Sorry it has been so long since our last post. We have been very busy here, to say the least. My English is getting worse by the second so please bear with me :) Many things have been going on. Work is very hard but rewarding at the same time. The school's administration is very shabby and puts a lot of it's responsibility on the teachers, which is something we could experience anywhere we go. I'm not going to hide how hard it has been to live hear in Jordan because I want you all to experience everything with us. We have had breakdowns at home where we were almost desperate to return home, but then we would pray. It's truly amazing how God can build you up when you feel so beaten and broken down. He gives you the power that you know you never had before. We have seen God move through us and around us in so many ways. I wish I could share all of them.
One update that I would like to share with everyone is about our friend. Her situation is much better. God has truly intervened! Please keep her and her daughter in all of your prayers. She needs them so much and they are really working. Keep up the wonderful work!
I sent out an email to quite a few people who were inquiring about my mood on my facebook page. This letter was detailed the struggles that we are facing. Many of you commented back giving us so many words of encouragement. Thank you all. We appreciated it and needed them. To let some of you in, we are facing a Goliath over here. God is truly using us, and I know this because if I did it on my own, I would fail. I don't have the skills or the experience to handle the things that I have already gone through. It's all Him and I love seeing Him move and affect the lives around us!
One thing that God has made evident to me was the fact that he doesn't choose perfect people to carry out His plans. He chooses us because we are imperfect and can own up to it. It is when we lay down ourselves and let Him take over that our lives are made complete. Think of Moses... he is often thought of as an amazing leader who saved the Israelites from Egypt. God comes in with the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea and brings the Manna to the people. But if you remember back far enough Moses wasn't all that great of a man. He murdered someone, he was a coward and ran away from his deed, he argued with God about going back to Egypt (not only because he probably feared losing his life, but he stuttered. He wasn't a good public speaker. He was nervous and told God he chose the wrong man.) However God gave him the strength to face his fears and God saved the Israelites by using Moses because Moses finally was obedient to what God wanted him to do.
I shared this story with you because I have a slight idea of how Moses may have felt. I know what it feels like to want to run to where it's safe and comfortable. I know what it feels like to be inadequate of the task ahead. Yet God is so much bigger. And though I may not succeed, that doesn't mean that God won't. If my failures or my triumphs in life cause people to take one step closer to God or come to know him, then God has won and that's all that matters.
You see I've heard this saying so many times before but now it really hits home: God does not require perfection but obedience.
Also our roads are not always easy, sometimes they are really hard. So many times Christians think that if you follow after God then you life is going to be blissful. This is such a false hope and a lie. It is a tool used to derail those who can be used to change the lives of others. Look at Jesus, he was the first of us and his life was harder than any of us could possibly imagine. I look at Paul and the disciples and see many of them were persecuted or tortured, but yet they remained joyful in the fact the the Church was growing and more people came to believe in Jesus. This was their mission in life and it should be ours. The road won't be easy but it will be worth it.
I know this seems like a lot or a little overbearing but it is encouraging to know that God has more power than we have faith. These are things we are learning here in Jordan. I have heard many of them before but now it's hitting home because we are experiencing them. Know that God loves every one of you and wants you to know Him as much as he knows you.
Please keep us in your prayers. I can say that they are moving mountains over here and you are all doing a wonderful job. We love everyone of you and hope all is well in your lives. We prayer for you often!
Below is some information on how to contact us personally to stay more informed. Hope it is helpful:
If you would like my email address you can call my mother at 419-495-2480 and get it from her. We also have our Ohio phone line working so you can ask her for the number as well.
I feel bad for not being able to give everyone more details through this blog but it is for our own safety. I hope you all understand. If you call my mother she would gladly give you the information you need to receive in depth details. We do ask that you don't forward them on to anyone. Again this is for our own safety. Thank you.
