I think my favorite part about this
trip has been watching the nationals open a holy book for the first time. The
questions they have about their future…right there on the pages…answered and in
their language. It’s not in a form of Arabic that almost no one can read. I
wish more people could see the hunger in their eyes as they have the book
almost touching their nose as if they can’t get enough of it. I want more Christians to see the look of skepticism, as they first open the word, fade away and a
longing for more starts to form. It’s a moment you can’t capture on camera. One
has to see for himself. I want more people come and share and be so overwhelmed
with lostness that they don’t leave. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers
are few…This past village was located deep in the mountains after a two-hour van ride from our home base. We arrived with intentions to love and pray for the people, and that is exactly what we did. Falling into specific gender roles was hard at first, but I realized it was necessary when trying to reach these people. At the end of our time, it may not have seemed like much was done, but I believe just showing them the joy we had in Jesus Christ was enough for the Holy Spirit to move.
The night before we left, people made threats against us because we were there and also threatened our leader. When we heard this, we prayed, and then we worshiped, knowing that whatever God wills will happen. Also, unknowingly, that same night apparently some people who were in the village tried to use black magic around us. Then, the next day, about two hours after we left, a religious leader in the area showed up angry in the village and was questioning why we were there. The nationals defended us! I believe it’s because they saw the way we loved and prayed for them, and then this leader shows up angry demanding they follow more rules. The villagers basically told him to leave, and that they weren’t even fasting during Ramadan anyway. Wow! These people are seeing a big difference and are so hungry to know more about the Father. He has been so good and faithful this whole trip, and I can’t wait to see all of the ways in which He works this summer.
-Kerriel