I told him that I thought God just wanted me to "take a step." The man paused for a few seconds and told me to repeat that phrase over and over again. After the fifth time of repeating it he said, “I think you've found your answer my friend. Start taking steps."

I'm continuing to seek the Father for understanding in what he is trying to teach me. He is still revealing a lot to me about who I am and my constant need for him even as I'm serving overseas. I didn't get on a magic plane to Southeast Asia that made me into a perfect Christian. I need him just as much now as I did when I was back home. But now He has stripped away the distractions and the comforts that have held me back from falling more in love with Him.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit a Muslim village.  Not only is this a Muslim village, but there is no one working to share the Good News with this people group. When I came to Southeast Asia, I did not realize that I would have this unique opportunity.  The experience was very eye-opening and life-changing. 

Last week, our team had the chance to visit a fishing town of approximately 150,000 people scattered into a handful of villages up and down the rivers of the area. Each of these villages were deeply rooted in the Muslim belief system (the dominating religion of the Middle East). The region as a whole is considered UUPG. In the village we mainly stayed in, only one man, Alex*, spoke English. This man is well respected in his village and incredibly devout in his belief to the Islam. Our first day, he took us on a boat tour of the villages and to a place of worship, where he began telling us more about Islam.

One thing that God has been particularly placing on my heart is the use of art for His name. Before I came on this trip it was placed on my heart for me to bring some supplies to do paintings while I was here. It has been so beautiful to see the way the Creator has used it. I have been able to share my story, tell stories from the Bible and ultimately share the Gospel with many friends through the paintings God created with me.

On average, it takes almost 10 years of relationship and work with Muslims to begin to see people come to relationship with Jesus. This amazing phenomenon did not make sense to me at first!  How could it take 10 years? But, after meeting Muslims and seeing the importance of relationship, it does. Nothing in North Africa, or the Muslim World is done quickly! They eat slowly, walk slowly, and grow relationships slowly.

Learning Arabic has been an enjoyable challenge. Emphasis on challenge! So many sounds in Arabic we do not use in the English language!

In our time with Cafe 1040, we have been gifted with many Arabic teachers to learn the language, the culture and learn which teaching works best with us. In the beginning we are on our own to learn words from the locals. This is fun but pretty rough!

I have been in Southeast Asia for almost a month now and have seen such beautiful and confusing things. I expected that much. The surprise has been in the willingness of locals to befriend me and my teammates. We have friends that are children, elderly, single, and married. Friends that are students, workers, skaters (in between jobs?), and retired. People aren't really so different just because of a time zone.

GOD IS SO GOOD! He has already been teaching me so much about how much He loves the people of this nation. He was here way before me and will be here long after me! Most days I can see God all around Basetown--through the smiles of locals, in their loving actions, and in the breath-taking landscapes that my eyes have been graced with!

I am leaving a changed person. I am not the same from months ago, and I had God to thank for putting me through this program. Countless times He has given me peace about my future, and restored His love for the nations through me again and again. This program has fanned the flame on my heart for the people in the 10/40 window and the Muslim culture.

With the semester coming to a close and the end in sight, we have had multiple times of reflection. One of those times happened to be in the Sahara Desert. While we were there, we were instructed to reflect on our time here and to think of a word that summarizes our experience, and then write it in the sand. Overwhelmingly, I believe God was telling me my word was confidence.

Picture this. It's late at night and muffled voices began to enter one by one into a storage room of their neighbor's home. They enter this room held together under a single light and there is a sense of quietness held by each of their breaths as they enter together. Even with such silence, they do not seem scared.What these women, men and children are doing is illegal, but they know that. They've accepted it. In fact, some of their ancestor's greatest victories took place in punishment for what is taking place.