"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Got the tickets, got the tickets!

Just wanted to report that we got our tickets to Damascus! The visas came the last day of 2008 and this week we purchased the plane tickets. Lord willing, two weeks from now we will be totally out of our comfort zones and lovin' the experience! We are scheduled to leave January 28, fly to Chicago before leaving for Istanbul, Turkey on the longest flight of my life. (Not hard to beat since the longest one I've been on to date was Orlando, FL from NC....ha, ha.) So when I decide to fly somewhere longer, I really pick a doozy, huh? I am excited, nervous, EXCITED, a bit fearful about some things. OK... a lot fearful about some things, but choosing to not act on that fear and instead remember Emmanuel: God with us! When my dad is in the room with me, I don't fear. God is my "very present help in time of need" and why should I fear when He goes with us where ever we go .... even to Syria?!




John 4

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! I am so proud of you! My two biggest fears when traveling internationally are: getting sick and FOOD. I can totally relate to you on that one! "What if they feed me something so strange that I just can't swallow it?" Or, what if I eat something that makes me sick? Ugh.

I am sure that you will find something you like. If nothing else there is always Baklava/Baklawa (dessert made from flaky pastry, honey, and cashews or pistachios). When my sister was in Dubai over Thanksgiving they bought *15* boxes of it to bring home - had to buy an extra suitcase to bring it home in. :P

Also, go for the breads. I always can find a bread that I like. :9 And who knows, you may find some new favorites that you will want to try and make when you come home! :)

My favorite Lebanese food is Shish Tawook. It's a marinated chicken served with rice. It's made with lemon and garlic and I have no idea what else but it is FANTASTIC. I imagine that even though I know it as Lebanese, that it is a regional thing. You can also have Shish Kabob, Shish ... I think Shish means 'skewered'? Hmm, I think Syria might be one place I'd actually look forward to the food. Shoot I wish I was going with you! :D

Niki said...

Whoa. Scary stuff. Exciting though. :-) May God keep you safe.

Anonymous said...

suzzy enjoyed the encouraging words you are such a blessing chase the lion in 2009

Susanne said...

Joni, thanks for your excitement and food talk. :-) You are my Barnabas! I appreciate that a lot!

LOL @ your sister bringing home 15 boxes of baklava ... wow!! See I am nervous of nuts because there are certain ones that make me feel allergic. But anyway, I am trying to not be fearful.

Niki, thanks for your words.

Andrew, thanks! :-P

Shosannah said...

Wow, what an incredible opportunity!
Just remember "If God brings you to it He will also bring you through it"
You have an amazing faith, and I know it will keep you strong.
God Bless you. My prayers are with you :0)

Susanne said...

SuzyQ, thanks for your encouragement. That's a great quote for me to remember! :-)

Angela said...

Lebenese food is SO good!! My girlfriend went out with a Muslim for many many years and cooked TONS of lebense food, which she has shared with me. Just delicious. How long will be your stay? Will you have the computer access so we can keep in contact. Thanks for the updates sweetie. It helps to know exactly what to continue to pray about.

Susanne said...

Angela, we will be gone 2 weeks. Hopefully I can check in from time to time. I greatly appreciate your prayers. You are such an encouragement to me!