Charis Around The World

Tidbits From Ebony

One day, during our time of crisis, my team and myself were able to leave the little house that we all lived in and travel out to a mountain area to play in the snow. It was a much needed day of beauty, play and enjoyment of each other.

Dear Charis Family,

I am actually writing you this time from the United States. This is my seventh year living overseas, but, as you will become aquaitned with, the life of an overseas worker is rarely ever "settled." I am feeling very UN-settled these days. My co-workers and I have been going through a traumatic crisis in our lives and work, and in our area of Ebony that we love so much. We have lost two dear friends recently as well. We all returned home to our country to rest, regroup and plan the next step. Unfortunately, it looks like we are not going to be able to live in our beloved city of Candybar for some time now. We are waiting for the situation there to become more peaceful before I we return and carry out our work.

Despite all the challenges I have been facing recently, our Lord has proven Himself faithful and GOOD--always, always, always. I wanted to tell you a story about one of the ways He has been using our crisis time for His glory.

While my co-workers and I were going through the most intense part of our crisis, we were all living together in ONE HOUSE in the capital city of Ebony. There were two ladies who worked at cleaning the house and cooking for us while we were there. These ladies are of the "Cousin" faith, like most people in Ebony. They lived with us, day in and day out, watching us and interacting with us as we responded to our crisis.

After we had to leave Ebony, this is something that happened with those ladies (written out for me by another co-worker):

"Before he left himself, the manager of the "house staff" felt in his heart that he needed to gather the staff together and share the Message with them one more time. He waited till the night guard arrived and then gathered the entire group. Being faithful to obey, he told the staff they were his "family" and that he wanted to share the important things of his heart with
this group. Just one more time..

When the two ladies came back in the house, the manager's wife, Jill, came out of a room, but one of the ladies, named "Fatima," stopped her. With the help of the Spirit, Jill began to understand what the Fatima was saying. She said that she knew about Jesus Christ from her "Cousin" book--that Jesus Christ was a great prophet. She spoke aloud the litany of prayer that she repeated faithfully every night before she went to bed.

Jill, all the while praying to understand and speak clearly, began to repeat what Fatima had said and then explain a bit more. She told her that yes, Jesus was a great prophet, but she asked if the Fatima understood that He is the Son of God? They talked about sin and the cross and Fatima told Jill that she understood that He was without Sin and that He died on the cross. She agreed that He rose again and lives with God today in the Fourth Heaven (something she got from her "Cousin" religious teachers). The conversation probably lasted 20-30 minutes until Fatima went back to work in the kitchen.

Thirty minutes later another experienced worker in Ebony arrived named Kelly--a woman who also works in community development and speaks the language fluently. In Jill's heart, she exclaimed, "DOH! Why wasn't she here 30 minutes ago? I needed her then!"

Over supper that night, the ex-pat workers talked about what had happened. Fatima had even talked with one of the men a bit more about what she had heard and understood. Kelly encouraged everyone to take every teachable moment with the local folks. To always be ready; to watch and listen for a word here and there and to share as the Spirit prompts.

Later the next afternoon, the two ladies, Fatima and another local lady, were eating their lunch when suddenly Jill overheard their conversation becoming very animated. They were talking on and on. Jill wondered what in the world they were discussing at such great length.

Around 3:00 the cook (Fatima) and the cleaning lady were coming out of the dining room. Their faces were absolutely radiant.. Jill had never seen anything like it. They both began to tell Jill how the "tall guest (Kelly)" had been talking to them about Jesus Christ. Both were absolutely babbling with excitement about what they had been told. Jill's heart was so full because she realized their radiant faces came from being in the presence of God.

As they gathered once again for dinner, Jill and her friends asked Kelly if she could share with us about her conversation with the ladies. Kelly related that she had returned from her meeting late for lunch, so she went in with a little yogurt and sat down in the dining room to eat her lunch. The ladies, themselves, began to talk to her about their thoughts.  Kelly said that the cook spent a lot of time comparing the selfish, hostile, abusive people of Ebony she knew to Believers in Jesus Christ that she had seen at the house. Kelly used the example of the kindness of the Believers as the jump off to explaining to the ladies that we are all sinners. She talked to the ladies about Eve's first, small sin and how that sin (and our sinfulness) separates us from God who is pure and holy and perfect. She explained to the ladies that it is the Holy Spirit living within the Believers who enables us to be here in this country and give of ourselves to other people.

Kelly told the ladies the story of her own loss and how she came to live in this country and work among these peoples. She said that she used the "cup" illustration (from Evangelism Explosion) and also the Bridge illustration of how we are separated from God and need Christ to intercede as our Savoir. When Fatima stated that she knew that Jesus was in the 4th Heaven with God, Kelly told the ladies that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. The ladies marveled at this new Truth.

But here is the absolute best part: Fatima asked Kelly, "How can I come into this way of Salvation?"

Kelly was able to share with her the simple prayer that they can say to be sure of eternal life with Jesus.

My dearest friends, isn't this what we have been praying daily??? That God would use this difficult time to make Himself known among the people. Here is one or two that He is allowing us to see. Let's praise and thank him today."


As you read this story, what things interest you most? What things bring up questions in your mind--about Ebony, about God, about my work? What "tidbits" did you find in this story that can help you pray for the work overseas?


Things You Can Remember To Pray For This Month:

Little Lawangga--Even though we are not in Candybar right now, we are still following up with Lawangga and her treatment for her skin disease. Because of a connection made through Charis, a skin specialist got in touch with us and has sent a 36 POUND box of medical supplies and gifts for Lawangga's family. Please pray that they arrive safely, that an experienced doctor is able to follow up with them and that Lawangga's pain would be reduced and her HOPE increased! Pray also for the mothers and children who suffer physical and emotional pain the land of Ebony as children are born with genetic diseases and painful conditions due to the cultural norm of marrying within immediate family lines.

Thank you for all of YOUR hard work among women and children across the globe.
All my love,
Elizabeth Carmichael
 

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Our International Charis Family
Your stories from around the world touch us and we pray for your safety.
Thanks, Love and Blessings to every one of you!