Taking The Message Home

Over the coming weeks the city will change. The currently crowded streets will become even more crowded as families come home for vacation. Cars bearing European car tags drive into town loaded down with gifts and goods from Europe as they come back “home” for a month of vacation. The face of the city changes dramatically with the return of family. Guys are wearing European brands, girls abandon the traditional dress for more modern European clothes. The normally male dominated coffee shops are now filled with both men and women…something they have grown accustomed to doing away from home. Life seems to slow down to allow for catching up with friends and family. There is a festive atmosphere as the city has more than it’s normal share of parties and weddings.

As these families come back from Europe the influence of their new country is seen in so many ways. They still speak the language and look the part but something has changed. For the guys there is a spring in their step…they’ve experienced freedom. For some, the time away has been good, offering hope and opportunities. For others the hope is false and they are simply acting out a part. Europe offers hope, jobs, money and a future and they do their best to portray success, the nice clothes, the new car, the stories…some real…some false. For the women they’ve tasted “liberation”…freedom to wear what they want, freedom to be out of the house, freedom to pursue an education. As with the guys some of their experience is real and some is simply saying what they think others want to hear. Some have done their best to protect their culture and values in their new foreign lands others have abandoned their heritage and have embraced the good, bad and ugly of their host culture. Regardless of their views towards this…one thing is true…they’ve been influenced and changed and they’re part of an emerging third culture.

The ideas and concepts they see and experience in Europe have a profound influence on the culture here. The influences of this, good and bad, can be seen in this ever evolving society. All things traditional: dress, design, gender roles, family structure, shopping, commerce are being influenced, shaped, redefined and often replaced by their European equivalent. The impact of this is both immediate and developing.

For those who have been exposed to the truth of the Gospel they also bring this influence with them. They often struggle with how to flesh it out and present it to their families but as they figure this out their influence is beyond the influence of an outsider. As we seek to influence Muslims living in Europe we need to recognize the long standing impact of this type of work. Not only does it have an impact in their lives and communities in their European culture but as they return to visit family and friends they’re expected to bring not only gifts but also new ideas and insights. Reaching Muslims in Europe is a effective and strategic way to help influence individuals, communities and cultures all across North Africa.