Hi Everyone:
It is definitely getting colder here. I love fall, but I sure do miss the beautiful colors of a Virginia fall. Besides cold weather, things here can be overwhelming at times. You may have heard on the news some of the things going on in the area and the horrible situation the refugees are in. It can be easy for me to lose hope or feel like there are too many problems, and I am offering too little. However, I have to remind myself that what I have to offer is not small at all. Jesus offers true hope, true fulfillment in life, and is exactly what each person in this world needs, including refugees.
Keeping this in mind can sometimes be difficult, but God has been doing some cool things. At the beginning of this month was a Muslim holiday that focuses on making sacrifices for sins that stems back to the story of where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son. In the weeks surrounding this holiday, we were able to discuss this story with the women at one of our programs. It was unique to be able to offer a different perspective where just like God provides a sacrifice for Abraham before he sacrifices his son, God provides for us a sacrifice. Being able to connect these themes to Christ from a story and a holiday that they are familiar with led to some great conversations.
Another special thing that we are in the middle of doing with the mothers at our program is something called a body map. Each woman gets an outline of a person and gets to decorate it with symbols or pictures used to represent who they are, their characters, emotions, values, etc. Afterwards they get a chance to share their work. It was such a great opportunity for the women to express themselves, share who they were, and think about themselves after such a traumatic shift in their lives and identities. Looking at their work gave me some great insight of who they were as individuals, and some expressed to me that it was really helpful for them as well. You can look at some examples in the pictures I’ve included!
One refugee believer woman I meet with regularly to study the Bible and encourage each other, shared with me some ways she’s grown through her relationship with me, my team, and some of the work we do. She volunteers with us, and God used our programs to show her how to love others outside of the body of Christ. Before, she was really passionate about showing love to those within the Church, but God has been showing her more recently how to share that love with others and the importance of bringing in others to that body. It’s so great for me to come along side her and see her heart grow for her countrymen and other refugees. She always encourages me, and it’s wonderful to experience closeness with a sister in Christ from a different background.
My time here so far has helped me to understand more that Jesus came to heal. Even though this world is broken, seeing bits of God’s healing in peoples’ lives is beautiful. That’s what I’m here doing this work for. One day there will be no more pain and sickness and tears in heaven, and I want all to know that peace and healing. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. It is such an encouragement to me, especially hearing from you too!