A Purpose

About a month ago, while we were visiting our Sunday School class, a man asked for prayer for his family. He and his wife own their own business and she home schools their 13 year old son. The wife got called for grand jury duty and was told it could last for three months. They wanted God to show them what to do with all of this. I raised my hand and told him that I was an unemployed teacher and could help if needed. The next week, I met his wife. She is super sweet and a very loving, giving wife and mother. This jury duty was about to do her in. I offered my services and asked them to pray about it.

I realize that they don't know me and here I am offering to teach their son. So I prayed about it and left it up to God. She came back and said she had to start on April 19th. I asked if I could go and meet her son. She was about to ask me if I would come over and meet her son. So I went over loaded with pictures of my kids and the yearbooks from Kabul. I let them ask me questions and I told them all about me. She said it was already decided; God had given her peace about the whole thing.

I started on this week and this kid is great. He is very polite, driven to learn and easy to chat with. Today was my second day and I feel like have known him for a long time. He will say something or make a sound that reminds me of one of our sons. It warms my heart that God is allowing me to think about our sons throughout the day. He even reminds me of my nephew in looks and his quirky sense of humor.

The trial is set to last about 6 weeks. Once again, God had a job meant just for me. It gets me out of the house and lets me use my brain again. I think I am learning as much as he is!

My Heart Hurts

Last summer a "pastor" in Florida wanted to burn the quran. It made us a little nervous. Didn't he realize that he was putting people in danger. Did he care? He set the date for Sept. 11, 2001. A television pastor even made it worse by stating on the air that it could get some of our "M's" hurt. They know better than to use that word!

They put us on lock down as the time drew nearer. We went over our evac plans and bags. I made sure that I had the important stuff in a safe place. I made plans for our dog to be taken care of. We were as prepared as we could be. They were days when we could hear the hate messages over the mosque loudspeakers. There were people in the streets yelling "Kill the Americans". Afghan students came to school afraid to be by us. I can remember talking about what could and possibly would happen. It was during that time that God was preparing my heart to leave. I was not afraid of what could happen but I was grieving for what would come. And today it did.

I flew out of Kabul on Sept. 11. I can remember wondering if that was such a good plan. I was wondering if a plane coming to America would shake things up. I thanked God that I had a flight out of Germany and not Central Asia. I wondered about leaving Perry, my students and fellow workers there while I got out. Would I see them again, I could only leave in in His hands. My grief in leaving was too overwhelming and it was one less thing to think about on the flights.

Last week, I saw on the news that the "pastor" indeed had burn the quran. I talked with a few others and we agreed that it would not be as safe over there now. We talked about God and how we had to leave it up to Him now. I prayed for those I left behind. I prayed for those students who will be afraid that the school staff will leave. And the friends that love that country as much as I do. Those who won't run in fear but will continue to serve. I hold them up to Him.

Pray for this country as you have never prayed before. Pray that they can separate this burning from the people who love them and live among them. Pray for the families of those who were killed today. Just pray...

The Blue Mosque in Mazar