No Longer Foreigners and Strangers

It’s natural to feel displaced and isolated when moving to a new location — especially if that location is a completely new country and culture. Hanaa had moved to the United States from Egypt, and even though her children were already living in the U.S., she had trouble adjusting. Hanaa felt like an outsider.

Starting over with a new life in a foreign location was challenging. Her husband, Wagdi, was still living in Egypt and couldn’t move to join Hanaa until nearly two years later. Hanaa’s son had been attending Saddleback Church and invited his mom to join him one Sunday. At church, Hanaa decided to recommit her life to Jesus and found the open arms of a community ready to welcome her home. Hanaa began to feel more comfortable, but she didn’t use her newfound comfort to relax. She began going through Saddleback’s Classes and felt a pull to get involved at church — to give back to the people in her community.

Her experience positioned Hanaa as a bridge builder to women who had recently movedfrom overseas."Many of the women I connected with were struggling with the adjustment of being a foreigner," she recalled. "But through our group, we found focus and strength. We built instant bonds through our shared experience.”

Eventually, many of the members returned home to Egypt, and the group dissolved. But Hanaa still cherishes the relationships that she built in that first small group. “It was a life-changing experience,” she attested. And it gave her the motivation to continue serving at church.

Looking for other ways to build community, Hanaa got involved as a co-leader, helping launch the first women's group at Saddleback Irvine North. For several weeks, only Hanaa and the leader showed up. But Hanaa wasn’t discouraged by the numbers — she was committed to this new community for women at Saddleback Irvine North.

“I realized the success of the group was not in my hands,” Hanaa said. “I prayed, ‘God, it’s your presence, not the numbers, that matter.’ And then, the numbers came. The women’s group has now grown to 30 members, with five leaders. We were faithful to continue meeting and encouraging anyone that decided to show up — and God kept sending more women our way."

After Hanaa’s husband moved to the U.S., they wanted to find ways to serve their church together. “We talked for years about starting a Middle Eastern group because the adjustment of moving from another country is difficult,” Hanaa explained. “However, the time never seemed right.”

When Saddleback began the 40 Days of Prayer series, Hanaa and Wagdi decided they needed to act. They started a Middle Eastern group to go through the new study together. “People seemed excited to begin the group and started inviting other people,” she recalled. “Everyone was willing to open up and share their stories. It helped us connect with each other and encourage one another.”

“Through our group, many miracles happened,” she continued. “Several group members had attended church their entire lives but never had the chance to talk about how they connect with the Word of God and how to apply it. They considered themselves ‘Christian’ but didn’t necessarily know Jesus. I felt honored that we could help them understand their faith on a deeper level and guide them in their commitment to accept Jesus.”

When 40 Days of Prayer concluded, the group unanimously decided to continue meeting, and the Middle Eastern group was formally launched.

“Wagdi and I feel God is just providing the opportunity for us to help others,” Hanaa explained. “We knew there was a need for a group, and we asked God to help us be His hands and feet.”

“When I think of the word ministry, I used to only imagine pastors, lifelong missionaries, paid church employees, or global evangelists,” Hanaa said. “But ministry is one of the great purposes Jesus has entrusted to us. Ministry, in its simplest form, is anything we do to share our faith and the love of Jesus. I didn’t need to look any further than my own church community for opportunities.”

Although Hanaa has found the right path for her, she realizes that not everyone has this confidence to volunteer initially. “Even if you’re not sure where to serve, I encourage you to go for it,” Hanaa recommended. “Ask God for guidance. Keep trying different ministries until you find your passion. You don’t need to start with a huge project. Just start small, and God will use that.”

Learn more about finding your purpose and community atsaddleback.com/class.