Jordan-Day One
Marhaba
For all of you who don't speak Arabic this means Hello. For those of you who do speak Arabic, please excuse my spelling. Today was a fabulous day and of course it is late at night so a quick overview.
We began early this morning by going to headquarters in downtown Amman. We spent about an hour and a half in worship/devotions. I was blessed. We sang for a while. Our voices did not blend well. Some of us have heavy Jordanian accents. But it was one of the most beautiful things. This lead into a time of prayer and devotions in which we discussed the fact that we are not bringing God into Jordan...He is already here. A good thing to dwell on before heading out into peoples' homes. We spent hours in peoples' homes today. We broke up into several groups for much of the day so please realize that I only know my own experiences, and from what I have heard there are so many stories on all sides of the board. To each home we took a box of food (boxes we had prepared previously in the day) and then we just spent time with the family. This is the essence of what we did in Jordan today.
I am exhausted and reflective. Let me give you some extra information that lends to my overwhelmed state. Today is my golden birthday. Not many people get to spend their birthday in another country but I recognized that I might have to sacrifice my birthday because I did not want the focus to be on me when I am here to serve God and the Jordanians/Iraqi/Armenian etc people. However, I have been so incredibly blessed on this day. A man, Gusan (one of three and once again excuse the spelling) bought me two birthday cakes. I was given a gift from a family who has nothing...literally nothing. They have a huge hole in their wall near the ceiling, their four children share a mattress on the floor in their two room house. They have nothing and they just kept apologizing that they could not give us more. I have never been more humbled, more blessed, or more honored than I was on this day. I would not have guessed that I am not with close friends and family because these strangers so easily loved me, they loved this team. These people have shown God to us. What was said this morning rings true. We are not bringing God here...He has always been here in Jordan. Praise Jesus.
Sorry, I have written a lot. I could write so much more. Please continue to pray for us, for culture sensitivity, for God to tear down barriers (especially the language) and for protection and safety. Luckily we are all safe and healthy. I hope you feel as blessed as I do.
-Allison Maybray
For all of you who don't speak Arabic this means Hello. For those of you who do speak Arabic, please excuse my spelling. Today was a fabulous day and of course it is late at night so a quick overview.
We began early this morning by going to headquarters in downtown Amman. We spent about an hour and a half in worship/devotions. I was blessed. We sang for a while. Our voices did not blend well. Some of us have heavy Jordanian accents. But it was one of the most beautiful things. This lead into a time of prayer and devotions in which we discussed the fact that we are not bringing God into Jordan...He is already here. A good thing to dwell on before heading out into peoples' homes. We spent hours in peoples' homes today. We broke up into several groups for much of the day so please realize that I only know my own experiences, and from what I have heard there are so many stories on all sides of the board. To each home we took a box of food (boxes we had prepared previously in the day) and then we just spent time with the family. This is the essence of what we did in Jordan today.
I am exhausted and reflective. Let me give you some extra information that lends to my overwhelmed state. Today is my golden birthday. Not many people get to spend their birthday in another country but I recognized that I might have to sacrifice my birthday because I did not want the focus to be on me when I am here to serve God and the Jordanians/Iraqi/Armenian etc people. However, I have been so incredibly blessed on this day. A man, Gusan (one of three and once again excuse the spelling) bought me two birthday cakes. I was given a gift from a family who has nothing...literally nothing. They have a huge hole in their wall near the ceiling, their four children share a mattress on the floor in their two room house. They have nothing and they just kept apologizing that they could not give us more. I have never been more humbled, more blessed, or more honored than I was on this day. I would not have guessed that I am not with close friends and family because these strangers so easily loved me, they loved this team. These people have shown God to us. What was said this morning rings true. We are not bringing God here...He has always been here in Jordan. Praise Jesus.
Sorry, I have written a lot. I could write so much more. Please continue to pray for us, for culture sensitivity, for God to tear down barriers (especially the language) and for protection and safety. Luckily we are all safe and healthy. I hope you feel as blessed as I do.
-Allison Maybray
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