Middle East

For our last stop on outreach we unexpectedly ended up in the Middle East. As I mentioned before, we had to change our Thailand plans due to a layover in China, and ultimately the Corona virus. But it was amazing how God spoke to all of us about going there and we all had extreme peace about it; we had no doubts, no fears and complete trust that this was where God wanted us to be at. And of course God made that so clearly known when we arrived. We stayed at a YWAM base and met with the leader to see what we would be doing ministry-wise for the next three weeks. And he goes, "you've actually been an answer to prayer, we have a team with us right now helping teach English at the school but they leave in a few days. And our fifth grade teacher went back to Canada to visit family and they won't let her back into the country yet. We do have a more permanent substitute coming but she won't be here for another three weeks". So that's where we came in, we picked up right where the other team left off and filled in the gap as much as we could.

Before I get into the details of all that we did there let me start at the beginning of our time in Lebanon. We arrived at 1am on a Sunday and had no trouble getting through security but we did have trouble communicating with our contact. We had friends calling and we were calling and texting but we didn't want to bother them too much so after awhile we decided to just set up camp in the airport and try again in the morning. Well here's the thing about airports, they usually limit your WiFi usage. So when we woke up none of us had WiFi to contact anyone. We had no idea what to do, we didn't have any data or even an address. We prayed and we ended up into the WiFi little store thing to ask for more internet. Of course they said no but the lady inside was very nice and let us use her phone. Eventually we made it out of that airport at noon. It wasn't the most encouraging way to start but we were flexible.

The other team was from Byron Bay Australia; and they were so welcoming and kind. They told us all their stories and what we would be doing and tips and tricks to be aware of in the new culture. They were only around for about three days, and during that time we went and did house visits. Now these weren't regular homes, we would go to small shack-like buildings within the banana plantations to see Syrian refugee families. These families are so broken. They've lost many family members, their homes and their dignity; they can barely get jobs. Not only because the economy is terrible in this country but also because the people think they are so much better than the Syrians. It's sad really. One lady was telling us about life before the war and she said, "I used to work from 8 in the morning to 11 at night and it was hard work, but I would go to sleep at peace. Now I have no work and I just have so much time to think and worry and I don't have peace. I have trouble even sleeping because I don't know if we're going to make it". These people have so little but they give so so much. We would come over, sometimes unannounced, and they would make us tea and coffee and offer to make us food, just so generous. Their life stories were so crazy and we would just come to listen. But sometimes we would go so far as bringing up God and Jesus and their thoughts on him. Some were very open while others were not; either way they were respectful and hospitable.

When the other team left we went to the school and we each got to help in different classes. I was assigned to the first grade class, but it's not the same age range that we are used to. Since these kids are all syrians refugees, their families and lives have been so scrambled and up in the air that lots of kids are behind. So the class was actually 6 year olds to 11 year olds, and they were a little crazy. The teacher was a very nice but straightforward lady that really knew how to control her class. Every morning they would have chapel, which I helped lead, and worship songs. I could see how they loved all the songs and the Bible stories and how doing that each morning set a good pace for the rest of the day. Throughout the week they learned English, math, Arabic, science and art. They also have a gym time on Fridays. All the kids were so excited to have a helper and they all loved to hug me and dance with me in the morning to the worship songs and play during break time. We only got to be with these kids for a week but I love and miss them so much already. The Corona virus became a big deal and they ended up closing school for our last week. So we were a little lost on what to do for ministry, but we talked to our contact and were able to do more house visits with the Syrian refugees. We got to meet with new people and even some of the students' families. We also participated in a Syrian church service along with some other refugees from different places. That night we got to see a handful of men commit their lives to Christ, it was so amazing!

Overall the Middle East was really good, we all learned a lot about the culture and all the crazy things going on over there. But we also got to minister to and help disciple some people who are totally out of their comfort zones; these refugees who have to go to other countries for their own safety. We had the great opportunity to tell them that God's in control and he'll lead them through this hard time.

Well the Middle East was our last stop on outreach! We just finished abother week of lecture in London, these past few days, learning about how to have a biblical worldview. So now I have just arrived in Iceland again and we have a little bit of debriefing this week along with some exploring. But I'll be flying to the U.S. on Friday, so please keep me in your prayers especially that day. I know Corona virus is a very prominent topic at the moment but I'm trying not to be too fearful and to take the necessary precautions. Anyway, it's been a crazy awesome ride and I'm ready to head home and tell you all more about my experiences!

Love,

Anna 💛