Voice of Truth

This morning I got a call that my dear, sweet friend who was wanting to help me with the work I do at Embassy shelters just lost her husband in yet another Kuwaiti car crash...two little boys, so far from home. Her husband worked for Chevron, they too are American. I've sobbed and yelled at God & spewed bitter angst at this country for this needless tragedy that keeps recurring. Finally, the refrain from this song quieted my spirit & reminded me that I have to choose my response.



But the Voice of truth tells me a different story

the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth (Casting Crowns)



We had our 7 Habits class tonight at the Philippine Embassy shelter and I went with a heavy heart; the wonderful attache who had been so supportive of our work left suddenly and was replaced with a new guy (Mr. Vidal) who cancelled all ministry programs in his first week in office. When I sat down with the Welfare Officer tonight, I learned we were included in the "axe" but we would be allowed to finish our class next week, just no celebration/expo at the end, and no more courses.


I asked if I might meet with Mr. Videl's wife, who I'd met on another occasion. Yolly said she would try and arrange a meeting and suggested I bring him a proposal of what we do. Around 7:30pm, I was ushered upstairs to meet with Mrs. Vidal; I brought Becky with me and we were soon sitting in the Attache's office with BOTH of them, and Yolly was summoned as well. It was soon clear that he assumed we were part of those who were doing"evangelicalism" and did not realize our goals were the same as his goals for his Filipino "wards." He saw no value in the programs the church was offering; he only wanted to equip the ladies for life back in the Philippines. After much discussion, we were given the green light to continue our program, as well as his full support for the special celebration we were planning to recognize the ladies achievements and exhibit their work! Praise God for his favor, I am humbled once again.

When we returned to the women downstairs who were by then, setting up to work on the jewelry & rug making, there was much cheering & joy that we would be allowed to carry on. They are sad at the loss of the church services and we pray he will will have a change of heart. I feel an even greater responsibility now to realize we are the only Christians allowed access in a place so full of need. I feel woefully inadequate to be in this position but it's so clear to me that this is HIS work, I just get to tag along. He keeps bringing me people who are qualified in ways that far exceed my gifts. When I was tempted to panic over what seemed to be the loss of something dear to me, the Voice of Truth whispered "I love them even more, trust me."

Fear is such a powerful, ugly force and it can paralyze. It's tempting to think conditions here (traffic fatalities, low health standards, environmental pollutants, lack of good medical care, government corruption, etc.) are more threatening than other places but I know this is not true. Talking to my friends in the states, the economy is pretty scary too...not to mention life in Haiti, Chile, the list goes on. For my broken hearted friend here, and to my sisters scattered across Europe & the States, we just gotta listen to "The Voice of Truth."