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The Family of God
By Jed Ireland

This was my second year serving the Prague Team, and I learned an invaluable lesson by returning.  I loved my first trip to Prague, working with the local church to establish a family Bible and English camp.  Yet, by returning, I was blessed to find how much a part of the community I had become.  I was overjoyed to see families and friends again, and it felt to be the most natural reunion in the world.

This second year in Prague found the camp situated on the banks of the Vltava, far upstream of Prague.  Stunningly beautiful and pastoral, I immediately felt peace and comfort in the setting.  This year, there were more people and families from Czech refugee camps, and I was excited by the growth in numbers from the previous year. 

Then a funny thing happened that easily eclipsed the tranquil beauty of the place.  When the camp began, I noticed that children generally avoided strangers and stuck close by their parents and relatives.  There were many cultural differences because of the number of nations represented, and even many Muslims.  Yet by the middle of the camp, the children had eliminated those natural barriers.  Christian and Muslim children were free to leap into the arms of whomever they wished, and I saw barriers melt away.  It was a glimpse of paradise — of people of every tribe, tongue and nation reveling in the presence of God.

I met a man named Murat who had fled a war-torn area of Russia, where he experienced persecution for his Muslim faith, which was shared by political rebels.  He had a wife and a young son.  I had shared an apologetics lesson based on the origins of the universe, and it must have struck a cord with Murat.  He pursued discussions with me every evening after that.

Murat wanted to know what I thought about Muhammad, the Koran, and how that related Jesus.  He conceded that Jesus was very important to us, and it intrigued him.  He wanted to learn more, and understand how the Koran fit with the Biblical story of Jesus.  He told me I could be honest with him because he felt he could trust me, and would not be offended. 

At that moment, I realized how humble Murat was to come to a Christian camp with his Muslim family, and to open himself up to questions about his faith.  I know it is easy to become defensive and feel threatened, yet Murat walked willingly into this challenge.  He may have seen something among us that won his trust, and I was humbled that God would let me be there with a person like Murat at a pivotal time in his life.  I was reminded of a beauty even beyond God’s works of nature.  I saw the beauty of God pursuing his children.