Hugs and Hope in Armenia

Wow!  2015 is flying by ... We just returned from another 4-week journey into Central Asia, Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia.   I joined my husband for the last two weeks.  As always, in between the airports, long flights and delays, came the eternal moments of sharing life, touching a special someone and seeing the heart of a Father make a difference.

An opportunity of a week that didn’t involve teaching to larger groups, but just meeting one-on-one and letting hearts speak to hearts will always hold a special place now in our memories.  People shared their stories, their pain and we had the privilege of simply praying and touching a life.

For seven days we enjoyed the hospitality of a wonderful friend whom we have known for a few years.  However, what we didn’t realize was her enormous heart and evangelistic spirit.  She makes friends wherever she goes.  And she pulls people into her life and helps them to understand just how loved they are by their Heavenly Father.  Rarely a walk down the streets took place without someone she knew stopping her to chat and receive a hug.  A day did not go by without her small humble home filling with people whom she cared about and invited into her life.  Usually an hour did not pass without her phone beeping with a message that someone needed her.  Lives filled with pain and unanswered questions, she is available daily to simply be Jesus to a hurting world.  And she is a gift to a small town where God is moving.

One such day led us into the mountains surrounding a town in northern Armenia.  A home for the elderly in a lonely secluded spot.  A place where seemingly these dear souls are forgotten.  Yet they are cared for daily by people who are committed.  Our friend, joined by a small team of believers who love God, go weekly to sing, share stories and pray with men and women who just want to know they are not forgotten.  The wrinkled faces lit up with joy at seeing this group of young ladies come once more into their meager surroundings.  We talked about God’s love for them, His faithfulness throughout the many years and how we are NEVER EVER EVER ALONE.  NEVER.  His goodness even in the hard difficult years.  And looking out over these faces, it was not difficult to imagine their struggles through the years of communism and economic collapse in this small nation.  Their aged faces showed they had lived a life I could not imagine.  Yet, their eyes held a hope their was more to be had in the days left and beyond.  As our time ended, I realized how they simply wanted to know they have not been abandoned.  They were not there waiting to die….they STILL MATTERED.  Their hearts, their loves, their concerns, their daily existence still mattered.  

It really is not difficult to share the love of Jesus and the Father.  Sometimes, all it means is taking the time, a HUG and letting someone know their life matters.  Someone does actually care.  My hope and prayer is these lovely people continue to know HE WATCHES OVER THEM; THEIR FATHER IN HEAVEN LOVES THEM AND IS DAILY BY THEIR SIDE.  He has forgiven all their sins, wants to heal all their pain, and for the days they have left, they can experience true freedom and know their lives matter.  God is loving and faithful…even to the mountains of Armenia.  

Psalm 125:2  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Psalm 57:10  For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

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When Harry Met Gabby

There are some people you meet in life that you will never forget.  A word they said and where you met will always hold a treasured place in your memory.  I knew such a person.  This is his story.

Situated on the central coast of Italy, an hour west of Rome sits a small coastal town that in the latter l970's was a transiting center for Russian Jewish emigrants.  They were legally leaving the Soviet Union and either beginning a new life in the homeland of their heritage, Israel, or temporarily living outside of Rome, awaiting sponsorship from the multitudes of organizations helping Russian Jewish families at that time.  Australia, Canada, and America were destinations opening their doors to the "tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free".

Here on a warm spring day I met Harry.  I am Gabby.  Actually it is "Debby", but for some reason the Russians had a bit of a difficult time saying the "De", so hence, I became "Gabby".  Not a problem, as long as it sounded like it came from an exotic shortened version of Gabriela and not that I had a problem with a running mouth.  Of which I do, but that is beside the point.

Harry was a short, gentle, white-haired grandfatherly man from Odessa, whose name was actually Evgeny.  They all want to "Americanize" their names, so he chose Harry.  Okay for HRH Prince of England, but I would have gone with something different for Evgeny.  Nevertheless, that is what he chose.  He was the kind of old soul you immediately wanted to take home and keep. The grandfather you wanted to take care of and protect from harm.  His wife, on the other hand, looked like a commandant from Siberia.  No smile, untrusting and not at all happy I had come into their lives.  Never mind that I was a full head taller than he and at least 40 years younger.

We met by word-of-mouth advertising for English classes.  Our team was living and serving the local Russian population by teaching English as a second language, preparing them for life in their new land and introducing them to their heritage. We held Bible studies for those who were interested.  But these were a people who, though Jewish, had for the last 70 years been denied knowledge of their background.  We often were met with blank stares when asking them, "Do know who Abraham or Moses are?"  Turn around and ask them about God and the look was one of "you can't be serious?"   We loved these people and decided from day one, to serve them and help in any way we could to prepare them for life ahead.  As far as introducing them to a relationship with Christ, it was a process of acquainting them first with Genesis one and beyond....the very existence of a Creator was foreign to them.  

I met with Harry three times a week, teaching him conversational English, often in his room.  Three to four families would share one apartment, each family occupying one room, with a common kitchen and bath.  Crowded, but they were used to it from their life in Russia.  Trips to the supermarket, clothing and shoe stores, and many a dinner in our home were also the backdrops of our time together.  An older man on Italian streets, not knowing the language, being jostled in the hustle and bustle of Italian life, was a learning experience in itself, not to mention the stress.  But Harry flowed with the best of them and was exuberant and anticipating what lay ahead for his new life.  He was a sponge soaking in everything He could to make it easy for his wife when they arrived in America.  

The day came after about three months, when Harry got word they had a sponsor and were accepted to go to America.  The anxious packing, saying good-bye to their roommates and friends occupied the last days.  A good-bye dinner at our apartment on their final evening in Italy wrapped up these weeks of waiting in Italy for him and his wife.  Over spaghetti, salad and garlic bread, the atmosphere was bittersweet.  Thrilled and nervous as they were heading to their new life, sadness of our time together coming to an end. 

As we said our farewells at the door, his wife hugging me tightly with tears in her eyes, my heart again melted at God's goodness in loving others.  Loving and serving without any expectation.  She had accepted me.  Harry was another emotional scene altogether.  This is the moment I have remembered so vividly the last 34 years since I said good-bye.  Overcome with emotion, he lifted his head and said, "Thank you for being so kind to us.  No one has ever been so kind.  In Russia, we were treated with disrespect because we were Jewish.  We didn't know why.  But you, Americans, treated us like we had value...no one has ever done that.  Thank you."  

As we struggled with our own tears, we replied, "No, it is not because we are Americans."  There were actually Canadians and Australians on our team.  "It is because of God's love.  He sent us here to help you because He loves you.  He goes with you to America.  Remember He loves you."  

They said "Thank you", walked off into the night and flew to New York the next day.  Sadly, I lost track of them after a few years  But Harry is still in my heart.  I have never forgotten him and I know that God watched over Him, revealing His love to Him each day, in the hopes he would recognize that love and respond.

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A Love That Never Quits

Recently I read that Psalm 136 is a compilation of God's great works and his unending love.  It is a piece of David's poetry that you turn to, to remind you of a love that never ends.  I knew this writing, and read it zillions of times - times when I really NEEDED to be reminded that He was actually there and cared about me.  So as I returned to this psalm, it was good...until I hit on something I seemed to have missed in past readings.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.  His love endures forever."

The Message version says..."His love never quits."  

Forever....a very long time.  Never quits...pretty definite and to the point.

Get through verse 9 and all seems to fit pretty nicely.  Then you hit verse 10...

"to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, his love never quits."  Babies were being killed and his love was not quitting.

verse 15..."...he swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; his love never quits" A whole army of men with families destroyed; they were obeying orders and serving.

verse 17 & 18..."to him who struck down great kings...and killed mighty kings...his love never quits"    More death.

Why?  Where is this never ending love being shown?

Now, in the context of this history, the Pharaoh, his army and these kings being referred to were known to be against the purposes of God.  They were "struck down" and "swept away" to rescue the chosen people of God, the people of Israel.  So, historically and in the eyes of God's people, his love never quits.

But what do we do with this truth today?  Does God's love stay and never quit in the middle of our daily questions.  In the middle of our wars.  While we are waiting to be rescued in the middle of our suffering?

When babies are being killed.....His love never quits.

When there is needless suffering and people are being annihilated.....His love never quits.

And maybe closer to home...

a young baby or child dies ...... His love never quits.

a husband leaves because he just doesn't want to be married anymore, or worse, he leaves for another woman (or vice versa)..... His love never quits.

a husband or wife is diagnosed with a debilitating disease....His love never quits.

a loss of a loved one suddenly and unexpected...His love never quits.

a job loss and no end in sight to the financial devastation.... His love never quits.

a child turns his back on God ..... His love never quits.

we are betrayed or misunderstood by a friend ..... His love never quits.

we cannot seem to get past our addictions and live in victory ..... His love never quits.

abandoned by a father or mother, abused by a dad or mom, or family member.... His love never quits.

a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or fire which takes everything you own on this earth....His love never quits.  (And I have experienced the fire which takes it all)


What do we do with "His love never quits" in our world and the messiness of lives today?

I don't have neatly wrapped up answers, but I do know I can look back over what He has done in my life and remember His goodness.  Whatever battle or suffering I (or we) may face, I can recount His goodness. Which is what they are doing in Psalm 136.  When I remember, recount and rehearse in my mind what God has already done, I am encouraged to move forward.  In my tears and anguish, I know He is loving me and will take care of me.  When I need courage, when I need to have Him wrap His arms around me and remind me He is there, as I praise Him for what He has already done, I know He is faithful to meet me in my need.

Just yesterday, I was praying to the Lord for our financial need.  We are back in the "missionary" phase of our life, not traditionally employed, and trusting God for His provision as we minister and go to the people He has called us to.  Full time given over to teaching and seeing healing come to the lives of those who have been wounded by fathers or the lack of them.  And we rely on God and those faithful to Him for our provision.  So I was praying.  I was recounting His goodness in the past. And there was a whole lot of goodness!!   I was praising Him and not forgetting all His benefits (Psalm 103:2).  But I was wondering how we would survive the summer.  And I was wanting to see "His love never quits".

Afterwards, I checked our emails and God showed up in the form of family and loved ones....letting us know some funds were on the way to bless the ministry.  We would make it through July!  God's love never quits!

Yes, life is messy and it hurts.  There is pain and there is loss.  But I KNOW that TODAY God is the same.  We need to remind ourselves of the past and His faithfulness.    Financial pain can hurt; loss of life or devastating illness to a loved one can mean unfathomable pain, but I know He will not let go of us.  Remind yourself.  I think that is partially why God kept telling the children of Israel to "write it all down" because we so easily forget.

In the facing forward, sometimes we have to look back...

"He remembers us in our low estate, His love never quits
and He frees us from our enemies.  His love never quits.
He gives food to every creature, His love never quits.
Give thanks to the God of heaven, His love never quits....it endures FOREVER.:  verse 23-26

For friends of mine whom I know are hurting....whatever road you or I are facing today, my heart to you is.....HIS LOVE NEVER QUITS.

photo:  National Geographic.com 

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190 weeks and going strong :)

Today we are celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary!  Wow!  That sets a stage for reflection :) The actor and actress on this stage have come a long way...

When we say "I do" at the altar, we have no idea what is ahead.  Dreams, hopes and happiness are all at the forefront of life at that moment.  The honeymoon is all we can see and we are pretty sure that will last forever :)

Those who have been married any length of time are chuckling about now.  Honeymoons are great - I wish we could have one every year :)   However, the dust settles, the gifts are put on the shelves, and life moves forward at the pace of a cheetah chasing his prey.

How is it that my oldest turns 26 next month?  My youngest graduates from high school in June?  The first words out of our mouths when we climb out of bed in the morning are ... "ouch" :)    Is that a grey hair I see...no, I really think it is the lighting...

Where did all those years ago???

If I could describe OUR years in one word....27 of them....it would be "adventure".

For better or for worse.....there have been great adventures and there have been tough ones.

For richer or for poorer....months of abundance and months of leanness

In sickness and in health....we've been so blessed to have good health as a couple and family.  Injuries have been few and far between.  We've only met our very high deductible twice - actually as of March 1st this year, we met ours for 2013 ALREADY (thanks kids!)

Marriage is work, raising children is a full-time job....and I wouldn't have traded my employment in this for anything.  The stage God set for us in this journey my husband and I have been on has had many acts, many changes of costume, many laughs, many tears, scenes where we forgot our lines or the role we were meant to play, times when we felt the curtain could come down at any moment, but then God shows up and there is applause.

As I penned a few thoughts on facebook this morning honoring the man God gave me, I thought "I wonder if this seems gushy and sentimental.  My words are my heart.  I honor and respect this man more than I can even express.  I will go to the ends of the earth with him (which by the way could very well happen if God has anything to say about our adventure :).   I am in love with him and would say "I do" all over again.  I have had a great life with him."   This month I've seen many anniversaries celebrated vocally on facebook.  It is wonderful and honoring.  But friends ... and singles.... those years and couples being honored have not come upon the celebration without a struggle.  We do not take anniversaries lightly.  The years of marriage are held together by the rolling up of our sleeves and working all things through....the deepest form of commitment.  Through the fires which destroyed everything, through the injuries or illness which wipes out the bank account, through the leanness of no employment and there is a family to feed, through the challenges and through the victories.   Through the losses and the gains. Through the times when misunderstanding, criticism or being judgmental can destroy it all.   And the intense joy and yes, happiness, that comes from years of side-by-side living.

The results of 27 years....joy, deep commitment, character development (sounds cliche, but this ole' girl is not the same as she was 9,855 days ago... all credited to God's patience with me and what comes out of the iron sharpening iron of marriage and raising children), having a husband who believes in you to be all God created you to be.  And to believe in your husband and children to see them living out the purposes of God in and through them.

If we wives (and husbands) are gushy about our anniversaries, indulge us, please.  We have come a long way.  We have seen God come through.  This marriage is about more than just happiness, it is about vision, a mission and seeing God glorified through each and every year we had together and for the years and adventures ahead.  Revealing Christ to a world that needs to see healthy relationships...not perfect, but healthy and surviving.

I love this man and I am sentimental today.  As I was praying for him this morning, he walked into the room with a dozen red roses....I felt like the actress at the end of the play...roses presented and God applauding.   I love you, Jim!

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Valentine Days Gone By...

Ask my family...I love holidays and rarely does one go by without celebrating or at least decorating a room or two.  Growing up as a young girl, my mom would give my brother, sister and I each one of those 99 cent boxes of chocolate and had them waiting for us at breakfast.  This “tradition” carried over into my own family when I had children, although as they grew older, we graduated from small boxes to Toblerone or Lindt’s, and I added a candle burning with love by their breakfast plate.  In my mind, you can never express love too much to those you hold dear to your heart.

I know memories of this day are not always pleasant for a lot of people...the pain of childhood when you didn't get a Valentine and everyone else did. Or you longed for a boyfriend when your friends all had one. Or there was pain surrounding the season you were in.  But, as with any holiday, there are good memories to be remembered as well. And that is what I want to do today...remember good things.   My first Valentine’s Day with my husband-to-be, an evening out with a box of chocolates and flowers.  When our four children came along, red vinyl hearts were plastered on windows and the day was filled with baking heart-shaped cookies.  I would cook a special dinner by candlelight which all 6 of us would enjoy around a large table filled with love. Red cardboard hearts dangled from the lights. Once or twice, we ended the meal with a heart-shaped cake covered in pink frosting and red sprinkles.

As the children grew and went out with friends, my husband and I would sneak away for a quiet romantic dinner.  Once we actually remembered to make reservations well ahead of time!  A new restaurant opened ON Valentine’s Day.  It was packed, but we had reservations!  Years ago when we were first married, visiting my husband’s family in Australia, we were walking through a mall on Valentine’s Day and saw red hearts in the window.  We gasped, looked at each other and burst out laughing.  We had both forgotten!  And we’ve enjoyed Valentine’s Day dinner at church with other couples choosing to spend it with friends, laughing and sharing funny romance stories!  

The last couple of years my husband has been involved in missions trips, teaching in Bible schools and I’ve found myself without my husband on Valentine’s Day.   No pouting for me!  I have enjoyed a candlelit fancy home-cooked meal which my youngest daughter and I prepared together.  Just the two of us as we talked about relationships, romance and the right way to do this thing called marriage.  Trust me, that Valentine’s dinner was priceless!

Fifty-seven years encompassing my childhood, 27 years of marriage and 26 years of children all celebrating a day where I get to pour love on those who are so important to me.  Memories I wouldn’t trade for anything...not even chocolate :)

btw...for those who read the blog yesterday...yes, I am by myself for this Valentine's Day, BUT I did get taken out for a lovely breakfast and roses before he left!  He is the best!

Happy Valentine's Day....today, show "someone" that you care about them!

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To Love or Not To Love on Valentine's Day

I remember the first box of chocolates I ever received from a boy.  It was second grade.  It was a big heart shaped box.  It said "I love you" scrawled over the top of the cellophane.  It made my little 7-year old heart go pitter patter.  Fast forward 50 plus years...and it makes this mother's heart go "WHAT??!! Are you kidding?  What does a 7-year old boy know about love?  Rather what does a 7-year old girl do with that "love"?  And...now that we are on it, what mother let her 7-year old son do that?"  Okay, we live in a different world now.  Back then, it was "innocent".  And it was the first really big box of chocolates all to myself.   But it is a Valentine's memory big-time.

I'm always amazed at the myriad of emotions this day brings to people.  Some love it.  Some could care less.  And some vehemently hate it.  I know it is especially hard on the single unmarried.  But it always grieves me to see someone so adamantly opposed to a day of showing love.  I have read facebook posts which would have been better left unwritten; words spoken to others better left unsaid.  Out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths speak.  I have an acquaintance that a couple of years ago, angrily voiced her feelings about this holiday.  I mean really angry words.   Interestingly today, she is married and loves the holiday.

I grew up enjoying the holiday.  Tomorrow I will post my memories :)  But for me, it was a day of sharing love (and chocolates) and cards with those you cared about.  Even those you didn't especially care about...remember all the little paper cards you made or bought and gave to everyone in your class?  Of course, there was the "pain" of not receiving one from that one guy you really wanted a mushy card from.  Or just getting a plain old one from him.  I understand the pain that comes from rejection, even in the simplest non-intended form.

But...if for a moment we could put aside the romantic relationship side of Valentine's Day and just express love to those you care about.  Family.  Friends. Even a kind caring word to a stranger.  For some, this day holds painful memories.  In our family, we have a close knit group of family friends whom we have a history with.  Years of sharing vacations, missions trips, our kids growing up together.  One year, the parents of one of the boys were away on a trip.  He was alone.  He took a rose to the other moms of the families in our group.  I was incredibly blessed...over the top!  This young man was showing Valentine's Day went beyond romance.  It extended to showing those important in your life, they were worth the love of the day.  It was one rose and it wasn't romantic, but it spoke volumes!

From my heart to yours....single, widowed, married, hurting, alone, happy but alone, ....wherever life has you for the moment (and it is a moment)....perhaps put a new perspective on this holiday...show love, a small gesture or big, appreciation to those you care about and care about you.  I am not putting light on your circumstances, just saying instead of lamenting, let's love.

In closing, here is a link that applies to couples, but when I read it, I felt it could also be applied to roommates who desire to share the love of God through their friendships and home.  A team, whether it be a couple or not, can display the love of God in creative ways to those around them. I had to share the link....

http://www.elizabethgeorge.com/2013/02/the-love-that-god-built/

btw.....I am alone this holiday.  My husband is away sharing in a Discipleship Training School (similar to a mini Bible school).  Last year, I was alone; shared the day with my daughter :)  She is away this year.  My eldest daughter has a boyfriend.  My youngest son will be working.  My oldest son probably will not spend Valentine's Day with his mom :)  That's okay.  I am happy I have a family that has a life :)  And I will spend the evening with a small group of incredible young women I have the privilege of investing into.  God is good.  Even without the romance.

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