Lebanon: Day Seven - Houses of Hope: Part Two
by Sheryl Wood, for the team
Hello, here is Sheryl again to fill you in on what is happening under the skies of Lebanon. I must admit that I was flat on my back for about two days. I only share that with you not for sympathy but to continue to show you why you must make the trip with me. You may say I simply can’t go. What if I get sick? I am here to tell you prayer upon prayer goes up for you as very patiently all human needs are cared for and you get well, just as if you were at home. I was delighted to open one eye to check on my condition and find I was back in the ball game and up to bat for a home run.
Before I began to actually engage with the beautiful multitude of faces that awaited our little team, we walked across the courtyard and sat on the steps of the Cedar House and had our devotion together. Marilyn suggested that we begin by praying with our eyes open. It was not my first time praying with my eyes open, but I cannot recommend it highly enough. God spoke through our eyes as we prayed.
Before Evangeline could begin her devotion for us Marilyn chimed in, “The one question that people ask me frequently when I travel to Syria is, ‘is it safe?’” Yes, when Jim Wood, my husband, told me he was going to Syria in April I phrased it more in a declarative form than in the form of a question. I didn’t understand until Jim returned and proclaimed I must go to Lebanon for a women’s retreat. I am here. Unbelievable Syrian women are here along with the fabulous women of Lebanon. We are all sharing time.
I bring up time once again in a blog because that is how Evangeline began her devotion. She told of an article which she had read that defined time in a new way. Not as in lines of time or linear time like yesterday, today and tomorrow, but more like comparing time to an egg carton. Before asking the question, can you get the entire universe on your thumbnail stick with me a minute because it is crucial to my blog. The universe as an egg carton has something happening in each section that is not defined by overall time and space but only to what is happening at that time for that moment in that little space. God has all time and all time is his. He has already answered the prayers before they occur.
This thought beautifully led Evangeline into the continuation of her devotion, which was about Ruth. Once again I need your assistance. Please get out your Bible and read Ruth for those of you who haven’t in awhile. It is only about four pages long. Ruth 2:3, “So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvester. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.” Could it be the same possible egg space in the carton that held a young refugee whom we had met two days earlier? Evangeline masterfully intertwined their lives over the centuries. She too had been sent out to glean the fields and, yes, she was a refugee. Many centuries...little change.
Our lesson on Ruth was to continue with Dr. Rima Nasrallah as we changed our venue. We concluded our time together in prayer and began our short journey down the hill to the community meeting area. Women, women, and more women, greeted, kissed from side cheek to side cheek as the selfies exploded in use. There was so much laughter and joy. The irony is I had heard the same reception horizontally from my window the previous day but it was so fresh, so new, and so beautiful face to face. I immersed myself in love.
Upon entering the hall and before Dr. Nasrallah spoke, there was a beautiful moment given by Najla, one of the driving forces here, about Maha. Maha was an incredible woman who had passed away just weeks ago. I had heard so many heartfelt stories about her already but the tribute, along with the pictures on the giant screen, was especially moving. As part of our tribute to Maha, our very own Julie went up to say a few powerful words. As she spoke, a picture came up of her and Maha beaming side by side. In her tribute she said, “And this is my dear friend Maha.” While talking she walked backwards and pointed to the screen but the stage ran out and she fell completely off of the back. Yes, before I continue she erupted unscathed. Marilyn, however, could not keep it together. She appointed herself to be in the pocket of the carton with Mary Tyler Moore when she went to Chuckles the Clown’s funeral. Refer to YouTube. Her shoulders moved up and down as she tried to feign tears. The greatest joy came when Julie announced that Maha was laughing the hardest of all. The universality of laughter cannot be beat.
Dr. Nasrallah, who is a professor at the Near East School of Theology, then began in her words to share the plight of Naomi, Ruth and Orpha. It was described in words such as immigrant, deep pain, depression, things unknown, racism, danger, poverty and worry. Do any of these words belong in any other egg carton of time? Have any been in your life? We do see in this story how the two ladies Naomi and Ruth were so loved by God. God chose Ruth to actually be in the genealogy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The teaching was, of course, excellent and quite Bible based.
We broke for coffee, more laughter and selfies and then returned to hear about “Challenges of a Working Woman” by Mrs. Izdihar Kassis. What seems like a month ago now but in reality was only one week, I had been given the honor to stay in the beautiful home of this woman. She is a total whirling dervish filled with idea after idea that if she herself does not see to completion, she recruits the masses to carry them out. Her home is organized beyond belief and in the short one night visit I had she fed around nineteen people, some who showed up at the last minute. She told two cousins who passed through of her mission and in that time showed us different monumental projects that she had spearheaded. She also told a story today how in order for her to be in the ministry, she had to marry a pastor. She said, “I cannot become a pastor.”
There is a paradox in the egg crate: What belongs together and what does not. What is time telling us? Where are we? Where are they? Does anyone really know what time it is? Time takes days for living and then we’re moving on...back to the houses of hope for a second day.
Wonderful houses were decorated by incredibly talented women. I don’t speak Arabic but words were not needed as the women sympathetically looked at my house. The house was where my heart was but that is about all I had to offer. The women just loved the project. Some truly were windowsill worthy. The best part was everyone just being together and sharing time.
The final seminar was the “Features of the Presbyterian System” by Rev. Joseph Kassab, an excellent lecture filled with John Calvin, John Knox and all of the trimmings. I also greatly enjoyed the fact that his very capable wife Najla planted a huge kiss on him before we had our group pictures. Very endearing moment as the group cheered them on.
Lights are glistening on the mountainside and there is a huge moon in the sky that you will see eventually. I hear conversations continue all around the porch embellished with occasional gales of laughter.
Thanks for being in the egg carton with me for a few moments. I enjoyed sharing time with you and look forward to seeing you again as time affords.
Sheryl Wood
First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia
Group photo of conference attendees and assorted pastors who have added to our days