I walked down the path to Aisha’s small apartment. When my friend answered the door, I saw Manal, her five-year-old girl, hiding behind her skirts. As we visited, Aisha swept Manal into her arms, hugging and kissing her and pouring out her delight on the child. Aisha is an adoring […]
A Daughter’s Heart
A petite little girl named Amira hid behind her anxious mother standing in the middle of the clinic’s exam room. The Syrian refugee woman had taken her daughter to countless hospitals and clinics. Doctors said the girl needed major heart surgery, but the mother still didn’t understand what was wrong […]
Inside Ramadan: A Prayer Guide
Inside Ramadan, a new prayer guide from Frontiers, invites you to discover a side of missions rarely seen. But it’s more than a prayer guide. It’s a story about a family living in the Middle East sharing Jesus with Muslims. Aaron and Sarah are no strangers to the challenges and […]
To Thirst With Joy
“Never have we heard news like this!” Khassim said. He and his wife, Tahira, had been staying with a relative who happened to be our next-door neighbor. From our first introduction, Khassim seemed open to hearing the Good News. We started meeting several times a week to study Bible stories […]
Beautiful Bruises
Some people have snow days. Here in the Middle East, we have dust days. And one recent morning, as sand filled the sky and a blanket of dust covered the city, the school where I teach declared a dust day. Since I wasn’t going to work, I took our new […]
Strawberries and Field Life
“Auntie, do you want the last strawberry?” asked 12-year-old Jackson. It was the kind of strawberry you might find squished at the bottom of the container. If you saw its soft, dull red flesh, you’d probably put the container back on the store display and select another. But that strawberry […]
A Courageous Man
In Hebrews 4:12, we read, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Scripture radically changes us. And as I walk […]
Counted Against Me
“God will count this day against me,” my Muslim friend Rostam said. He had spent the entire day with me. I had friends visiting from the U.S., and we were exploring ancient sites and landmarks in our Middle Eastern city. My friends had marveled at God’s creation, praising Him for […]
Undivided: A Vision for the Balkans
The Balkans is a mountainous region in Southeastern Europe that boasts a rich, though often turbulent history. Surrounded by the Adriatic, Mediterranean, Marmara, and Black seas, the countries of the Balkans are dotted with charming towns, scenic valleys, and peaceful lakes. And yet, behind its breathtaking beauty and diversity is […]
Offerings of Incense from Oman
The distinct smell of liban, the Arabic name for frankincense, is everywhere in Oman. It infuses every home, shop, and alley. Frankincense originates from the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Harvested from the dried sap of the Boswellia tree, it releases a distinct fragrance when burned. It has been […]