One of our female team members (an American, mother of 5 children) has been developing a deep friendship with a Muslim lady over the past few months.  In the course of becoming friends, they have begun to share openly about raising children, marriage and faith.  Over the past month, this Muslim friend has revealed some interesting insights about how she (and probably many other Muslims) perceive local Christians and our faith.  Here is just one insight, I will report more in the weeks to come.

This Muslim friend noted that she has been interested in Jesus and has actually tried to read the Bible, tried to attend church, and tried to watch Christian programming on satellite TV.  However, she noted "the words you use are too difficult for me to understand.  I don't understand many of the classical words which are used in your sermons and I don't understand the classical words used in your Holy Book (the Bible) either."  

Many of the pastors in this particular country, and elsewhere around the region, pride themselves on having the ability to use classical Arabic when they preach.  It sounds great; even poetic.  However, the average person (Muslim as well as Christian) does not fully understand classical Arabic when it is spoken or written.  

If we are going to impact the average person ... for whom Jesus died, then we must help the Christ followers here learn to communicate the Gospel in simple and clear language.  Pray for us as we (re-)learn to communicate the Gospel in fresh ways and as we train others to do the same so that many from this land will embrace Grace and Truth.

"You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy.  I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did -- Jesus crucified.... But the Message (Gospel) came through anyway.  God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else."  (1 Cor. 2:1-5, The Message)