In this mornings group devotional we discuss how God wants us to treat those around us; to "Let the Love Flow Out" according to the passage title. We talk about our circle of friends and God's people and our "neighbors" and who they are. The main focus of this discussion to get them to think about the "ways they can do good to those they meet daily." They are excited to participate in the conversation and quickly toss out people whom they can minister to during their day and how they may do it. It is wonderful to see their enthusiasm for helping one another in a practical, biblical, way. Their ardor is contagious, just like their everlasting smiles, and soon we are all smiling and laughing as we close in prayer and head to the mess hall for breakfast.
In the few moments of free time before the meal, I am approached by Julie's mother. She meekly asks me for a favor, and I tell her anything within my ability is hers to ask. She tells me that Pastor Joseph has told her of my condition, and I immediately, and, thank God, wrongfully, assume she is speaking of my traveler's sickness; I am still not fully well. As she continues it becomes rapidly clear that she is not speaking of any intestinal issues, but, instead, of my diabetes. She is asking me to speak to her daughter about it as Julie has no one to relate to. Julie has cystic fibrosis. I am diabetic. Though they are not the same condition, they have similar life altering implications. I am excited to do this favor. Internally I pump my fists into the air and praise God for this wonderful opportunity. Being diabetic is usually not anything to get excited about, usually just the opposite. However, when our inexorably awesome God hand picks you to share your life with another in a helpful way, this is cause for celebration and reason for praise! Then I think to myself: ok, I am to approach a 14 year old Lebanese girl and talk about our conditions. This won't be awkward at all... Thank God this is by His ordination, His power, and His will!
I do not mean to hijack this blog, but Julie's story is one of hope and beauty. Her life is not merely a breath in the wind, but more like a lightning bud in the dark. She shines and the darkness will not overtake her! As I enter the cafeteria I try to find Julie. I immediately see that God, of course, is at work. Kacie is sitting next to her already: a buffer and reason to sit at the same table. Typically I have noticed that when we gather for meals it is boys and girls at their own tables, so sitting next to a teammate gives me an excuse. We exchange pleasantries and begin chit-chatting. Julie is shy and not very forth coming as I begin to broach the subject. I am trying to play it off as if I wasn't asked by her mother, instead, I just casually bring it up that I heard she had cystic fibrosis. Since I have diabetes, we start to share slowly about our conditions.
Soon she opens up a bit and I quickly learn that it is she that could probably help me more than I can help her! She is a petite, pretty child, optimistic and buoyant in her spirit, and remains undefined by her condition, smiling shyly, yet brightly, as she speaks. She regales to me her story of months long stays in the hospital. Of missing more school than she can attend, but, joyfully she relates, her teachers understand, and despite her prolonged absences, she is going quite well. She has had this condition her whole life and she would not know any other way to live. She is not angry at God, or disappointed in her lot. To her it is just a way of life and the way God made her. I am astonished, but not completely surprised, by her aplomb. The people here are delightfully content and positive, choosing to live instead of worry. It is wonderful! We are so enthralled by her joyful tale that we do not even notice the room has cleared out and it is time to head to morning worship.
Dani, Gladys' husband, arrived last night and this morning he is again leading worship. He is a talented musician on the keyboard; Roula and Noelle lead the songs. This morning we sing and praise God delightedly. We are even learning some of the Arabic verses and join in clapping to the beat. Pastor Joseph also has a clear tenor voice and leads, or continues, some of the songs; he also has a keen memory for lyrics. He then takes to microphone to deliver the final message of the weekend series. The message today is "Seeing the World Through the Eyes of God." He enthusiastically teaches us on how God sees this fallen, broken world and our role in it as followers of Jesus Christ. He concludes by reminding us that what we ask of God should not be to fulfill our selfish desires, but to instead ask Him how we may serve him and open doors from which we can build relationships with our neighbors. A final song and we head out to find our small group.
Sheltered from the already warm sun, we are gathered in the shade beneath the pines. This is our final time to meet with these students as teachers and I wish to make it a good exchange. I start off with the prepared questions and again receive Sunday school answers. My spirit is heavy and my desire is to make sure they understand the importance of this weeks theme. Especially as our group is bound for university. I put the questions away and start to ask them if what we are studying makes sense, do they understand, do they have questions. At first, they are sheepish in the answers. But, since they have had some time, too little time, to get to know
us, they are more comfortable today and one of them opens the flood gates. Yes, they understand, but they have heard it all before and always the same biblical vocabulary laden message. They want to know how they can relate this to their lives; how do they share this with their Muslim friends? The Muslims are hard set in their beliefs and neither will convert to the other's point of view. At last, a real, heartfelt response. A real concern! God, please, give me the right words and do not let my answer get lost in translation. We begin by reminding them it is not their responsibility to change anyone's heart or mind. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. We continue by telling them that God only has one job for them: to love their neighbor humbly and through Christ's strength. Our dialogue continues for some time, but they are eager for the council. They understand and start to speak of how they can do this very thing, how God can work through them to show the Arab nation his great mercy and grace. Our spirits sing in praise to our creator as we see the comprehension dawn in their eyes. We joyful gladness, we close in prayer before heading off for the morning activities. Jon and Kacie have put together a sport for the boys, ultimate Frisbee, and a craft opportunity for the girls, making memory books.
The guys gather on the hot, dusty soccer field. We may be in the mountains, but the sun still blazes and the rain still does not come until winter. We laugh and perspire as we enjoy some ultimate Frisbee. A bit further down the mountain the girls stay cool and dry in the gathering hall, crowded in around several tables cutting colored paper into squares about 3 x 5 inches, decorating them with markers and stamps, and binding them to make memory books. Everybody enjoys the morning activity and then it is time for lunch. Once again we gather in the mess hall for our final meal with these wonderful kids.
Jon and I sit beside one another and enjoy the company of Jad and Peter and several other boys. Kacie and Mary are sitting with some girls. We enjoy the Lebanese dishes and the camaraderie; we smile and joke; we exchange stories; we jest and laugh; we do anything but look at the clock. Way too soon lunch is over and now it is time for the worst part about camp: we must say goodbye.
We will be staying one more night here on the campus as the church we will be attending tomorrow morning in Zahle is close by. The bus is here and the kids stow their gear once again in its belly. We hug and snap pictures and make our farewells. In only three days these kids from the other side of the world have planted their roots deep in our hearts. We will miss them very much. They are such happy, cheerful, gracious, polite,
and now real-to-us kids. It will be a joy to pray for them by name in our daily prayers. We wave as the bus drives away and then it is only us and the pines embraced by the sun. Our day is far from over.
This afternoon we travel on a windy road up and up and farther up the mountain to the Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve. This forest boasts some very old trees - approximately 3000 years old! This forest is where Solomon came to gather the cedar wood to build his Palace of the Forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 7). The thin air is cool on our skin as we exit the car for the tour. Our guide is very knowledgeable and passionate about the cedar forest as he explains the age of the forest, its geo and bio diversity, how the cedar produces its cones, and the history of this forest. He completes the 25 minute tour by telling us that the only insect that can survive the poisonous sap of the cedar tree is the bee, which is essential to the survival of the forest. As we are leaving the park, we stop at the gift center and are treated to a sample of the thick, sweet, pure honey made by the bees that inhabit the forest. It is expensive, but worth it; never before have we tasted such delicious honey. We are dropped off at the same restaurant below the camp in which we dined the night before as our hosts must attend a dinner function with their family. Back now at the camp, we crash hard after a long few sleepless days.
And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day of camp.
"Merciful Father in Heaven, planter of the cedars of Lebanon, the depths of your grace cannot be measured. We praise you for this opportunity to know some of the children of Lebanon; your children. We implore you to watch over them, love them, deliver them, guide them through today and into tomorrow. May they be radiant beacons of your love and hope and may they share your light in the darkness the surrounds them. May they remember their identity through your Son Jesus, our triumphant Savior and everlasting friend. Amen."
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