Refining fire

 

Some of the events of the past two weeks have seemed surreal.  We have been heartbroken and confused at the treatment of our Kurdish allies.  I realize that some people have been surprised by our outspokenness about the current events on social media.  Let me share that the people who we have been ministering to for the past three and a half years are also friends with us online.  If we are silent as their families face this, what does that say to them?  We do not want to add to the division already in existence in America, but we feel we must be a voice for them (as many fear voicing their fears could jeopardize future citizenship).   We have told them again and again that God loves them, and we love them.  Those are not just empty words.  We truly do love them and our hearts ache for and with them.  What then does love look like when things become difficult?  How can that love be clear when we are now an ocean apart? 

Later in the week forest fires broke out in Lebanon.  It is a small country and it had not rained since May so the fires spread rapidly and caused widespread damage.  They were able to contain them after a couple of days though and then God brought rain that was truly and answer to prayer.  

Following the wildfires, protests erupted throughout the country after some new taxes were announced.  There is a lot of frustration resulting from difficult economic conditions here for the average citizen while the politicians live lavish lifestyles.  In the protests, roads have been blocked with burning tires resulting in smoke and soot filling the sky.  The pictures here are from our balconies.  While they are not right outside our door, they are along paths that we regularly take.  For the moment ministry trips to the Beqaa are paused as so many routes are blocked and potentially dangerous.  We do not feel like we are in danger now though.  We are trying to be cautious and have not gone far from home or taken the main roads where the protests are occurring. 
 
One of the people we work with shared this verse in response to the people's cries. 


The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.  The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: "It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?" declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.
Isaiah 3:13-15
 

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