One man from the Middle East was only with us at the church for a few weeks before having to move on. In his farewell text this man said that he felt a sense of belonging to the church, that it felt like a family. He said he knew nothing about Christianity before he came to us but that he wanted to continue on that path. We were deeply touched when we read his message.
It didn’t seem like we had done a great deal, just welcomed him, ate with him, and talked with him, asking about his life. He continued to attend church and heard the usual sermons. What seems normal for us to do as Christians is actually very different to how the world often acts. In fact, it is less about what we do, and more about who we are.
Not everyone we encounter responds so dramatically or so quickly. We have spent years with some families, and they are not yet open to the gospel. Yet we hope they see that we are different in the way we treat them.
The man I mentioned was relocated to a town close to Birmingham. He won’t be able to join us every Sunday, but he will be able to visit from time to time. Pray he will get established in his new church, feel at home, and be welcomed there. God is at work in the midst of many challenges.
M and E working with Immigrants in the UK