First off, I am completely safe. Lots of information and activity has been coming out of the Middle East area, specifically relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict. A quick summary that hardly covers it all but there is an Extremist group known as Hammas that currently controls the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government and that small concentrated group are the ones who are currently in a violent dispute. It's important to remember that the majority of Palestinian people are not associated with Hammas and simply desire peace and equal rights. Hammas has tried sending rockets into some of the Israeli cities (all far from me) but all have been intercepted. In retaliation, Israel bombed parts of Gaza killing 186 Palestinians. Yesterday Turkey, USA, Israel, Egypt, and Palestine leaders met to try and work out a cease fire. Israel has been getting a lot of international heat for their actions and today they agreed to a cease fire but the Hammas group did not. If you feel a call to pray, pray for Peace. That the leaders of these countries could see reason and that the loss of innocent lives is unnecessary and can be easily avoided. Pray for equal human rights amongst all people in this region and the spreading of respect for each other as members of mankind.
While it has been so enlightening to become aware of this conflict and know much more about it than I would in the States, it breaks my heart. Much of my time already and from here out will be spent with Arab's who have descended predominantly from the Palestine region (before Israel was even a country). They are the most joyful, welcoming and hospitable people I have ever met in my life and I thank the Lord for this experience. He has changed my judgment and any presumptions I had about a culture I knew nothing about except from 9/11.
The last 10 days we have been in Jordan. A planned trip this whole time to experience some other things besides just Israel over here. Thankfully it happened when it did just to ensure even more safety. Starting in Mafraq, Jordan for 4 days, we slept and worked at a church with Jordanian Christians who have been helping provide food and basic supplies to Syrian Refugees. As the Syrian Civil War goes on, over 2 million people have fled or been displaced to the surrounding countries (500,000 to the Mafraq region...basically a county). Each day we would join a local church member who spoke Arabic, stop by the market to buy groceries, diapers, basic toiletries etc... then visit refugee's homes who had registered with the church.
What a shock to my heart and a humbling experience of recognizing what others are dealing with around the world.
We were usually met by a mother and her kids...ranging from 2 to 6 in number. After stepping through the door, homes consisted of 2, maybe 3 rooms that had mattresses around the sides...and sometimes a tv. That's it. After dropping the supplies by the door we would sit down and simply spend time talking with them. In my very very limited Arabic I would ask the kids their name, how old they were, and how they were dong. After that it was just lots of smiles and learning some new words in Arabic from the kids as we tried to bridge the gap between language barriers. Through the translator, we would learn about their family, if they were doing ok, what they did before the civil war and anything else we could think to talk about. It amazed me that they main thing they all desired was to just go back home where their families are and live in Peace. No violence, no hatred...they just wanted to go about life as every other person does.
To hear story after story of family members dying or the suffering they have experienced.....it just isn't fair.
Praise God though for the innocence of these children. Still smiling and able to welcome in strangers to their home. Their faces will remain with me for a long time.
Syrian kids and I - Smile :)
And the people from the church were also so welcoming! There were 4 groups there from all over the world serving there (Norway, South Africa, England, and another American group) that paired with local Jordanian Believers all in Jesus' name :) All I have said is Thank You God for my short time there and how awesome it was to meet fellow believers.
After Jordan we went to Petra and saw the amazing wonders of the mountains and the temple that is in basically every movie with an epic setting in the desert (Transformers, Indiana Jones...maybe star wars?) haha. Something I never thought I'd get to see. We then spent the night in Wadi Rum, a tent community in the straight up desert. With no artificial light the stars were unbelievable to witness and our group of 13 decided to sing some worship songs for a bit. As this happened one of the workers from the community came up and joined us. Wa-El, a 24 year old from Egypt who was working to support his family that he sees once a year. He told us he was a Christian but how it was very difficult because nobody else he worked with was and he missed his family. After he shared some of his story and sat with us while we sang, myself and our Palestinian friend Youssef (who is head of Young Life in Bethlehem in the West Bank) got to pray for him bringing Wa-El to tears. Who would have thought in the desert we would meet a fellow believer and get to encourage him in his faith?!?!
Again, Praise You Heavenly Father for the work you're doing all around the world and what a treat it is to meet fellow brothers and sisters in Christ :)
Path on the way to the temple
Insanely cool! - Petra temple
We finished the trip at a hotel on the edge of the Red Sea for a couple days of relaxation before we get back to Nazareth and prepare for Young Life Summer Camp for the Nazareth high schoolers! It's vital and even a commandment from God to rest, something that can get lost in our economy driven culture. It's always go go go, work work work. I even get in that mindset sometimes and eventually reach a point of exhaustion. It was great couple days though. I got to snorkel for the first time seeing beautiful coral and such a diversity of fish that I was again reminded of how everything in the world screams of a Designer. Finished the trip with watching the World Cup Final! Cheers to Germany and their amazing play throughout as a complete TEAM, the only nation to do so in my opinion. Wanted Messi to get one as I think he will go down as one of the all-time greats. Either way, he's definitely a player I admire.
Snorkeling in the Red Sea
Whew...long post but so much has already happened. Glad I get to share with everyone. The prayers, support, and belief in what I'm doing has been felt time and time again. From my parents to long time friends to new friends, I thank you. Shout-out to Russell and Kelsey, the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Moore!!! thanks for your support, it makes my heart smile and I'm grateful for our friendship :)
Blessings from me to you, I am only here because of my life experiences with you all and with God as the guide to my path.
Love Zack
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