My Hope

  2020 has not been the worst year ever- for me.  That’s not to say that this has been my favorite year because it's certainly had it's share of struggles, but 2008 beats it hands down- no question.     But for some of my friends, and understandably so, they just want this year to end and pray that along with it the sorrows and struggles that it’s brought.   I know someone who lost her daughter just before Christmas, someone who has lost 9 family members due to Covid, countless people in Lebanon who have really been struggling with the financial crisis there, the list goes on.  It’s been a rough year and I feel like my struggles have paled in comparison.     I’ve been reading Job searching for wisdom in knowing what to say as one calamity after another befalls them.  But really and truly, it gives more guidance on what not to say.  His friends all said the wrong thing.  Elihu wasn’t repri...

  This year doesn’t feel so Christmassy.  Parties are out.  Large Christmas plays or pageants may be super spreaders and grandparents may not be able to attend.  It’s hard readjusting our expectations with traditions that mean so much to us.  I get it.  The last two Christmases our family had to redefine what Christmas looked like to us.     In 2018 we had recently arrived in Lebanon and we were adjusting to life in a new country away from friends and family.  We had been surprised that while Thanksgiving is obviously and American holiday, Black Friday sales are worldwide.  This was definitely to our advantage as we were appreciative for the deep discounts on appliances we needed to purchase for our apartment.   Our neighborhood in Beirut was primarily Muslim sandwiched between two Christian neighborhoods.  We were walking distance from lights and enormous trees, so some scenes ...

  I’ve been slow to share.  Mainly because I feel like each time I think I know what’s going on, it changes so I wanted to wait a little longer just to be certain.  Tommy and I have spent time in prayer and are both in agreement that during this season, it’s wise to stay in Clarkston.  We still want to return to Lebanon but don’t feel like now is the time.   Right now, there was also an opportunity for Tommy to step back into the role as lead teacher for GFM for the Spring semester.   The girls and I have continued our Arabic lessons (Tommy has as he’s been able, but because of the time difference, he’s in the classroom when our teacher is available).  I have reconnected with friends in Clarkston from before and I also might be assisting with the GFM discipleship team in the afternoons after Tommy is out of class.    We have been amazed at the way God has opened doors during this time in so many ways- minist...

  It's been surreal being back in Clarkston for a season.  We'd expected to visit while we were stateside but not stay.   It's an understatement to say that I don't think 2020 is falling into place like any of us expected, but I know none of this comes as a surprise for the One who goes before us.  I don't know what He has in store for us next but already I'm so thankful He has us in this place for the moment.   Tommy has really enjoyed being back in the classroom again and I've loved serving in the community.  I've been able to reconnect to friends from Syria and Iraq (I stayed in contact with them while in Lebanon but it's been different sitting down and having long conversations... in Arabic!). I wasn't sure how clear my accent is because the people around us while we've been learning know what words we know and don't know (just like a mother can often converse with her child but has to translate for strangers) so I was really excited...

shared by Tommy  I have been thinking about how best to explain how we have reached our decision for ministry for the rest of 2020.  We have had a great time reconnecting with family and friends these past couple of months.  It has given us time to draw closer as a family and closer to the Lord. When we left Lebanon there was a lot of tension growing within the population.  There has been uncertainty within the financial markets, political agendas, and basic services like power, cell phones, and even food. Rebekah and I were on our first date since getting back and as we were sitting at Lake Ella, our phone started dinging.  This was when we saw the first images coming out of Beirut with the explosion at the port.  Then two weeks ago it was announced that the prime minister that had just risen to power was resigning due to issues working with Hezbollah. All of this had us questioning where God wanted us to serve in this next season.  After talking to o...

  Before I share my devotional type thoughts, I wanted to let everyone know there's another massive fire in the Port of Beirut.  Please pray for our team and the whole nation who has already been struggling and is wondering when their suffering might end.  Many have not truly recovered from the trauma of the war and have been retraumatized by the current events.  Pray that they may find rest in God. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.   Hebrews 13:14   While we've been stateside we've continued with our Arabic lessons.  We love our teacher and our desire to continue lessons is two fold.  1. We need to continue in order to retain what we've already learned and try as best as possible to continue learning new vocabulary even while stateside.  2. We don't want to put her in a difficult position by interrupting her stream of income, particularly at a time like this.   That being said, trying...

  I'll be honest, transitioning to life here wasn't that hard for me.  I expected things to be different from life in the States, so when I encountered the differences I expected it was no big deal.  There were frustrations about certain things and big adjustments, but not any more so than what I was mentally prepared for.  Until now.  I feel like culture shock has hit me like a ton of bricks recently.  I'm sure some of it can be chalked up to the way life has been topsy turvy lately and that's true for everyone worldwide.  But it's more than that.    For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.  And he came and preached peace t...

  As mother’s day has been drawing near, I’ve been reflecting on the impact my mother had on my life.    One of the most important things she taught me, I feel is especially important now.    Whenever I had conflict with anyone, she was quick to point out that each of us is made in the image of God.    She challenged me to try to look at things from the other person’s perspective and put myself in their place (as is commonly taught).    But she took it further than just that.    She pushed me to look for God’s likeness in them.      It’s right there in the very first chapter of the Bible. So God created human beings in his own image. Genesis 1:27 Looking at this world, it seems as though people will quickly accept that they themselves are made in God's image... but they don't always want to view others through the same lense.  Here in Lebanon there's a Kafala system.  It often equates to modern day slavery....

  For the past few months, the world has been focused on an unseen enemy that is attacking and bringing death.    Watching the news and seeing how different nations are responding differently in addition to seeing the global statistics, it hit me.    In five months, the whole world knows what the coronavirus is, the potential destruction it brings, and various ways of preventing it.    As a church (collectively), we have had 2000+ years to share the Giver of Life and make the name of Jesus known to everyone.      I realize that hearing about Christ and accepting him are two different things, but still… people talk about how things will be different after this period of isolation.    I pray that during this time where so much focus is on death and the fragility and finality of this life, thoughts might turn to what comes after this.    The first Easter the thoughts were on death and isolation…   … until the women ...

  I’m sorry we haven’t posted much lately.    We first encountered the flu and it hit every member of the family and then shortly after most of us were recovering from that 3  of us got a virus.    Pray that the last 2 (Maddie and Hannah) stay healthy and don’t get it.    I think we were more susceptible because our immune systems were down, but also because we it was a bug that our bodies haven’t built up immunities for as children so we felt completely wiped out.    Thankfully we’re almost back to normal (our health- still not our personalities).    As I was spending time praying and upset that I wasn’t out ‘doing’ ministry, God reminded me of Paul’s speech in Acts 17.     24  "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;    25  neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself g...

  I know what we’re doing isn’t normal or rational.     I’m aware that it doesn’t make sense to people back home any more than it makes sense to the people here.    Many people here though make assumptions about what we’re doing though as there are many non profit organizations working in the area providing humanitarian aid and Horizons also distributes food as money is given, though for Horizons it isn't the primary focus.    Yesterday we were visiting a woman we’ve seen on a number of occasions who has been very open to the Gospel and a neighbor came over to join us.    She appeared deep in thought but was looking in my direction, so I inquired what she was thinking about.    She replied that she wanted to know why I had come (to live here).    I get it.    While my Arabic has improved by leaps and bounds over the last year, I still struggle to keep up with a rate of normal conversation.    Let’s face...

  Christ mas quickly came and just recently went.  In Lebanon, two Christmas dates are celebrated as there is a large Armenian population.  Traditionally, they celebrate on the 12th day of Christmas (January 6th).   Tommy recently posed the question, like the Who's, would we still celebrate if we woke up to nothing on Christmas morning?  Is it Christmas without a ham and sweet potato casserole?  Is it Christmas without a platter of goodies?  Is it Christmas without caroling?  What about the gifts? What was your perspective this Christmas?   My perspective of things changed after moving from Beirut to the Beqaa.  I understood the protests and yet, I didn't.  What had been frustrations when the power went out daily at 10 am and 6 pm became heightened when we moved here, and I couldn't figure out when to run a load of laundry with a constant flow of power.  And running a heater at the same time as the washing machine is really iff...