Hello to all of you! Today, I have officially been in the country of Jordan for about a week. It's quite crazy to think that my time has gone that fast, and the journey is just beginning. Now that I have had a week under my belt, explore the area a little bit, try some local food, the ministry that God has given the missionaries here begins on Monday. I will be partnering with the Second Circle English Language Program. At SCELP, we teach ESL classes in order to help people gain better English skills for various reasons. The section I will be teaching is level 3. At level 3, students are progressing quite well in their English, so hopefully this position will allow for some good dialog between my students and I. Once again, I thank all of you for your prayers and support on this journey.
As I have been getting ready to start the classes on February 1, I have been considering what other things God has for me here. While being here this first week has been so surreal, and dream-like, I know that there is so much more to this trip that meets the eye. It is no longer about just being a tourist for 7-10 days, but rather interacting in a culture where two worlds collide: Arab/American, Muslim/Christian, Male/Female. The question becomes how can me be people who live in such a society in order to proclaim peace, and love. How do we interact in a world that there is division politically, religiously, ethnically, and still proclaim God? In a land that was once inhabited by followers of Yahweh, so now we find ourselves back in the land striving to bring God back into the equation.
As I have thought about such things, the issue of making this trip more than just a tourist event, and more of a mission to proclaim God's love, justice and mercy, an incredible burden has come upon me for this country: a burden that desires to see unity and peace, rather than pride and selfish-ambition. I am reminded of the prophet Jeremiah writing during the exile of Israel. He says:
6 "Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. 7 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. 8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it."
-Jeremiah 33:6-9
As those words have sat with me all this day, I keep thinking that there is more to me than just teaching English. It is about helping to bring health and healing to it. Peace and Security. It is about starting a process that helps rebuild the city as it was before. It is about the community being so changed by the love of God that as the passage says there will be joy, praise, and honor for what God has done.
Friends, I am blessed to be in a country where two worlds collide. This experience is a way to let love come in and a bridge for these two worlds to be built. Whether it be by teaching English, meeting students for coffee, or just smiling at a stranger on the street, our entire being should be to radiate the love of Christ in our words, and actions.
Consider your world, are there worlds that are colliding, be it in your workplace, home, neighborhood, or place of worship? What are you doing that helps create a bridge between these two worlds, and to be a messenger of God's peace and love? Would you join me in your own community as I carry out this burden that God has put on my heart for this country while I am here?
To wrap this up, as I have walked all around the city, passing thousands of people, and acquainting myself with the people and understanding its needs, a song as continually resonated in me. I have the song linked and would invite you to share in viewing this. I hope that through what the Scriptures say that we might continue to take part in God's mission to reconcile the world to Himself.
I love all of you. I pray for you and thank you for your support every day. Continue to live in His love daily!
Grace and Peace
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