Hey everyone! I am now in Cyprus and have been here just over a week. I want to update you all on what has been happening here and the work that my team has been doing.
We have a host! That means that we have been working with an established ministry and have been helping them with their everyday tasks. We have been teaching English, going to prayer meetings, gardening, helping with the kids (playing with the kids aka having the best time ever), distributing food to refugees, visiting the local refugee camp, painting churches, and doing a large variety of office work and other tasks.
It has been a change of pace to have a ministry host and the month has been very busy for myself. Last month I spent a lot of time alone and in prayer with God. I established the habit of waking up early every morning to spend alone time with God. This has been wonderful. I had a little bit of frustration last month from feeling like I was just sitting around. But every time I tried to move God told me to sit back down and sit with Him. This month? The opposite. Opportunity after opportunity has opened itself to make contacts, meet friends, and work with my heart and hands. Every day last week was full with work and meeting new people. This week has slowed down a little bit but allows time to invest and revisit everyone that we met last week.
While here, we have met many refugees from many different countries. I want to give you a picture of what that looks like.
I have made 6 wonderful new friends. 6 brothers that come from 5 different countries. Each of them has a different story but they all share the same love for each other and for God.
One of my brothers has a Masters degree in business financial management and was going to pursue a PhD in Finance.
Another has a degree in Administration.
Another computer sciences and electronics.
Another mathematics and coding.
Another was studying electronics and his desire is to finish his degree in electrical engineering
None of them have jobs. Not because they aren’t qualified, but because of circumstance and where they find themselves without legal ability to work in their field of study. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering. If I chose, I have multiple job offers that were waiting for me at home. A blossoming career waiting to take off. Instead I find myself wandering the earth traveling from place to place. Yes, I am here under different circumstances but this we hold in common:
We all are here away from home.
We all trust and follow Jesus.
We all have the same Spirit inside of us.
We share the same Heart.
On Friday night we invited these brothers over for dinner. We cooked, we talked, we shared testimonies, we worshipped. My brothers passion and prayers to God were beautiful. Their voices rose in the night with praise. We raised our hands and danced in victory and joy. As I stood there with my brothers and sisters everything else melted away. We have faith. We have love. We have joy. We have hope. We have each other. And We all share in the same promise. The same Spirit. The same Jesus is Lord in our lives. It’s so simple really.
When we think refugee, it is easy to picture someone helpless, hungry and in need of our help. They need food, clothes, and are fleeing less than desirable situations at home. This is true. But they are also just like me. The only difference is the injustice and challenges of living in this broken world. But when we pray together, when we all stand together, lifting our hands in praise to our King, the trials AND the comforts, the pain AND the blessing, all fade away as joyful voices rise together. Together we are ALL wanders among the earth. Waiting and Hoping for the day our King shall return. On that day we will together leave behind all this world has to offer and walk hand in hand into our eternal Home. He is bringing us ALL Home.
With Faith, Hope, and Love
Nathan
