While spending the evening at a local park, Mary* and her children began interacting with an Emirati family. Eventually, Mary* sat on the family’s blanket, drank tea, and chatted with a young Emirati mother while they children played together. At the end of the young mother invited Mary* and her entire family to visit their home the following week.

So, the multiple languages impact corporate worship in the church, and they also impact one-to-one discipleship. Recently, I met a lady who heard the gospel in English and came to faith reading an English Bible. However, English is not her heart language. After coming to faith, she was baptized in an English-speaking church and then discipled in English.  

A month ago, this woman realized that she did not know how to pray in her heart language. She realized she had never shared the gospel in her heart language. She didn’t know how to study the Bible or make disciples in her heart language.

Summer brings many transitions across the UAE. June and July saw people from around the world moving home. Continue to pray for those who have made a decision to follow Christ while living in the UAE to find fellowship in their home countries. August will see many new people moving to the UAE. Pray for believers to to make it a priority to find churches where they can plug in, grow, and serve. Pray that they will grasp that while they moved to the UAE for a job, God has a greater purpose for their lives.

In many countries around the world, it is dangerous to turn to follow Jesus. Your family may persecute you, or the government may. The risks are high, and persecution is guaranteed. In one country within a 4-hour flight of Dubai, a young new Christian believer was being discipled secretly by a pastor. However, one day her safety was threatened, and the pastor helped her leave.

Charlie walked through the alleys of the souk as the sun began to set. As he made his way past different vendors he stopped and looked at souvenirs that he could take home to his family. He looked up and noticed a a young guy, probably around his age staring at him. Charlie smiled at him and the guy smiled back and then walked through a doorway.

What do you think it feels like to live in the desert next to the Arabian Gulf during the summer months? The short answer is that it is suffocating. Temperatures average 105°F (40°C) or higher for about 2 months with a heat index of 125°F+ (51°C). 

In temperatures so high, it is difficult to be outside. Thankfully the UAE has a great electrical grid and ACs work well especially in malls where you still need a sweatshirt because it is so cold inside.