Over the past 18 months they have visited eight Middle Eastern countries – some of these more than once.

       Working as chaplains, the aim is to guide and encourage workers within the region. They find this work immensely rewarding, but are always aware of security. If officials were to discover the nature of their work, these workers and those they serve would be at risk in a variety of ways. Tthey need to be very cautious.

       Networks of informers are usual in this region. The couple enjoy going to local markets to shop but are careful about what they reveal about themselves to strangers. In some cases, men at the stalls in the streets nearby will be paid informers.

        This couple have different ethnicities. In most countries this would not matter in the slightest, but attitudes are different in this region. Border officials, have, at times, been suspicious – and struggle to accept that the couple in front of them are in fact husband and wife. The openly racist view is that a brown-skinned person cannot be a New Zealander, so should properly have the passport of some other nationality, and that their New Zealand passport might be fraudulent. The default assumption is that brown-skinned people are maids/drivers and generally lower class workers.

       Despite this background of systemic racism and the ongoing risk of being identified, they find most people friendly and welcoming. There is little danger to personal safety. And there is support; they consider themselves fortunate in being able to meet with others doing similar work, and are also greatly encouraged by regular prayer meetings on Zoom with supporters in New Zealand.

       The couple plan to continue their work for as many years as they can. Their work schedule is demanding at times, compounded by the stresses associated with living in and travelling across a region where people are often controlled by fear. They consider it a privilege to serve God and his people here and are incredibly grateful to their team of faithful supporters who enable them to serve in this way.

—David Blaker 

— For security reasons, names  not used.

Pray for safe and successful border crossings for this couple, as their work requires frequent visits to neighbouring countries.