From a Team Expansion worker in N. Africa:
We see a lot of isolated believers unable or unwilling to meet up with other local believers for spiritual nourishment and encouragement.
One of the greatest obstacles in our labor, even as we see and hear the Lord do amazing things each month, is group formation —the foundation of spiritual family or church.
Though our area is a more collective society than much of the western world, deep relationships and community bonds characterized by real trust are very rare.
And with the fears associated with an Islamic context, we see a lot of isolated believers unable or unwilling to meet up with other local believers for spiritual nourishment and encouragement—especially repeatedly or consistently.
So we are praying and laboring in ways that seek to build spiritual interactions within preexisting social groups. We’re asking God to give us households, families who can discover, share, and obey God together.
Mouna’s Family
We first met Mouna* several years ago at an international church. Over the years, our interactions have been infrequent, but good.
In recent months she has expressed deepening faith in Christ, as well as God’s work in the lives of her mother and sister and brother. Interestingly, her dad has been the one bringing her to meet with us.
For a long time we have been praying for an opportunity to interact with her entire family and after several hindrances, we were able to visit their home, meet all of them, share a meal, and give the father a Bible. We also showed the three grown children how to download it on their smartphones.
While steps forward always seem fragile and uncertain, this is a huge win with high potential. We are praying and praising God.
Will you join us doing the same? Sign up to pray with this area of the world.
*Name changed
