Month ONE has officially coming to a close! It definitely feels like I’ve already been gone for a year. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us! For security reasons, I have to be vague about my location and what exactly I’m doing, but hopefully I will be able convey to you the incredible ways God has continued working since my last update.
As we hopped off the boat from Spain to North Africa, I immediately felt a negative shift inside of me. As we walked with all of our belongings to the hostel that we would be staying in that night, men were staring and cat calling us, some even trying to follow us to our destination. We eventually made it to the hostel, but majority of us arrived completely on edge. I have never felt so uncomfortable and so strongly about not wanting to be somewhere.
The next day we moved to an AirBnb that we would be living in for the next three weeks. This apartment has been such a blessing because it is in the middle of the city we are in, which means we have access to more people, the lady who owns it gave us an awesome deal since we are all women and it has been such a relief to be in our own space. The Lord has continually provided.
We all eventually adjusted and accepted the reality of the culture here. It is seen as disrespectful for women to engage with men, so we must ignore when a man speaks to us and cannot look them in the eyes. However, men do not view women in a respectful manner, especially American women because of what they’ve seen in American films. Daily we walk past men sitting along the sides of the streets or in cafes as they simply stare at us. Some have even been bold enough to ask if they can kiss or sleep with us. While this is extremely uncomfortable, it gives so much insight into the culture and my heart really goes out to the women who live with this every day.
Due to the above, we have been building relationships with the local women here. The women are so hospitable and have welcomed us into their homes with open arms. Usually in America when you say to someone “we should hangout sometime” it maybe ends up happening, but usually doesn’t. Here if you suggest hanging out to someone, they’ll say “Great! What are you doing at 5 p.m. tonight?” or will make a plan with you for later in the week. A simple meeting at a cafe with a new friend can turn into a 10 hour day of hanging out (this actually happened). People here are so intentional, which has been so special and has allowed for real friendships to take root.
Our friends Barbara* and Sylvia* have taken some of us to beautiful places to view the ocean, dressed us in traditional garb for a silly fashion show, made us the most incredible meal of lamb and prunes (may sound interesting, but it was hands down the best meal I’ve ever had), danced with me (my love language), taken us to yummy gelato shops and had us over to their home to do henna on our hands. During our time together thus far, we’ve been able to engage in conversations about their religion and share with them about our faith. Barbara has shown interest in learning about the Bible and Jesus, but Sylvia is very trained and firm in her religion, so she is much more closed off to it all. Please be praying for our time with them these next 4.5 weeks and that the Holy Spirit will move in them and their household!
My teammate Emily and I recently joined a local gym for our physical and mental health, but also to build relationships with women in a different setting. Men and women have separate designated days that they can go to the gym, so every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we have the opportunity to workout and spend time with women in the surrounding neighborhood. Please be praying that we may bring Kingdom to this space and for strong friendships to be born, despite any language barrier!
We’ve been able to be a part of an international church in this community, which has been extremely encouraging. We’ve spent time with other workers from all over the world who moved here to spread the name of Jesus. I was emotional during worship last week because there is so much diversity in this church and while looking around I thought, this must be what Heaven will be like. Please be praying for everyone who is here and that they may be encouraged while planting seeds throughout this city.
Teammates Beth, Brishna and I went to the Pizza Hut by our apartment for dinner one night and we were able to engage with a waitress who speaks incredible English (very rare here). We really hit it off, so she is coming over for dinner this week. Please be praying for our time with her and that we have fruitful conversation! (How typical that I would meet someone at a Pizza Hut…)
While being in this country was really hard for me in the beginning, the people I now know have quickly stolen my heart, which has made being here so worth it. I have such a greater understanding of their religion and my heart truly longs to understand more. We’re not speaking to them to be heard, we’re listening to understand. By understanding more, we will be able to effectively and lovingly share how we do in fact have a God who loves us freely, despite our works.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19
I really struggle with witnessing women be devalued. The Lord laid on my heart, “How can you mourn for these women and long for them to realize how valuable they are when you cannot seem to recognize your own value?” Dang. God is not only using me to minister to these women, but he’s also using these women to minister to me. They are beautiful. They are loved. They are worthy. And so am I. We are all children of a King and we ALL hold immense value.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7
We love these women so much and they love us so much. God created all of us for this love. Please be praying for us and our hearts.
To view my photos from Spain and North Africa, click here.
*Name changed for privacy.
What I’m currently reading:
Dr. David Garrison’s global survey of Muslim movements to Christ reveals that we are in the midst of the greatest turning of Muslims to Christ in history. David Garrison, PhD University of Chicago, traveled a quarter-million miles throughout the Muslim world investigating movements, each one with at least a thousand baptisms that have occurred over a two-decade period, some containing tens of thousands of Muslims who are now followers of Jesus Christ. Garrison’s core question: “What did God use to bring you to faith in Jesus Christ? Tell me your story.” The result is the most extensive survey of Muslim movements to Christ ever achieved. Garrison divides the Muslim world into nine geo-cultural zones, or “Rooms” in the House of Islam. He discovered and surveyed movements in each of these Rooms, from West Africa to Indonesia and everywhere in between.
What I’m listening to:
