finalthoughts...

Finding we were walking inRight For You little girls from While An Agent Thats Birmingham, two
the holiday club were very happy to see us there. When I first heard about this mission trip, I thought it would be a cool thing but not possible for me. I asked God if I should or if I should come to the mission. I made the right decision. I have never been on a mission trip before, and this one week mission was a good way to start. I think Im really doing what God really wants for all believers to do. I dont know what will be the long term effects, but I think my faith has grown a little bit here. My attitude for missions has improved Jenna When thinking about this week, two things came in mind. First, is the encounter with the Muslim man. I doubt that it made any difference to him but I shared a message about a loving God who is for us not against us. This God loves the human race so much that He gave His son to die on the cross for us. It felt great to share this message. The second encounter was during Boys Club when we were talking about fasting and other rituals for Muslims. I didnt have a chance to tell my experiences about all that, but all in all, we had a good talk. For a while, my wife and I have been struggling with our place in Gods plan. This trip didnt actually clarify anything but it gave me a new point of view to look at. I bet that when we are home, are going to have many interesting conversations. I am now very certain what Gods plan may be for us and it definitely includes commitment to worldwide mission together with my wife. Arni

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We respect, befriend and serve Muslims with whom we openly share our lives and values.

Simon wrote: I felt Gods presence during the Holiday Club . . . I felt Gods presence from the love the people of OM gave us. This outreach has affected my relationship with God in a good way. I have been thinking about the first church for some time and this outreach has continued my thinking about it.

Finnish Outreach
Outreach Highlights

May/June 2011

Book table Kids holiday club International evening Boys club Girls Club Mosques visit

Creating Curb Appeal

Making a good first impression counts!
During this mission, that took place in Birmingham United Kingdom, I have seen team members who were very unsure if they should even be on this outreach. I have also seen these people grow a lot with Christian self-esteem. There have been many moments where God has shown us that He is the one who gives us the courage and emptiness can be filled up with His strength. What we start to do with tears can be changed to joy in the end.
God has also taught me it is important to know the Bible then you can tell it others. I think the biggest thing that affected me was the language. I felt I needed to trust God more because I cant trust people will

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understand my words correctly if Gods not with me. So briefly, I cant work without God as a missionary. This is surprisingly a big temptation, especially in Finland. Here, I had to ask Gods leading with everything I learned. I hope we will be this close always. Helena

Holiday club.. >>>

On the last day of Holiday Club

At the end of the day, we began working on the fun sheets. There was a question that went something like this, If you could ask God any question, what would it be? One little girl wrote, God, can I see you? I talked to her about talking to God and asking Him herself. She became very excited. For me, the outreach experience has been interesting. Ive been completely drained this week from being around so many people and kidsits been physically and mentally exhausting. Ive gained a new respect for people who work with kids full time. I am really glad we visited the mosque. It wasnt until then; I fully realized Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. The Muslims in Birmingham really do need deliverance form their oppressive and legalistic religion Chrissy.

A British woman who had converted to Islam

One of the people I spoke with at the book table was a British woman who had converted to Islam because she said Islam is true. I asked her how she could be sure and she asked me how I could believe Christianity was true.
I was able to tell her what the Bible said about the resurrected Jesus. I told her He could fulfill His promise of returning from the dead. Others, who have died cannot fulfill the promise Jesus made when He said He would return, as Muslims believe. I challenged her to reconsider her decision. One of our female staff members exchanged telephone numbers with her. I believe God is doing something in her life. Cicel

Reaching Muslim people with the gospel with free Christian literatures, CDs and DVDs at the heart of Birmingham city center
I met a man at the book table who calls himself a Muslim. He was not clearly a devout

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Planting the seed catching them young.

It was exciting to stand before the children at the Holiday Club and realize they were also very excited. For example, when we worked on the memory verse on the last day, the kids were very involved saying the verse in whispers and shouts.

stories from the Book Table >>>

The second day of he mission was the hardest for me. On this day, we were to have a book table and give out tracts in the centre of Birmingham. I wasnt prepared for this assignment I had only heard about it one hour before we left. I felt scared and totally unprepared. I knew it was something I would never, ever want to do in my life. When we arrived, I knew what was in store for me and I burst into tears in the middle of a crowd of people! Two team mates, Jenna and Laura prayed for me. I was surprised at the end of the day to know how well it all went. Most the people took the tracts and I somewhat liked it. It proved to me that God can work it out even when we cannot. Some time ago, I thought I would not like to go abroad for a mission. Well, now it has happened and now you may never know where it will lead in the future. I hope this attitude and all I have experienced on the mission will stay in me when I return to Finland. This was an encouraging week for me in sharing my faith. I received strength from God and I hope this experience will also have taught me to have more trust in Him. - Jenni

Muslim

but

he

identified I clearly

himself as one.

shared the gospel with him and gave him literature and a Jesus DVD to take home. During our conversation, he found it hard to understand God is Holy and He does not forgive just because He wants to forgive. God forgives

On Location!
They were given opportunities to leave their comfort zone. I was proud of their response. They

were very flexible and had great team spirit. New friends were made I believe, and they met many new people. I believe the team had fun.

They appeared to really enjoy it. I loved when they remembered the verse even after I removed the words. Some of Gods word was planted in their hearts that day!! I felt the team met all our expectations. They were willing to do whatever we asked of them and they did everything asked on base. I heard no complaints. The team was given opportunities to learn about the Muslim faith and how to witness to them.

because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross to make us pure. Please pray for him to come to know the truth.

Arno