As of mid September, I’ve been in the Middle East for six months!! Half of a year! Woo hoo! My life now looks way different than it did six months ago. To celebrate and reflect on this milestone, here are six ways I’ve felt God’s faithfulness over the past six months:
- Simply arriving in the Middle East: My journey to this region started long before my flights, before I started support raising, and even before I graduated college. Looking back at my life now, I can see how God had been preparing me for this move. He is faithful to finish what He starts.
- Quickbooks: This may sound silly, but helping our business implement Quickbooks is one way I’ve felt the Lord’s faithfulness. I worked in the accounting department at my university while I was in school, and while I was there, our office implemented a similar accounting system. God has used my experience in accounting to help our quickly growing business.
- Language Learning: Of all the things involved with moving overseas, I was most apprehensive about language learning. Arabic is a difficult language for English speakers and I was afraid I would be fighting an uphill battle and quickly becoming discouraged. While it has been difficult at times, I have really enjoyed learning Arabic. I can feel myself understanding more and speaking more each day. God is faithful to use us in our weaknesses for His glory.
- My Apartment: After a much longer than anticipated apartment search, I was able to move into a place only God could’ve lined up for me. The original plan was for me to have a roommate here, but within a few weeks of being in the country all my roommate options fell through. I would be living on my own. After a few months of looking for apartments, one of my worker friends told me she was moving out of her apartment and I was able to move in, fully furnished. I am so grateful that God lined this up for me.
- My Neighbors: My friend who lived in my apartment before me lived here for three years. While she lived here, she became close with one of the neighbors and as I was preparing to move in, she invited me into the friendship she had with this neighbor. After I moved in, this neighbor invited me to go on vacation with her and her husband. This would not have happened without my friend who invested in this neighbor for the three years she lived here. For both of us, this invite was a testament of God’s faithfulness in our work here.
- My Supporters: I would not be here without the faithful prayer and giving of my supporters. Knowing that there are people back in the States cheering for me and are invested in the mission of God here. I love receiving responses after I send out email updates and random text messages from friends saying they’re thinking of me. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to me!
I have experienced God's faithfulness in new ways these past six months as I have adjusted to life in a new culture. I've been in awe of God and how He uses all parts of our stories and experiences for our good (Romans 8:28). God is with me even on the other side of the world; He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).