I want to share a story of an encounter Joy had with a couple students in her class. Recently, Joy's students were discussing whether they ever wanted to go the United States. Different students had different opionions on this matter, but one student in particular really got Joy thinking. He emphatically stated that he did not want to go to the States. He said he had visited before for 2 months and no one there was friendly and he made no friends. His exact words were "No one wants to be friends with a Mexican." Joy then shared with him that we have struggled making friends in Mexico. Another student quickly responded, "You don't get it Mrs. Young. There are no Christians in Mexico."
As Joy shared this story with me, we really began thinking. This student was saying as much about American Christianity as he was America. He assumed because the US had many Christians he would find friendly people. On the reverse, the reason why we didn't have many friends in Mexico is that there were few Christians here so people did not have the same focus to befriend us.
This is a story that convicted us and we really think should be considered by American Christians. Throbs of internationals from countries with little gospel exposure enter our country every year. I hazard to say that we interact with them daily in the States and think little about it or them. They judge Christianity by the response they receive in our country. This is both a curse and blessing. We know that many they encounter are not believers and shed no positive light on Christianity. Yet, for believers in the States their is a great opportunity to penetrate the most hardened countries with the gospel. These internationals come seeking opportunity and friendship. Many return to their countries eventually. We have the chance as believers to impact not just them, but countries where the gospel is but a dim light. I would challenge believers to think about this truth.
On the other side of this truth, Joy now understands one of the reasons why one of her students is so resitant to the truth of the gospel. We have the opportunity daily to be a blessing to all we come in contact with. Our witness, even at home, will stretch to the ends of the earth.
this is what some have talked about as God bringing the mission field to us. that is a very sad truth that christians are not reaching out. i took a class called ESL (english as a 2nd language) and it talked about the unique opportunity to help international ppl and share Christ with them at the sametime. another area to pray for American Christians. we are seeking ways to reach out as our ministry in right in the middle of several cultures.
ReplyDelete