Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tuesday

The weather here has been absolutely beautiful and this morning was no different. We left the hotel around 9:30 to head to the AWT office for training from Kim concerning how to live the gospel centered life from the workbook titled…you guessed it…The Gospel Centered Life.  This study has been taught at McKinney this past spring and was very impactful for the ladies at our church.  Kim took all of us, including the AWT staff, through the third chapter as if we were doing a study for the week.  We were deep in conversation, laughter and some tears as we processed through truths that the Lord was teaching us.  The staff seemed to really enjoy the training, asking how soon they could have the Leader’s Manual.  We left workbooks behind for them, and they have permission from the publisher to translate the materials into Arabic.   Kim did an awesome job of leading us with her down-to earth style.  


We were treated to Pizza Hut pizza by the staff….WOO HOO!  We feasted, but wondered…”where is the hummus???”  As we ate, we enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the cool breeze that blew through the open window.  I went outside and practiced the biblical story as our next appointment was the Deaf Center.

Miss you all...especially my family,
Sharon

We traveled by car across to the medical district where the Deaf Culture center is located. This center is a place where girls who are deaf receive love and care that society and even their families don’t give them. One teenage girl we met had been coming to the center for about a year. The AWT team told us that until she started coming to the center, she never left her home and had never received any education in sign language, so she was completely ostracized from people.  The progress she had made in a year amazed the AWT team.

Our program at the center caused us much prayer and seeking the Lord’s will as we were told that these girls faced much danger if they were known to be in a place where there was evangelization. In addition, the Deaf Culture center could be shut down if it were found out that Jesus was proclaimed. With those kind of restrictions, Sharon did an AMAZING job of connecting with these young girls by being transparent with her own physical weaknesses and how they had brought shame to her as a young girl. The girls connected with her and she began her story of God using Moses despite his weaknesses. She shared how God told Moses from Exodus 4, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” The presence of the Lord was very tangible in that place as she declared God’s plan to use imperfect people to declare His perfectness.  She definitely told them that God loved them and just as He had by rescuing His people from Egypt, He had provided a Way from them to be rescued as well. We are trusting God that these precious girls felt His love and that He will accomplish His perfect purpose.

Additionally, we showed the girls how to create the beautiful beaded heart that is centered on God’s love. They seemed to really love creating the hearts and they were quick learners…they learned much faster than our team.  Yes, it’s true… Bless her heart… Sherri still can’t do this heart craft. =)

We wrapped up a great day by getting to have dinner with Colleen at her house. She served us a little taste from home with taco salad and the all-important … salsa!! We were privileged to meet her precious Palestinian neighbors. Leyla brought her 3 smiling daughters and young son Victor over to share some hamlay (broiled chickpeas with lemon and salt) and a yummy dessert. The hospitality of everyone has really made the team feel welcome. We called our team “Team Barnabas” because we wanted to be an encouragement to the women of Jordan. We all agree that we have been encouraged as well. It truly has been a joy to meet each person God has brought our way.

Please pray for Billye tomorrow as she brings the Word to the women of the Evangelical Free church in Zarka. The team loves every comment that has come our way. (hint, hint, nudge, nudge =)) It is so encouraging to hear that someone is reading our blog and praying for us.  Thank you so much!!

Love and hugs to all,
Kim






11 comments:

  1. How exciting to hear how God is using all of your unique gifts! The words that you share through these blogs give us a picture of God's work throughout the world, not just here in our little world. Thank you for taking the time to give us a broader view of God. We love you all and are praying for each of you!

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  2. So amazing you are so far away but so close to heart. Keep letting us know how to pray and share in the journey!

    Love, Judy Matthews

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  3. Goodness, another thrilling day! So exciting to hear. I am thrilled to hear that you got to go to the Deaf Culture center. Chris has told me that the deaf are one of the most unreached people groups in the world, for just the reasons you mentioned (ostracized) - I just asked him about it again and he said they are unreached in every country! Wow. What an incredible privilege you had to minister to them there! Sounds like Sharon did an amazing job. God is so faithful! No surprise that Kim did a fantastic job leading the GCL study. =) I can't wait to hear more about how the AWT staff processed the chapter. Love you guys! Praying for you! Praying for you, Billye, as you teach tomorrow.

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  4. You go Billye! I pray for you dear sweet friend of mine and I pray for your sisters in Christ. What a beautiful life experience you all are enjoying teaching the Word!
    I am interested in a photo of the HEART???? The way you all described it....it is so simple but yet so lovely. Awesome message girls!
    With love and prayers, Louise

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  5. How encouraging to see how the Lord in using all of you in His Work! "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news" Billye, my wife and sister-in-Christ, may the Lord use use you mightily in His work.

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  6. well you all ARE blessing those folks. it's hard to really fathom the challenges those folks are facing until you hear it from them in person - it means so much to them that you came to be with them and WANT to listen to their stories.

    i love you all being there!

    p.s. if i can make a request - can you all be sure to get some good "action" shots to mix in with the posed ones...? thanks! not necessarily for the blog but for sharing afterwards... :)

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  7. So exciting to read about your trip! Sharon-as I was reading your text this morning telling me that "you" were going to speak in 30 minutes and praising God for what He will do... I couldn't help but think that none of you has the "heavy responsibility" of speaking, but it is truly HIM who is speaking through each of you...

    Take joy and comfort that He is working...He has called you, He has equipped you for the work of ministry--for the building up the body of Christ...you are speaking the truth in love for Him to help others grow up in every way into Him who is the head.... Thanks for the updates...keep them coming!

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  8. Howday ya'll! (That's how people in Texas say hello) I prayed for you girls on my run this morning. I prayed for your families too and also for the lives you have touched and those you are yet to touch. Praying that God will water all the seeds you are planting. What an incredible privilege God has given you to share His love with these dear souls. The blog posts have been quite enlightening and convicting also. We have so many opportunites here to grow in our Christian faith and to share with others, yet...
    Love the pictures. You all look so happy.
    Go forth with boldness!!

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  9. Dear Gran, I really like your haircut and your choice of colors in clothes! I am looking forward to hearing more about all of the things God is doing with your team. Mommie says "HI!" and we are praying for all of you, Love, love, love, Payton

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  10. I am not at all surprised that God used Sharon in her time of teaching. Team Asia prayed for that last week and God is faithful to see HIS word proclaimed. Remember God's word does NOT return void. WE also prayed for Billye and her teaching time. Amazing are the way's of our God!!
    Blessings.... MERI

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  11. Thanks so much for the updates! It's so fun to hear about what you're doing and to know how to pray for you. Love you and miss you Mom!

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