BY CLAIRE, UK

‘Wow! A whole month?! That’s crazy.’

‘North Africa?! Is it not dangerous there?’

‘What a commitment… not sure I could do that.’

These were the types of responses I received when telling friends and family that I was travelling to North Africa (NA) for one month. A mixture of confusion and awe.

In all honesty, looking back I see that my reasons for coming were not all out of sacrifice or a servant hearted nature. Yes, I had always wanted to go to Africa and serve the people there. I was trying to figure out if God would want me overseas longer term. However, secretly in my heart I liked the attention and the way people viewed me as being ‘self-sacrificial’. This trip has revealed my pride, broken me in showing my weakness, and built me up in a deeper love for God and the people here.

So, what specifically have I learnt?

The people in NA are some of the kindest, most welcoming, friendly people you will ever meet. And that God has a huge heart for, not only these people, but for the people of the world as a whole.

I have been hugely humbled by the generosity and kindness of the people here. Always wanting to help when you are lost. Girls asking for photos. People wanting to practise their English. Children holding your hands. And the constant shouting of ‘Welcome!”

The culture here is one of hospitality and warmth.

The west could definitely learn a lot from these people. What has struck me most is that when we go to their country, they go out of their way to welcome. Yet, when they enter ours, people are scared and ignore them saying, ‘well I don’t speak their language’ or ‘they have their own communities.’ I am guilty of this too. What we don’t realise is that they are desperate to make friends in our nations. They are eager to learn our language. They are in need of welcoming.

Our God is a big God who supersedes language barriers, country boarders and religious differences. He loves the people of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He genuinely loves them with a deep, passionate, unending, sacrificial love. He wants a personal relationship with them – and His plan might be to use us.

Genuine love is hard.

That’s a big lesson I’ve learnt. But beautifully we have a Spirit of love in us (2 Tim 1:7). A smile goes a long way. Waving your hand at a mother and her child. Asking someone’s name or complementing someone. Whether they fully understand or not, they love that you’ve thought about them and given a little bit of your time to them.

This is my challenge to you:

How many refugees live in your city or town? The answer for me is around 6,572. That’s a lot. And that doesn’t include the 13,500 international students at my university.

I have been away for just three weeks. In one week, I’ll be back home. There are over 20,000 people in my city who need to feel welcomed and loved. My work in loving the people of MENA doesn’t end when I walk on the plane, it is a lifelong calling of love and trusting that though this love, God will be glorified.