COLD FEET
Thoughts of a Nervous Tentmaker
I grew up with a vivid picture of doing something special for God. My husband and I have always held missions close to our hearts. In fact, we wouldn’t be living in the Middle East if we hadn’t felt God had given us a unique opportunity to help others who serve in this region.
Yes, we packed up almost everything we own--which isn’t much since we haven’t been married that long! My husband found employment where he could contribute to a Christian institution. We settled into the challenges of a different culture, a different world, and the rewards of making a difference to the people around us. Isn’t that mission enough?
Yes, it was enough for us to begin an adventurous journey, but it wasn’t all God had in mind. MORE
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TOUGH PLACES
Can you take the challenges?
The presence of Christian professionals can make a significant difference in countries where religious activities are either limited or illegal. The probing question is, who is willing and prepared to prayerfully accept the challenge?
Apostasy and blasphemy may seem to many like artifacts from history. But in dozens of countries, laws against apostasy and blasphemy remain on the books and often are enforced, writes Pew Research Center analyst Angelina E. Theodorou. According to the Center, one quarter, or 26 percent, of the world's nations and territories carried anti-blasphemy laws or policies in 2014. Such laws are most common in the Middle East and North Africa. Ninety percent of the nations in this region, or 18 of the 20 countries, criminalize blasphemy, and 70 percent criminalize apostasy.
Pew Research Center points out some of the current major trends when it comes to religious restrictions: a spike in religion-based terrorism in 2014, with 82 countries experiencing such danger; religion-related violence that displaced over two million more people in 2l014 than in the previous year; with the highest level of hostilities involving religion occurring in the Middle East.
Consider that a challenge, though. Because some of the nations that criminalize blasphemy and apostasy welcome the contributions of Christian professionals and business people. The job opportunities are present. Your willingness to be used is God's opportunity to lead you! He promises to be with you if He calls you to a tough place.
For the Pew Research Center's latest report on religious restrictions around the world, read the full article. MORE
Courtesy of Global Opportunities at www.globalopps.org.
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 WHERE GOD LEADS
Out of Your Comfort Zone
If you're a committed, mission-minded Seventh-day Adventist professional living for God in the workplace in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), we would like to share the resources and vision of MENA's Total Employment tentmaking initiative. Visit NEXT STEP at the MENA Total Employment website, www.temena.net.
If you're working outside MENA and have been moved by the needs and mission of the MENA region, you might have a few questions. Visit FAQS at the MENA Total Employment website, www.temena.net and get answers to some of the questions we're frequently asked.
We're looking forward to hearing from you.
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