Sunday Is NOT the Weekend

Adjusting

I have changed the chorus to "Adjust and obey for thee is no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to adjust and obey."  Even the flow of the week is different here.  Friday is the day that most businesses are closed and workers usually have Saturday off too.

Morning Reflections

As I sat at the kitchen table, I saw the  birds, the sparrows.  In my prior assignment I would see them flying free where people had to wait in cages.  Here too, flying free and in both places I imagine their songs being praises to their creator. 

Let's have this picture of the sparrow remind us that God's eye is on the sparrow, on us and the Syrian refugees in their extreme needs.  As God's stewards, asking ourselves what is required.

UMW Prayer and Bible Reading Calendar

It is a Holy Spirit miracle when the scripture chosen and printed months ago is exactly what is needed by your soul when read.

I was reminded of two concepts that are VERY relevant to my assignment here. 

 The first was not to grumble, like the children of Israel did in the desert. I had been saying, "I am soooo tired of being cold."  Instead now I praise God for the furnace I hope to have next winter.

The second reminder was to do all things that are beneficial and constructive for the good of others.  I have many opportunities right in the appartment, all ten of us.  This morning we are out of water, with news that we might not have water for a few days until it is fixed.  That is a problem times ten.  Hope it is fixed soon.

Passing Notes in Church

The Sunday morning service is interpreted into English as spoken, many internationals attend.  The evening service is just in Arabic.   However, one of the  church members wrote short notes on content for us internationals.  

It especially nice to see someone I knew in  church.  It was a missionary nurse who works at the American Hospital.  She is helping me obtain a prescription.   What would have cost $769.00 because my insurance would not cover in advance in the states, will be only about 48 J D.

Praises and Prayers

Praise God with me that I have this privilege to serve as an assistant at a school for Syrian refugee children.

Pray for those who are working to provide for the extreme needs of the Syrian refugees.   Pray for the Syrian refugees as they adjust to their new circumstances and their trauma from all they have suffered and are suffering.

Let's pray asking what actions God requires from each of us.

Winter Vacation

I was surprised upon arrival to find out that the school where I will be an assistant will not be starting until February 3rd.  However, there has been much to do because the church held a week long Vacation Bible School. 

Daily the church was full of active excited children.  Each day 15-20 mothers joined in too.  Everyone enjoyed singing songs with actions.  There was leaping and jumping at appropriate times and beyond.  

The children really enjoyed the puppet shows and videos.  

Lessons about Bible characters were given.  On Friday the final lesson was about Jesus and the salvation provided by the cross and resurrection.   Through the use of puppets, music and even bubbles God's little ones heard about Jesus' love for them.

I served with the three to five year old children.  Today we had 12 listening to the story, plus a couple more crawling under the benches.  We held the class in the back corner of the church.

 It has been many years since I have been involved at this level and personally felt the excitement of so much potential.

The church family prayed for the events daily.  They worked very hard on the VBS.   Each day sandwiches were made for all the children and the mothers.

Pray with the church family here in Mafraq that the children will continue to grow in their understanding of God's love for them.

Tuesdays Together

Breakfast on the Roof

Each Tuesday starts with breakfast on the roof.  It includes all those involved in the ministry.   This week it included some VIP's from Czech Republic,  gifting the ministry with funds.

Getting to Know Others

It is a wonderful opportunity to network.  This information flow allows for more effective ministry.  For example at my breakfast table five different countries were represented.  The topics in part were where to find good Arabic teachers and what was the best way to be certified as an English-as-a-second-language teacher.

Gathering in the Church 

After breakfast everyone gathered in the church to sing praises, pray and be inspired by a message from the  Bible.   The message was in English, being interpreted into Arabic.

The message from Matthew 5, the Beautitudes, was a reminder of who we are in Christ, salt and light.   The challenge for kingdom living was given, to do good and preserve society.

Prayer Needed

Pray for the many who serve in various capacities through the church and in other organizations.  Pray that the extreme needs of the Syrian refugees will be met and that all actions will bring glory to God.

Excitement of Beginning

From Ammon

One of the teachers from the school came to Ammon to pick me up.   She got lost on the way to pick me up, but got together with the help of a short taxi ride.

 We found a large supermarket, almost as nice as a Meijers, we loaded up with supplies.

As we left Ammon, I read the map while being driven.   We still got lost on the way to Mafraq.   It did not help that the signs and map did not have the same names and/or spellings. 

Church 

My first impresion of the Christian Mission Alliance Church is that it is a small church doing a HUGE work.  The activities are accomplished by total dependence on God through prayer.   An encoueagement and joy to see God work through the believers here.

Names

So many smiling faces, many welcomes.  I need prayers for help remembering them.

Wonderful Housemates

I am in a wonderful apartment filled with Housemates that love Jesus and are dedicated to furthering the good news of the gospel in all they say and do.

I am in a bedroom with three bunk beds.  Currently there are four of us, but I was blessed to get a bottom bunk.

My suitcases act as chest of drawers.  I have one shelf and share about three feet of closet space with the potential of five other people.

I am contemplating my home 1700 sq ft; what is really needed and what does God require.

I am praising God for the privilege of living with these servants of God.  It is my joy to see my young housemates studying the Scriptures and finding corners of the living room for their personal times with God.

Praise and Prayer

Praise God with me for a safe arrival and a joyful settling in.

Praise God for the help I received with computer issues.

Continue to remember the dedicated church members and those God has sent to help and minister to the Syrian refugees.

Please keep the Syrian refugees, and their extreme needs, in your daily prayers.

What should we, wealthy Christian's, be doing to further God's justice in this region?   I pray that each of us would take action as we see reality through the "lens" of Jesus' love.

Wadi Rum and a Night of Camping at Rum Magic

 Wadi Rum

The desert scenery of Wadi Rum is spectacular.   It is located about two hours south of Petra with some spactular views along the way also.

Ride Through the Wadi

I passed on the opportunity to take a camel ride choosing a truck/jeep instead.  The driver, almost no English, and his young son, giving me Arabic lessons on the way, were a delight.  The sand dunes of the desert had me remembering Lake Michigan dunes.  When we stopped for tea and conversation with a desert trader.  Sun set was thrilling and the shadows on the landscape added much charm.

Campfire,  Tea and Dinner

Tea made on an open fire was served.  I was glad for the open fire as the temperature dropped with the setting.  Dinner of traditional  Jordanian was served and enjoyed with people from France and Spain.

The Tent

The plan was to get into the tents before the generator was turned off.  The tents had beds and very warm blankets.

I did take time to see the multitude of stars, however, this picture does not do it justice.

You know it is morning when you open your eyes to this.   I opened the tent flap so I could read my Bible.  I took a "selfie" where I sat as I prayed for you.  I pray for all of you who are on my email list as well as all who will read this blog.  I am praying that we will all know the reality of God-with-us and have a friendship with Jesus. 

 

Back to Ammon and on to Mafraq

A four trip back to Ammon,  a shower and this internet.  

I am praising God for all the lessons I learned in this solo travel!  On to Mafraq! 

Petra -

The Town of Petra from the Seven Wonders Hotel

History from Biblical Era

Petra is mentioned in the First Testamen as the Israelites approached Edom after their 40 years in the desert.  Just after 1000 BC King David moved to take control of Petra and all of Edom.  King Solomon consolidated Israelite grip on trade and technology and for fifty years diverted Petra's prophets into his own coffers.  We have all read of the Israelite kingdom collapse. 

The Nabateans came on the scene in 647 BC.  They grew in power and Petra's golden age was first centuries BC and AD. 

Petra By Night

My introduction to Petra was a candlelit walk through the Sig with only the light of candles every few feet to guide the way.  Once I, about 100 others too, reached the Treasury,  we listened to Bedouin music played on a pipe.  We were served tea and listened to stories about Petra.

The Treasury building by night.

In the Light of Day

Walking the Sig, 1.22km to the Treasury in the day time caused praises to God for my safety the night before. Some of the path still show first century stones, some areas have been redone, some and some still in need. 

The Treasury was designed to impress.  Like most of the remaining monuments, the entire building was sculpted in situ, gouged out of of unshapped rock in a kind of reverse architecture.  Good to see it in the light, however I could not get the whole boilding in my photo.

So much to learn, not enough time.  

My guide explained how water was brought down.

He said a lot of the monuments were actually tumbs.  The wealthy people had the larger fancier structures.   There were many along the way and I went inside one.

My guide explained much more,  just a few photos should peak your desire to visit.

The history lesson is over I enjoyed the walk back.  I enjoyed watching artists. 

Buying from children.

Seeing children enjoying their family outing.

 Feeling sorry for the horses.

This young man was very glad I bought a necklace from him.

As I walked through the Sig, for the 4th time, I took time to enjoy God's beauty in the rocks and the changes of coloring from the setting sun.

Shebna

The United Methodist women's reading for today, Isaiah 22:15-25, with this Petra background it is more understandable.

"Go say to this steward,  

To Shebna, who is in charge of the palace: 

What are you doing here and who gave you permission 

to cut out a grave for yourself here,

Hewing your grave on the height

And chilseling your resting place in the rock?

Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you....."

Shebna was a steward who failed to take care of his assignment.
My prayer is that God will find us faithful stewards of our call.  

Back to Bible Times in Jerash

History of This Historical Site at Jerash

Set in the fertile hills of Gilead, Gerasa, the former name of Jerash, was founded in 170 B C.  The relatively small settlement at that time focused around the Temple of Zeus.  Archeological investigation has revealed settlements going back to 1600 AD.

It was  under the Romans during the first century that the basic town plan as it survives today was laid down.

Walking in Jerash

Enough of our history lesson, walk with us on the colonnaded. Use your imagination as view the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Artemis complex.  Stand in the plaza with us.

Holly's lesson on a moving column.

 If you get tired sit in one of the theater seats.

(Remember my tablet crashed and this replacement tablet will not let me move photos around, or next to each other.  As soon as possible I plan to get to a PC and reposition the photos)

Understanding

Seeing these old stones gives a background view of some of the Bible's context.  The way the original authors depicted their life with God establishes the standards for understanding our life with God today. 

Richard J Foster in his book, Life with God, had a lot to say on this topic.  We will understand that the Bible is the "means through which we are introduced to Jesus and invited to follow him in this life of humility and service..."  We understand that "in Christ, our origin is God and our destination is God, we will yield fruit of service to others....God is writing us into the beautiful culmination of this grand story: human beings as the dwelling place of God who is fully present with them."

With all my heart I say ilhamdilla-Praise God's grace and mercy.