From Eastern Europe to the Middle East

Friends and family! Here I am again continuing to play catch up on updating you all on what’s been happening out here!

Next up we are heading to the country of Jordan! (This actually happened on December 15th).

However, before we get there I want to thank all of you who have reached out in some way or have been praying for the safety of myself and my squad after the recent news of Ukraine and Russia.
I am safe and in the country of Georgia! Although this country borders Russia, we are safe and Georgia is not involved or being targeted. Our organization is keeping a close eye on things and will adjust our route as needed. Please pray for both the people of Ukraine and Russia. May God be glorified and the gospel go forward with power during this time.

I’ve been keeping updated with our friends back in Ukraine and they are busy preparing spaces for refugees who are fleeing toward the western side of Ukraine. If you are wondering how else you can help, please consider donating to the church that we were partnered with while there. They are working hard to transform homes and churches into spaces to help around 200-300 refugees. Many have already arrived and are being given a safe and comfortable place to sleep, eat, shower, wash clothes and be ministered to.

Here is the link to donate: http://www.jsterlingbrown.com/?m=1

Here is the link to follow updates from Pastor Joel on what they are doing with the finances to help:https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=757775320

If you haven’t, please go back and read my last 2 blogs about my time in Ukraine! 

Cozy in Ukraine 

A Lesson From Earrings 

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As we left Ukraine and flew to Jordan I knew things would be different. I recognized we had been in Eastern Europe for 4 months and were now going to the Middle East. I did not entirely know what to expect. We arrived at night and were taken to a hostel for the first night in the capital, Amman. I was not able to see much since it was dark. Waking up the next morning and looking out my window was a culture shock in itself. I remember the thought of leaving the hostel making me feel both a little nervous and excited. This is pretty common for me when attempting to adapt to a new country every month. Jordan was all so unfamiliar and new!

The hostel let us know that morning that they provided a free guided walking tour around the city twice per day. A group of us decided to go that afternoon. As we walked around the city with a local man I quickly fell in love with the culture. It was the streets, the hidden markets, the smells, the cars honking loudly and consistently and the people kindly welcoming us. A big group of Americans tends to attract some attention and we were greeted many times with “Welcome to Jordan!” I left that afternoon with some feelings of nervousness and returned that night totally excited to go back out to see more and meet more people!

Below are some pictures from the walking tour on our first day!

This is Kanafa which is a warm And delicious dessert made from cheese!

The hostel also provided a day trip to sites like Mount Nebo where Moses looked out at the promised land, the Jordan River and the site where Jesus was baptized as well as the Dead Sea. Seeing these biblical sites made for such a powerful day. I could not believe I was getting to walk where Moses walked and see where Jesus, our Savior, was baptized. Along the way we met people including 2 woman. My squad was bold and asked to pray for them and our tour guide. They then shared their beliefs as Muslim woman and again, my squad listened and shared about the truth of Jesus boldly. Overall it was an emotional day. It ended getting to float in the Dead Sea. I had heard that you float when swimming in it but it was like nothing I had ever experienced. It was impossible to try to sink under the water! Many of us laughed together and watched the sun set with Israel in sight across the sea. This day will stay as a memory I will truly never forget!

Mount Nebo

Baptismal site of Jesus

Praying over people we met along the way!

 

Dead Sea

The first week of our time in Jordan was “Ask the Lord” where as a team we pray and decide where to go and what to do. We headed over to the western side of the capital. That week became a week of wrapping up our time together as a team. We knew we would be having team changes at Christmas after being together for 4 months as a team of 5 women. We also felt led to minister to our squad and make personal Christmas cards for each person. We knew the holidays were a sensitive and emotional time for many and wanted our squad to feel seen with a homemade Christmas card!

On December 23rd we all got to take a trip to Wadi Rum which is a HUGE desert. The goal was to have a mini debriefing with our squad and leadership and to change teams! Back in Ukraine I was asked to be one of the new team leaders starting in Jordan. It is a long redemption story that I will probably share in another blog at some point and all throughout my life. I was instantly brought to tears and thankfulness that the Lord would highlight me to my leadership team in this way and be entrusted to help lead alongside of a new team!

While in the desert we got to spend so much time together as a squad to fellowship, share testimonies, spend Christmas together and explore!

Our Campsite 

We also got to connect with the Bedouin men who live in and around the desert who ran our campsite. One night they shared their traditional music with us. They noticed a few of our guitars and asked if we could share our music with them. My squad mate John was bold and began to lead all of us as we sang “I raise a Hallelujah” and “King of my Heart.” Afterwards the men let us know that they “felt something in their hearts” and were moved while we worshipped and sang. Some even stayed and observed during our Christmas Eve candlelight service!

As we left the desert and headed back to the capital we stopped at one of the wonders of the world, Petra!

This first part of our time in Jordan showed me that as we occasionally take days to explore and adventure this year, that too is a ministry opportunity to be a light to those around us.

Life is ministry and ministry is life, no matter where we are or what we are doing!

My next blog will share more about the second part of our time in Jordan with a new team and partnering with a church there!

Until then, I hope you also recognize that no matter where you are or what you are doing, you can be a light and the fragrance of Jesus to those around you!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV