Lebanon Mission - email Update 2

It’s been wonderful to know that you’re praying for us here. Thanks to those of you who have replied back. The email here is painfully slow (on purpose, to stop people downloading music and videos I’m told) but we are grateful for having it to send emails.

After a very hectic Monday, Tuesday was alot easier in terms of work load but more difficult in other areas. We heard late on Monday about a near fatal accident to the little son of some dear friends back home. Pippa and Gary Cant are old friends. Pippa used to work with n:flame, now works for Pathway (who do primary schools work in N London) and they worship at Chase Family Church. They have three kids and as we understand it their youngest, Toby whose just a toddler, fell into the garden pond at their new home. As far as we know he was saved just in time for the paramedic to find a weak pulse Toby is now in Great Ormond Street Hospital and there are concerns over whether this accident has caused brain damage. It was a tough call but we decided to tell the team, who were naturally shaken up by the news but Lucy (who goes to Chase) and Rebekah (who is a Gappie with Pathway) were particularly affected.

In addition our Senior lesson caused a few concerns among some of the staff. In London you often need to provoke a response to get students talking. In Lebanon you don’t have to try so hard and we needed to take our foot off the gas a bit.

Fortunately both situations are much better. Rowina and Andie talked the lesson through with Steve White and a few modifications have made it fit the school culture better. Lucy seemed to struggle more with the news about Toby at first but it has taken Rebekah a little longer to work it through. However, neither backed down form ministry and although the Cants are never far from their minds they continue to be very effective in the work they are doing. Please hold up the girls and Toby back home in your prayers.

Today was full on again with lessons and chapel meetings from the start of the day. At one point we were doing three lessons simultaneously which was a much an organisational challenge as much a delivering them. We spoke about healing in the Junior chapel and this has yielded several positive conversations including one Rebekah had with a girl whose uncle is in a coma. Rebekah was able to talk about the situation and pray with her about what was happening. The lessons have also generated plenty of conversations, particularly for Rowina who has been able to talk in depth with several students about following Jesus today. Please pray that these bear fruit. Sola, Lucy and Friede also had the opportunity to meet up with a small group of ‘on fire’ Christian students who meet every Wednesday lunchtime They led their meeting and prayed for them – it was a special time, but please pray for these young believers.

Yesterday evening Steve took us into Beirut to see the city centre, sample some ice cream and buy some presents. It was a welcome break for the team. This evening we joined a weekly prayer meeting for the school. The number of volunteer staff from overseas has swelled to about ten (i should have counted but forgot). They share a meal and pray together and it was a wonderful time. These teachers have been particularly supportive to the team with advice, feedback and practical help. It was good to double their meeting and to see the team bless them by worshipping enthusiastically, by bringing words of encouragement, and praying for these volunteers. It was great evening with some wonderful cake.

Tomorrow we have fewer lessons again but will be leading the staff prayers at 7.25 (that’s 5.25am if you’re up early enough to pray) and later planning for an evangelistic presentation at a youth BBQ for Friday evening. This event will be at Fouad and Julie’s Church, now called Jesus Friends of Peace and relocated to a building near Dekwaeh Circle.

On Friday we have an extremely packed day. We lead staff prayers again followed by Chapels and then a day full of lessons with the BBQ to finish. On Saturday we should fit in a later start. Hopefully I can send you some more news then and give you some more feedback plus an idea of what the weekend holds.

So please pray for the whole team. Heads are spinning with the numbers of different students we are linking up with and at the same time there is the struggle to keep lessons fresh when we have already done them so many times.

The team continue to work tirelessly but are tired. Although there is time to chill there is still plenty to do. Today was a much hotter day and the nearby roadway works seem to have caused on increase in the mosquito population so please pray for energy and for good health.

Andie