1) To discover if God is leading me into mission long term, and if so, where?

2) To be exposed to the culture, learning skills and info, that will be needed when working in an Arab region;

3) To help existing mission teams in the region

4) to encourage my own spiritual growth.

The programme is based in Lebanon and includes exposure to Arab nations like Syria, Jordan, and of course Lebanon. I will study a Bible based core programme including Middle Eastern culture, history and religion, plus intensive arabic language study. There will also be a great deal of friendship evangelism.

Lebanon is the only Arab state that is not officially Muslim and as such there is religious freedom; but, as with most Muslim countries, there are heavy social consequences for conversion to Christianity. It is seen as ‘a melting pot of Middle Eastern peoples’, with Palestinians, Kurds, Shi’a Muslims, The Druze and Christians, all living within it’s borders. Lebanons’ history of fighting has meant that many missionaries have withdrawn from the country and now the Lebanese Christians fed forgotten. Although it was one of the key centres for Christian ministries to the whole Middle East, much of this has been limited or stopped altogether. There has been a severe disruption of Christian literature, however the Bible Society has distributed many Bibles over the years. About 3 Christian radio stations broadcast through the week, and there are opportunities for teaching, outreach and relief work The fighting has died down now, but there is an uneasy peace and deep division between religious and political communities.

I have full prayer support from the elders of my church, Dunvant Gospel Hall, who have been praying with me over this decision.

So why am I going then? I have never been able to sing the lyrics from the song 'He is Lord’. Originally they say "The Gospel 0 Lord is the hope for our nation.."; I have always believed that the Gospel is the hope for all nations including the Muslim ones. Many of the almost 2 billion Muslims in this world have never heard of Jesus and the hope that He brings. I have had the desire to take this Good News to them for about 7-8 years now, and so although this is far from the first step, it is the first step I would ask you to take with me.

I leave on January 6th 2001 to attend an orientation conference in Germany, before flying to Lebanon. It would be amazing to know that you will be praying with me. Things that you can pray for now are: -

• My family - that they wouldn’t worry too much and that just as God prepares me to go that He would do the same for them.

• Me that God would keep my excitement always an ounce above my fear!

• That I would be of use out there, and that I would learn what the future holds.

• For the situation in lsrael at present -that God would have all His people working in and around it, in the palm of His hand, where their names are written.

In a very small nutshell that is it! Please if you have any questions etc. then write to me or call me! I would love to hear from you, and I hope to get a chance to speak to you all soon anyway. Thanks to all who have been praying for quite some time already.

Love & God Bless

Emma

"For the love of Christ leaves us no choice."
2 Cor 5:14 (NEB)

Email Emma c/o DunvantGospelHall

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