Life in Lebanon has been beyond anything I could have expected. We have prayed for people in the streets, abruptly stopping mid-run when feeling the Lords prompting. We have chased loud and exuberant children around a courtyard, pouring out God’s love. We have joined a woman during her cigarette break, listened to her story, and spoken words of encouragement over her. We hosted an enormous Thanksgiving meal in our hostel, living in community with new friends, and sharing God’s goodness. We have sat in the tents of Syrian refugees, shared coffee, lots of sweet tea, testimonies, the Gospel, and provided humanitarian aid.
Life in Lebanon, life period is ministry. Every day has been an opportunity to seek the kingdom, watch God work, and enjoy Him fully. Man, to live with Him is a privilege. I GET to do this. I get to live a life of ministry whether I am in a refugee camp in the Middle East, in an occupational therapy clinic in the US, in my family’s home in Maryland, on a hike in Cyprus, strolling through a market in North Africa, or sitting in a coffee shop in Lebanon. The latter is exactly what we were able to do a few days ago.
Two weeks ago we met a sweet new friend, Mariam. Mariam is in a season of entering into deeper relationship with Jesus, and let me tell you, Mariam is on FIRE. Her passion to pursue the Lord, her hunger for deeper intimacy with Him, and her desire to share His heart cannot be contained. We have had the privilege of sharing meals with Mariam and her family, worshipping together, praying together, and studying scripture. A few days ago, our team met with Mariam at a coffee shop. We had planned to enjoy coffee, sing worship songs, and watercolor. As we settled into our comfy chairs, it was on my teammate Kelsey’s heart to pray over Mariam, ask the Lord for specific words to encourage her, and paint a watercolor painting specially for her. And like that, the evening turned into a moment to bless our sweet friend in a way that she never expected.
God’s heart is SO big, it’s too much to even comprehend. How beautiful it is to be invited to co-create with Him? Being the hands and feet of Jesus has looked like obedience. It has looked like intentionality. I still have so much to learn, but gosh, being on the journey of having my ears tuned in and my eyes opened is good.
For Mariam, the Lord led me to paint a rainbow and a fire, reminding her of how she radiantly reflects her Savior, and has His passionate burning heart to love His people. I believe that Jesus will use her to reflect His light, and point people in this city directly back to Him.
This is ministry. This is life.
