Ramadan-Week One

All across the world, Muslims have begun fasting for Ramadan. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and this year, it began on August 22nd. During this time, Muslims will refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking from dawn until dusk. The evenings are filled with eating typical Ramadan food with friends and family. In Muslim countries, TV stations will announce when the sun has set and the people can break the fast.

For Muslims living in Europe, Ramadan sometimes looks very different. If they live in an area highly populated with Muslims, it can feel just like home. For others, it can make them miss their home country even more as they don't have access to food, family and friends like they usually do during this time of year. Click here to read about how one Muslim living in England celebrates Ramadan.

During this month, please consider praying for Muslims living in Europe. Often times Muslims will receive dreams and visions of Jesus Christ as a result of Believers world wide praying for them during Ramadan.

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.

The Power of Prayer

Recently, a man who used to be a Muslim came and spoke to a group of workers here in Europe. He shared his testimony of how Christ came to be his Lord and Saviour. He also shared some very practical tips on what Muslims need to hear (and especially SEE) when you are trying to share your faith with them. Here are some of his tips:

• Be a man (or woman) of your word. Muslims live in a world where deceit is normal and expected. So if you are someone who says they believe what they say believe, and do what they say they will do, it will speak volumes to a Muslim.
• When working with women: Women will naturally talk about their families with fellow women. As they share things that are going on in their lives, the hardships and difficulties, look for opportunities to pray out loud for your Muslim woman friend. Pray in the name of Jesus Christ and pray specifically for your friend.
• Men talk with men, women talk with women. This is something that one should always be aware of and practice.
• When beginning a new friendship with a Muslim, be straight forward about what you believe from the get-go. If a Muslim is friends with and doesn't know you are a Christ follower until a few months into the relationship, they will think you are not a very dedicated follower of your religion, and/or, they will think you are just friends with them to convert them to Christianity. Be authentic.

One worker in Europe had the opportunity to pray with her Muslim friend. When she was done praying, the North African woman told her friend that she trusted her more than any of her Muslim friends. She tells her things she would never tell her Muslim friends.

Besides praying with your Muslim friends, the biggest way you personally can influence Muslims for the Kingdom is to pray daily for Muslims in Europe, and all over the world. Pray that the spiritual battles going on will be won by God's spirit. Pray that the Enemy will not have any power in cities predominantly Muslim. Pray for the people who are mentioned on this blog. Sometimes we forget that we need to talk to God ABOUT our Muslim friends, before we talk TO them about God.

Spotlight on Germany

"The name of the salon is German -- Goldene Finger (Golden Fingers) -- but the services it offers are listed in the window in Arabic and Turkish. In the front of the shop, 40-year-old Palestinian Toufic al-Rifae gives men haircuts and trims their beards. Veiled women disappear into a back section behind a curtain, where female hairdressers do their hair and, using thick lines of the traditional Middle Eastern cosmetic preparation known as kohl, apply their makeup in the Arab style. " (Life in a Parallel Society by Norbert F. Pötzl)

This article gives a great deal of information on the current status of Muslims in Germany. According to one survey listed on the site, of the Muslims questioned:

• 0.9% are from a German background


• 2.4% are from other Asian and African countries


• 3.3% are from European countries


• 5.8% are from other Arab countries


• 9.6% are from Iran. Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan


• 78% are from Turkey

Of those Muslims who immigrated to Europe, 23.1 % have lived in Germany since they were born, which classifies them as second generation Muslim/Germans.

To learn more about the status of Muslims in Germany, we highly recommend this article. The link can be found here, or at the top of the page.

To encourage those of you who pray strategically for Muslims in Europe, know that God is at work! Currently, we know of at least one small fellowship that has begun amongst Turks living in a large German city. People are learning about the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and choosing to follow Him. Pray for them as they still face much persecution, despite being away from their home country. Because so many of them live in immigrant neighborhoods, they risk becoming social outcasts when they choose to follow Christ. This can make them feel even more lonely considering they are already living away from their home country.

Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Germany who once followed Allah, but now follow Christ!

Muslim Demographics In Europe

This video was sent to us and we found it interesting enough to post on here. We're not sure who produced it, or where the statistics came from, but the fact that Muslims are flocking to Europe still stands. Our prayer is that these statistics will not cause fear in the hearts of Christ followers, but rather may God give you a deep love for Muslims all over the world. God is calling His children to action.

The Third Culture

One family lives in Brussels. They study French so they can function in the Belgium culture, and then so they can communicate with French speaking Muslims.

Another guy lives in London. He travels into the neighborhoods highly populated by Pakistanis.

The family who lives in Spain use as much Arabic as they can with the Moroccans they know, however they use Spanish most of the time as they work with 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.

It's one thing to move your self across the ocean and plant yourself in another culture and language. It's an even harder thing to plant yourself in a different culture, then minister to a people group from yet another culture.

This is the reality of reaching immigrants in Europe. For Westerners, they usually need some kind of bridge to connect with the immigrants. Often times this comes by means of a cultural center, food distribution, or English classes. However non-Westerners are able to connect with the immigrants differently. A Lebanese Christian working in Europe discussed how his Middle Eastern backgroud makes it easy for him to fit into the culture and community of Muslim immigrants. He is able to focus more quickly on doing Bible studies in Arabic. Latin Christians usually can be living testimonies as they work along side North Africans in the construction and domestic industries.

This week, please pray for workers all over Europe who constantly deal with the pressures and blessings of working within 2 very different cultures.

Reaching Muslims in Europe-Easy or Hard?

In many ways, working with Muslims in Europe is a unique and exciting opportunity. Many of them are open to new ways of thinking. Their world view has been expanded in this new culture. They see the allure of the world and view Islam as outdated. A Muslim like this may be very open to learning about the Hope of Salvation.

On the other hand, trying to reach Muslims in Europe can be even more difficult than in their own country.

Many European cities have an ever increasing Muslim population. You can find Arab streets, neighborhoods and barrios and even Arab suburbs. They are filled with mosques, Koran schools and halal meet markets. The Muslims who live in these places usually live there because they want to maintain their own culture, tradition and religion. Because they are away from their home, lifestyle and values are held onto very tightly. Some Muslims become even more devout when they move to Europe.

So do we become a part of this closed community? With growing anti-western sentiment, are Westerners the best people to be sending into these places? Who might be a better choice to send to these Muslims who so desperately need Christ? What are some ways westerners CAN reach Muslims in Europe?

Muslim Population in Europe Continues to Rise

Politicians Fret as Muslim Population Swells in Europe Amid Little Integration
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 By Greg Burke

BRUSSELS, Belgium — A clash of civilizations may be taking place on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, but it's also happening a lot more quietly in European cities.

Old Europe's population is dwindling even as immigration and high birth rates among Muslim groups are swelling in cities all over the continent.

And in Belgium, it is no different. Click here for the rest of the article.

The following video clip is taken from FOX News.com. As European cities become more and more prominently Muslim, how does this change the face of evangelizing Muslims in Europe? Or how does it effect evangelisim in Europe period? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

New Posts Coming Soon

We apologize for the blogging hiatus. Check back soon for new updates. If you are a current worker in Europe, please email us at reconsiderWE@gmail.com if you'd like to contribute stories.

Thanks,
The ReconsiderEurope Team

False Hope

Leila* always appears content and happy. She invites Megan* to have tea with her and Megan stops in Leila's store on a regular basis. Their relationship has struggled to go past the surface.

A few months ago, Megan was able to share the Gospel message with Leila. Like any devout Muslim, Leila had all of the answers for why she loved Allah, and why Islam filled her with peace. Until today, Megan believed this to be true, and she began to wonder if Leila was someone she should "shake the dust" from. It appears that Leila is very content with her life and does not want to hear about the One True God.

Megan's perception was changed today.

A few days ago Leila's son was disrespectful to her. He threw a book at her and refused to apologize. When Leila asked her husband to help control their son, he made no effort and told his son that he didn't have to apologize. This began an outpouring of reality as Leila shared with Megan what her life is really like. She works long, hard days, and comes home to a husband who shows her little love and respect. Her son adores her when his father isn't present, but when father and son are in the same room, Leila doesn't stand a chance. Leila's mother-in-law despises her. She describes her seemingly kind husband as being two-faced.

Megan learned all of this just a few minutes after Leila had taken a few moments to pray to Allah in her store. She used to be uncovered, but now, she is never seen without her veil. It seems Leila is seeking some source of comfort in Islam. She's trying harder to be a good Muslim. Maybe if she is good enough, Allah will let her into heaven. Maybe.

Before she left, Megain promised to pray for Leila. Please pray with us that Leila will understand how much Jesus values and loves women, and that He desires to carry her through life's burdens.

Common Barriers-Veteran Immigrants

There are two types of veteran immigrants: those that have lived here many years, yet still live in a miniature model of their home country in a European context, and those that have lived here many years, yet have mixed European traditions with those of their own.

The first group reminds me of the movie Spanglish. A mother and daughter travel from Mexico to LA and find themselves in a world not too different than their own. They are able to shop at Mexican grocery stores, and attend Catholic Spanish Mass. This is what some immigrant neighborhoods look like in Europe. You will find Arabic written on store fronts, and men and women carry out their lives just as if they were actually living in their own culture. The barrier to reaching this group is that it can be hard to get into their oikos. They have a tight group of like minded friends and family and although an unbelieving Westerner may be welcomed into a surface level friendship, it is hard to become a true friend. At times, they can become suspicious of the Westerner because they wonder why this person is shopping in the Moroccan, Turkish or Pakistani markets. If you hope to reach these immigrants, you will need lots of patience, and lots of time. These relationships will need to be dealt with delicately and you must be a disciplined learner of your new acquaintance’s culture.

The second group of immigrants are those that have lived here for years, very likely speak the language very well, and have embraced many European customs. For women, they often are no longer covered, but they may still have many Muslim girlfriends. These women are also more likely to be single or widowed. When one worker met an immigrant at a evangelical church service, she asked the woman if she was a follower of Christ. The Muslim woman responded by saying that she came to the church because she enjoys learning about other religions, and her own religion of Islam is very accepting of other faiths. These immigrants probably have some of the least amount of barriers. They are much more willing to learn about your faith, and hear what God has done in your life. However, they are still very Muslim in their mentality, and it is quite a stretch for them to accept the Bible says as true. They will enjoy learning about your religion, but accepting it is still very difficult. Also, if these people still have close friends who are more devout, they may feel the pressure to appear more devout around them, and therefore to give up Islam, is a big decision.

Common Barriers-New Immigrants

These brand new Muslim immigrants face many challenges when they arrive in Europe: they don’t know the language, they usually are looking for a job and housing, and they are living in a world so incredibly different than their own. For a worker desiring to reach them for Christ, these needs can present an open door. Christ followers who live in these countries can help them learn the language, usually through classes provided at a cultural center. They may even be able to help with the job search. However, barriers exist when the new immigrant is reluctant to receive help from a Westerner. He or she will usually seek out family or friends from their home country because they trust them, and because they understand their way of thinking. Well meaning Westerners can turn a new immigrant off, simply because the Westerner may approach how they help that immigrant in a way that is confusing, or even insulting.

This is why being a learning of your culture is important. Loyalty is a major issue with many immigrants in Europe. They come from countries where loyalty to family and faith is of the utmost importance. Therefore, you many need to build their trust before they can allow you to help them. It would be wise to spend a good amount of time observing the customs of the people group you are working with. Watch what they do when a new person arrives. How does that person feel secure and loved? Sometimes the best thing you can do is humbly offer your help, and then spend time praying for ways to share your faith with this new person in your life. This isn’t to say that God might not be telling you to act at times. So make sure you are walking daily with Him, so that when He speaks, you are ready to listen.

Common Barriers-Brand New Immigrants

These brand new Muslim immigrants face many challenges when they arrive in Europe: they don’t know the language, they usually are looking for a job and housing, and they are living in a world so incredibly different than their own. For a worker desiring to reach them for Christ, these needs can present an open door. Christ followers who live in these countries can help them learn the language, usually through classes provided at a cultural center. They may even be able to help with the job search. However, barriers exist when the new immigrant is reluctant to receive help from a Westerner. He or she will usually seek out family or friends from their home country because they trust them, and because they understand their way of thinking. Well meaning Westerners can turn a new immigrant off, simply because the Westerner may approach how they help that immigrant in a way that is confusing, or even insulting.

This is why being a learning of your culture is important. Loyalty is a major issue with many immigrants in Europe. They come from countries where loyalty to family and faith is of the utmost importance. Therefore, you many need to build their trust before they can allow you to help them. It would be wise to spend a good amount of time observing the customs of the people group you are working with. Watch what they do when a new person arrives. How does that person feel secure and loved? Sometimes the best thing you can do is humbly offer your help, and then spend time praying for ways to share your faith with this new person in your life. This isn’t to say that God might not be telling you to act at times. So make sure you are walking daily with Him, so that when He speaks, you are ready to listen.

The Three Kinds of Immigrants in Europe

Those working to share Christ with Muslims living in Europe often find themselves running into the same barriers time and time again. However, depending on the length of time an immigrant has lived in Europe, the problems workers run into will vary. There are essentially three types of Muslim immigrants*:

• Brand New: These immigrants have arrived in Europe recently. They are searching for jobs, and lacking in language skills (usually). They will usually flock to neighborhoods where their own countrymen are already living to ask for help, housing or guidance. In general, veteran immigrants will lend a helping hand to these newer ones.

• Veteran Immigrants: This group of people can actually be divided into two parts. There are those immigrants who have lived in Europe a very long time, and continue to live as they did in their home neighborhood. They have usually learned the language, and they maintain close friendships with their own countrymen. Other veteran immigrants have also lived here a long time, however they have been influenced by Europe’s liberal mentality. They have adopted some European customs, while still maintaining the traditions from their home culture and religion.

• 2nd Generation Immigrants: These are the Muslims who were born and raised here. They attended German, French, Spanish and English schools. They are bi-lingual, and grew up with peers from outside of their own people group. These immigrants are usually the most European of the three groups. They are constantly dealing with living within two paradigms. Often, their parents expect them to grow up and become good Muslims, like they would have in their home country. Yet they live in a social world vastly different from their original country.
The next 3 posts will talk about the barriers each group presents to those who desire to share the Gospel with them. Keep reading to learn more about working with immigrants in Europe!

*Please note, we are aware that immigrants are quite varied from country to country. These are simple generalizations we have made to help us know how to better reach the different groups.

WANTED: Story Tellers

Qualifications: Applicants must have a passionate love for Jesus Christ, and a desire to share their own God story with Muslims living Europe.

Interested? Contact us at Reconsider Europe to learn how YOU can be involved in advancing the Kingdom by living incarnationaly in Europe. People groups from all over the Globe have moved to the West in search of work and new life. Living in Europe provides Christ followers with opportunities to reach people from otherwise hard to reach places. Here are some ideas of jobs you could have:

• English Teacher-Many cultural centers and even Mosques host free English classes. If teaching is something you enjoy, this might be a great fit for you as you can excel in something you are gifted at, and build great friendships through your classes.
• Sports coaches/camps Facilitator-Direct, or start a sports league in immigrant neighborhoods. Basketball is an increasingly popular sport in Europe amongst immigrants and Europeans.
• Cultural and language exchange Facilitator-Get connected with local cultural centers and offer to set up language partner exchanges. You can bring people for short amounts of time to participate in language practice, or find others living in your country who are like minded and wish to learn another language.
• Tutoring-If you are a trained teacher, starting a small tutoring business will give you many contacts with families who desire to give their child more help in their new country’s school.
• Artist-If an immigrant has lived in Europe for most of his or her life, it is likely he or she will have many European tendencies and worldviews. Their desire to express themselves artistically could give you an opportunity to meet them through an artists studio.

Contact us at ReconsiderWE@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out more.

The Hajj

Muslim Tradition vs. New European Lifestyle

It's no secret that many Muslims come to Europe and hold tightly to their home culture and religion. However, many Muslims who grow up in Europe find themselves being heavily influenced by the liberal, post-modern ideologies that run rampant here. Many tenants of Islam require an outward expression of faith so young Muslims will follow Islam with their actions, but they follow the world with their hearts.

On June 10, 2008, Harowo.com posted an article from the New York Times that touches on this very concept. Authors Elaine Sciolino and Souad Mekehnnet describe a new practice done by surgeons, and cosmetic surgeons. They are restoring the hymens of Muslim women who need proof of virginity.

“If you’re a Muslim woman growing up in more open societies in Europe, you can easily end up having sex before marriage,” said Dr. Hicham Mouallem, who is based in London and performs the operation. “So if you’re looking to marry a Muslim and don’t want to have problems, you’ll try to recapture your virginity.” (http://harowo.com/2008/06/10/surgery-offers-muslim-women-illusion-of-virginity/)

In the article, another woman describes her fear of her father if he found out she was no longer a virgin. Young European Muslim couples are paying to have this operation done so they can send home a certificate of virginity to their families.

We can learn a few things from this article about working with Muslims in Europe. First, no matter how European a Muslim may look or act, he or she is still heavily influenced by their family. Second, we see that Muslim men and women are looking for something other than Islam. They are turning to free thinking Europe to find satisfaction in happiness. As Christ followers, we know that they can only find true contentment in the Grace of Jesus Christ. Muslims living in Europe may be searching for something new to follow. Because there are so few Christ followers living in Europe, many Muslims who are searching will not be told about the saving power of Christ.

Christ is needed in Europe. You are needed in Europe to proclaim His name. Many think that Europe is an evangelized area of the world. However there are more evangelical churches in hard to reach countries than in all of Europe. Europe has not been reached. There are very few European evangelical churches reaching out to Muslims. Please consider how you can become more involved. There are numerous cities waiting to be adopted in prayer. There are many parts of Europe where no one is working. Email us at ReconsiderWE@gmail.com to find out more.

A Strategic Man Decides to Follow Christ!

Lance was giving out copies of the Bible in a section of town where Immigrants lived. He prayed for God to use him somehow. That particular day, a national named Cesar walked up to Lance and they began talking. Lance soon discovered that this man was seeking God in a big way. Cesar was not Muslim, but most of his friends were. Lance continued to pray that God would use him in the life of his new national friend.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Lance and Cesar continued to meet and discuss Lance's faith. He introduced him to other nationals who also lived for Jesus Christ. One Sunday. Cesar went to church all by himself. The next Sunday he went again, but it was later that evening when he made a decision that would change his life forever. Lance took him to meet another believing friend. Lance had already shared his own story of God's redemptive work in his life, and a few other national believers had done the same. On this night, Cesar listened again to the story of Jesus and what it meant to live a life for Him. With his new friend Lance by his side, Cesar decided to give his entire life to Jesus!

Lance had been praying for so long that God would use him in some way to reach the Muslims of his city. Little did he know that God would bring to Lance a man who wanted a life in Christ, and had many immigrant friends. Now Cesar is a new creation in Christ and he desires to share his new faith with his Muslim friends. Please pray for Cesar as he begins the first chapter in a new life. Pray for Lance as he disciples and guides Cesar in a way that will produce good fruit. Pray for Cesar's Muslim friends. May they see the change in him, and want what Jesus has to offer.

Muslim living in England Seeks After Christ

I'd Make a Good Muslim

I was sitting with my friend, Fatima* while I listened to her tell me what a good Muslim I would be.

"It's very easy to be a Muslim. And you like all of the things our religion likes. You would make a very good Muslim."

We had been talking for over an hour about a variety of things, and the conversation had turned to spiritual things when I asked why she was now wearing a veil. Fatima explained that ever since Ramadan, she decided she would wear it until the day she died. Her religion was incomplete, she said. Fatima explained that some women who wear the veil don't have good hearts, and some that don't wear the veil do have good hearts. She wanted to have a good heart, and follow the rules of her religion so she could feel like she was measuring up.

I used this as an opportunity to tell her what Jesus Christ said about the heart. I told her what He thought of the Pharisees who knew all of the rules, and outwardly looked righteous, but inside their hearts were black. My dear Muslim friend agreed with this idea, but later reminded me that God does not have any children.

I'm telling you this story because I left my time with Fatima feeling very good about our conversation. It was one of those times, when we were just two women talking like old friends. We talked about family, kids, living in Europe, and when the time was right, God gave me opportunities to ask questions. These questions led to spiritual conversations. And those spiritual conversations may lead to Fatima pondering why she believes what she believes. I've shared the Gospel with her twice now, and we often speak of God and religion. So when I'm able to sit down with her and have a natural conversation in which the Holy Spirit is present, I feel good. I feel good because I know that God is at work in my friend's life.

-Melissa in Europe