Am I the only one??

[Debp]

Just wondering if anyone else here lives in a multi-cultural city or area?  I'm in Los Angeles and we have people from  every area of the world and every religion living here.  In our neighborhood we even have Muslims and Hindus.  Many years ago, most Hispanics here were Catholic....now alot are Protestant or born again Christians, although there are still alot of Catholic Hispanics here.  We have alot of Koreans, too, in our neighborhood....they tend to go to the Presbyterian Church, but usually have their own churches.

[2nd Timothy]

I don't currently live in a multicultural city, but most of my life I did.  One of the best churches I've ever been to was multicultural in South Florida.  There was such a sweet genuine spirit in that church during worship.  Not that our current church doesn't also have a sweet spirit, but there was something very very special about that body of believers.

[Soldier4Christ]

I live in a city that has, until recently, been a very prejudiced area. Now we are getting people of many different nationalities here. This being farm country we do get a lot of migrant farmers here from across the border. Most are here legally and very nice people. I haven't asked what their nationalities are but going by looks I would say Middle Eastern, Oriental, Greek, India and perhaps a few others. I have witnessed to a number of them I have never asked what their beliefs are. I usually just go right to the point and ask them if they know Jesus, just as I would with anyone.

[russ44k]

I moved from a multi cultural area in central Calif to a  area in Nebraska ,that when I see someone of a diffrent  culture going to church or on the job I make a special effort to talk to them .one to make them feel comfortable and two because I miss talking to other cultured people.and three even If they( meaning most of the people this area ) wont admit it they are racist to the existent that they haven't had a multicultural experience before.
besides we all need Christ

[Shammu]

Hi Debp, I was also born in L.A., areas I lived in were (Compton, Watts, and V.P. in Carson) and moved to the country.  I didn't leave the city because of multi-cultural, problems.  I fell in love with the country life in 1966, on my grandpa's farm.  Soon as I could, I left the city, and haven't missed it since.

[Soldier4Christ]

I have lived in many areas. I have lived in various places in Calif, Tennessee, N. Carolina, Washington, Illinois, Alaska, Guam, Japan, Mexico, Bahrain, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Panama, Viet Nam and Singapore. I guess I could say I have lived in many multi-cultural areas.

[mississippi_jesus_chic]

I don't think I have ever lived in a multi-cultural area.  I grew up in Pensacola, FL.  But that really isn't very multicultural.  Now we live out in the middle of nowhere.  But I love it!  We don't see many people that aren't from around these parts.  I'm sure that will change with time though. 

[Brother Jerry]

I live in a multi-cultural area.  We have people from California, Florida, Yankees....

With Redstone Arsenal here we have a very diverse group of peoples living around here.... Pretty much everything in this smaller city.

[Debp]

I live in a city that has, until recently, been a very prejudiced area. Now we are getting people of many different nationalities here. This being farm country we do get a lot of migrant farmers here from across the border. Most are here legally and very nice people. I haven't asked what their nationalities are but going by looks I would say Middle Eastern, Oriental, Greek, India and perhaps a few others. I have witnessed to a number of them I have never asked what their beliefs are. I usually just go right to the point and ask them if they know Jesus, just as I would with anyone.

Glad to hear you are able to reach out to people from different countries.  How are the responses from most of the people...how about the Middle Eastern and Indian people?  I find it''s best not to attack other people's beliefs or book....I just love them and share Christ and the life lessons the Bible teaches us.

[Debp]

Hi Debp, I was also born in L.A., areas I lived in were (Compton, Watts, and V.P. in Carson) and moved to the country.  I didn't leave the city because of multi-cultural, problems.  I fell in love with the country life in 1966, on my grandpa's farm.  Soon as I could, I left the city, and haven't missed it since.

Those are some very tough areas of L.A., DreamWeaver, so probably best you left.  I am originally from Pennsylvania but always had a love for people from different countries (had foreign pen pals, but never knew any foreign people back in PA).  But sure know plenty now!! 

[Debp]

I have lived in many areas. I have lived in various places in Calif, Tennessee, N. Carolina, Washington, Illinois, Alaska, Guam, Japan, Mexico, Bahrain, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Panama, Viet Nam and Singapore. I guess I could say I have lived in many multi-cultural areas.

Wow, Pastor, you certainly have lived in alot of countries, and states, too!!  Of the countries you mentioned, I've been to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.  What was your experience like living in Bahrain?  Are they very strict about witnessing about Christ there?  I know Viet Nam is very dangerous for Christians, and many native pastors are in prison there for their faith.  Christian Aid tries to help their families.

[airIam2worship]

I live in a little community, my neighbors across the street are from India, 2 houses away from me I have a Mexican family, on the other side of me I have a mixed couple, the wife is Colombian, the husband is Native American, even in my own household we are mixed, I am Puerto Rican, my husband is African American. And we have a Korean family moving in a few houses down. Of the 40 families in this community only 6 have children. It's a wonderful little neighborhood where everyone knows everybody by name and we all look out for each other, and work together to keep our neighborhood clean and safe. Not just for our children but also for our elderly and handicapped too.
We have a very elderly lady, who is disabled, she keeps her door unlocked because everyday everyone in the neighborhood drops in to make sure she is OK and that she has all her needs met. We bring in her paper, her mail, and watch out for her. This is an old fashioned type of neighborhood like the one I grew up in and I just love it. When someone new moves in everyone goes and welcomes them and introduces themselves. The other day my daughter left the light inside the car on all night and at 4am my next door neighbor was knocking on my door to let us know. He was on his way to work and he waited to make sure that our car would start up before he left in case we needed a jump start. I thank God for my little community.

[Soldier4Christ]

How are the responses from most of the people...how about the Middle Eastern and Indian people?  I find it''s best not to attack other people's beliefs or book....I just love them and share Christ and the life lessons the Bible teaches us.

Yes, that is the best approach. I have had a very mixed response from "that's nice" to 'I don't want to hear it. Get out of here." I was banned from one store whose owner was Middle Eastern and was called several names that I would not repeat. That person even told me that islam would soon rule the world and then we will see how your Jesus handles it.

What was your experience like living in Bahrain?  Are they very strict about witnessing about Christ there?  I know Viet Nam is very dangerous for Christians, and many native pastors are in prison there for their faith.

Bahrain is a little more tolerant than most of the nations in the Middle East. It is considered the vacation resort for many in that area. They go there and do things that are not permitted in the nearby countries. It is still against the law though to have a Bible there. We were permitted to have them on the base but we could not take them off base with us. Although I was able to talk to a few about Christ it was not legally permitted and had to be done very carefully. Being in the Navy at the time I had to abide by the rules to prevent an international dispute. The U.S. could have been kicked out of the country for just one incident. The few I talked to were those that brought up the subject and asked questions first. It was a very difficult time for me as I do not like to keep silent about our Lord and Saviour. I made the most of it though when asked. One man that asked me had a sister going to college in the U.S. He took me to a local park where we were sitting and talking when he brought up the subject. As we were talking a number of other people that heard us came over and sat down and also started asking questions. I found out later that they were all family. They were all very interested. It turned out to be a glorious time. The young man that took me there accepted Christ as his Saviour and told me later by mail that many of his family has done so since then.

I was in Viet Nam during the war. It was a very dangerous time but there were many opportunities to witness to there especially in the southern regions which were for the most part more open and receptive to hearing of Jesus.

[Debp]

I live in a little community, my neighbors across the street are from India, 2 houses away from me I have a Mexican family, on the other side of me I have a mixed couple, the wife is Colombian, the husband is Native American, even in my own household we are mixed, I am Puerto Rican, my husband is African American. And we have a Korean family moving in a few houses down. Of the 40 families in this community only 6 have children. It's a wonderful little neighborhood where everyone knows everybody by name and we all look out for each other, and work together to keep our neighborhood clean and safe. Not just for our children but also for our elderly and handicapped too.
We have a very elderly lady, who is disabled, she keeps her door unlocked because everyday everyone in the neighborhood drops in to make sure she is OK and that she has all her needs met. We bring in her paper, her mail, and watch out for her. This is an old fashioned type of neighborhood like the one I grew up in and I just love it. When someone new moves in everyone goes and welcomes them and introduces themselves. The other day my daughter left the light inside the car on all night and at 4am my next door neighbor was knocking on my door to let us know. He was on his way to work and he waited to make sure that our car would start up before he left in case we needed a jump start. I thank God for my little community.

That sounds like a wonderful neighborhood!  May I ask which state you live in?  In our apartment building, we have mainly Hispanics, some Koreans, a couple from India, and a few African-Americans and Caucasians.  We used to have some people from Bangladesh.  It's a large building (75 apartments).... I say hello to everyone I see, but don't get to know everyone since people tend to come and go in apts in Los Angeles.  I am friends with the couple from India.

But people do usually help me load my groceries onto the elevator!  Some even take them to my door for me!  For a big city, that's really nice.

[Debp]

Yes, that is the best approach. I have had a very mixed response from "that's nice" to 'I don't want to hear it. Get out of here." I was banned from one store whose owner was Middle Eastern and was called several names that I would not repeat. That person even told me that islam would soon rule the world and then we will see how your Jesus handles it.


Bahrain is a little more tolerant than most of the nations in the Middle East. It is considered the vacation resort for many in that area. They go there and do things that are not permitted in the nearby countries. It is still against the law though to have a Bible there. We were permitted to have them on the base but we could not take them off base with us. Although I was able to talk to a few about Christ it was not legally permitted and had to be done very carefully. Being in the Navy at the time I had to abide by the rules to prevent an international dispute. The U.S. could have been kicked out of the country for just one incident. The few I talked to were those that brought up the subject and asked questions first. It was a very difficult time for me as I do not like to keep silent about our Lord and Saviour. I made the most of it though when asked. One man that asked me had a sister going to college in the U.S. He took me to a local park where we were sitting and talking when he brought up the subject. As we were talking a number of other people that heard us came over and sat down and also started asking questions. I found out later that they were all family. They were all very interested. It turned out to be a glorious time. The young man that took me there accepted Christ as his Saviour and told me later by mail that many of his family has done so since then.

I was in Viet Nam during the war. It was a very dangerous time but there were many opportunities to witness to there especially in the southern regions which were for the most part more open and receptive to hearing of Jesus.

That's very interesting about your time in Bahrain, and that family coming to believe in Christ as their Savior!  When people have a spiritual need and hunger, isn't it amazing how receptive they are?

Were you a chaplain in the military?  My uncle also served in Viet Nam.