Why the Middle East?
When we first joined a certain missions organization in 2015, I had no idea that we were about to be invited into a greater story of what God was doing in the Middle East. The ministry base we became part of had a strong focus over there, and before we knew it, we were traveling with teams to the Syrian border to minister to refugees.
Over the years, we would enter homes across different nations in the Middle East, sitting in countless living rooms with families who had escaped Syria and other war torn nations some under sniper fire in the middle of the night. They would pour out story after story of loss and survival. Their words were heartbreaking, yet at the same time, we discovered something remarkable: many of them were questioning the version of Islam they had been taught since childhood. They were confused, traumatized, and searching for hope.
Often, over several cups of tea, they would turn the conversation to the One we follow. They knew Him as a prophet, because only prophets performed miracles. What they didn’t know were the stories of His miracles; how He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and brought life where there was none. And so, sitting together in those small rooms, we would share the stories of His miracles from Scripture. These moments were rich, eye-opening, and deeply moving.
We realized how often, back home, we had heard only the worst and most frightening portrayals of Muslims and Arabs. Yet here we were, welcomed into homes by some of the kindest, most inquisitive, and highly educated people we had ever met. It was a blessing and an honor to exchange stories with them and to discover the humanity, beauty, and depth of their culture.
One day, back at our ministry base, I asked God, “Why are we going to the Middle East? I love it, Lord, but what about Native Americans? Are You leading us away from serving them?” His answer came so clearly:
“Cindy, my heart is always for people who suffer under governmental and religious oppression with subsequent relocation.“
That answer settled something deep in me. I saw the connection. The struggles of Middle Eastern families echoed those of Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other indigenous peoples who carry thousands of years of generational history and who have endured suffering under outside, and sometimes inside powers.
Since that conversation, we have returned to the Middle East several times. We’ve learned more about their indigenous roots and discovered even more similarities to Native communities here in America. Through it all, we’ve seen one unshakable truth: God loves them. He loved them then. He loves them now. And He will love them forever.
It has been both a pleasure and an honor to follow Him wherever He leads. And in the process, He has captured our hearts not only for the indigenous people here in America, but also for those in the Middle East and the South Pacific.
(Language changed purposely to stay descreet)