The Maddening Mideast

This is about my sixth or seventh time in Lebanon.  It has changed a lot since my first visit in 1996.  Then, the city was much uglier, bearing the wounds of an ugly civil war.  Syrians were the army in control, visible at many checkpoints.  It was clear they were there, in part, to keep a lid on a simmering pot that could boil over at any time.  Thirteen years later, there are still scars, but they are less visible.  The Syrians have gone home, and the most recent election was among the most peaceful.

Ministry has a bit less feel of a wide and open frontier, which is part of what attracted me in the first place.  It still has its challenges, but of a different sort.  You make plans, but you must constantly adjust.  A car blocks your path on the way to a meeting, the stapler jams, a meeting falls through, restrictions suddenly change where you can do ministry.  It’s best things are written down in pencil.  Be prepared to push the delete button. 

It seems appropriate that I began this journey reflecting on Proverbs 16:1—“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”  All we can do is bring our plans to the Lord each day and submit to His will.  It’s surely the same back home, but here you feel so much less in control.  Most plans fall apart.  Like driving in this crazy place, it can feel like managed chaos.  Think of it as bumper cars on steroids.

There is still a pretty fragmented body of Christ, but there are also signs of believers banding together.  That is the principal reason I am here.  Five years ago, three of us, a businessman from London, an Australian directing OM, and I sat in a guest house and dreamed of a day we would begin to see various ministries begin to band together.  Today, we sat down together and asked ourselves—are we getting there?  Slowly, but surely, by God’s grace, we are.  Tonight my wife and I dined with seven key ministry leaders who have covenanted to team together to advance the kingdom of God together in Lebanon.  A lot of great things are already in motion, including one of the most powerful children’s ministries in the Middle East, a relief group that is doing a most incredible work reaching Iraq refugees, a church planter who is planting churches throughout Lebanon and Syria, etc.  Pretty cool stuff.

Lebanon is a place that lifts your spirit, frustrates your soul, wears out your body, and breaks your heart—all at the same time.  But it is worth it.  This is the gateway to the Mideast—one of the most strategic places on earth as far as I am concerned.  Outside of my ministry at Village and Western, I’m not sure where else I would rather be.

Comments

[Deborah Hays]

Dear John and Heather, Jim and I continue to pray for you two, along with Kenny and Joannie, that God would direct your steps, give you wisdom, and keep you safe in the time that you have overseas. How I wish that someday I could come along with you. Heather, I am still praying that the Lord will bless you with the many stories you are longing to hear. Have a great trip.

Your sister

[Gail Bredemeier]

John & Heather,
We all prayed for you last night at our Life group - of course Bob and I have been praying all along too! I know the Lord will bless this trip - It is joyous to hear that your dream of the ministries beginning to band together for the advancement of God's Kingdom is happening! We also pray for all your health, especially for you Heather. I know you are an encouragement to the believers there.
In Christ, Gail