In my last blog I talked about my first impression of the culture in the Middle East and how different it is than I expected. Another aspect of my experience in this part of the world was to learn about the role of the English language. When I tell somebody about my trip they usually ask me, “Do they speak English?” The answer is, “Many of the people speak some English, but I was surprised at how important the English language has become.”

For instance, in one of the countries I visited, English as Second Language (ESL) programs are booming because they recognize that English is the language of the business world. In fact, professional job interviews are done in English and not in Arabic, so the better you speak English the better chance you have of getting a higher level position. In some of the other places I visited, English is also important because their economy relies on tourists from Europe and the West and so its obviously important that they know English.

There are many ministries in this part of the that world that use ESL training as a great tool to build relationships with the Arabic speaking people. As I had an opportunity to sit in and observe a few of these programs, I realized it would be very easy for a guy like me who is a native speaker in only one language (English) to teach ESL and yet also build relationships with Arabs and just show them the love of Christ in my own language. I had this experience as I sat down in a coffee shop after an ESL class and just started talking to two Arabic men. We talked for an hour about all kinds of things and they asked me all kinds of questions. They got to have a conversation in English and I got to build new relationships in my own language.

I should also say I appreciated the integrity of the ESL programs that I visited. They do not teach ESL as a way to slip in teaching about Jesus or as a way to manipulate people. They truly provide excellent ESL programs that are focused on teaching English. They have developed reputations in the community as programs that provide excellent ESL training with teachers who really care about their students. What an excellent way to be salt and light!

Wow! That’s my genuine reaction after making my first visit to the Middle East. In so many ways this place is at the center of world history both in the past and in the present. Living in a place like America where we have so much freedom and no real enemies near our borders, I was not really sure what to expect.

In early November I spent time in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia (actually North Africa), and I can honestly say it was much, much different than I anticipated. All of these countries are dominated by Muslim Arabs, although there is some historical Christian presence as well. Here’s how it was different than I expected:

It was not at all scary or intimidating. Ok, I confess, even though I have traveled quite a bit internationally, I had some typical western trepidation about being in a land full of Arab people. Sure, perhaps I was a bit naive, but I realize that with all that has gone on in the world and in America over the last number of years, we have been programmed to fear Arabs and in particular Muslims.

I quickly realized that these places are full of people trying to live their life and take care of their families just like us. They are full of people who are going about their day, conducting business, learning new things, relating with people, and trying to better themselves.

At one point on my trip I struck up a conversation in English with two young Arab men who were probably in their mid 20′s. We talked for nearly an hour and I realized these are two guys that could be my good friends if I were there longer.

Family (clan, tribe, etc) seems to be the most important thing in these cultures. Perhaps nothing drives these cultures more than their commitment and responsibility to family. I was even told that for most of these people, family takes a higher value than religion. They are taught to honor, support, and value their family above all else (not just immediate family, but extended family, which could be in the tens of thousands). To disgrace or dishonor the family is reprehensible, and this is taught to them at a very early age.

I have to say I found this highly admirable. It’s certainly something we have lost in our society and it is not something I realized was so important in Arab cultures.

Arabs are very relational people. Similar to the family dynamic, these are very relational cultures. Muslims are very kind, considerate people who value relationship. In Jordan they have a cultural rule that anybody that lives within 7 houses of you in any direction is your responsibility in case of need. So if a neighbor 6 houses down is having some great trouble, you are to go and assist them. Um, yeah, I don’t even know my neighbors 3 houses down, much less 7. And I certainly don’t know if they are having big problems they need help with.

One day we were in a remote village south of Amman, Jordan, and we were up on a hill taking pictures of a key ministry site. There were kids out playing and an older Arab man on his front porch watching us. Next thing we know, a boy probably 12 years old came out of the house with a cup of coffee for each of us. They were all smiling and welcoming us and even asked us to come in. It made me think, “when is the last time I invited my neighbor in for coffee?”


In future blog posts I will share more about my time the Middle East, but I wanted to make sure you had a good first impression.