My Hope

  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 ...