The Hope
“For I know the plan I have for you,” declare the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Our first full day was long and required a lot of physical and emotional strength, both of which we were blessed with all day.
The women who received the manicures and facials said they felt like women for the first time since arriving in Jordan. The pressures of caring for family, mourning loved ones, and being in a foreign land have been difficult for these women. To have their inner femininity be stripped from them is overwhelming and devastating.
The Holy Spirit has provided a boldness for several in our group that we have never experienced. We are being moved to share our faith in ways we have not before.
Teaching the teachers provides them with the future. They are able to continue on in their positions, not just reading directly from the curriculum, but learning methodology and tricks of successful language teaching. In turn, the teachers at the center are developing a gift and providing for the future of their students. Sharing a vision for the future with the teachers, opens the door to possibilities and gives them hope for beyond today.
In the late afternoon, we were in small conversation groups with young (18-30) adults. Many of the groups were mixed men/women and Jordanian/Syrian. This was an opportunity to use English in conversation, something that is not common here. It is exhausting to have to constantly translate in your head, first the input, then to turn around and speak. One young man was holding his head, when asked if he was OK, he replied that it was good to have a headache, it meant that he was using his brain.
In another small group, the conversation about goals turned to what Jordan can and can not provide. Many people struggle with finding jobs, not just refugees. Feeling compelled, we asked if we could pray for them. With a look of amazement, they proclaimed, “You are real Christians!” Please pray that this opens the door for deeper conversation this evening.
On a lighter note, we are beginning to learn some of the languages. This is often well received, except on the rare occasion when one of us mispronounces a word and says something inappropriate. Surprisingly, despite the culture of discretion, results in a lot of laughter among the Arabic speakers, and mockery in a loving way. Travel tip: there aren’t any words that are the same in Arabic and Spanish, except maybe “Coca Cola.”
Also, we are eating well… Below is a picture from the Yemeni restaurant from last night. We have no idea what we ate, but it was cheap, delicious, and we want to go back.