Erik Nilsen Apprenticeship Update: August 2024

Dear friends and family,

August has been a most exciting and encouraging month to see God at work in Orange County. Though I am the last missionary apprentice from the original group, North County Project has since taken on three new apprentices: Noah, who serves on Cru at CSUF; Viany, from Friends Community Church Brea; and Ron, who had been an unofficial partner of NCP since last year. The four of us got to serve together waiting tables for NCP’s financial supporters at a “Thank You” dinner, and soon will start evangelizing together at CSUF this semester.

Previously, I had written how George, who is in the DMC I facilitate, had begun a Bible dialogue with two of his interested non-Christian coworkers. Not only have they already read and discussed the first five chapters of Mark, but George informs me that a third coworker has crashed their dialogue because he, too, wanted to hear the story of Jesus from the source. I often pray that the people God has me teach and disciple would surpass me, but I hadn’t expected such a quick response.

Finally, God used one of my many misadventures to share the gospel with a Jordanian Muslim.

Last weekend, I rode the bus to San Clemente with my bicycle to visit the beach, as I often had before. While I left in the evening instead of the morning, my previous bus trips indicated that the bus system still operates well into the night. Apparently, that is only partly true.

I stayed at the beach until 9:45 pm, at which time I checked my phone to see when the next bus would leave from the nearest bus stop.

5:30 am.

After some frantic searching, I found another bus stop that was active until 12:45 am, just down Pacific Coast Highway in Costa Mesa, twenty-three miles away. With no time to lose, I mounted my bicycle and pedaled nonstop for two hours until I took a short break in Laguna Beach. Charting my progress, I realized that I would miss the last bus by 30 minutes. Reluctantly, I ordered an Uber.

The driver arrived within minutes and graciously made space for my bike in the trunk of his sedan. Anees spoke with a heavy Arab accent, and I asked where he was from. Jordan, he answered. When I mentioned that my uncle was from Lebanon, Anees’ eyes immediately lit up, and we quickly established a jovial rapport (Thanks, Allyn!). He expressed his sorrow at the present conflict and violence in the Middle East and his wish for peace there.

Upon learning that I was a Christian, Anees asked what I thought of Muslims. I answered that, while I disagree with Muslims in many ways, I believe that Jesus died for all people: for me, and for people I may disagree with. Therefore, I must love and serve all people.

Anees, relieved at my response, confirmed he was Muslim himself and proceeded to inquire about what Christians believe. “I have heard some say that Jesus is the Son of God, and others that he is God. Which do you believe, and what does the Bible say?” I explained how Jesus was born of the virgin Mary as the Son of God and how Jesus forgave sins, which only God himself can do.

Intrigued, he continued to inquire. “Koran says that Jesus did not die, but what does the Bible say?” I explained the arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and future return of Christ.

“Wait—” he interrupted. “Jesus is from the Middle East, like me, right? Is he supposed to return there?”

“Yes,” I said, “and I think he cares about peace in that area quite a lot.” Anees smiled.

We arrived at my house at 1:00 am and exchanged phone numbers. “Please, call me whenever you need help again!” he said.

Pray for Anees, that God would bless him because of his kindness and generous accommodation when I was in need. Pray for his family in Jordan and America, that God would protect them from the violence of men. And of course, pray that they would receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord, that they would enter his peaceable kingdom.

Dutifully yours,

Erik