Dear Friends: The Koran and the Bible 8/12/18
Recently, I went to Aldi's to grocery shop, at the entrance there was a security guard. I had never noticed a security guard in an Aldi’s before. So I curiously ask him about it. He said “I am here to catch shoplifters. I have caught 5 or 6.”
Unexpectedly he added, “People don’t read the Koran or the Bible these days. These books both tell us stealing and killing (as he swiped his finger across his throat) is wrong. These things do not bring peace or contentment only sadness, anger and hate.
I noticed he had an obvious accent so I asked, “Where are you from?” Surprising me he said, “I’m from Nigeria.” I replied, “I am from the Church of the Brethren and the 200 girls that were kidnapped there were from the Nigerian Church of the Brethren. I met one of the girls who was kidnapped who had escaped. I visited with her in the home of some Brethren friends in North Manchester, Indiana.”
He replied, “Where I lived the Nigerian terrorist Bok haram is not present. There Christian and Muslims live together in peace. My father and I are Muslim and my mother is Christian. Some of my siblings are Christian and some are Muslim.” One time the Iman open up his mosque for the Christian church to use. Some of the Muslims could not understand why.
Two weeks later I ask him “How are things going in Nigeria? I am glad to say violence has decreased really a lot, thanks to the cooperation Nigerian governments with its neighboring government countries. I am very thankful.” I said “I am so glad to hear that too. Thanks be to God or Allah.”
Please do say a prayer for peace in Nigeria.
Shalom, Jim
An Incredible Prime Minister Dear Friends, a hopeful happening, Two years ago, Ethiopia was a basket case. The government seemed to be losing control The majority Oromo people were restive under a rule that seemed to rob them of their place. The traditionally powerful Amhara rioted. A state of emergency brought silence on the surface, but underneath the nation seethed. Civil war threatened. A foreigner was killed. Tourism waned. Finally, the prime minister resigned. The church prayed earnestly. Then, unexpectedly, eight months ago, the relatively unknown Abiy Ahmad was elected prime minister. What followed was equally unanticipated. In a bold, courageous acceptance speech; Ahmad announced a policy of peace, love and unity for the nation and its relationships with the rest of the world. He made sweeping promises and, to...
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