We build on a previous foundation

I'm not sure if all of you know this, but the church\school\hospital have been in Bahrain for over 100 years. That is a fair chunk of time when you get down to it. I was talking to someone today and they mentioned that in the areas where the mission was based out of: Bahrain, Oman (perhaps), and some other country, there is a significant difference in perception the average person has of the church and of westerners. All because the mission had been there so long. The guy joked that God knew what he was doing when he sent Dutch-Americans because of their tenacity, for they have stayed here through thick and thin over all these years with not much of visible headway always. And that is what is required. Lots and lots of 'pre-evangelism'. We get so crazy in the evangelical church of only being concerned with 'how many decisions were made'. Not that this is not important, but we have completely sidelined a massive process that much take place before this time. (and actually the even more massive period afterward... which has, I think, massively added to the weakening of the church, apathy in the church, hypocrisy in the church, etc etc etc) This pre-evangelistic work needs to be ongoing and never failing. To become a Christian means for a Muslim to leave behind their extended family (which is also their support network, their social circle, their safety net...) and many times their position in the community. They have to sacrifice great amounts to follow Christ - and before you get all idealistic, how many Christians do you know who are not evening willing to sacrifice an evening to go help out at the church? There is just so much to working in the Muslim world, they just have a completely different mindset about things. Two books that I've found very useful so far are 'Unveiling Islam' and 'Planting Churches in Muslim Cities'. If you can get your hands on them, definitely read them. Especially 'Unveiling Islam' - it goes through rather systematically the belief system of Muslims - though do be aware that there are tons (if not the majority) of apathetic Muslims. I would encourage you to look into getting these books and reading them.