Therapist’s skills are doors to hidden hearts

By Kerry Allan | Middle East

The Middle East is culturally complex, politically sensitive and uncertain, but faith conversations come readily for those, like SIM’s Faithful Witness worker Kate*, willing to invest time in relationships.

​​​​​​​

Faithful Witness sends workers to places where people have little or no opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus. Kate is currently the only one of their 52 workers across the world serving the Middle East where she uses her skills as an occupational therapist to slowly build relationships with mothers and work out how best to tell them about Jesus.

Kate has been serving in the Middle East for more than 20 years. In June 2022, though, she handed over the baton of leading a team in one country to move to a new location in a big city, where there are some Christian believers.

Kate partners with workers from other mission organisations already there, who can help open doors for her ministry, and she’s currently exploring partnering with a training centre.

“The centre’s taught English for many years and has a very good reputation,” she explains. “The couple who run the centre are now very open to using it for other types of training and we plan to run seminars for parents of children with autism.

“Eventually, we’d like to extend the training to staff at locally-run centres for children with learning difficulties and that would provide us with easy access into the community where relationships can be built up and go ‘beyond the business’,” she adds.

And while Kate’s excited to see how God will lead her in her cross-cultural ministry, she admits being a little daunted by the prospect of being labelled an expert.

“It’s very different from my morphed roles that I’ve become accustomed to, such as play therapist, physio, activity provider, family entertainer and counsellor!”

However, Kate is always happiest when she has plenty of children in her life and, since relocating, she’s connected with lots of children with special needs, especially those with autism, during visits to kindergartens linked to churches and on home visits.

“I have the privilege of seeing children who are kept hidden or at least out of the public eye. Mums here often feel they are to blame for their child’s special needs and frequently feel a deep shame.

“The parents notice and comment on how I interact with their children and this is such a great opportunity to share something of the source of my love and to pray that they get to see their children as our heavenly father sees them.”

 

Pray

•For new team members to join Kate and help her ministry flourish.

•For more ways and opportunities to get visas to stay on the field.

•For wisdom as Kate prepares to train parents and professionals.

 

* Name changed for privacy.

SIM Asset Publisher Portlet

Asset Publisher

SIM Asset Publisher Portlet

Asset Publisher

Related stories

In Carrie’s classroom, Jesus is shaping hearts and minds for his kingdom

When mission workers with young families leave their home country, a major concern is how their children will get on. While the parents are out serving, the kids need stability, education, and spiritual nurturing. That’s where teachers like Carrie come in. Originally from Kansas, Carrie now teaches at a mission school in Liberia, part of Dakar Academy in Senegal, shaping young hearts and minds for God’s kingdom.

What might God do in 2025?

As we step into 2025, there is a sense of excitement and expectancy among those serving in mission work worldwide. From remote villages to bustling cities, SIM’s Entity Directors are preparing for what lies ahead, trusting God to bring transformation and hope to unreached and underserved communities. To gain insight into their vision and prayers for the year, we spoke with leaders across the globe about their hopes, challenges, and how the global Christian community can pray and support their work.

How the local church in France adapts to secularism and a changing society

France is a country of contrasts: rich in history, arts, and culture. Yet, as French native Vincent, Head of Communications for SIM France/Belgium, explains, it is also a nation of deep spiritual need. Things are starting to change, though. There is a growing openness to faith and a pressing need for mission work.

Sadiku, the boy who ran again

In an outreach clinic on the outskirts of Kapsowar, Kenya, an SIM mission doctor met a young man whose life had been painfully altered by a tragic accident. The boy, Sadiku, was downcast, his once bright school uniform looking worse for wear. He had come to the clinic with his teacher, carrying more than just the weight of his injury.