To our partners in the work,
Surely by now, you have heard about the war in the Middle East, where we are living. We are safe. I have requests in bullet points immediately below for those who are busy and if you have time, an anecdotal story further below.
- We don't ask for prayers for our safety because we already have it; we are held fast in the right hand of the Father. Instead, ask for us and our colleagues in the region to "rejoice in the shadow of [His] wings (Ps 63:7)." Worship in times like this is special.
- We do ask that you join us in praying for the will of our Father to be done in the conflict and for the governments to be directed by the Lord's hand (Prov 21:1). Pray for those suffering in Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and surrounding nations.
- Ask for us and our colleagues to share the good news of our True Hope to those who are seeking in these times of uncertainty. Ask that hearts be opened and loyalty shifted to our LJC and that comfort will flow to the fearful.
Straight Facts
Our company is doing a stellar job giving updates and managing our risk and safety as we follow their directives. Our host country has a siren alert system, hasn't really been a target in the conflict, and is intercepting successfully. Our kids continue to go to school and we are out and about as usual, albeit with slightly more alertness. The siren alerts have become few and far between over the week. We are safe. Our kids are not anxious - if anything, our son is disappointed that the start of baseball season has been delayed. If that's the only thing he's worried about, then we are glad.
We do want to warn you when it comes to reading the news. While most of the news of the conflict are factual, they are still presented in isolation without the full perspective on the ground and they may use inflammatory words that incite anxiety in people needlessly. Remember that swathes of the region are continuing with life.
The Lord is Our Shepherd
On the second morning of the conflict, we looked out our living room window and saw a flock of sheep with some goats and a donkey grazing on a patch of rocky and grassy land across the street. The shepherd was buried under blankets, asleep on the ground nearby. We watched in amazement at how the flock and shepherd didn't flinch when the warning sirens went off and distant explosions sounded. Indeed, that is a posture we should take. I sat down to have my devotion shortly after and this verse popped to mind: "I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety," (Ps 4:8).
Pastoral psalms about safety have really come to life for us and remind us that our safety in the Father's right hand. We dwell in the shadow of His wings and like David, rejoice under them. Every morning since, we see the flock in that tract of land before they wander off each afternoon and are thankful for the daily reminder that the Shepherd is close and ever watchful.
Abiding,
Hank, Ruby, Stella, Roxanne, and Jimi.
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