At Ed's request...

[Jon Estes]

Thank you Ed for the invite to share about what God is doing in my life and in Dubai.

For well over a decade, my wife and I have had a burden to reach the nations. Missions has always been the heartbeat of our passion and God has blessed to give opportunity along the way to grow us to be prepared for where He has us today.

We knew we would never be able to afford the expense of traveling to the many nations to share Jesus so God did something in response to our prayers. He called us to Dubai. I could not have pointed to Dubai on a globe if you would have asked me and I know little to nothing about it except it has the tallest building in the world. I have since learned that Dubai is home to 90+ % of the worlds nations. Only 10% or so here among the 2+ million are Emirates (the term for those from Dubai) That means 90% or so are from somewhere else on this planet - from a different nation.

God has brought us to the nations.

I am now the pastor of EBCI (Emirates Baptist Church International). We are an English speaking ex-patriot church. EBCI is made up of around 28 different nationalities. We meet in a duplex villa which has been remodeled to make it possible for our 300 people to gather each Friday.

I just preached my fourth sermon as the pastor (we meet on Fridays as the work week begins her eon Sundays). I arrived in Dubai on September 1. My wife will hopefully have her paper work done so she can come with the next 8 days. We must prove to the governments satisfaction that we are married and not just shacking up. This takes three US certifications and one UAE (United Arab Emirates) legalization approval. Though tedious, I completely appreciate their moral stance on sexual behavior.

The two largest nations represented at EBCI are from the Philippines and India. Africa is probably the next.

Come visit. There is much to do here. If you want to go snow skiing we can make it happen. If you want to ride a camel, a quad, or do a Arabic dinner and show in the dunes, we can make it happen.

So much more can be said but I think that is more than enough info.

[Haruo]

Sounds like a challenge and a blast rolled into one! I have a sister-in-law who has frequently visited Dubai for air shows.

Actually I think "Emirates" or "Emiratis" refers to anyone from any of the UAE sheikdoms, not just Dubai (Sharjah and Abu Dhabi come to mind, there may be others). And Africa is not one of the nations, but dozens of them. I don't expect ever to have a chance to visit there, but if the chance arises (as God sifts through the possibilities), I'll see you there!

[Tim Bonney]

Jon, sounds like a facinating place to do ministry!

[Dave Roberts]

Jon, thanks for sharing your ministry. I wish you the best there.

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed: Thanks for the reply Jon.

Best wishes

[Sandy]

Sounds like a fascinating ministry. One of my former staff members is also in the UAE, teaching at an international school. From what I hear, it is quite a place, both in terms of culture, as well as weather.

[Joseph Patrick]

From Joseph Patrick...aka Gerry Milligan

Jon, give my regards to EB and his family. I hope that the fellowship there is as warm and embracing as it always was. I hesitate to try to greet all of my friends there, but if Augustus is still there greet him also.

Grace and Peace Joseph Patrick...AKA Gerry Milligan

[Jon Estes]

[Jon Estes]

[Tim Bonney]

[Jon Estes]

[Jon Estes]

[Haruo]

[Joseph Patrick]

From Joseph Patrick...aka Gerry Milligan

Jon, I am known at EBCI as Gerry Milligan as that is my name. I started using the pseudonym "Joseph Patrick" so that I could post on Baptist Life without aggravating the administrators of the IMB following their refusal to honor agreements made to EBCI. If I remember correctly, EB's wife, Helen, was extremely angry with the new administrators over the Arabian Peninsula. Some day, ask her about her reactions.

Grace and Peace,
Gerry Milligan

[Jon Estes]