april update

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The usually busy street outside our apartment has been quiet for weeks now. As we've watched Dubai rapidly shut down, our life has become increasingly simplified. At the moment, all of Dubai is under a 24-hour lock-down, allowing exceptions only for grocery and medical runs (which can only be done by acquiring a permit). On this unusually quiet Saturday, our minds drift back to one quiet Saturday two thousand years ago, when some disciples sat in isolation, staring at each other, bewildered and despairing at the unexpected turn of events that had swept through taking the life of their Friend and Leader in an agonizing torrent of suffering and shame. Yet, behind the veil of eternity, a shimmering invincible hope was holding its breath, ready to burst through the grave in the resurrection of the Promised One, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. This is the hope that sustains and compels us forward today and every day we are given on this groaning earth. Our religion is not dead. It is living and breathing, loving and serving, hoping and giving, reforming and transforming by the power of the same Spirit that released Jesus from the grip of death, according the purpose of the same Father who lifted Jesus to the highest throne of glory and honor. This God is our God, Immanuel, here with us today to bring strength to the weary, hope to the downcast, and life to the lost.

In place of regular Bible studies on campus, we've been helping with Bible studies on Zoom. We thank God for technology and for the evident eagerness students are showing to continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) 

* LIGHT IN SAUDI *Shortly before quarantine measures were enforced here in Dubai, Brittany had begun a friendship with a Filipino-Arab student whose life has been filled with family tensions and tragedy. Last year, she providentially crossed paths with students involved in FOCUS. She has been attending our church and shows an increasing understanding of the gospel and the glorious freedom and fellowship that comes with that.Because of Covid-19, her Muslim family flew her back home to Saudi Arabia for the remainder of the semester. It's been amazing to see God working in this student even in isolation, creating in her a hunger for Christian community and Scripture. Recently she excitedly told Brittany of an opportunity she had to share the storyline of the Old Testament and aspects of the gospel with her brother who is pursuing Islam right now. Brittany has been able to pray with her and care for her through different challenges she's facing during this time. Other students have come alongside her as well, sending her Scriptures and encouragement over Instagram. Join us in asking God to protect and mature this student during this challenging time.

Our weekly church gathering has been broken up into small group video calls with church members. These are a joyful and sobering highlight for us each week as we hear how the virus is affecting the jobs and lives of our friends, but we are so encouraged by their fight for faith and joy in God in the midst of much uncertainty and difficulty.

MARRIAGE IN ISOLATIONPraise God there is GRACE. In us, between us, all around us. We have remarked to each other numerous times what a gift this isolation has been for us to slow down, think more purposefully, and form new habits for our marriage. Even our conflicts have been a blessing! Since there's nowhere to go, we've had to repent, forgive, and resolve more quickly, bringing healing and strength to our relationship. We've enjoyed long conversations on topics we haven't covered yet. We've worked on home improvement projects when we've started getting antsy.One topic we've focused on during this time has been prayer. We're reading The Hidden Life of Prayer together and are seeking to consistently set aside "...a portion of time withdrawn from the engagements of the day, fenced round from the encroachments of business or pleasure, and dedicated to God." (The Hidden Life of Prayer, pg. 40) It has been very rewarding.(Clockwise: reading at dinner, finishing our butcher block island, weekly zoom calls with family, streaming our churches' Sunday services)

JOIN US IN PRAYER

- Pray for our friend in Saudi Arabia, that she would increase in her knowledge of and fellowship with Christ and that she would become a courageous witness to her family.- Pray for our brother, Ivan, for growth as a new believer stuck in isolation with a family of unbelievers, and provision since he now has no source of income (because of lockdown).- Pray for Michelle, Joy's sister, as Brittany reads through Living the Cross Centered Life with her on Zoom (this was an unexpected opportunity that presented itself a couple weeks ago. Michelle grew up in a nominal Christian environment and God has been working in wonderful ways to draw her to Himself.)- Pray for students to continue to fight the desires of the flesh–like laziness, lust, and withdrawing.- Pray for students to pursue the Lord and to be creative in their faithful witness to their unbelieving friends. - Pray for the church in Dubai to persevere in hope with great joy. Many members are now without work, facing financial hardship, and potentially losing their business visa status to live here.- Join us in praying this for all those we are discipling (Ivan, Joy, Wezi, David, Ben, John, Michelle, Imnah...): "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [them] the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of [their] hearts enlightened, that [they] may know what is the hope to which he has called [them], what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might" (Ephesians 1:17-19, ESV)

Whether isolation has been a difficult time, a restful time, or a combination of both, we hope and pray God meets you with resurrection hope this weekend as we remember our risen Savior and merciful High Priest who intercedes for and helps us today! 

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16