It has been quite a long time since I have done an update. Or even a blog. Sorry about that. If I’m being honest, it has been more so having little motivation to write one than it has been about time. It’s not that I don’t have things to say or talk about, it is more so figuring out what to write about and how to do it, especially considering a lot of the friends I have made as of recent.
This blog will focus on Oman and the friends we made there as well as crazy moments that I had there.
I want to preface with saying, I love the muslim friends that we have made and have a lot of respect for many of them. The reverence that they have for God is admirable and something that many people in the Church don’t have, when we have all the more reason to believe this. Not only is our God the one that commanded Moses to take his shoes off on holy ground or can’t be looked at because of the burning holiness, but he also came down in the flesh to unite us with him. The greatest story of heroism, sacrifice, and humility. Which, if you know any Muslim, this is the striking difference between us and them. Honestly I could write a whole blog about it. But there are already hundreds of books for that. I also love the sense of hospitality that the muslim people have! Now, it is slightly masquerading the work based faith that, depending on who you talk to, operates on a point system of right and wrong. But, to say a lot of them are not genuinely the kindest people you would ever meet is a lie.
Overall, while in Oman, I was rejuvenated in an odd way I had never expected. I was encouraged in my reverence for who God is and the true sacrifice that He took upon himself so that we would be reconciled with Him once and for all. I was also encouraged in what hospitality can look like and should from a Christian perspective. This is not merely something that we should do but it is what Christ within us will transform our heart and mind to become. I mean isn’t that the essence of what Roman’s 12 talks about? Now, all this to say that while I was rejuvenated in this way it was because the place I was in perpetuated a need to dive more in depth into scripture and focus on the one true God. This was not something to enter into without an appreciation for the warfare that one would be entering into.
Now, to what took place.
Our time in Oman started quite interestingly for my team. We ended up meeting a couple (we will call them Amir and Anika) that half our team had met in a totally different city earlier that month. They ended up offering to take us up into the mountain of Oman (you needed a four wheele drive car and they had 2!). So, for the next week we spend our time with a Hindu couple, that upon further conversation was uncovered weren’t really married but were kind of in a relationship. So, on top of ministry to this couple while we were with them, we were attempting to walk beside each of them within their baggage and the baggage they had with each other. We were able to give them truth and speak life to them, pray for them and even teach them how to pray. I was debating putting this story in but I will: On our last night with them, we moved spots and there was no place to set up a hammock to sleep and I knew that I was suppose to let a teammate use my tent. And for some reason I felt like God was wanting to not go to sleep that night. As we are standing and talking around the fire people slowly start tricking into their tents. Eventually it is just me and Amir, the hindu man. We stayed up another 2 or so hours after everyone had gone to bed and talked. The things we talked about were quite all over but by a miracle I was able to recall a scripture for every topic and share the Word of God with him. By the end of the conversation it came to talking to God. And he said he doesn’t know how to pray to Jesus and I asked if he would be interested in me teaching me and he said he would be. While this was not like he accepted Christ, I took this as the start of Christ’s working victory in this man’s life.
After we finished our time with Amir and Anika we went back towards the city of Muscat and began to be stretched in a whole new way. One of the beautiful things about being in culturally diverse places is learning from the people in these places. What better way for us to learn about Islam than in a Mosque at their information centre? We had heard from the other half of our team about this spot in the mosque and this became our main hub for learning and speaking with these beyond friendly people and even began creating friendships that will hopefully last for years to come. Most of our afternoons spent at the mosque were overstaying the visiting hours and having the workers ignore the time to continue our discussions on the difference between Christianity and Islam. One of the days in particular was the most impactful for me and it happened to be, again, on a last day. This was going to be our last time able to visit our friends at the mosque because we would be leaving the country. We came in, and for whatever reason I was really uneasy that day. I just kept asking that God would lead us and guide our conversations and eventually felt a sense of ease, mostly around the time they began asking questions. This was huge for me because a majority of our time there was us asking them questions. Now it seemed like they were more interested, even if to try to refute it. I wish I could say that the questions were easy… but explaining the Trinity, or the Holy Spirit, or Paul, or church history or well I don’t even remember all the question because they became rapid fire at one point haha. But what stood out to me the most within that was when 2 teammates of mine and I were having conversation with one woman and I began answer questions. Next thing I know everyone in the room, Muslims and friends alike, are surrounding me and listening to the answers that I am attempting to provide despite the occasional interruption. It is truly a surreal moment when you realize that there were all these Muslims surrounding you and listing to you speak what has been taught to you by the Word of God and other faithful Christian mentors and professors that have led me.
Oman was probably one of my favorite countries thus far and I hope to share more at another time. Right now my squad’s time in Turkey is coming to a close. In a few days we will be heading to Georgia! If you could pray for my squad as we continue to travel I would appreciate it greatly. Things have also been pretty tough with a lot of sickness for several on the squad. Also! We have our parents coming to visit us in a few weeks (I GET TO SEE MY MOMMA)! If you would keep the families and their travels and experiences in your prayers, I know the squad would appreciate it! I am also thinking about jobs for when I get back. So prayers for that as well. Thanks! Feel free to reach out at any time and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! It is always good to hear from you all as well!
