The service continues with readings from the Bible in both Farsi (the language of Iran) and then classical Arabic, common throughout the Muslim world though dialects differ. It's the account of Mary's visit to her aunt Elizabeth, and the homage given by the not-yet-born John (later to be known as John the baptizer) to Jesus, also in his mother's womb. This lesson is for the benefit of the Sabians who hold that John was the last voice from God. It shows that even John knew "one who was greater" than him. (Luke 7:28)

A song is sung, and most in attendance join in enthusiastically. It is the 23rd Psalm text sung from an Arabic hymn book. The Muslims and new converts alike know the song.

The message follows with many PowerPoint visuals: maps, illustrations and even cartoons. They help to demonstrate the Bible heroes of faith of whom Hicham is speaking, Abraham, Noah, and Jonah. He talks about their belief in God's promise to a sin-sick world. In listening to the Arabic, western ears perk up at repeated references to "Las Vegas." Hicham is describing it as the Nineveh of the modern world.

Another Psalm text is sung, and the service closes with the Lord's Prayer (that's it above on this page, in Arabic). Hicham invites a Muslim seeker to help him lead the song that, again, is familiar to most. She does so with a smile. Hicham met this woman on the street as he handed out food baskets. She has introduced him to her neighbors and friends. She has also prepared the Middle Eastern feast that is shared by the group after the service, delicious dishes of chicken, rice, fruit and unknown spices that taste of flowers.

The meal is a time for sharing conversation and stories. A young girl speaks of her biggest challenge here, to begin attending high school in Wheaton. After a year and a half her greatest joy is now her English-speaking friends. Her older brother is now below her in grade level because he has not picked up English as quickly as she has. A lawyer from the Sudan expresses his anger. He lives very poor here; sometimes he's homeless. A 16-year-old is intrigued by the similarities he sees between Christianity and Islam. Another's father is a tribal chief, which makes it difficult to cross the line to accepting Christianity.

Hicham Chehab is a missionary in Northern Illinois through a partnership of POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach) and the Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He has an office at Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, leads student ministry to the Muslims at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, and plies the streets of West Chicago, Wheaton, Lombard and points in between to meet those who are so evident in their head coverings and broken English.

That's who is here today: people whom Hicham has met and witnessed to, some now here to explore more about what he is telling them, some who have already been baptized in the last year since Hicham's been working. They are now the core of this new mission outpost which is holding just its second public service. The launch of this new start was on March 1, 2008.