Jordan: March 2008 Archives
No need to worry, nothing has happened to us. We're sorry that we haven't updated the blog recently, but we've been doing a lot of traveling and have had no access to any computers. The past few days have been action packed for us.
A few days ago we woke up bright and early and traveled to s new city to visit a deaf and blind school. The majority of the students were deaf with only a few blind students. There were about 200 students ranging in ages 5 to 18, and about 150 of them lived there. It was touching to see the joy and excitement on the kid's faces when we showed up. Even though it was a short time, many of us got to play with the kids and pass out candy which brought a lot of smiles.
The following two days were filled with much travel. We're finding that we're falling in love with Jordan and are considering not coming back (okay, so I guess we don't really have that option). Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Red Sea were just a few stops on our ventures across the country. The culture and history here are so rich that all of us are continuously taking it all in.
Today and for the rest of our remaining time we will continue to make house visits to the poor and hurting of Jordan delievering food boxes. This morning the group that I was a part of had some particularly difficult visits. We went to the homes of several refugee families from Sudan. The last house we visited was by far the hardest part of this trip for me so far. It was a house with a young family with two small children. Walking into the house we saw a small, three-year-old boy scurrying to get out of the room. We were unable to see his face, but after sitting down he returned to where we were. Then we saw for ourselves the two large cancerous that covered his eyes. Unable to afford treatment, the family is faces with the heart ache of watching their son loose his sight. By the end of the visit all of us were in tears. These house visits have been filled with a wide range of experiences and people, and we are looking forward to sharing their stories when we get back to the US.
We ask that you continue to send your thoughts and prayers for our team:
:: That we will be able to beging to process all that has happened here in Jordan
:: That we will be an encouragement to our host families
:: For continual protecting both physically and spiritually
Melesa McEwan
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
After a four hour drive and a long flight, we made it to Amman! This is going to be short, because we're exhausted and need to be getting to bed, but wanted to make sure to let everyone know that we made it.
Fortunately the majority of us were able to catch a little sleep on the flight over. Once we touched down, energy levels were quickly boosted as we realized that we had finally made it to Jordan. Getting our visas and going through customs was an easy and fast process. Later, after checking into the hotel, we joined Jamal and his family for an amazing Jordanian dinner.
*written March 28
I'ts hard to believe that we are just days away from Jordan. After thinking about it since November, we can count the actual hours till we leave. Last night we had our last meeting at the Cramer's. Listening to each other's thoughts and stories, it became obvious that there's a ton of different thoughts going through everyone's minds.
For some there's feelings of great excitement-- it's finally here; we're so close to going! But to be honest, this has not been the feelings of the majority. Don't get me wrong; we're very excited to be going and getting this great opportunity, but there are also fears and apprehensions. Many of us are fighting to make it through this week with multiple midterms, presentations, papers, and events to plan--stress levels are high. It is hard to focus on preparing for this trip when there's so much that needs to get done before hand. I know I am looking forward to Thursday morning when everything will be done and turned in, and I'll be able to concentrate on what's ahead of us.
However last night's meeting was also a great source of encouragement. As a team, the thought of this trip costing so much for being there for such a sort amount of time has been a struggle. There's always thoughts of wouldn't it be better just to send all that money directly to Jordan so that more people can benefit? But last night Caleb and Mikey reminded us of the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with her precious perfume. This was a costly and expensive way just to show her love and sacrifice to Jesus. It seems that throughout his word, God gives extravagant demonstrations of his love. Perhaps we are called to do the same.
In midst of the apprehensions, fears, and hesitations about this trip, I think we are learning a little bit more of what it looks like to be Christ's body. From the get go, I have loved the fact that our team has been able to be open and honest with each other. We get to share in one another's joys, but also in the not so easy times. So many of us have felt the personal attacks from Satan targeted not only against us, but also against this trip. As difficult as those attacks have been/are, it was good to be reminded that we wouldn't be under attack if God wasn't up to something. I am always amazed of how I come away from our meetings feeling so encouraged and refreshed.
After reading all of that I don't want you to be deceived... we are so pumped to be leaving in a few short days! Seeing team member around campus makes the excitement well up within me. Believe it or not, we're going to Jordan!
Melesa McEwan
It is Monday. I am about to leave for our last spring break meeting at Jeff and Jane Cramer's house. I have to admit with three days left I feel completely ill prepared. This is strange because really we have done so much to get ready to go. We have completed presentations on history, economy, people groups, and culture. We even have a web site so that we are able to review facts. We have visited a Mosque and chatted extensively about Islam. We have sampled Middle Eastern food on multiple occasions. We have even learned a little Arabic. However, I am still so nervous and not ready to leave. I am in fact dreading it. I am so worried I will offend the Iraqi refugees and the Jordanian people. Our cultures are so different and really Americans/Christians do not have the best reputations in the Middle East.
However, regardless of my feelings, we leave in three days. I have to trust that God has ordained this trip. He knows every second, from the moment we leave Taylor on Thursday until we return the following Saturday. This is His trip, not mine. He is a God greater than cultural differences, than animosity, than fear, than any barrier that could and will be thrown at this team. He has brought together the perfect group of students and we should be ready to learn and to encounter Christ in powerful ways. So please pray for us to rely on God and to trust that although we do not know what will happen, He does.
Allison Maybray
