This week I was exposed to a lot of new things. Minneapolis is one of the most diverse cities in the country and I was able to meet a lot of Somalis this week. For a project in my cultural anthropology class we're doing research on Somalia, so I went down to the global market to meet people. I met this guy named Sharci who works at this amazing African restaurant. We started talking about his culture and eventually started talking about his religion. Sharci is a Muslim and he was more than willing to talk to me about his beliefs. I was so touched by Sharci. He said to me, "I can tell that you really love Jesus." This made me so happy that he could see that in me. He had a lot of questions for me and actually asked me to come back so he could ask me more questions.
On Thursday, we went to a Somali mall. I felt a very real darkness while in the mall. The people were so nice, but I couldn't help but feel an extreme sadness for all the lost people that were there. I came back to my dorm room and called my dad. I felt Satan planting lies in my head that I wasn't capable of making a change in the lives of these Muslims, especially in Sharci's life. I told this to one of my group members and she had some very encouraging words. She said, "Sometimes, the devil tries to put lies in our paths before God gets ready to do something beautiful."I hope and pray that this statement becomes reality.
The more I am exposed to people of different cultures, the more I want to get out into the world and do ministry. My heart for the lost is becoming more and more real. I don't want to stay silent. I don't want to just sit around. We're called to have an active faith and to walk like Jesus did! Jesus loved his neighbors. He loved his enemies. He cared for the sick and the poor. He called the lost to him.
What a great experience! Good for you for stepping out and being brave (even if it was for a school project - I'm sure you could have done something easier.) Know that the opportunities before you are prepared by the Lord and He will give you the words and the strength. And remember, it's Him that makes the change. We're just the tools.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully real. There are so, so many lost people in this broken world... It breaks my heart too. :(
ReplyDeleteYou are such a radiant beacon on this Earth! While we continue to walk in the center of His will for our lives, those whom He calls that we encounter will find Him. He is so faithful!!
Luke 15: 4-10
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine ain the wilderness, and go after that which is blost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise ajoy shall be in heaven over one bsinner that crepenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one apiece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the aangels of God over one sinner that repenteth.