Bob and his wife were at their favorite burger restaurant for a relaxing lunch with friends.  Thompson, who was from Nigeria, was their waiter.  He was a friendly, patient, and kind guy.  Knowing his country has tribal, Christian, and Muslim citizens Bob assumed with a 'non-Muslim' name like Thompson he was most likely from 'Christian' background. 

One day, as she was walking along a dirt road near her house, a woman approached her. She began to share about God being a good Father and that he was perfect where our earthly parents lacked. Edinah was instantly filled with peace and asked to hear more. She then believed in Jesus and asked him to help her pay for her school bills. After a couple weeks God completely provided for her

The woman was grieved that no one would read God’s Word with her.  She wondered if it was out of fear or because they hadn’t read the Bible themselves. She immediately set up a time to meet with Nyala and begin to read the Bible with her.E

Taher, an Emirati, was sitting next to me at the coffee shop.  He was a really friendly guy.  We enjoyed our coffee as we got to know each other a little.  As our conversation continued, I asked Taher if he knew about Christmas.  He knew about Santa Clause and presents.  He even knew that is about the birth of the Christ, but he did not know why Christ followers make such a big deal about it. 

In the land of desert and shopping malls there is a short winter season, upper 60 degrees Fahrenheit, where parks are filled with residents of the UAE. These small patches of green oasis are scattered about the cities, some cost money to enter, others are free, but what they all provide is a unique space to cultivate relationships.

Late one night in September 1968, three years before the UAE became a nation, a Bedouin woman was giving birth at the Oasis Hospital, a Christian mission hospital in Al Ain. Complications required a C-section delivery, and the mother needed blood. A member of the missions staff who was there recalled personnel “chasing around to all the companies at midnight trying to find a donor with the right blood type.”