New Friends

    Long time no write guys, so sorry!  My computer has been under the weather, but I think I got the bugs out now.  In the past month, I've settled in to life here in Clarkston by making some new friends.  I have also been tested in my prayer life, since new places bring new challenges and need for dependence on the Father.  Several Americans live close by and we became buds almost instantly the first night I got here.  I've met several guys from Eritrea that live nearby.  My friend Natnael and I have been preparing for him to take the GED test in the next few months.  It has been great to get to know him better over the past two weeks.  I met Natnael in the parking lot of my apartments and we spend a few hours together each week. Last weekend, my parents and sister came down and got to eat with me in his home.  So great for me to see my family and share a new friend with them!  Thank you so much for all of you that pray for me and have supported me.  I am experiencing relationships with people from all over the world, in our own backyard.

Me and Natnael

Inside the apartment of some Nepali friends

     As a team, all the workers with MTW meet once a week to pray together and some of us have had more spontaneous times of prayer as well.  I am getting a better feel for the work here.  My church congregation meets about 5 minutes away, but not in Clarkston.  We use the building of another church in a town called Tucker.  So far, most of my time has been spent "doing life" (see last blog post) with people in Clarkston.  Each Sunday we worship with about 30 Americans and usually a few international neighbors.

     All the workers with MTW (now 13 I think) meet once a week to pray together and some of us have had more spontaneous meetings for prayer as well.  My church congregation meets about 5 minutes away, from Clarkston in a town called Tucker.  So far, most of my time has been spent "doing life" (see last blog post) with people in Clarkston.  Each Sunday we worship with about 30 Americans and usually a few international neighbors.

Brian, Anna, Amy, Natnael, and me on top of Stone Moutain
(popular park and recreation area near Clarkston)

     Many people are in HUGE transitions from their old lives!  It takes a massive team effort to even begin to help clear up confusion, language barriers, and just befriend people and be kind neighbors.  I have found it difficult at times since I myself am new to Clarkston.  I am making the adjustment from a school-day schedule to a fairly flexible and open lifestyle.  I sometimes teach an English class on Thursday morning as well as just conversationally helping folks with English.  I have also been helping a refugee resettlement agency, World Relief, set up apartments for incoming refugees.  That has added some consistency to my schedule, but some of my favorite times have been spontaneous meals with neighbors, pickup basketball games at the courts in my apartments, and worship and fellowship with my American friends.  Slowly we have had the chance to share the Good News and speak about Jesus.  We have some teens from a local church come each Tuesday night to play ball and hang out with kids in the apartments.  That was set up before I got here and has been a great time to connect with Clarkston teens in a relaxed setting.

English class scavenger hunt- Can you guess what English word, we're teaching here?

    It is hard to summarize what life is like here.  It is just such a unique place.  There is a lot that's familiar, but also a lot that is not.  It's like living in a large international airport or a place like NY City, except many of the people here have in a way "fled" here instead of volunteering to come.  I heard someone say today that Clarkston is the most diverse square mile in the US.  The struggles that people have as refugees here go deeper than just language difficulties.  Imagine how you would feel if you were basically forced to leave your home country to stay safe, but would rather be home if it was safe to stay.  That is what many feel here as they change to a whole new way of living while somewhat wishing to be home again.
     Others spent most of their childhood and adolescent years in a refugee camp somewhere away from their home country.  These people don't really know what it is like to live in a free society outside a fence, some with paper-thin walls that prevent privacy almost completely in the refugee camps.  I am confident that Jesus came for these people: the foreigner, the stranger, the afflicted, broken, confused, and oppressed.  Please pray for needed strength to serve and love them as Jesus did, despite my own sin and struggles at times.

     In the difficulties and the joys of living here, I am reminded that the man who delights in God's law will be "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."(Ps 1:2-3)  Also John records from Jesus that if we abide in Him we will bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples to the glory of God.  There is life in Jesus and fruit from my time here will only be produced through my connection with Him.  May that be my highest delight and desire!