Lebanon Mission - email Update 4

A Big thank you for all your prayers. As a team we were very conscious of your prayers and support during the week. Thanks for all of you who sent messages back and for the calls and emails we’ve received since returning

The team had a great day out in Byblos on Saturday and then worked with the church doing some outreach on the seafront in Beirut, worshipping, talking and praying with people, teaching some dances and inspiring the young Christians we were working with who now want to try it themselves next weekend. After another late night it was another relatively late start (8.30am meeting) to prepare the drama for the Jesus Prince of Peace Service. The journey down was remarkably quick and easy compared to Friday when we got caught up in an impromptu fireworks display (ask one of the team if you want a fuller story).

The service went well. Rebekah and Nick gave testimonies, Sola and Rowina did a drama and then at the end some of the team lead worship and a dance!

The visit to Zhale had to be cancelled due to elections – yes there were more on the second weekend, the Lebanese like their elections – so after lunch with a load of people from church we headed back to the school for supper with all the staff who live on site!

On Monday we were not leading any Chapels or lessons but spent the whole day at the school from Staff Prayers to the after school conversations. In the first two lessons we did some worship and intercession in the Junior playground and did some more in the Senior Chapel after second break. In between it was a case of talking and praying with students in breaks and getting involved with some lessons. It was great to see the team following God’s leading too and praying with some staff as well. It was a very hot and humid day with the temperature in the mid 30’s Celsius so people were grateful that we could all work at a comfortable pace.

We finished the day off with a ‘Thank you’ meal for Steve and Grace and exchanging gifts. Steve commented that the team had made a great impression on the staff and it had been noted how they had been tireless in connecting with the students. We finished off the day by praying for the family with whom we shared the senior apartment and for the night watchman – Robbie – who we all got to know and love. A final game of basketball in the cool (mid 20’s) and it was time for a few hours sleep before flying out.

The journey back was not without its moments. The bus ride to the airport was straightforward, arriving at about 5.45am, but once there we switched to a later BMI flight which meant alot of waiting around which was not helpful as people were now rather tired. Once again the in-flight food was out to get us and Ruth and Rowina suffered later in the evening but are both recovering okay.

Before leaving God gave us some stuff to aim at: to serve the school and local church, share the gospel however we could, be a blessing and encouragement especially to the believers and pray for the sick and intercede as God led. Alongside that I wanted the team to have the time of their lives. In all that unfolded we saw this happen before our eyes and it’s been so good.

Thank you for your faithfulness and support – you’re as much a part of the success as the team themselves.

Andie