September 1999
 
 
ISSUE 5
 
 
A WALK IN THE PARK…
Several weeks ago, I decided to take a stroll down to the local park to have my quiet time with God. Walking in the park, I got chatting to a Turkish/Kiwi couple. Being married for just under a year, they are beginning to discover the difficulties of a cross-cultural marriage. 

I spent a fair time chatting with Georgina, the New Zealand wife, sharing my faith and answering many of the questions she had. Her sister became a Christian several years ago and is now labelled the official nut of the family. While Georgina's questions were mildly hostile, there were too many to convince me that she wasn't interested.

It came about in the conversation that I was explaining how so many Muslims have religious dreams that play a significant role in them coming to faith. Georgina then shared with me a dream she had many years ago. Apparently she saw Jesus in shining radiance. So brightly was he shining that she was unable to lift her eyes and look him in the face. Jesus spoke to 
 
 
random dream and why she thinks it is of spiritual significance. She could only say that 'It was different' which is all my Muslim friends could ever tell me. 

I invited them up to my home for a meal with Ros and Dave Eaves (An Aussie/Kiwi couple on staff). It was a valuable relationship building time. However the difference of reaction between the husband and wife to Christianity highlighted the differences in culture.

Please pray for Georgina as she seemed rather uneasy when I explained the basic gospel message to her Muslim husband. He seemed genuinely interested and attentive, eventually leaving with a Turkish bible and keen to meet up again. However I hope Georgina can soften her views towards Christians, and be open to the two of them accepting a relationship with Christ. Why is there so much cynicism in our Western mindset? Honestly, I often find it easier to share the gospel with a Muslim than with an Australian. 

Praise God for this opportunity, and pray that together they can discover Christ.
 
 
"The birth and rapid rise of the Christian Church remain an unsolved enigma for any historian who refuses to take seriously the only explanation offered by the Church itself."
                                                  C.F.D. Moule
 
her saying "Don't be ashamed, look at me."

Georgina asked me what I thought the dream could mean. Having long gotten used to being an unofficial dream-interpreter from my time in the Middle East, I offered my suggestion that it could mean that by accepting Christ she would not have to be ashamed of looking Jesus straight in the face. I went on to explain how we are washed clean of our sins through Christ.

What amazes me is that here is a Westerner telling me of dreams! Is it that dreams are a worldwide phenomenon and we just don't speak openly about them in the West? Georgina had never told anyone before of her dream. I asked her what makes her think it wasn't just a 
 
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