Before I get into this month’s update, I did want to update y’all to say that I am fully funded! Fun fact, apparently, I have been for a month as a very kind, handsome, and funny unnamed soul in Charlotte topped off my fundraising and left me to not see that for a month. So thank y’all so much for your prayers and for partnering with me to get me around the world to share the love of Christ! Now, onto the long, long awaited update…
If I had to sum up my time in Jordan with a single word, without a doubt I would say tender. It was even more tender than the falafel that I ate most every day. We worked with an amazing ministry called Marka Church and the blessing of our being there coincided with so many amazing happenings.
In spite of all we had heard about the secrecy and persecution of the church in Jordan, they were just blaring the gospel out in broad daylight. The church was well established and was there as the result of a calling to help all of the refugees in Jordan. They had programs giving jobs to the refugees that were disallowed from working, provided schooling to those who were restricted to expensive schooling, and fostered a loving and supportive community. They catered to Syrian, Egyptian, and most especially to Iraqi refugees, all of whom had harrowing stories of the Lord’s grace in the midst of the horror of ISIS.
We had arrived just in time to prepare for and help with a revival event that they were hosting. They had a days long event full of services and worship sessions led by visiting Egyptian brothers, teachings by visiting pastors, and a massive passion for Christ that was painted every night by the throngs of people who had tears for their conviction and the overwhelming love of Christ.
Even outside of the main event, our daily work was the real thing that had me excited to get out of the house every morning. Tris and I had the pleasure of continuing the church’s magazine publication: The Remnant. The magazine was made to highlight the stories of refugees and to share the effect that the Lord is having through ministry. The project as a whole was just sweet as we got to hear these powerful testimonies straight from the mouths of those that endured it, and we got to not only be encouraged by their faith but encourage them in their long and patient obedience to the Lord.
But, with everything we did and the heart of our ministry, the sweetest part was still the people that we met. We had amazing contacts with those who took us on our house visits. The first pair I met was a former translator for the U.S. Armed Services in Iraq and left in the midst of the unrest in Baghdad. He was often joined by an incredibly tender woman, whose story is featured within the magazine, exemplifying steadfast faith in the midst of innumerable trials. The one I’ll certainly remember fondly was my Egyptian mother. She of course didn’t formerly adopt me, but showed me love like a mother would and made me think of my own mother with her kind tenderness.
Leaving Jordan and leaving behind my new mom and so many others that we had grown close to was hard, but this was one that just overwhelmed us with the notion that this is what faith ought to look like. We’ve heard several times that the church is growing most rapidly in countries that are persecuting it and it’s been a blessing to see and partake in the growing fire for the Lord. In y’all’s prayers, I ask that y’all would keep the Middle East in your prayers, particularly Marka Church and the refugee populations that they are and aren’t able to assist. With that, said, thank y’all for your prayers for my fundraising because I’m fully funded! Which means less stress! So thank y’all, from the bottom of my rice inundated heart! See y’all on the flippity flip!
