London, England – 2006 Summer Mission’s Trip

By Sarah

      Muslims living in England are quite unique.  This is because they know how to speak English, have been westernized, are not under the Islamic Law, and are more open to ways of thinking other than their Islamic culture.  Interestingly, 80% of the two million Muslims living in England are from Pakistan, the same people group I believe God is leading me toward for full time ministry.  Additionally, second generation Muslims living in England feel caught in the middle of two cultures, one being Pakistani and the other being of the West.  Because I have grown up in an English speaking, spilt cultured home [Pakistani Muslim father – American Christian mother], and have been taught about Islam my whole life by my father and Muslim relatives, I believe I will relate with and minister to the second generation as well as first generation Muslims in England naturally.  I am very grateful for the fact that I do not need to learn a foreign language to communicate with them, which could otherwise be a real struggle.

    While in London this past summer, I

•          Built relationships with and got to know the UK Mission Team

•          Volunteered in a Pakistani resale shop in order to meet new Muslim contacts and become friends with current ministry contacts

•          Learned more about the combined English and Pakistani culture among Muslims

•          Counseled Muslim women

•          Attended a Muslim evangelism conference

      This was a trip that I prayed a lot about.  The Lord is continuing to lead me toward Pakistani Muslim Evangelism and Counseling Muslims and Muslim Background Believers (i.e. Christian converts from Islam).  To the Christian, I see counseling as a life changing, Spirit led tool from God to lead others into an intimate relationship with their heavenly Father through emotional healing and discipleship.  In counseling Muslims, I view counseling as a way to share the Gospel by building trust through empathy and relationship.  God is our true healer and the only truth and life.

     This year has been very challenging and difficult for me.  But, of course, through the challenging and difficult times have come growth, maturity, and wisdom.  God has been teaching me a lot about trusting Him and depending on Him to meet all my needs and to take care of the seemingly impossible.  He has assured me that even when I do not see changes, He is working behind the scenes to work out everything for the good of those involved as He accomplishes His will.  God is dependable, ever present, and always on time.  He is God and I am not. 

Your fellow worker in Christ,
Sarah                

Sikh in London	Mosque in London

Outdoor Market in London	London Sari Market