Once upon a flight to Amman...

 On December 5th, we left Malaysia in the evening to head to Jordan. It's safe to say that we were all pretty tired before heading to Jordan, especially with the knowledge that we would have a full day ahead of us. As I got onto the plane, I quickly realized that I would not be sitting by a team member, but a maybe 50-ish year old Arab man named Esam. After all that had happened in Malaysia, I had this feeling that this flight wasn't going to be a normal one and my first thoughts were 1. This could be an awkward and long flight and 2. I need to share with this man about the Gospel. I slid into my window seat and started to get situated and had that wonderful surprise of realizing that the flight was 10 hours (not 5, whoops), making for a 13-hr day of travels.

As time went by, we started to make small talk about life and the flight and learned that he was traveling on business. As a bonus, his English was very good and he actually taught English for 10 years. We talked about each other's family and I asked him how he decided on what he wanted to do with his life and then he asked me the same question. I didn't want to be intense so I slid into the conversation how important my faith was to me and how I desired for that to be incorporated into my life. His response to everything I said: "beautiful." I could tell that this man clearly loves people and loves seeing the world. He sees the beauty in so many different situations and as we floated in and out of conversations, I was honestly just praying the whole time to get into a deeper conversation. Eventually he just asked me if my family was Christian, to which I was able to say yes and explain what that really meant.

It was sweet that I was able to just talk about my beliefs and for the sake of discussion and not a debate, we then dove into what we believed--Islam and Christianity. It was so sweet to see that despite our differences we were able to calmly and civilly talk about my testimony and the sweet message of the Gospel as if we were old friends. We definitely went in circles about the same issues and I know that although I didn't always make sense or convey my thoughts clearly, I can trust in God's promieses that He is in control and that His Word is powerful and will not return void.

My thoughts after the flight were just filled with what had happened and he was so gracious and kind. We talked for a solid 2-3 hours of that flight about so many different things and I know that God is faithful to bring about His will and I have no doubt that all of this happened for a reason.

Exactly one week left and it's hard to believe that I am in Amman, Jordan. Malaysia was absolutely beautiful and wonderful and I am so thankful that I was able to spend my birthday there. Yesterday, we went to a few different refugee family's home and we were able to talk with them and hear about their stories, each one so different from the other. We saw so much our first two days here, but since then life has calmed down a lot. It seems as though everything has just started to catch up with us now that we aren't going at 120% and we are all feeling a bit sleepy and ready for home.

Tomorrow, we will be eating at a NWC grad's home who is living here and the next day we will fly out to Bulstrode and then I will be back to the states-unbelievable. Thanks to everyone out there who has been praying and for me and the team. Your support has been incredible and I can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces and to hear about your life. :]

A few more firsts:
1. I had my first camel ride.
2. I have now eaten a legitimate filafel...
3. I have seen the promised land as Moses once did on Mt. Nebo.
4. I have felt the burning sensation while floating in the Dead Sea.

In Malaysia on the lift.

The view after our ride to the top.

Our arrival to Jordan

CAMEL RIDE IN PETRA(-->)