A Middle Eastern Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Aqaba, Jordan! I pray that in the midst of the business of this Christmas season that you and your loved ones made room to acknowledge and give thanks for the gift that we’ve been given through Jesus Christ. As I look at my window, I see the lights of Israel and just beyond, the mountains of Egypt. I am a 25 minute walk from the Red Sea, where God parted the waters for Moses and his people the Israelites to evade Pharaoh and his warriors. It’s on this land that the Israelites wandered aimless as they searched for the Promised Land. All of history points to the manger, to Christ’s life, to His love, to His death, and to His victory. So, this Christmas season hits home a bit differently for me. But before I talk about Christmas, let me tell you what all has been happening this past month.
As a squad leader, I travel between the 5 smaller teams that make up our whole squad. I get to live daily life with the team and join them in ministry! It’s a beautiful opportunity to enter into spaces with people and encourage while pointing them to Christ. Sometimes the constant moving betweens teams is taxing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This past month though, I was able to stay put, and I camped out with one team for the entire time. Meet Fierce Five!
Wow, this team welcomed me with open arms. Back in August, they set a vision for their team: for others to know them by their Love (John 13:35). This is a vision that each one individually, and collectively as a group, lived out. We were working in Beirut, Lebanon, with a Christian organization that focused on refugee relief, evangelism, educational needs, and establishing church presence within different cultural groups (Syrians, Armenians, Kurds, Iraqi, etc.). We traveled to Syrian refugee camps and shared the gospel of Hope to women, men, and children as they welcomed us into their tents. We joined prayer meetings that were praying bold prayers over the weekly services to the Kurdish community (that had over 250 attend weekly!). We lived in a hostel—a low-budget hotel that hosts backpackers and tourists—and our fellow hostel-mates became our ministry, engaging in conversations and sharing our faith and answering their questions about what it looks like to live a life after Jesus. We prayed healing over people as God highlighted. We sang songs of worship with people from many nations, while not understanding words but rather sharing the same heart language.
One special day, our ministry contact Christine took us on a tour to see the cedars of Lebanon! There are no words to describe the beauty and wonder of this day. There were so many unexpected surprises and greetings! I see it as a metaphor for our relationship with our Heavenly Father. You don’t know what is ahead on your journey, but you trust that He will show you all that you need and more. Then HE DOES! And it’s far more than you can ever imagine. Things that you wouldn’t even think to ask for, He provides. This is what that day felt like. Every turn there was a new experience that we would’ve never known to ask to see. This was one of my favorite days so far. Here are some pictures of this unforgettable experience.
Spending Christmas away from family and friends is never easy. My first experience of this was on my first World Race back in 2014. However, even though I am far away, I can still make home wherever I am. Currently, I am with Team Powerhouse in Aqaba, Jordan. We arrived in this southern port town that is located on the Red Sea on the 23rd, and had much to prepare for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We chatted about Christmas traditions that we all had and decided to make it a point to incorporate all of our different traditions over the couple days of celebrations. We sang Silent Night, as we each lit a candle, and declared God’s goodness in our life. We cooked so much delicious food with, of course, an olive tray. We read Luke 2 and Isaiah 9. We listened and sang along to all the Christmas music (I’m looking at you, Amy Grant!). We gifted one another small, yet meaningful presents and notes. Though many people in this land do not celebrate the birth of Jesus, there was a light that cannot be hidden bursting forth from the window of our rented apartment, radiating with love, hope, and peace.
In Jordan, it is against the law to evangelize and openly share the Gospel. This region, where it all started, has intentionally made it difficult to share the Good News. We all fight daily battles. But what limitations are you living under? I never want to take for granted my access to the message and life of Jesus Christ. America definitely has its issues, but the freedom you have to share about your personal encounter with God can’t be forgotten! Speak. Love. Pray. Serve. Do it because your faith is grounded upon it. Do it because your heart is brimming with gratitude for ALL He has given you. Do it because your LOVE for Him has to have a response. Do it because there are people that cannot openly speak about their faith. Do it for the persecuted church that suffer daily for sake of Christ. Do it as a way to step out of what you know and into the More that He has. Do it because that is what He asks of all His followers.
Holy Spirit, lead me and teach me.
Thank you for your support and prayers!
Wow Laura! This is so beautifully put. Such a good reminder of our freedom to share our faith in the US. Lebanon was added to our route, so I’m excited to go to both Lebanon and Jordan! Blessings!
I loved hearing your heart, Laura! Your words inspire me to be more intentional about MY faith in my everyday life. Can’t wait to see your smiling face soon!
Laura, how wonderful to hear of your experiences and how God is using you and the teams to share his love. Your words inspire me. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your comment, Susanna! These countries are filled with hospitality. They are hunger for the Good News! Excited that y’all will be visiting this region.
See you soon!!
Thank you for your comment, Mrs. Sue!! God continues to show up and direct me, and this experience has brought so much healing and love into my life. Thank you for ALL that YOU do!