Just about everyone returned yesterday for a full day of teaching. (We already knew that some could only attend Thursday evening.) Got to hear more about how daily life is here:
· Some are recognizing how relationally dysfunctional they are as a culture. Generally, women are timid and not able to nurture well. The men are angry and don’t know how to relate to their children. They are desiring materials to be used in their churches to show couples a more Godly way of living. What a great opportunity to minister to these families and show them the love of Christ.
· 75% of the participants know the intense spiritual battle that is going on because of the witchcraft coming through the Muslim faith.
· The dynamics of talking to others about their faith is very tricky. Basically, you can answer the questions that people have but you can’t press them in any decision making. That’s when you can get in legal trouble. If someone makes a decision, it has to be very private. If it became known, it could mean death. So if a decision is made, you may not know it because they won’t talk about it and they won’t step in the doors of a church. That is why house churches or home community groups are more common because people can sneak into fellowship versus a church building. If they are seen going into church, it would cause trouble for them.
· It could be the areas we have been in Amman, but it appears to be doing well financially. Other than the Bedouins that we saw as we left the airport and travelled to the city, the vehicles we have seen are very nice and the buildings are well taken care of. (There is a cleanliness and “freshness” here that was not seen in Beirut. Beirut seems to be tattered and torn.)
After the sessions last night, we got to “see” where the Jordan River ends and the Dead Sea begins. Only problem was that it was dark and we really couldn’t see anything but we can say we were there! :o) Interesting how there is a boardwalk along the roadway and how families congregate there after a days work. There are barbecues going and horse and camel rides happening along this concrete path – but it is not really along the water. Most people would have come from Amman which was a good 45 minutes away. Our driver said families would stay there till about 1am before heading home. That part does not surprise me as it is like other hot climate cultures where families are out very late in the evening and then start the day later.
We also went to King Hussein’s car collection. For you cars’ buff – you would not believe the cars that he owned – can’t remember how many Rolls and Mercedes plus a Ferrari . It was an amazing collection. You can tell he did not live in an environment like our own.
Well, I take that back – at 5am, the city sound systems are blaring with Muslim worship and prayer for about 15 minutes. Found myself praying for the believers and their ability to remain steadfast in a world that is not favorable to them.
We are now back in Beirut for the night and leave for Erbil in the morning. It is our understanding that this is the first organized training in Iraq in over 10 years and it is unknown if anything like this will be able to happen again. It is truly amazing how the Lord has us on this mission! I don't know that we will ever fully understand the eternal spiritual significance behind it all.
Thanks so much for your prayers - they are needed and appreciated. Please pray for stamina and sensitivity to the Spirit's work as we begin teaching 14 workshops in 4 days.
No comments:
Post a Comment