Sue H.'s* trip to Jordan (*name changed)
A heartfelt diary of impressions
How I Got There:
I have always had a leaning toward missions, ever since I was a little girl. At YouthLink 2000 in Anaheim this year, missions was a huge emphasis. I went to all the missionary seminars and booths that I could and picked up all kinds of information. At midnight, on the first moment of the millennium, everyone at the conference had a special message to shout to God. Mine was "Here I am, send me."
When I got home and sorted through all the brochures, I found that World Changers was the only program for people my age to go overseas. Even though it was mostly for groups, I decided to send for information to see if I could go somehow.
The trip I requested right from the start was Jordan, even though that isn't something I would normally choose, since I have always had a heart for Eastern Europe. I was partially influenced by the video shown at YouthLink about Cassie, a girl who went to Jordan last year. I know that God's hand was in my choice.
I waited several months, and no information came. I looked into other projects with other organizations, most of which conflicted with my graduation or college plans. Finally, a letter came listing two World Changers projects open to individuals-one of them was Jordan, the one I had requested! I was a bit concerned about being out of the country on my 18th birthday, but after lots of encouragement from my parents, I decided to apply. Once I was accepted, I sent out support letters and started praying.
Soon, afterward, one of the biggest trials of my life was on its way. On May 8, I went to bed early, as I had been lacking sleep. I lay there for a long time I didn't sleep all night. I stayed home from school, still not sleeping. This went on for three days. I felt totally confused and alone, like I was trying to fight a battle I just couldn't fight. At last, I managed to sleep a little bit each night, but couldn't go back to school full time for three weeks.
The Sunday after my troubles started, I went to church and my Mom took me to pray with my pastor. Another lady from the church was there, and as we discussed my situation, she looked straight at me and said, "Are you sure you are supposed to go to Jordan?" I couldn't answer. She challenged me to ask God for a sign, just one more check to come. My parents thought I should go and that I didn't need to worry about that, but
I went ahead and prayed for that sign. A few days later, I received a check from a teacher who works with my mom. He just recently got married and was saving up for a house, but managed to give me $20. I was still far away from my goal but that really touched me and encouraged me to keep going!
While I was still recovering from my insomnia, the plane ticket money was nearly due. I had not yet raised even close to the amount I needed for that. Then, I won an $800 scholarship in the form of a check written out to me. It was enough to send in the money I needed, and I eventually received the support money to pay myself back.
The last $100 dollars of the goal I had set came from a woman I had never even met. She was a member of my grandmother's Bible study group. My grandfather is not a Christian, and would not allow my grandma to send me any money for the trip, so she shared my letter with her Bible study group and many of them sent me money and prayed for me!
Excerpts from My Jordan Journal:
June 25: Arrival
We had to check our large carry-ons in London, and they were left there! The bus was pulled over because Cheri took a picture of police! (My journal was in the carry-on, so I only had room for short notes in the schedule book we were given)
June 28
Saw site of Jesus' baptism—only spot on Earth where all members of the Trinity were recorded to be together.
June 30
During worship time, we talked about spiritual markers—like the "Ebenezers" Mom told me about while I was recovering from my insomnia. Those are times you can look back on and remember God's faithfulness.
July 1: Day Camp!
After camp, a little girl named Razan opened the story Bible (I read from this daily for story time) to the story of Jesus on the cross. She told me that she had seen the movie and said, "I am not Christian, I'm Muslim."
I got to tell my story (of how I got here) to the whole group and a man from the mission board who was heading to a meeting soon. Kathy wanted to make sure he knew how awesome it was for a group of individuals to be able to go on this trip.
A kid in the orange group ran away in an attack of fear today. For some reason he took off for the quads where Kathy and Vicki caught him. His name was Talal. He lives in a strong Muslim family and lost his brother to cancer about a year ago. Apparently, he's acted weird ever since. We prayed for him tonight. We also prayed over the missionaries.
Prayer walked the school—we went with Dr. Bill (the missionary, name changed) and he told us some awesome stories—we heard the call to prayer and prayed against it. He pointed out that there were mosques all around the school—we could see them lit up in neon green. In a way, we were surrounded. This prompted me to pray that the school would be an oasis of light in the desert of darkness.
Bill had us turn one way on the field (with our shadows behind us) to see the rocks—representing the people out there. He asked "How many rocks are you touching?" There were only the ones under our feet. We turned the other way and saw our long shadows touching many, many, rocks beyond the edge of the field. Dr. Bill said, "That's what we can do with God on our side!"
"Tomontosh" is 18 in Arabic!
July 2
Hiba (girl in my class) is a sweetheart. Talal came back! His mother is apparently very sweet and invited all of his leaders to her house. She said she wanted her son to grow up to be like them. Bobby said "With a mother like you, he will."
Valorie said (the mother) was beautiful and that (Talal) blames her for his brother's death –that's the cause of his fear. We had a foot-washing ceremony tonight. Becca washed my feet. I imagined Jesus washing my feet. I washed Deborah's and prayed for her. Later she washed mine. She said she was washing the feet of her servant (I took care of her when she was sick) like Jesus washed his servant's feet.
July 3
Had a "virtual prayer walk." I prayed for the city of Aquaba with Cheri, Bill, Aaron and Brandy. Afterwards we shared our testimonies. We had a really good talk. Got Debbie flowers because her doggie was put to sleep while she was gone. Everybody signed the card.
Made witnessing necklaces and I tied it in with the Noah story where water cleansed the earth of sin, blood of Jesus cleanses us of sin. I know God brought that to me at just the right moment.
Went to an engagement party at the school. It was a "believer" (the term used to distinguish true Christians from those who are only nominal Christians because of family tradition) couple. Hiba was there! I knew there was something special in that little girl's eyes. I think she's a believer. It was her uncle and teacher who were getting married.
July 4
Camp was difficult; three boys in our group had to be sent to principal because they wouldn't come when Casey called. Arwa was sick. Razan and Ahmed (Arwa's brother and sister) were acting weird. Razan almost never smiled and Ahmed and Mohammed (their cousin) wouldn't sing or clap to "Lord I Lift your Name on High." I know it's because they're Muslim, but it totally broke my heart! I wish I could cry for those boys like I've never cried before.
I was happy though because Hiba gave me an early birthday present; a necklace, bracelet, and earrings. -Everyone threw a surprise birthday party for the July birthdays Heather, Aaron, and me. We got Burger King (Queen) crowns, cards, a present, and cupcakes. Because I'm an adult now, I ate dessert first.
We had communion during worship time.
July 5: My Birthday!
Home visit: We went to Hanna and Na'el's house (All our group's leaders me, Jennifer, Casey, and Billne). The house was pretty nice, but the gardens were amazing! They gave us each a huge bag of fruit. Na'el took me for a walk around the garden while everyone else prepared a surprise birthday party for me. There was black forest cake and coconut cookies. It was hard to eat it all because we were so stuffed from all the breakfast food they'd already fed us! Later, we also had ice cream.
Our team prayed before we began the last day of camp because of how bad yesterday was. Today went much better! Ahmed and Mohammed even sang to "Lord I Lift Your Name on High!"
July 6
Before the camp presentation, I took lots of pictures of my sweet kids! Razan, Arwa, and Ahmed gave me a huge basket of flowers for my birthday! We all got good-bye gifts jewelry, Dead Sea bath salts, and some "Holy Water" from the Jordan River from three Orthodox kids. I gave hugs all around. I am going to miss the kids so much, especially "my girls" who played ball with me every day.
At the restaurant we went to for our last night, I took lots of great pictures. The best picture, though, took place in the bathroom! As Becca and I were leaving the beautifully decorated room, a woman in full black Saudi Arabian dress (only eyes and hands showing) motioned at my camera (speaking no English) and gestured that she wanted a picture taken. I got a picture of her with Becca, who was afraid she wanted to steal something. We asked Dr. Bill about it later and he said that underneath the outfit she was a woman just like us, and this was her way of expressing that. It was great for me, because how else was I going to get a picture of a real Saudi Arabian woman, even though they were all over the restaurant? Dr. Bill also said this probably occurred in the bathroom so that her husband could not be there to disapprove of decadent Americans or whatever. I must remember to pray for her! -Had sharing and worship time.
We sang "Arms of Love" and then I shared about how that song reminded me of ninth grade and how I felt lonely and thought that God could never use me and how I always pictured Jesus holding me in His arms when I sang it. I told how God had brought me so far since then to a place where I had a whole bunch of instant friends and was serving Him! -Lee prayed for the group and prayed specifically for "the person who has the longest trip home" (me!) and "the person who lives only a car ride from the airport" (Deborah, my best friend in Jordan!) -Bobby shared how he had given Talal a Jesus video and Talal watched it one night and again in the morning. He talked with Bobby about it and he asked Jesus into his heart! Even though I didn't know the boy, I feel we all had a big part in this because of our prayers. All glory goes, of course, to the One who answers prayers.
July 7
On the plane to CA all alone -I feel like I just left 40 of my best friends, my "extended family." I'd better try to get some sleep now. |
