In Preparation...

Packing now... Lots of vari-colored and non-matching clothes are flung all about our dining room. My mom and I are trying to figure out outfits that are conservative enough but also wearable! (Girls, you know what I mean...) One of the main challenges is that shirts have to be almost mid-thigh in length to be worn with pants. My grandmother has lots of Indian tunics that work well in that regard, so that has been super helpful! Anyway, we will see what ends up in our luggage on the flight to NY, and from there on the Royal Jordanian Airlines to Jordan! I am excited! (Side note to guys--you have it sooo easy when it comes to packing for overseas travel. No shorts, and you are set. Be thankful! ;)
But in all seriousness, please be in prayer:
-for all the workers we will be there to bless and reinforce. May we truly be able to be a help and not a burden in any way. Pray that my whole family will have a servant's heart like Jesus exemplified, washing His disciples' feet!
-for the patients at the hospital, that my dad will be able to show the love, mercy, and light of Christ despite the language barriers.
-for all refugees and Jordanians that we come in contact with; that God will prepare their hearts to see Christ's love in and through us, and that supernaturally we will shine for Jesus like never before.
-for boldness for me and my family to speak the truth of the gospel when given the opputunity.
-for spiritual protection, and physical strength...ask God to bind Satan over our whole trip. he has been defeated already, but he sure doesn't act like it!
-Most of all, for God to be glorified, and His will fulfilled.

Thanks for being my "rope-holders" as I seek to be the hands and feet of the One who has set me free.

Welcome to a Strange Dichotomy...

In early April, my family and I will fly to Jordan to work with a relief organization and some friends of ours for about two weeks. Then we will return home, and a week later, I will compete at a regional speech competition. Strange? Maybe. Wierd? Not for me. Part of my heart will always be in the Arabian desert, so returning may be tough but rewarding I hope. I do live a double life in some respects--I am involved in things right here in the US while part of me always wishes to be "over there". Somewhere in the Arabian Gulf, somewhere shining a light amongst a people who sit in darkness.

Wait! you say. The US is going down hill-- we need people to stay and fight for America: land of the free, home of the brave! I will give you two reasons. One is that simply I am not called at this point in my life to "fight" for America. Oh, I have. I campained for Romney, for a pro-traditional marriage ammendment in NC, and stood outside of an abortion mill. It is not that I do not want to "save" America. God has called me to a different battle ground. Not everyone can fight all the battles needing to be fought all across the earth. Someone needs to stop hunger, another stop abortion, another save sex trafficking victims, another stop the Supreme Court from destrying all our freedom. But also someone to seek and save the lost in the Middle East. Do you see? This--all these things--are the job of the Body of Christ as a whole! I can be called to do one specific thing and you to another. Together we can further God's kingdom and live for His glory.

My second reason may sting:America is so rich, so obese spirtitually!! We have more than 10 or fifteen versions of the Bible, Churches everywhere, and a bunch of apathetic people sitting in church and living like heathens. I have a passion for those who have never heard the gospel--never even heard that Jesus was more than just a prophet! Someone does need to awaken this nation that has become so slothful. But at this time in my life, I have not been asked to. Don't get me wrong--it is nice to be out witnessing and the person you are talking to knows a few of the 10 commandments! But the US is so sickeningly apathetic when there is SO much availiable to them at any given moment. Someone in the Middle East can go their whole life, die and go to hell before someone reaches them with the gospel, and the average American can turn on their TV and watch The Bible.

God has given me a special part of His heart for the world---when I see this couple walking, black and white, I see a lost, sick soul needing Jesus Christ. And so I will go if He will send me.

 

Thanks for hearing me out. This is me.