Lou

I live as expatriate in a Muslim country, this culture has a value system lightyears removed from the one I embrace. My place of birth is Zimbabwe, where white people are not welcome regardless of their claim to citizenship. I have lived in this place 18 years and still do not feel part of the community, as we are not allowed to settle here, and not encouraged to integrate, we have few rights and can be told to leave at any time. I relate to Abram who in obedience to God moves from all he is familiar with, to a society which is hostile and foreign. I battle everyday with my desire for a home and security. All I am taught indicates that I should be joyfull in all circumstances, but sometimes the pain of loneliness is almost dibilitating. I miss my home, my family and friends who know and understand my sense of humour and fears, who relate to a common background and shared experiences. Be patient those of you who have aliens in your community. it is natural for people to seek the familiar. To gravitate to what they understand. We can enrich and colour each others lives in many ways if we offer genuine friendship and not just "Charity". Hospitality and friendship goes a long way to bringing down the things that divide us and helping us to focus on the things that we have in common.

I applaude your courage, and reassure you that you are in the midst of a family who are taught to love each other regardless of things like status, education and even personal preference.

Perhaps the anxiety does not lie in trusting God but rather in trusting our ability to ascertain Gods will. We need to live in close communion with God before we can claim his specific direction. I wonder how many of us actually live those lives, the lives the early christians lived. I know mine is crowded with responsiblities, desire for time to myself, and I have to make a concerted effort to put much of this aside to prioritise my relationship with God.

I think that at times we need to stop and look at our selves and take time to grow as christians. The stops may be Gods way of preparing us for the next step. We need Mary times in a culture that values Martha's.