Syrian Surf Club
Bridge Builders Network is partnering with some local surfing friends to start a monthly surfing outing for Syrian teens. This video is from our first outing in September made by our friend Mark. Help is needed to find more Syrian youth who want to learn to surf in a safe setting.
OUR NEXT DATE FOR SURFING IS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23
After School Homework Club Starting Next Month
Bridge Builders Network is organizing an after school homework club to be held on Tuesdays in the community room of a large apartment complex in El Cajon. There are immigrant kids from many different nations living in that complex. Our focus will be on homework assignments, improving English, and fun. Volunteer Orientation and Training ( required ) willl be Tuesday Septembre 24th 4pm - 6pm. If you are interested, write us for details info@bridgebuildersnetwork.org
To those who say they love Jesus
As a follower of Jesus for many years, I am intrigued by so many of my Muslim frineds telling me that they love Jesus. Growing up Jewish, I had always heard that Jews do not believe that (or have never recognized ) Jesus was the Messiah. So most Jews would never say that they love Jesus. I decided long ago to not accept or follow that un-wise mass decision of my forefathers, even though all of the original followers of Jesus and Jesus himself were Jews.
Then I came to find out that Muslims recognize and honor Jesus, as he is always addressed in the Quran as Isa al-Masih, or Jesus the Messiah. My thoughts always seem to take me back to the words of Jesus as found in the Gospels (Book of John chapter 14, verses 21 & 23 ):
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (NLT)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (ESV)
So this brings about these question: Do you know and follow the commands (words / teachings) of Isa al-Masih? If not, I would challenge you to investigate and discover his teachings and to obey them. To those who do, God promises even today to reveal Himself to you and come and live inside you. We find that in order to obey and follow the teachings of al-Masih, we must have our hearts cleansed inside first. So this is why Jesus came to offer forgiveness from God and cleansing from all & every past sin in all of our lives. When we ask for this cleansing and turn away from our sins we allow and actually invite God’s Spirit into our lives. God’s Spirit then will lead us through our life on earth and into eternity with God. And who does not want to spend eternity with their Creator ( realizing that your sins can be forgiven and washed away)? Please do not let your sins keep you from good standing with God when you can accept forgiveness today that Jesus offers, with the bonus of eternal life with God.
To say that you love Jesus can be the first step of entering into eternal life and having the assurance of being with the Creator forever. It’s actually quite simple and not about what religion you were born into. I can tell you that Jesus came to show the way to eternal life to all people from all religions, including Jews, Christians and Muslims. Alhamduallah, may God be praised from all nations and all peoples.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. ( John 10:27-29 NLT)
Syrian Boys Soccer Camp
Our second annual month-long soccer camp for Syrian boys came to an end on August 6th. Overall we had about 40 different boys attend. The boy’s coach, a Syrian refugee newcomer himself, has continued faithfully teaching and coaching the boys. David continued initiating discussions and sharing stories on various themes around the topic “All things are possible”. On Saturdays we invited the boys families to join us for family picnics together.
Boys awarded for perfect attendance
Celebration of Syrian Success Stories, June 30th at Safari Park
On Sunday, June 30th our Syrian Wellness Initiative team honored 6 amazing Syrian refugees who have thrived since coming to the United States. Watch here and learn more about the initiative here!
“Building Bridges” group learns about loving their neighbors by visiting a local mosque, meeting with local Syrian families, and learning about trauma informed care.
In October 2018 Bridge Builders Network facilitated a Building Bridges group visit to the Kurdish Islamic Center in El Cajon. The group was warmly welcomed by Imam Amir and those attending the Friday Arabic service. The mosque also provides services in Kurdish. Imam Amir told us that he wants to some day merge the services in to one language, English.
The group met with Syrian refugee families for a picnic at a local park.
This small group met to plan out a trauma informed program to help Syrian men find employment to match their skills, past experience, and to consider new possibilities. Dealing with the high cost of living for refugee families living in San Diego County is a major challenge.