Last week I was sitting eating some shawarma and hummus with a sweet friend from the race. We were deep in an intentional conversation about her story all that Christ had redeemed in her and the journey she was on, when we were pleasantly interrupted. She had a hijab and a purple coat and couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 years old. She came to our table begging for money. My heart literally dropped and I told her I had no money to give but immediately asked her name with my shwaya “little” Arabic. Her demeanor changed and lit up. We asked if she was hungry and I carefully arranged a second plate with some of our lunch to give to her. We muddled through conversation with many smiles and hand motions. It’s amazing the patience of a child to sit and try to understand your broken Arabic. I found out she was from Syria.
I think I was trying to ask her if she had any brothers and sisters, when she gently took my hand and folded down my index finger. “Mama…..mayit.” I didn’t get the word, but I immediately understood the meaning. “And your Papa?” She folded my middle finger down as well. I looked into her deep brown eyes and said, “No mama or Baba?” She shook her head, “No.”
After losing my own mother young, the sting of her words hung in my heart. I felt crushed and wanted to offer her all that I had. I asked if I could salat “pray” to Jesus and pointed upwards. She actually smiled and nodded yes. I gently held her little hand and closed my eyes and prayed with all my might asking Jesus to show this little girl His intimate love today, to provide for her, to let her know that she is seen, to hold her, and when my words could go no further I closed with “in Jesus name Amen.” She said shukran (thank you) and said afwan (you’re welcome) and handed her the little plate of food. We tried a little bit more through some conversation and then she left with a smile.
——————————————————————————————————-——————
I sobbed that night for this sweet girl. Have you ever felt so powerless in a moment? Would the few JD I had have changed her situation; was she on her own or was she begging for someone; did she have a home; did she have food to eat; when had they died; was she an orphan; would I see her again? It was for just a moment, a couple minutes of conversation and then she was gone and I did not see her again. I went into our all squad worship that night with what felt like an open wound and I did not know what to do.
That night, my friend Brenna shared as she felt lead this beautiful poem about how she had felt in the Syrian camps only a few weeks prior. Essentially, the poem went along the lines of a great need like a new home, a surgery, a missing loved one, a sick baby, a husband in danger, paired with the response can I pray for you? Can I take you to lunch; can I pray for you? Can I listen to your story; can I pray for you? Can I love on your children; can I pray for you? She said asking to pray for all these weighty needs felt a bit like a cop-out only because the women she was speaking with did not understand who she was praying to.
Her words so resonated with my heart that night. There are so many needs that we can meet with love as believers, but what really hits hard are the needs that I in and of myself am powerless to meet. Right now each day, I am meeting with and serving Syrian refugee families and truly in the face of war, oppression, sickness, loss, and families getting split my own powerlessness to solve their situations is almost overwhelmingly highlighted. But, God is showing me again and again what it looks like to freely give what I have been given in its fullness, which is simply Him. Suddenly I am not powerless, and the truth washes over me that I have everything to give because my Father, my Savior, owns everything and offers us the entire Kingdom out of His love and kindness (Luke 12:32).
Please be praying for Mara! The little girl that interrupted our lunch. Oh she is dear to the Father and I may never see her again, but He is pursuing her heart and He is with her always. Please join me in praying that He ushers another daughter home into His Kingdom. I would also love prayers for my team right now. We are in a small town about 10 miles away from the Syrian border and each day we are encountering story after story of loss, but with all hope we are partnering with exceptionally amazing long-term workers who are consistently building relationship, sharing the gospel, and seeing God move in miraculous ways of love.
I am also in need of funds to finish out my Race, and if this is something you would like to partner with me in, I would love to invite you to consider donating. I’m still looking to raise about $3,500.
Thank you so much for following my journey! If you have any prayer requests or fun stories from back home please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!!
Blessings,
Bre
