Missionary Lives
Fix or be Fixed
We make a spiritual discovery and with our PowerPoint presentation, we scale it up to fix the leader, the Church or even the whole world. The fact remains, we still ascertain the “need” and we still try to “fix people.” We ought to know better by now.
Identity and Productivity
Dave was one of the top mission leaders of his generation. Many of today’s mission leaders would say that this giant had been a significant influence on their lives and ministries. Today he is between 80 and 85, isolated and largely an afterthought. He helps us think about our identity.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 10: Conclusion: Issues and Questions
In the endeavor to live among Muslims in my target country, I have been confronted by opposition on several fronts, both personally and on a more general basis. I would like to deal with some of these in this last chapter.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 08: Stories of Believers
Why had I come to this country? For the excitement and adventure, surely. In order to experience a new culture and learn a new language as well. Not to be caught up in the comfortable Western routine 24/7 job, perhaps. But at the core of the matter, the most profound desire of my heart was to work out my faith.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 07: Witnessing to Muslims
It had been five months since I arrived in country, and I had joined a local high school soccer team the day after my arrival. My main motive in joining was two-fold: first, to get regular exercise and stay healthy. And secondly, in order to continue enjoying my favorite sport.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 06: Hospitality
Adam’s son had accepted Christ several months before, and was struggling mightily in his relationship with his father. Adam resented any Christian influences on his son, and was not happy that he was hanging out with foreigners on a regular basis.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 05: Funerals
One specific funeral day is engraved in my memory. Perhaps the very core values of this society were portrayed in this event more than any other.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 04: Gender and Grief in a Muslim context
As Nancy, my teammate, and I made our way along the side of the muddy street, trying to hide in our coats from the biting wind and rain, and attempting to avoid slipping into one of those seemingly bottomless mud holes disguised as small puddles, profound grief pressed down upon us with an immense weight.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 03: Weddings, Lifecycles and Culture
Rituals or celebrations signifying different life-cycle events reveal much about a people’s worldview. Weddings, funerals, religious festivals, birthdays, reaching adolescence or adulthood, all of these occasions can tell us much about a culture.
Soccer, Kebabs, and Injil, 02: Folk Islam
The big beautiful shrine, built as a tomb for an important historical figure, serves as the center around which the whole city has been built. People do come to do their prayers, but more importantly they come to get receive blessing from God.
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