Around the Well

Caught in the midst of the Arab world’s most recent conflict, our workers are safe after an evacuation that involved travel by helicopter, ship, and airplane. Thank you for praying for their situation. They praised God for the opportunity to build many friendships as they waited to evacuate. Now as they await the ok to return, pray along with them for those things that God has laid upon their hearts:

AWM’s Summer Team Program offered an opportunity this summer to share the Gospel with more than one million North African Muslims who visit European ports for vacation each year from countries where open preaching is forbidden. Two of the participants, a mother and daughter team, wrote an email journal of this unique experience:

"Today we were at the pedestrian gate...it was rather slow, as the first ferry was not scheduled to leave until 10:30 am, but it was time well spent in prayer, even if many packets were not handed out. We both had experiences where the man (or head of the household) said 'no', but the woman said, 'yes' she wanted it, and they took a packet... in one case it was a grandmother who was very conservatively dressed, who told her grandson that she wanted it. We had one instance where the man driving said 'no', but as they were pulling forward, we noticed a hand waving out of a crack in the back window as if reaching for a packet. We were able to pass the packet into the woman, but just barely... only just enough space to slide it in. Please...remember to pray for the woman reaching for a packet out the back window.

"Some of you may be wondering exactly what we are passing out...we are offering a New Testament in French and Arabic... as well as some NT available in other dialects (many of these dialects have very little available in their own language)... they are also given a DVD of JESUS film... it is dubbed in 16 different languages. There are a couple of children's fun books, a copy of More than a Carpenter, and then another book about the Messiah.

"We also had an experience where a gentleman with his girlfriend said he believed Jesus to be a great prophet. He asked if we would be willing to read the Koran if he took a packet. Thankfully that very issue had been addressed at last night's devotions, and so we knew to say 'yes'... he did not have one in English, only French, and asked if we would be there later in the week... so we will see what happens.

"We had a long day yesterday.....there were some joyful moments however. Just when we were feeling particularly discouraged from all the ‘no merci’, a car pulled up to the gate, and the girl in the car could be seen reading the little green bible aloud to the whole car. Just at that moment the sun came shining through the car illuminating the girl... as if to say God's light is present.

"There was a van that was there most of the time we were distributing as they were having car trouble (radiator problems we think). Somehow they were able to stop the radiator from leaking and drive into the port. They were very adamant about not accepting a packet, but were very happy and open to having one of our team members pray for them and their van. Please pray they get home safely, and that sometime soon they would be open to seeing what the Bible has to say.

"We were at both the car gate and pedestrian gate today. While we were handing out packets someone literally grabbed a packet out of our hands right after we greeted him. We did not even have a chance to say what it was, or that it was free, or even 'Bon Voyage' for that matter. At the pedestrian gate it was slow, real slow.....however we gave one to a man waiting to pick up people from an incoming ship. At first he had said "no", but then later he came back and asked for a packet... he and all is friends then sat down and looked all through it, and began reading it.

"Please continue to pray for all those who have taken a packet, that they will see the truth and love of Jesus. Please pray for their protection, and that the spirit of fear does not overwhelm them."

If you'd like more information on Summer Teams for next year, contact our Summer Teams Coordinator: e-mail: summer@awm.org or phone: 800.447.3566 x7327

In effort to educate and challenge churches looking to be active in ministry to Muslims, Mike Pollard, AWM's Director of Church Relations, has developed an email newsletter called Church Connections. Along with a column on Church Missions Issues and Trends, the June 2006 edition included plans for an upcoming AWM Vision Trip to the Middle East as well as other ministry opportunities designed to help fellowships across the United States.

If you think your church may be interested in receiving this newsletter, email us.

"Around the Well" is archived on the Arab World Ministries web site. To view previous editions, visit the "Around the Well" homepage at the following address: