Home: News Archive: October 2001

People sometimes ask us how September 11 has affected our lives as missionaries to Muslim people. Like many of you, our heads are spinning as we try to assimilate all that has happened, and that which may yet happen.

The Muslims we know have a few different opinions about it. A small number are actually supportive of the Taliban and bin Laden. They say the U.S. had it coming for the way it has behaved on the world scene for many years. Various "conspiracy theories" are sometimes floated among people who think this way, naming the U.S. government as the real mastermind covertly manipulating the hijackers, or even claiming the Israeli secret service planned it all to poison any feelings of sympathy for Palestinians.

Some Muslims don't like what has happened mainly because of the fallout on them personally--harassment from thugs, name-calling, destruction of property, threats, and the like.

The vast majority of Muslims however, are shocked and terribly disturbed by what has taken place. They acknowledge that bin Laden and his cronies are evil men who have brought shame to Islam and the Muslim community. Some people are apologetic, others are confused and disheartened about such violence in the name of Islam, and still others have denied Islam as a result of it all. Listen to this man speak:

"I will no longer tolerate the belief structure of islam. Too much death it brings. That is not the way forward for man. When I see the west it does well with it's christianity, in islam we have achieved misery. not right at all. The terrorist attack was shameful for me, I feel guilty, no more koran, no more islam, you have betryaed your own sons. I want what is good for every man. I wore the face of islam for many years. no longer I be frightened or shamed. My eldest son abdu convinced me to change and he is right for once. yes my friends will leave me and yes i will be frightened but my new friends will be good."

His email was posted on a Muslim discussion group for all to see. The subject title was "I publicly denounce islam". I have since tried to contact him. You can pray for Muhammad.

As far as the Al-Kitab Scripture Research Institute web site goes, we were averaging about 200 hits per day at the beginning of September--a "hit" being a file on the web site being called for by a user. In the wake of Sept. 11, visits to the site increased dramatically. The average for the month of September turned out to be 1176 hits per day. The single greatest day of traffic had over 6800 hits.

So far, people are doing a lot of coming to look and read the courses, but few are sending their answers in to be corrected. Over the coming weeks and months we will introduce small "rewards" to be given to those who actually complete courses. Up until I had decided against doing that, partly due to financial limitations, but it will enhance the ministry a lot if we can offer books and other prizes for successful course completion. If you are interested in giving toward the Al-Kitab web site ministry one-time or regularly, you can send the gift to ABWE and designate it to "George King--Ministry".

The King family is doing well in most ways. Financially, we are frankly not doing well at all, but God is meeting our needs. We praise Him. Spiritually, God is at work in the lives of "we7kings". Our first chick has left the nest--Adam now studying at Heritage College in Cambridge. He is very much enjoying it. Both Adam and Amy had a phenomenal time in Jamaica ministering to Jamaican churches in various areas of need. In the midst of hectic school schedules, they're both trying to catch up on thankyous, so be patient if you're wondering how it went for them. They plan to let you know.

Pray for us. We feel the need for it very keenly. We are weak, but He is strong.

George for the whole King family