Daily Topic for May 18, 2008
It seems unfair that we in the Western world would have such spiritual resources at our disposal while almost half of the world is not only non-Christian, but is hidden from the outreach of the Church. Is God unjust? Even as God used Pharaoh to help proclaim His Name, so He has used present-day rulers to bring glory to Himself. For example, there are indications that the Church in Iran has grown tremendously among certain people groups-especially after the Islamic Revolution!
Praise God for His sovereignty and justice!
Packing up and moving; it’s something we have all done at some time or another. But imagine having to move in order to survive yet another war or wave of persecution! This has been the experience of Kurdish families for centuries. About 22 million Kurds live in the geographic region known as Kurdistan, a place where the countries of Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey meet. It is the world’s largest ethnic group without its own homeland.
In the mid 1970s, a Kurdish revolt for independence in Iraq failed, and thousands of Kurds resettled in the U.S. During the early 1990s, another 1,500,000 Kurds were relocated to North America, including areas in eastern Canada and Alberta.
A typical Kurdish family in the West will maintain its traditional Eastern dress, diet and lifestyle. Sunni Islam is the dominant religion and lifestyle. They don’t eat pork. However Kurdish women do not wear Islamic veils. Families common to the same ancestor will adhere to the same clan, based upon male descent. Gender roles are distinct, with the men making all the family decisions. Kurdish families place a high priority on education.
Learn more at joshuaproject.netPray that Kurds in North America will be touched by the gospel of Jesus and moved to bring it to Kurdish people everywhere.-JR