Friday morning and the sun is out – it looks to be a beautiful day. Lots of thoughts running through my head all night (Imagine that!) For the sake of time, both yours and mine, I am just going to randomly list them:
- · Coming out of the airport, you knew you were in the desert. The land was arid and flat. Interestingly though, as you approached Amman, you came into the hills and valleys. You saw how the city was built in amongst the terrain. The buildings are relatively “short” as there are hardly any over about 15-20 stories – most being 5-7 max. ALL the buildings are made from concrete/sand and are painted beige or occasionally white. It is rather strange when you first see it.
- · Marriage is a high priority here for the Christians – though not so much for the Muslims. We have been joking about bringing our daughters here (Jeff and Ruth each have a daughter as well) to get married as the groom pays for EVERYTHING! Huge engagement party, wedding, the rings – anything and everything. Engagements are usually at least two years as the groom has to purchase a place to live before they can get married. A very small flat could cost up to $100,000! (I am preparing a place for you ...)
- · Lots of division amongst the Christian churches and organizations. The people organizing this conference (Bible Society and Grain de Ble) have seen God’s hand upon it as there are 8 different churches and some other non-profits attending. This just does not happen here. Thus trainings are non-existent. You would never know it as we watch and hear the people interacting with one another. The people are very engaged and wanting to learn. Very humbling yet privileged to be part of God's work here. They totally believe this will be a catalyst for a move of God here in Jordan.
- · My prayer is that we will only pass on the things that are eternal and not just what we thought has worked for us – because as we are experiencing in the West, what we thought has worked for the last 50 years is really not. Our youth are leaving the church in droves – they estimate that 80-90% of youth will leave the church and possibly their faith by the end of their freshman year in college. Having age-segregated teaching may not have worked as well as we had thought.
- · But I have to believe that the Lord reminded me that for many of these people, they are starting new – they are forsaking their families and their culture to follow Christ. The church is the youth. Together, hopefully and prayerfully, we will learn from each other and unite together to be The Church.
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