Jerry and Elaine are a couple with three children who have been living and working in a Muslim country in the Middle East for almost 10 years. Jerry works with a local company in various technical fields and Elaine is a teacher. Their aim is to live out explicit Christian values and to influence those they work and live among by being different. They are able to be overtly Christian, and find that people are very open to discussing faith and finding out more about Christian traditions. In fact, the country where they work is undergoing fast social changes, and many people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their traditional faith, and are openly searching for meaning in other places.

In their many relationships - personal, social and professional - they have a role in demonstrating a world view which is based on a living God whose works are documented in a Book, has a consistent and positive moral framework, and yet which makes complete sense in the modern world. However, sometimes they feel that a lot of the Christian world and Christian history goes out of its way to muddy the waters, by working against the values of that God and his Book.

They sometimes sum up their role by saying that even if they are not sowing much seed, and even though the ground is still hard and needs ploughing, they at least get to lift and throw away some of the stones, to make it easier for the plough, when it comes. 

Please note the names of these partners have been changed for security purposes.