Equipping Others to Go to Near Neighbors

When Rania started this year of ministry, she prayerfully created a plan. She knows, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps," (Proverbs 16:9). Rania wants to train believers in her country, equipping others to connect with near neighbors. Some neighbors resist opening their doors to outsiders.

Equipping National Believers to Reach Their Neighbors

Rania helped host a seminar focusing on Biblical principles for developing communities. Churches in her region lack understanding, conviction, and readiness to reach out to serve. By equipping others, Rania multiplies her passion to share the gospel.

When she cast a vision and extended invitations to the outreach team, four people responded. "They were filled with vision," Rania explained, "and decided to encourage the other persons in the team to reach our vision for reaching communities for Christ."

Reaching Near Neighbors through Sewing

The team faced barriers in the Majority community. To reach their neighbors, the team needed a meaningful way to connect and spend time with families. God used a storm to create connections.

After serving needs created by the destructive storm, the social ministry team built on relationships made with those they helped. Because of the compassion the team showed, Muslim families opened their homes. Then, they welcomed Rania and her team to launch a sewing ministry for girls and women. God provided sewing machines through a North American believer, passionate about reaching their "not-so-near neighbors."

In the traditionally closed community, the team prayerfully used the sewing times to weave in truths about God's love for the women. Rania sees God work through her passion for equipping others.

"Praise God that the sewing course is continuing well, and we are surprised that the girls and women open their hearts easily to us." - Rania

The group shared how the sewing ministry has impacted them.

• We gained a new wonderful relationship.
• We learned what we are supposed to know ourselves. 
• We learned how to spend some time with ourselves. 
• We learned how to live by purpose. 
• We learned a lot of new things in sewing. 
• We discovered the value of ourselves. 
• We learned how to express our feelings by writing.

Drawing Near Neighbor Women to God's Love

For girls and women in this community, with traditionally little value or worth, these discoveries open their hearts and minds. For the first time, they realize they're loved and treasured by the God who made them. God is working.

The equipping seminar also compared differences between Relief and Development. Both have a place. Rania's team offered relief after the storm. Ongoing sewing classes allow for development. The team learned, "With God’s provision and following biblical principles, our poverty solutions bring lasting change to the whole person and communities – mentally, physically, socially, financially, and spiritually."

• Pray for the girls and women of this community, that God would use loving relationships with the team to draw them in the direction of their Heavenly Father.
• Ask God to continue to protect the team and give them favor with the men of the community - to share what is a radical message - God's love for women.