The contacts and work with refugees continues to consume a large part of my daily routine. In a previous letter we recounted the typical (and horrifying) journey of H and M with their four small daughters from northern Syria to Germany. Knowing that H is a professional musician, we invited him to sing a song of lament that he had written about his home city of Kobani before the prayers of petition at our June worship service. He consented to this request. It was an extremely moving experience and lent a much deeper dynamic to this prayer time. H and M are still waiting for a proper apartment as they continue to make due with a tiny studio. As I am trying to aid the expedition of this process, H regularly comes in to ask if there is any news or to make a request. He came to the Atelier once again with his friend, M, who is also a Syrian refugee and speaks English quite well, with the ability to translate. H is concerned about where to enroll the girls for kindergarten and school without knowing exactly where they will be living. After discussing his concerns, both H and M expressed their sadness and, yes, shame over the latest terror attacks in France and Germany. They spoke of how they have experienced Christians as good and kind compared to the horrors that are being carried out in the name of Islam. And so it was natural for me to talk about Christ, who is called the Prince of Peace. Christ, the one who not only must be the source of world peace but peace within their hearts and souls. It was a very engaging conversation and they gladly accepted the Arabic NT that I gave them, with the suggestion to begin reading in Luke. Pray for continued opportunities to speak with them and read Scripture together and that God would open their hearts and minds to receive the forgiveness and peace that he is offering them.
It's amazing what happens - or what God is doing - while you're busy doing other things. About a year ago E, a German-Turkish man, walked into the Atelier with a great need to talk. Recently separated from his wife and two sons, he was distraught about his family situation. He was also dealing with a load of other personal consequences, including a period of time in prison. At that time I was able to calm him down and he allowed me to pray for him. Since then he has stopped by on occasion to talk with me about his struggles. A few weeks ago he stopped by again. Once again I talked of his need for forgiveness through the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide him in his daily life. He agreed to my suggestion that we both kneel right there and pray. In full view through the large storefront window of the Atelier, he prayed a prayer of repentance as I guided him. I have to admit that I was uncertain about his understanding or commitment to what he had prayed. But he has been attending our services and our weekly small group regularly, participating with longing and enthusiasm. Several times he has recounted how the sign that I had put on the stoop in front of the Atelier door after the doormat had been stolen was the impetus to walk in and talk to me. It was a simple message for the person who had taken the mat stating that I had forgiven them and they should consider it my gift to them – and please stop by for a cup of coffee sometime. E had never seen such a gracious offer of forgiveness before! Please pray for E, that the God of all hope would continue to reveal himself to him, that he would grown in his love and commitment to Christ and that the Spirit would guide and aid him in unraveling and dealing with the many issues in his life.
Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer and with your financial support.
Peace,
Jason and Sue
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