Grand Finale

Our final night loving on the refugees we decided to have a celebration night. A time to celebrate their young life, shower them with love, play games, do a craft, teach them the story of Love. The Love that will last forever.

They came and they had a wonderful time. Our hopes were that the 90 minutes spent with the team would be 90 minutes of them not thinking about their shattered world. A world where they don't have the comforts of home, many times do not have food, and no hope for the future.

Our Hope was realized. They had a blast. It was hard to say our good byes, but we hope their dreams that night were about their "celebration" and not their reality.

These children have seen things and experienced things that no child should have to ever endure. Endure they do though.

We made sure they did not leave without knowing that there is a God who loves them, sees them and will always be near. Thank God....

Dry Land

This part of the world is dusty, hot and dry. Not only the landscape but many of the hearts of the people with whom we have the privilege to spend time with and share the love of God with. As we sit on the floors of their "homes" and look into their beautiful faces that have no expressions, eyes that have no sparkle and smiles that painfully emerge, we are reminded again and again that the world is in need of the refreshing Water.

We had the prvilege to splash it on a number of people yesterday. One couple in particular listened intently and with a great deal of interest. The truth of the One true God was ringing in their ears and empty hearts. As we spent almost two hours with them, we saw the transition from a dead, empty life to one that was so very thirsty for the Water of the One who sent us to them.

What an honor it was to lead them to Him, the River of life. When the husband looked in my eyes, I am certain I was looking into his very soul as I saw his heart open, soften and desire freedom from his bondage. Drink my brother and sister, for the rest of your life..I will see them again!

Another world

Today we met with refugee families to tell them we care about them and love them.

We have absolutely no idea what they have been through, and I pray we never have to experience it.
They are normal people like us, except they fled a war torn country and now feel completely alone and hopeless. What can you say? We listened to their horrific tales with tears in our eyes and tried to not react with shock, not easy but you have to. You see, they would not want US traumatized. Imagine that compassion towards us?

They always serve us hot tea or Turkish coffee though that may be a great hardship given they really have nothing. We brought each family gifts and food supplies. I was blessed to have some gorgeous girls on my lap and I silently prayed for their lives....one thing of which I am certain, there is One who loves them and sees them, right where they are. I told them that too.

Be especially thankful for where you live....

The Awaited News!

We made it through the "crossing" with absolutely no problem. The usual chaotic terminal and checkpoint and customs room, had no one there! Yep, we could hardly believe it ourselves. But then again we serve and trust the God of Miracles. And this counts as one in our books. But I need to mention that there was one man. He was sitting under the canopy outside where we were told to wait with all our luggage, for quite some time. He was a "tour guide" who was waiting for some people. He was waiting there for a LONG time when we arrived. Well, what a lovely man. He, of course, spoke the language of the land AND English so when the custom police and officers kept coming out asking questions, he translated it all to us. Plus, we were able to tell him why we were there and what we were doing..We called him "our angel". When we finally, after hours, were able to pass through, we no longer saw him out there. Believe what you want, but we know who he was....

We made the 2 hour trek in three different vehicles packed to the brim with all our luggage and supplies. Not one piece of luggage was given a second glance, hallelujah...We traveled along the very dusty landscape making our way to our destination. The roads are nice oddly enough for the most part, but no lines in them so they drive however they want. We passed some amazing sites. Desolate camps, groupings of villages, traveled through noisy crowded cities. All the while, praying for peace and unity for this great country. This country is flooded with the refugees whom we came to serve.

Today is Sunday and we will be meeting and planning our strategy for our time here with the nationals who do this every day. Then we will go to there church and worship the One True God alongside them. It is an odd thing to be praying to Him while we here the call to prayer for the other group who live in this land.

May we love well why we are in their country. Because He first loved us..

Outpost

We traveled to the most amazing, sad location yesterday. It is an outpost where you can see Israel, Syria and Lebanon in a beautiful panoramic view. From this viewpoint, it looks serene and beautiful.
But, of course we know the truth. The truth is according to the UN soldiers in this outpost, they observe 60 violent events DAILY going on in Syria. Imagine that? I would love to just use my viewpoint of the peace and beauty, but the reality tells me differently.

And so the team walked around the outpost and prayed for peace and unity of the countries..Possible?  Perhaps not if man is in charge. Possible? Yes, if the Prince of Peace is in charge. That is our prayer as we go love on those who currently have been driven from the country and seek refuge in Jordan.

What we are going to offer them is the Peace that passes all understanding...Thank you for joining in our mission..

The City on the hill.....

Jerusalem, what an amazing place. I have not been to any other place that has such polar opposite things going on. Yet draws your heart to it every time.

You have quite a melting pot of religions, ethnicities and cultures. All trying to co exist but not always successfully. No other place has the history this wonderful city has.

It is chaotic and serene at the same time. It is a place where peace and unrest cohabitate. More importantly, it is the place where Jesus walked and performed His miracles.

You visit the Western Wall and it is filled with men and women crying out in anguish to their Messiah yet they do not recognize that He has lived there, walked their streets, and healed their lame, blind and deaf citizens. Yet, He loves this place the most. When standing there and observing the heartfelt prayers and tears, I want to wrap my arms around them and say “He has come!  Look, He is right here in your midst. Just acknowledge Him, as you are the Apple of His eye!”

But just like the Messiah, Jesus, He does not force Himself on anyone. He has given all of us free will. It would not be love otherwise if we were slaves to Him now would it?

I am writing this looking out onto the Sea of Galilee. This is another prominent place in His storybook, the Bible. He walked here too, performing miracles, feeding thousands, teaching them parables about life, and just trying to get people to see that the Perfect Lamb was right there with them, if only for a short time. But, He is coming back. Are you ready to receive Him when He does?

Shalom…

Arrived

We have arrived without problems on our first leg. The rest of the team we will be meting at the airport in a few hours.

We are going to rest a couple of days in Israel before crossing over to Jordan. We will be spending time in the places where Jesus walked. It is certainly storing to visit these amazing sites.

Apart from fatigue, we are well and anxious to begin our time with those who have been appointed from long ago to connect with us.

Thank you for your interest and prayers...

More to come.....

Bless you,
Christine