Live Where?!?!?

(December 16, 2000)

            (Note:  My family and I served two years as missionaries in a muslim part of Europe.  The population of our town and its surrounding villages was around seventy-five thousand people. About thirty-five thousand of those were refugees or “displaced persons”.  A mile from where we lived was a refugee center.  DH, along with some others, tried to improve the conditions there, but it proved to be an overwhelming task physically, financially and most of all spiritually.  Here are some “Thoughts” on that situation. I talked about this in one of our newsletters.  I think you'll know why I'm reprinting it here.)

Several newsletters ago I shared with you some of the conditions at the nearby refugee center.  Remember that each building contains eight apartments consisting of two rooms (including the kitchen) and two shared bathrooms.(That is two bathrooms for eight apartments!)  Each of the bathrooms has a shower and a Turkish toilet.  (In case you don't know...."Turkish toilette" is a nice way to say "squatty potty".  That's all I can say in mixed company.) I'm sure you can see that the refugee center will never make Better Homes and Gardens.  Add to that the fact that many of the buildings have no water and I think you will understand why "my halo slipped" the other day. (To quote a friend of mine.) 

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    DH and I had been discussing the situation at the refugee center.  While the task of making sure each apartment has running water is a monumental one, their greatest need is bigger than that.  They desperately need the Living Water, which is Christ Jesus. Yet they don't even realize they are spiritually dehydrated.  The lives these people have lived are beyond my comprehension.  They are strong Muslims who have been forced from their homes and villages due to the "ethnic cleansing" we've heard so much about. Satan's lies, destruction, and hate have ripped their lives apart. What is the best way to share the light of Christ with them?  I think DH "hit the nail on the head" when he said, "I bet it would make an impression for Christ if we went to live with them at the center." 

     (Here's where my "halo" slipped.)

     Wait just a minute!  Live with them?!?  At the refugee center!?!  No running water!?!  No private bath!?!  I hope you're kidding! The mere thought sent shudders down my spine and nearly sent me into a panic. I am incredibly grateful that the center is full, and it is probably against the rules for us to live there.  (To be honest, I don't even want to ask.) However I’m sure DH is probably right.  It would take someone living the New Life in front of them while facing the same struggles and hardships they face each day to really make an impact.

     It’s got me thinking......

     Even the grandest house in the best section of the best city in the best country of the world (even with 5 full baths, constant running water, and maid service) doesn't begin to compare with the majesty and splendor of heaven.

    Who in his right mind would trade heaven for earth?

    Who in his right mind would exchange perfect joy and peace for eyes full of tears?
    Who in his right mind would leave a place of perfect comfort for a place of suffering?

    Who would take his feet off of streets of gold to walk in the dust?

    Who would trade the adoration of angels for the scorn of men?

    Who would give up eternal life for death?

    Praise God that Jesus would, and did!

    The step from our B. home to the refugee center is nothing compared to the quantum leap Jesus took when He left heaven to come to earth.  Why did He do such a crazy thing? 

    Because He knew that the only way for us to have Living Water was for Him to bring it to us Himself. 

    He knew that we have to be shown things, not just told. 

    He wanted to make an impression on us by living the Life in front of us while facing the same struggles and hardships we face each day.

    And, because of His love for us, He wanted to give us victory from the lies, destruction, and hate Satan throws our way.

            “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, ‘God with us.’”  ~ Matthew 1:23

        I won't say that I won't go live at the refugee center should an opportunity present itself.  (I've learned the hard way that God often has us do the very things we said we wouldn't.)  I will say that I don't want to.  I'm not ready to.  But blessed be the name of the Lord that Jesus was.  That's why we celebrate Christmas.  Not "Us with God", but "God with us".  May we all have a full realization of the magnitude of the gift we were given at Christmas time. And let us be truly grateful.

            In Awe of Him with you,

       Drewe Llyn

(c) 2000 by Drewe Llyn Jeffcoat