My Hope

  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...

  Here's a picture of our new town. Part of the mountain juts out from where I was standing and would block the view of our building, but we live outside of the town to the right. The protests here are continuing and there seems to be no sign of a new government forming anytime soon.  It's making things difficult economically for everyone and many people are losing their jobs or getting half pay. We talked to our director and told him that if we would be putting our children in danger by moving during this time, we would wait it out in Beirut.  But if it was only going to be difficult moving to a smaller town (because supplies won't reach them as quickly, the road there has been frequently closed during the protest, etc) we weren't trying to avoid troubles.   No one seemed to be worried about danger for us, just difficulties.  So, we have moved!   Just in the week here, we have seen some of the struggles they spoke of, all of the atm's in town have been out...