During the Christmas season, believers meditate upon our Savior, who was born to a virgin and slept in a feeding trough for livestock. As we anticipate His arrival in North Africa, we’re seeing Him meet us in unexpected ways and places.
Recently, Joe* was pulled over while driving our language helper home. Surprised by Joe’s Arabic, the officer let him continue on his journey.
On Joe’s route back, the officer stopped him again. “I’ll catch a ride with you to my house,” he said. How could Joe refuse after he had let him go just an hour earlier?
During the drive, Joe asked the officer about his family, which led to an invitation to a birthday celebration for the officer and his daughters (ages three and six) in their home that evening. We attended the 8 p.m. event . . . a little late for a children’s party, but we are learning to roll with it here!
Christmas Dinners and Caroling
Last week, this dear family came to our home for a Christmas dinner. Never could we have imagined that the officer who stopped Joe would sit at our table with his wife while his children played with our daughter by our Christmas tree.
During this season, we hope to do the same with other families we have met in our new city. We are grateful for these opportunities to depend on Him and watch Him work.
In another unlikely place, hundreds of North Africans heard about Jesus for the first time when missionary colleagues sang carols at a shopping center last year. Regrettably, this Christmas they’ve been allowed to gather at the mall just twice due to fears of a terrorist attack; the second caroling event is planned for Christmas Eve.
Please pray for His Spirit to shine brightly in these gatherings—Christmas Eve at that mall and during our anticipated dinners with new friends this season—so that many will begin to see the true Light this Christmas. May He be glorified in this land!
*Name changed
—Adapted from a recent report by an Alliance international worker couple in North Africa, whose team recently moved to a remote city where there are no known followers of Christ
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