Brief News

Well, I don't really have any news. Things have been pretty slow actually the last week. I spend two days down in Tyre visiting some new people in the refugee camp, which I always love to do. It always seems to me that the poorest of people are the kindest in heart. The people in the camps are always so hospitable, even when they have nothing. One of the families we visited was a widow with five kids. The all live in one room the size of what we would consider a small bedroom. That room includes their bathroom and kitchen, complete with an infestation of rats. They have been living that way for about eight years, since the father died. One of her older girls is engaged to be married, and she is only 15 years old, because they think that getting married will solve the problems. I have not seen anything that so pungently displays the wickedness and devastation caused by sin as visiting places like that. So, one might ask why I enjoy going to places like that??? Because armed with a heart of compassion and a knowledge of the gospel you can offer to them something they know nothing about. Hope. and Love. Most of the time when I leave the camps I feel like I have made some small difference, but even more it renews my passion to do more, and to draw nearer to Christ, that I might not just speak about him, but also show him to those who know him not.

Other than the camp I was busy trying to prepare a sunday school lesson. Well, the lesson was mostly prepared, I just had to prepare myself. Now, normally that wouldn't take extreme effort or preparation, but this was the first time I have given an entire lesson in Arabic. Let me tell you that teaching in a foreign language, which you are still trying to learn, especially in one as difficult as arabic, is much harder than you might think. I managed to get through it, and cover most of the points I intended, but I had a constant feeling of inadequecy. Some of that comes because I am a perfectionist and I don't like feeling incapable, and part of it came because I knew how many mistakes I was making. Needless to say I still have a ways to go before I do public speaking in a fluent manner. I think only other studiers of arabic will realize just how dificult this language is. Not that I am complaining, I enjoy the challenge (most the time), and seeing my inadequecies usually encourages me to study harder.

On an unrelated topic, here is a picture of my Lebanese Lemon (that is it's name until I gain complete confidence that it won't break down). It is running more or less well, but still lacks the power it should and is burning more gas than it should. I've replaced almost everything in the fuel system and the basic parts in the ignition. It is pretty small (which is nice when driving and parking in Lebanon), but has a respectable amount of room inside. The picture makes it look smaller than it is.

This is a picture of a few of the kids from the orphanage. I am still staying up there part time and helping out. I've been looking for apartments for a while, and I think I've found one, but we'll see what happens.

Lastly, I am making a trip back to Jordan at the end of the month to visit some friends and a do a few other errands, as well as renew my Visa. I wanted to drive, but I am afraid the trip will hurt my back too much, so luckily I was able to find a cheap flight. Anyway, I am looking forward to it.

Well, I guess for not having any news I said quite a bit. Summer is setting in here and its getting pretty steamy. I envy you alaskans with your cool weather and longs days.