Come On In

It was a sweet blessing from the Lord to be back in Jordan last month. During our time there, our main focus was house visits with refugees that live in Amman.

The NGO we partnered with has connections to over 900 families in the area that are refugees from countries like Sudan, Syria, and Egypt. Many are fleeing the wars, some came seeking medical help, and others came hoping for a better life for their families. Most are waiting for the UN to assign them to another country for permanent resettlement. Some have been waiting for more than 8 years.

Before starting our house visits, we had cultural training. We learned about Islam, especially because we were there during Ramadan, about how to share the gospel in simple terms for people to grasp, and how to work with our interpreters well. Our goal for each visit was to build relationships with the family and to share the good news as the Holy Spirit led.

At first, house visits weren’t my favorite. Many of the homes I went into felt spiritually dark and heavy, and many of the people had needs we couldn’t physically or financially meet. I knew sharing the good news with them was the most important thing, but at times it felt small in comparison with their immediate needs.

Through our month, God worked on my heart. During one particular visit, I was mentally checked out and ready to be done, but the woman was open to hearing about God. So I started to share the gospel with her as we had practiced during training. I’d share a sentence or two, then I’d pause for the interpreter to share it in Arabic.

As I was waiting for the interpreter to finish sharing what I’d said, the Lord revealed something to me. He drew my attention to the woman sitting next to me and reminded me that I was sharing the gospel. Right there. With her, a Muslim refugee from Sudan. And then He reminded me of the privilege and opportunity I have had to share the gospel almost everyday in Jordan. That countless people have now heard the good news through me or the many people on my squad. I had allowed my preference to drown out the awe of what I was doing. Of what the Lord was doing through me.

During the visits, we met all kinds of people. One house I went into belonged to a young man who is a devout Muslim, who had just come from afternoon prayer. Another was an elderly Syrian woman who quickly claimed me and my friend as her daughters. She made sure to have snacks ready for our visits, even though she was fasting for Ramadan.

God grew my heart for these people in ways I can’t accurately explain to you. I have more compassion and understanding. More of the Father’s love for them! They are deceived by the enemy and are devoted to a false religion, but they are His creation, dearly LOVED by the God of the universe. My heart’s cry is for them to know the truth, and for them to experience the love of the One True God. They are beautiful people who cannot be written off simply because of the religion they follow. They need Jesus, just like I do. Like we all do.

Please be praying for refugees all over the world. They are displaced, in foreign places, and in need. Doing a quick Google search will show what refugee groups live near you. I know of several in Southern Minnesota. Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus and take the hope of God to people who need it most around us. Care for the widow and the orphan. Love those who are overlooked. God sees them, and He loves them. So we should, too.