For to us a child is born,  to us a son is given,  and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

I help WOBLO/POBLO-TX in many ways. I watch ESL kids on Monday and Friday nights when their parents are in their ESL classes. I take attendance of the kids and care of them. I also help set up ESL classrooms and cleaning them.. I make regular home visits to my Muslim neighbors and try to bring more students to our ESL Program. I am also in the sewing project in WOBLO-TX. I make blankets, scarves and ladies purses. I make visits to different families in my community and take the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. I love the time that I spend with my neighbors especially when I pray with them in the name of Jesus.

I thank God for the new life that I have now. Jesus Christ is in my heart and I believe in Him.

On Thursday November 17, 2011, Margaret and I had a unique mission experience. Most Christians need a passport and an expensive plane ticket to go on a mission trip. We traveled a distance equal to two trips from our house to church. We met three Muslim families in their homes.

Suzanne, a People Of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO-TX) worker introduced us to them. Suzanne is an Iraqi Kurd Muslim woman who is not yet a Baptized Christian. The Holy Spirit is working in her life and we pray that she may be rescued from eternal torment!

We arrived at their modest apartment at 6:30 PM. When Asmae saw that I was with Suzanne and Margaret she immediately covered her hair with her scarf (hijab). Their furniture consisted of a dining room table and four chairs a sofa and a coffee table (all used). They quickly made us feel comfortable and offered us hot tea and cake. Next came the biryani rice. The food was wonderful, but I think they were giving us food they needed! Which one of us would deprive our family to be hospitable to a stranger?

After we visited with Muhammad and Asmae for a couple of hours Suzanne said we needed to go visit another family but we didn't want to leave so Suzanne invited Muhammad and Asmae to go with us. The second family (Muhammad his wife Ieman and their children Mustafa and Heba) didn't speak English so Muhammad translated. After 30 minutes a 3^rd family arrived (Husain his wife Balgees and their children Ali and Handren) who also didn't speak English. Their apartment was also very modest and we had to beg them not to give us food. At 10:00 PM we were able to leave. I think if it wasn't a school night it would have been hard to leave before midnight.  

 Phil & Margaret Ball of Our Redeemer

Lutheran Church, Longview, TX

Spent the day visiting POBLO-TX ESL refugee families in Dallas

Ephesians 2:10 tells me that God has work that He created in advance for me to do. Like many Christians I am a little unsure exactly what I can do for God but the unconditional love He has shown and shows every day for me compels me to look. Mathew 25: 31 and 32 tell me that there will be people from all nations in heaven. Mathew 28: 16-20 makes it crystal clear to me that He wants me personally and me as part of His Church to reach out to people who do not know Him. I can't convert anyone and I most certainly can't save anyone, but I can allow Him to use me as his servant. When I look at the big picture it seems to me that I am part of the mission field or a missionary. (A bad and unskilled one.) These "Muslims" knew we were followers of Jesus and were from a Church. I pray that God will allow me to see the Holy Spirit at work through the Word and His followers in the lives of these Muslims and if He really blesses me I might be allowed in some small way to be one of the workers.

As you can see this experience made me look. It is not often that I see a "local" mission opportunity with "so much low hanging fruit"! I am compelled to ask the board of missions to pray for POBLO-TX and support them financially.

Your brother in Christ,

Phil Ball

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church   

Longview, TX    

(Note:The above letter was written by Phil Ball to his church's mission board after spending several days at POBLO-TX in Dallas).

Greetings in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rev. Karim Baidaoui!

Let me first thank you for the delightful hospitality shown during my onsite visit, particularly making, arrangements, to hear Vicars Mahmood and Bashir preach, but also for the delicious meal at the Pakistani restaurant. 

The extra time spent in Dallas was very beneficial, not only in helping me become familiar with the students, but also of their ministerial contexts. I appreciate your time as well, and the extended conversations where you helped me get a vision for what POBLO-TX has and is accomplishing in the larger region. Overall, I would characterize my visit as very productive-thank you.

 Rev. Jeff Thormodson, Vicar Bashir, Pastor Karim & Vicar Irfan

If I was to compare this onsite visit with other EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) sites, the level of mentoring and oversight of the EIIT students is excellent. Both EIIT students have regular scheduled visits with you as their mentor/vicarage supervisor. Our conversations reflected a deep familiarity both with their ministry and with their personal development as future pastors. My observation of the student/supervisor relationship was very favorable. Sabir & Wilson both showed deep respect and trust whenever interacting with you as their vicarage supervisor. Your organization of the weekly meetings and expectations regarding accountability of ministry could easily be used as a model for other EIIT supervisors.

Once again, this was a delightful visit as both students are   getting great supervision, are placed in good ministerial   settings rich with possibilities, have good support from surrounding congregations, and have stable employments and family situations. Overall, I would rate these vicarages as excellent and able to serve as models in the future.

 +Grace and Peace+  

Rev. Jeff Thormodson  

Concordia Seminary