On July 27^th, we held a baptism service where around 40 people were baptized to signify their death to their old nature and that they are resurrected into their new life in Jesus Christ.  It was a tremendous celebration, and many of those being baptized were touched in a special way.  It was also quite eventful, with the pastor being spit on when one of the guys swallowed too much water while he was down.  Which led to pastor to then give instructions to the remaining guys, “Don’t look at me when you come up.”  I think the funniest moment may have been when an Armenian man who doesn’t speak Arabic was being baptized.  The pastor had someone come translate, and he asked “do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior?”  We were all waiting to hear something in Armenian when the translator took the mic, instead we hear in Arabic “yes, I believe”, with confusion in his voice as to why the pastor would doubt his faith.  It took awhile for everyone to calm down after that.  We really did have a great time. 

I have been able to spend some time with many of the women who were baptized, and it is a great joy watching them grow in the Lord.  I was visiting with a few ladies, who are all related, in their home several weeks ago.  One of the ladies, Noushi, has been in our church for only a few months.  She didn’t understand how you can hear God speak to you, she was expecting a loud audible voice.  I explained to her that God speaks softly, to your heart, and you know that it is Him because it always brings peace (even if we don’t understand or don’t’ like it, it will give us peace) and it ALWAYS agrees with His Word.  Often, and for me usually, God speaks through His Word, so it is important to know His Word and we will be able to hear and recognize His voice.  Noushi came to me a few days ago, very excited as she told me how she has heard God speaking to her four days in a row, telling her not to be afaid, that He is with her, He will bless her and all that He has promised her will happen, and that has He changes her life, others will see the change and it will lead them to know Him.  She was so happy.  It is such a delight to be with new believers as they are learning and growing.  They have so many questions, it is important for us to be there for them to support them as they are learning to walk with the Lord. 

Three times a week I have arabic lessons and it takes a 30-40 minute bus ride to get there.  One particular morning started out normal, I was running a tad late and then had to wait 10-15 minutes for a bus.  I got on the bus, hot and tired, and found a seat.  I noticed above the bus driver’s head he had his name and phone number.  I thought it was weird, looked at my wallet I was holding in my hand, and that was the last time I thought about either.  When I got off (which I was the last one), I remembered I needed to pay for my term and decided to go to the atm before class instead of after.  Good thing I did, because when I got to the atm I realized I didn’t have my wallet and I must’ve left it on the bus. How could I ever find the exact bus I was on.  I had no idea what I could do, and then I remembered the bus driver’s name.  so, I called the one person who I knew would know what to do, our administrator at the church, George Nayaty. I told him what happened and gave him the bus driver’s name.  Within 10 minutes he called me back and told me they had my wallet.  Thankfully, no one had got on the after me, so the bus drive was able to see it right away.

I was so amazed at how God took care of me, by letting me see the name, being the last person on the bus, going to the atm before class.  But, then I thought, “Lord, I would have rathered you just help me not to lose my wallet.”  His response . . . “but then you wouldn’t have seen Me take care of you.”  I was overwhelmed at the thought that even when we mess up, God is there to take care of us.  What I did was very foolish, and believe me, I don’t plan on losing my wallet again just to see God take care of me.  Even in my foolishness, though, God was more than happy help me.  Even before anything happened, He knew and He was already helping me.  It was just another reminder that God sees me, even when I’m not paying attention myself, and He is taking care of me.

Evangelism Meetings in Downtown Beirut

About a year ago, it came to our attention that there was a Sri Lankan church in Beirut whose pastor needed some help with weekend services because he has to travel extensively between Sri Lanka, Germany and Lebanon.  He started the church with 6 people and it has now grown to over 200, and it became necessary to have a someone lead the services while he was out of the counry.  Our assistant pastor, Charbel Louka, has been taking a team to the church to help.  It has been a great time with the Sri Lanka church, many of us who have had the privilege of helping feel like we have been a on a mission trip to Sri Lanka.  The people are very precious, and the more we go the more they are getting used to us and warming up.  They love Charbel very much and are really enjoying his teachings. (and i am enjoying them because they are english)  Please pray for the Sri Lankan people.  They are coming here to Lebanon and finding Jesus and are very excited about returning to their homes to share the Good News with their family in friends.  We may be only traveling a few minutes to be help this church and minister to the people, but this work will effect people across the globe!

This is my second Independence Day away from the United States. While last year I didn’t think too much about it, I had only been away a few weeks, this year I have been reflecting a lot on how proud I am to be an American. The more I travel overseas, the more I appreciate America and what it stands for (in my opinion, every American should spend at least 2 weeks in a 3rd world country living with a local family) . This past week I have found myself singing patriotic songs and reciting speeches I learned in the 5th grade, such as the Gettysburg Address and Preamble to the Constitution.

Two words seem to come to mind as I celebrate this holiday, freedom and sacrifice. I hope that every American would appreciate the freedom they have in their nation. I have been to countries torn by civil war and to nations that still feel oppression from their former communist regime, and was humbled to realize that most of the people would have done anything to take my seat on that plane back to America.. They would continue, though, in the only life they have ever known, ruled by fear and oppression and subject to a weak economy that gives them little hope of a good future. Whereas for me, no matter where I go or what I do, I will always be an American. I will always understand what it means to be free and always know how it feels to be able to dream and to hope. There is a greater freedom, though, than what any man or country could give, and that is the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. No longer am I slave to sin and death, but Jesus sacrificed His life so that I could live in freedom.

I also can’t help but think of the sacrifice of others when I think about Independence Day. It has been said that freedom is never free, and I am so thankful for those who have sacrificed so much to make sure that generations to follow would be able to live in freedom. Thank you to every American soldier who has sacrificed to serve their country and fight for freedom. I am humbled by the thought of the many Americans who have sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom. I was reading Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address yesterday, and was meditating on his words to the people that those who have died will not die in vain, but that we will carry on the fight. I was reminded of Hebrews 11 that lists the saints of whom this world was not worthy, who gave their lives for the Gospel and are now looking to us to finish the race so that they can receive their prize. This Independence Day, let us remember the greater freedom that we are fighting for, and let us sacrifice our own lives to see that generations to come will know the freedom that is in Christ Jesus.

God bless you, and may God bless America!