Every trip to Syria is a different experience. The last journey was to the north, to Aleppo, where we met believers in a house church. This time, we headed south. Our plans were altered some, when our ministry partner woke up horribly sick. So we took a taxi and headed on our own, on our way with four strangers stuffed in a small French taxi, luggage tied on top, and Arabic music blaring. After five hours through the mountains, a border crossing, and a hot desert, we made it to our destination, a medium size town some distance south of Damascus.
Sadly, most Americans have a distorted image of Syria and Syrians. Yes, it has the feel of a police state. Our movements were watched on parts of the trip. Those who hosted us had to pass all of our plans through local authorities. And there is pollution and some disregard for the environment, and some antagonisms towards evangelical believers. But I have rarely met a more hospitable people. There is something very charming about the Arab culture, the kiss on the cheek, the high value placed on relationships. The food is incredible, and our hosts insisted on paying for everything, even though they do not have so much. Shop keepers welcomed us into their shops like we were long lost friends. The grace extended to us was almost overwhelming.
I taught for two nights in an established church of 50-60 people, talking about the need to live out
Ephesians 4. Amazingly, the church has the blessing of the governing authorities. They have not compromised the message or their practice of being the body of Christ. They have simply been honest with what they are doing, welcoming any and everyone to come to church anytime they wish. This particular church shows all the potential of making a significant impact, and may in time be one of the great works in this region. The pastor is a visionary, committed to discipling the saints. I was really moved by some of the stories of those in the church. Several have paid a significant price to identify with Jesus. It is very humbling to hear their spiritual experiences. The picture attached to this blog is just one glimpse of some of these incredible believers.
One day they insisted on taking us to the Roman ruins of Bosra near the Jordan border, and fed us every time we turned around. We anointed a field that may one day be a place for their new church building. We read Scripture together and talked about future plans to come back and encourage the growth of this fellowship. After traveling on a bus to Damascus, staying with a family over night, and talking a lot about what it means to be a Christian, we made our way back to Beirut late this afternoon. The trip is almost over. Tomorrow we head for Dubai and then back home.
Reflecting on the whole trip, I am again reminded that the Mideast is a place of contrasts (shepherds herding goats next to busy traffic) and conflicts (people always fighting one another). It can be as maddening as the traffic at times. A lot of things make sense (people valuing the sacred place of meal), and a lot of things do not (Christians not so willingly working together). I have a deep respect for those who have given their lives to moving abroad and living here and sharing Christ. It makes me appreciate what we have in the States, but it also makes me realize how easy we often have it.
