Worldly Holiness

Dearborn Mosque 1, originally uploaded by papalars.

I'm in Dearborn this week to learn more about Muslims in the metropolitan area of Detroit. This is a unique place in the United States, officially claiming to have 30,000 Arab-Americans, the densest Arab population of any community outside the Middle East. Unofficially the number of Arab Muslims in the greater Detroit metropolitan area is much higher, perhaps closer to 200,000, making this the 2nd most Muslim populated area in the US.

Arabs first settled here to work in the automotive industry over 90 years ago, invited by Henry Ford to work in his plants. In January 2005, a new Arab American National Museum opened as a result of this large concentrated population. The city is also home to the Islamic Center of America, pictured above, the largest mosque in North America and the Dearborn Mosque, as well as a mosque in the South End that is one of the few places in the US where one can hear the call to prayer over a loudspeaker. Because of the Arab cultural influence on the east side of Dearborn, store signs and billboards written in Arabic are common. On Wednesday, I was treated to a wonderful Lebanese meal that left me wanting to return for more. The ethnic make-up is principally Lebanese, Yemenis and Iraqis.

This week I have been meeting with Christian groups, theologians and missionaries serving the needs of this community and will speak in a church in the metro area on Sunday about our involvement with the Mosaics project. The interaction has been most fascinating and strategic as we continue to develop partnerships and discern ways to serve this community in different places around the world.

One of our keynote speakers has challenged us by story and example to commit ourselves to a "presence among Muslims of loving service and faithful witness that neither avoids differences nor exacerbates mistrust." I really like this statement. Our speaker further sees two opposed tendencies in most interactions today between Muslims and Christians. One approach seems to overlook or ignore differences between these faith communities in an effort to make peace while the other condemns the faith and practice of the other community as totally false, often demonizing the other. Neither of these is fully truthful or effective and adds fuel to the clash between us!

I hope to write more about what I am learning in this journey in these pages. Suffice it to say, as Christians, we follow the Prince of Peace, and are ambassadors of His Kingdom. We should follow his example in every way. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God [ 2 Corinthians 5:20].”

By the way, since this is Friday, enjoy the foto! Have a great weekend and continue to pray for God's work of reconciliation in our world and for us as we seek to raise this banner. 

Darn it! Missed the Train, originally uploaded by papalars.

Last year about this time, I was learning the ropes of the extensive and wonderful metro system of Barcelona. Our apartment was 3 blocks from a metro/train stop and our family of three was able to get anywhere using the system, sometimes making transfers to the bus network. The route was rarely direct line from point A to point B so we had to plan ahead a bit. But it worked and we eliminated the headaches of car maintenance, insurance, parking and the like. It was refreshing in many ways. We also got some regular exercise just from walking!

This year we are back in suburbia and are forced to use several cars to get around. I don't like it. Our family of 5 is all together under one roof which is good but we need wheels just to do the basic things of life like work, shop and go to school. Four of us are currently working and number five is interviewing for a job this coming week. Two of us are students in different schools. The good thing for me is that most of MY work can be done from the home, traveling on weekends to churches [some by airplane] and networking with people over coffee whenever schedules can be coordinated. I can also walk about a mile to school where I am taking an Arabic class. Having said that, the task of coordinating schedules is a challenge sometimes.

Sorry to ramble. I'm just having fond memories of using public transportation in Barcelona all last year. The downside was misjudging connections and arriving late to an event which happened on occasion.

In this age of depleting energy resources, long commutes and fractured communities, I sometimes wonder how the world would be different if there was greater civic commitment to better mass transit systems and deliberate efforts to locate people in communities where work, recreation, school and family life were more proximate to each other. This imagined scenario would thereby diminish our energy needs and the huge infrastructure that is required to move people around the way we do.

Apart from such profound thoughts, I wanted to share a photo with you that reminds me of life in Barcelona. This is Friday and is time for "Friday Fotos." For some of you who read this blog, you are close to Saturday already. In any case, for all of you, have a great and blessed weekend!

Originally uploaded by papalars.

October 2007 – Larsen Mosaics Prayer & Praise

Fall is here in Seattle with the leaves turning colors and cooler weather. As I sit to write our prayer requests I’m reminded of where we were just a year ago at this time and the kinds of things we were asking you to pray about. We were adjusting to life in Barcelona and living in warmer weather for certain. God has been so very, very faithful, answering many of our/your prayers, opening up the road ahead each day. I am amazed [shouldn’t be] how he has led, even with the unexpected turns in the road including our move to Seattle from Barcelona. I am also very thankful for your partnership in the Gospel for focus people.

We are doing well as our stateside routines are beginning to pick up speed. I am beginning to get invitations to speak in churches on weekends while also working on other ministry objectives each week [email prayformosaics@yahoo.com for a 1-page list of this year’s objectives]. This includes getting to know other agencies working among focus people in the States and the demographic map, needs and opportunities of several focus communities across the US. I will be traveling to Detroit next week and Tucson in November for this specific purpose.

Last week I started to study Arabic again, taking a class in the local community college. It has been fascinating to meet the other students who also have provided a little window on the immigrant community locally here in Seattle. Many of my fellow students are 2nd generation immigrants and want to learn Arabic in order to communicate with their extended families.

Two weeks ago I re-connected with a student from Oman who recently became a follower of Christ and wants to minister in the Middle East in the future. I met him 1.5 years ago at a local Covenant church when I was preaching before we left for Spain. We met for coffee to share our common vision to love focus people for Christ and to begin to get to know each other. I have much to learn from this young person who has taken incredible risk to become a follower of Christ.

As you pray please lift up these specific requests:

• For responsiveness as I share/preach in churches. I want to encourage and challenge churches to open up to focus people with the Gospel and not shrink back in fear.

• For greater understanding and knowledge of appropriate church models for ministry to focus people in the US and ways to challenge and equip Covenant churches.

• For help in learning Arabic and building friendships with both focus people and focus background people.

• For family needs as we continue to transition back to the States and launch our children into careers and college. Pray for good health, direction and God’s hand in all we do.

• For our friends back in Barcelona as they continue to minister. Pray especially for Miguel, Nate, Fabio, Austin, Oliver and for Austin´s son, Wahab who plans to move to London from Pakistan for studies.

Once again, thanks for your partnership in the Gospel. We really could NOT do this without you standing with us. Believe me. The challenge sometimes seems daunting but the grace of our Lord and the company and support of others makes it all possible.