Do you know that there are people, groups, communities,  even nations of people who haven’t heard the gospel of Jesus Christ?  I’m writing about them being clueless. Im talking about grown men and women in their 40’s and 50’s  that have no idea about what goes on in church. They don’t own bibles and if you quoted them the most common passages in scripture they would have no idea where they came from.

Worse yet they can be really nice people with compassionate hearts and still have the most foul mouths.Without shame they curse, openly talk about sex acts, use racial slurs, and literally have no filters. For me it is possible to enjoy their company yet cringe at their every word. We recently experienced such a cheerful,  yet cringe worthy gathering. “From time to time” is the operative word here. I could not do this on regular occasions.  But rather to show them a little love it is possible now and then. The worse situations are when they get together and you are in the deep minority. They pick up on you not cursing and joining in on their “fun.” So they sometimes push and provoke bad behaviors, intentionally offering shots and jokes that push the envelope of your faith while they playfully mock you.

It’s important here to say that this sort of behavior is entirely different in the USA vs other countries. In the states when people do it the mockery part is intentional and cruel. Most Americans understand Christianity and if they dont like it they say so.  They see it in the lives of many and consider it contrary to thier liberal valies or hypocritical. But in some foreign countries there are very few Christians. They have far fewer role models and the culture has slipped so far away that even hypocrites  are foreign to them. They have no clue who Tim Tebow is, they watch soccer. I only mentioned people  up in age, into their 5o’s, because older people around the world were keen on Billy Graham, and most colonized countries  were done so under the pretense of Christian values. But who do they have now? Go ahead Google it. Ask for “prominent, contemporary Christian role models.” You’ll be very surprised by the results.

I bring this up because how we speak to our friends in or from other countries is entirely different. Most foreigners, especially those we occasionally meet in in pinky up circles are totally ignorant of true Christianity. Success and pleasure are their gods. If they have a catholic background this can be different, they at least have a concept. But if not, they are beyond ignorant. They may still have have conceptions of God, but have no ideas about what a heart filled with the Holy Spirit looks like.  I have found some to be curious, all people understand the void, yet most just have “no time for that nonsense.” They think Christianity  to be a medieval concept and a victorian practice long pasts its prime.

Now that we’re spending time in Sint Maarten, where we have experienced all sorts of beliefs about Christianity, I see it as a new challenge,  a new opportunity to share the gospel to a people similarly agnostic but far more curious than our unbelieving friends  in America. At church it’s the same, but at dinner, out for a drink, it can actually be refreshing or a totally  bizzare  experience. Wish us luck, pray for our protection from evil influences,  and ask God to give us the opportunity to  “make disciples of all nations.” It’s more than just beach time for us here, it is about sharing Jesus and transforming people into new and better followers of Christ.

Worse yet they can be really nice people with good hearts and the most foul mouths.Without shame they curse, openly talk about sex acts, use racial slurs, and literally have no filters. For me it is possible to enjoy their company yet cringe at their every word. We recently experiencedsuch a cheerful,  yet cringe worthy gathering. “From time to time is the operative word here. I could not do this on regular occasions, but rather to show them a little love it is possible now and then. The worse situations are when they get together and you are in the deep minority. They pick up on you not cursing and joining in on their “fun.” So they sometimes push and provoke bad behaviors, intentionally offering shots and jokes that push the envelope of your faith while they playfully mock you.

It’s important here to say that this sort of behavior is entirely different in the USA vs other countries. In the states when people do it the mockery part is intentional. Most Americans understand Christianity.  They see it in the lives of many. But in some foreign countries there are very few Christians. They have far fewer role models and the culture has slipped far away. They have no clue who Tim Tebow is, they watch soccer. I only mentioned people  up in age, into their 5o’s, because older people around the world were keen on Billy Graham, and most colonized countries  were done so under the pretense of Christian values. But who do they have now? Go ahead Google it. Ask for “prominent, contemporary Christian role models.” You’ll be very surprised by the results.

I bring this up because how we speak to our friends in or from other countries is entirely different. Most foreigners, especially those in upper crust circles are totally ignorant of true Christianity. Success and pleasure are their gods. If they have a catholic background this can be different, they at least have a concept. But if not, they are beyond ignorant. They may still have have conceptions of God, but have no ideas about what a heart filled with the Holy Spirit looks like.  I’ve found some to be curious, all people understand the void, yet most just have “no time for that nonsense.” They think Christianity  to be a medieval concept and a victorian practice long pasts its prime.

Now that we’re spending time in Sint Maarten, where we have experienced all sorts of beliefs about Christianity, I see it as a new challenge,  a new opportunity to share the gospel to a people similarly agnostic but far more curious than our unbelieving friends  in America. At church it’s the same, but at dinner, out for a drink, it can actually be refreshing or a totally  bizzare  experience. Wish us luck, pray for protection from evil influences,  andask God to give us the opportunity to  “make disciples of all nations.” It’s more than just beach time for us here, it is about transforming people into new and better followers of Christ.