We arrived in Tangier, Morocco nov 1st. Our last country…. crazy! We all really wanted to finish strong and hit the ground running with our host. Bet we got here and realized our host was not here… awkward. Now what? We met as a team and all expressed desires to fill our schedule and not just be comfortable taking it easy and relaxing in our awesome… freezing… but awesome apartment.
So we started contacting people to find other potential local contacts and searching the internet. We also decided to check out the church that our supposed host was from. Being able to go to an English speaking church was in and of itself a much needed refreshment as that is hard to find on the race. We were able to connect with quite a few people there and gain insight into some potential ministry opportunities. Mary and I had a desire to work with kids this month so we found a local orphanage to volunteer at and got ourselves connected. Mark 9:36-37 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” The boys as always enjoy sports and working out, they found neighborhood boys to play soccer with and a worker here whose ministry is literally running a gym and creating community. There is also potential for helping out in children’s ministry and worship at the church and in that way support and encourage those workers and give them a break.
In addition to this we have an amazing family who live below us and is the Airbnb host for our apartment. They are so sweet and extend over the top hospitality. The husband speaks English and has helped provide us with transportation and even showing us around some attractions like Hercules’ cave where he paid for all our admission tickets. The wife is the sweetest woman who doesn’t speak a lick of English but has on a few occasions made us the delicious Moroccan tea (she even taught the girls how to make it! The secret… when you think you have added enough sugar, add some more!!!) and homemade treats to go with it. She also prepared a full Moroccan couscous meal for us. They have the most adorable son whose smile can warm any heart. He loves spider man and playing soccer. For those of you not familiar with Airbnb it’s an alternative to hostels that we have used multiple times this year to be able to stay in more homey places and provide ourselves with a kitchen to save money by cooking. Usually the host will show up and give you the key and collect payment and that’s the only interaction but this family has gone above and beyond to show us Moroccan hospitality and make us feel welcome. It is now our goal to outdo them in kindness and find ways to bless them and share and show the love of Jesus with them.
Sometimes God places opportunities in your lap, other times you have to put a little work and effort in but it pays off. I’m excited to see where these opportunities lead for us and how God plans to not only use us but meet our desires as well. An undeniable fact that I’ve seen over and over this year, God is good, ALL the time!!! So here’s to being all in till the end! Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
