I will try to reblog this Monday. If you’d like to check it out, my blog is https://maidenforjesus.wordpress.com . Thanks! Grace be with you!

Blessings to you, too, Kathy! Thinking of you often and praying for you when I do. Merry Christmas!

Ahhhhh, Alison…. YOU are the beautiful picture of how we can engage with the people unlike ourselves right in our own back yards – and grow and learn from them in the process! Thank-you so much for work amongst our local refugees. THIS is His kingdom come!

Thank-you for the encouraging words. My intent was simply to share our personal experience – hoping that Americans (Christian or not) would, indeed, open their hearts and homes to Muslims and not be ruled by fear.

I love you so much, Rosemary. I’m with you – our memories of Morocco are simply beautiful and we will never regret our time living and working there. I would be totally interested in going with you in the spring! I am missing the people and that beautiful country SOOO much! Let’s talk about it!

I’m sorry that has been your experience, Ellen. All I can say, is that has not been my experience at all. I do know, however, how incredibly hard it is to be the foreigner and not know the national language, the cultural norms, and the expectations of me as a mom. While in Morocco, I too, probably came across as cold, arrogant, and unloving – even though that is the total OPPOSITE of what I wanted to emanate. Until I learned the language well, I couldn’t communicate well enough to let the local people know I’m actually very outgoing, talkative, and eager to meet people. As my language ability increased and I grew more accustomed to the fabric of the culture, I became much more open and inviting. I would say give the Muslims at your school time and the benefit of the doubt. They are normal people – with fears and concerns no different than yours. Reach out to them first, and you might be incredibly surprised by the rich relationships that await you.

Thank-you so much for your comments, Cordelia. You definitely bring a rich and insightful perspective to this discussion – a much needed one! I often say I wish I could teleport everyone I know here in America to spend significant time in my little town of Dar Bouazza, Morocco so they could meet all the wonderful Muslims we met there. I think it would totally change some people’s narrow-mindedness and/or fear. Likewise, I wish I could teleport all our Moroccan friends to spend some time in my West Michigan city so they could see the “Christian” America that I know – that it is NOT like The Bold and the Beautiful, NYPD Blue, Scandal, etc., etc. We can learn SO much from each other – but we have to be open to learn! Thank-you for helping to build that bridge, Cordelia!!!

Our friends were visiting the week of Halloween. In this photo we are eating on the patio at a quirky bar in the beautiful beach town of Saugatuck, Michigan. The bar had many artists paint all kinds of silly, strange, and fascinating art in the windows. I don’t think it was a pig – but I honestly have no idea what it was.

We have a prayer board in our dining room. The very first thing listed to pray for is our enemies. Further down the list we actually have Donald Trump and Miley Cyrus. No lie. We pray from that list daily. And for now, that’s all we know to do for people we don’t know personally, but disagree with their actions. And we also pray daily that as we ask Jesus’ kingdom to come, we would not be judgmental to those who live differently than us. It’s entirely possible to love people you disagree with – and that is always our (family’s) goal. However, there are things that God clearly states are not of His kingdom, and He gives all people the freedom to live apart from Him if they so choose. I’m only saying I don’t want my Christian faith judged by the actions of some people who don’t emulate my understanding of the gospel of Jesus. That is, unfortunately, what is happening when America is judged on the whole by the actions of a few. Also – in my experience – my Muslim friends are not unique in their love and generosity. WE met several hundred Muslims while living in Morocco. From some of the wealthiest in that society to the poorest family living in a shanty-town, we experienced extravagant generosity, warm hospitality and genuine love. My blog wasn’t just a picture of ONE family – it was a snap-shot of our entire experience living in the Muslim world.