bible has been changed. It's not the original word of God.
2. How can we say Jesus is the "Son of God" if God does not have a wife.
3. Jesus was just a good prophet.
4. Jesus didn't die on the cross, it was someone who looked like him.
5. Muslims also think that if they convert, Christians will give them money, a wife, a visa to the west, etc. This is obviously not true.
We do have some things about Jesus that we agree on.
1. Jesus was born of a virgin - Mary.
2. Jesus ascended into heaven.
3. Jesus is coming back someday.
Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God or that he died for their sins. They do not understand the term "Son of God". They think this is a physical relationship that the Bible is talking about, but it is not. It is a spiritual relationship between God and Jesus. So it is very difficult to witness to a Muslim, but we know that the Holy Spirit will convince them, not us. We just try to be faithful in what we do.
The majority of Muslims have never seen a Bible or held one in their hands. One of the objectives of the family was to give Muslims Bibles. Unfortunately Bibles are forbidden in most Muslim countries. Bibles are not available in book stores. The governments keep all Bibles out of their countries. So, the Bibles have to be smuggled in and distributed discretely. The family believes that if Muslims read the word of God, their hearts will be pierced with the truth that God loves them, Jesus died for them, and they can have assurance of eternal life in heaven.
The family did attend some of the rituals of their host country in order to minister and develop relationships with Muslims. Some of the rituals they don't enjoy, but they did it to strengthen relationships. Muslims typically are not open to the Gospel, but they are more likely to listen if they know and trust the missionary. Only the Holy Spirit can draw a person to Jesus, so that is what the family prayed for. Most Muslims are very friendly and very hospitable. The family didn't feel like they were in any danger when they were living in a Morocco. The Christian family is sure that some day, millions of Muslims will know Jesus as their personal Savior. In the mean time, they seek to be faithful in their work and continue to pray for Muslims.
Christmas in Morocco was always interesting. It provided an opportunity to tell the real story of Jesus' birth. "Papa Noel" (Santa Claus) was beginning to show up as inflatable toys in the mid 1990's. And New Year's eve provided an opportunity to give Bibles to people as gifts. All accepted with appreciation.
Their purpose for leaving their home country and living in Morocco as a family was to tell the people the truth about Jesus Christ as written in the Gospel. When presenting the gospel, they learned that they had to be careful. First, they had to earn the right to be heard. They first had to listen to them and let Muslims tell what they believe. After, they were able to tell their Muslim friends what they believe. The best way to witness to a Muslim is by giving your personal testimony and tell them what Jesus has done for you. So, that is what they did. Sometimes the Muslims would want to argue. Most of the time the discussions were spirited. Muslims have some BIG misunderstandings about the Bible. They think that...
1. The Bible has been changed. It's not the original word of God.
2. How can we say Jesus is the "Son of God" if God does not have a wife.
3. Jesus was just a good prophet.
4. Jesus didn't die on the cross, it was someone who looked like him.
5. Muslims also think that if they convert, Christians will give them money, a wife, a visa to the west, etc. This is obviously not true.
We do have some things about Jesus that we agree on.
1. Jesus was born of a virgin - Mary.
2. Jesus ascended into heaven.
3. Jesus is coming back someday.
Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God or that he died for their sins. They do not understand the term "Son of God". They think this is a physical relationship that the Bible is talking about, but it is not. It is a spiritual relationship between God and Jesus. So it is very difficult to witness to a Muslim, but we know that the Holy Spirit will convince them, not us. We just try to be faithful in what we do.
The majority of Muslims have never seen a Bible or held one in their hands. One of the objectives of the family was to give Muslims Bibles. Unfortunately Bibles are forbidden in most Muslim countries. Bibles are not available in book stores. The governments keep all Bibles out of their countries. So, the Bibles have to be smuggled in and distributed discretely. The family believes that if Muslims read the word of God, their hearts will be pierced with the truth that God loves them, Jesus died for them, and they can have assurance of eternal life in heaven.
The family did attend some of the rituals of their host country in order to minister and develop relationships with Muslims. Some of the rituals they don't enjoy, but they did it to strengthen relationships. Muslims typically are not open to the Gospel, but they are more likely to listen if they know and trust the missionary. Only the Holy Spirit can draw a person to Jesus, so that is what the family prayed for. Most Muslims are very friendly and very hospitable. The family didn't feel like they were in any danger when they were living in a Morocco. The Christian family is sure that some day, millions of Muslims will know Jesus as their personal Savior. In the mean time, they seek to be faithful in their work and continue to pray for Muslims.
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