In the words of one of our teachers...
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Mary
with Hanan and Lilian
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Thoughts from my
journal, written somewhere over
the Atlantic.
Mary Malouf
The ever present
alarm barely got its shrill sound out before our feet hit the floor of
room 1408, this time at 3:15 am and this morning our last in Antalya,
Turkey. Really? Was 11 days of work and presentations, love
and sharing, prayers and listening actually coming to a close?
Was I ready to say goodbye to my 15 Arab friends with their resilient
spirits and ever ready embraces? I am tired but more grateful than
tired, more in awe of God's faithfulness than my weariness. Bits
and pieces of these days beckon my attention.
- Camellia,
our sweet maid who spoke to us in long and hearty hugs.
- The
passionate praying of Inas and others as she wept over the
countries of her sisters with all their bombings, civil unrest and
mistreatment of women.
- One of
our single gals living in her parent's Muslim home is so anxious
to get out of the oppressive situation. Her gift from God?
She was able to lead her little brother to Jesus this month.
- Hanaa's
sadness as she told of one of her teens at camp finally admitting
not only her father but uncle and brother repeatedly using her
sexually. Afraid to report all this lest she be killed for
shaming the family, she buries
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How sweet it was to greet our
dear Arab sisters!
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story in her young soul. Oh how life giving is this camping
program where they have been encouraged to tell their story.
- The
ability of the Arab women to engage in amazing worship and even
dance the dabke! Every worship session was led by an Arab.
- The joy
on Azza's face as she told of the faithfulness of God to spare her
8 year old son who was almost kidnapped from their car by the
Muslim Brotherhood. They will return again to get him but she is
trusting God for protection. She is a brave pastor's wife.
- To hear
of the continually and fast growing church made up of MBB's
(Muslim Background Believers) in Jerusalem, acting as family for
one another. One of our young women is discipling them.
- Hanan's
generosity to care for her niece and nephew as her whole family
has been killed, to share every lesson we teach, to her women at
church, all the while restricted to water 3 to 5 hours a
day. Her brother in law was targeted and shot in the head
twice while we were together. Yet she smiles, prays fervently and
loves with generosity that humbles me.
- What joy
to hear of Bushra's group of praying women called 'Disturbing the
Heavens.' This group prays for big miracles like water for Iraq
and healings. She serves women all over Iraq.
- Lilian
said that though they suffer under Morrisee's regime in Egypt, the
good news is that many Muslims are seeing that Islam for many has
produced violence and disrespect and they are
disillusioned. They are pouring into Christian churches and
engaging, their Christian neighbors in conversation about Jesus'
claims.
The environments
are harsh and evil. The injustices are real. Listening to their
hearts will suck the air out of your lungs and your tears will only be
wiped away by the hand which has a nail piercing. But as we worked
through How to Study the Bible, How to Engage in Conflict Resolution
and How to Practice the Presence
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The women spent many hours
praying for each other and their countries
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of God their
hearts filled with excitement and they once again were blessed that we
came not just to teach them but to be their friend, to enter into their
story. It didn't hurt that we brought them to a lovely resort on
the Mediterranean, lush and green, with nice accommodations and good
food. But we came having prayed together as a team for hours and God
seemed to use that.
Grateful to God
and you! Mary
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