I don't want to start counting down the days, but I can definitely sense that our time here is running short. The second half of my summer is looking much different than the first. The first several weeks were spent getting used to a new place and a new routine. We were meeting people constantly and getting into the groove of what our ministry would look like here. Now we are all meeting up with people individually and in groups on a consistent basis. I've made several new friends who are all at different places in their spiritual journey.

There's one friend who I met just days after arriving here who told me during our first conversation that she is "very hungry for spiritual food." I've been trying to connect her with the local church community here. It has been interesting to see how the timing of events in her life have lined up with us meeting and me being able to encourage her during some of those challenges.

And another new friend who I volunteered with recently. She's several years older than me, but it was the first time she had experienced anything like the refugee center where we were serving. She walked away that day disappointed in humanity and how refugees are being treated around the world. I tried to share what God has taught me about loving people and being a voice for those who need someone to speak up for them. She ended the day by telling me, "Knowing that noble people like you do exist makes me process better all I have thought and felt today." Such kind words, but I'm just thankful that God allowed me to share that experience with her and offer some encouragement. I'll be seeing her again this week and I hope to have more opportunities to share how Jesus has changed my life and given me a mission to share His message of love.

And then there's Stela and Alaa who I will mention shortly...

In my last update one of the prayer requests was for our team to have more access to the refugee centers. God heard our prayers! Doors have opened wider for us in the two main centers where we were working. And new doors have opened at other centers where we've recently made contact. The big center we've been serving in is allowing us to come in 3-4 times a week for the next three weeks for several hours at a time! That's a huge increase from only having a 1.5 hour slot once a week. We are so thankful for the relationships we have made with the children and the parents. Some from our team have also befriended several teenagers, many of whom came to Belgium alone. And just today I met a young lady who has been living at the center for six months. Three months ago she gave birth to a little boy. She is not married and has no other family here. All she can do is sit and wait for her papers to be approved so she can begin a new life for her and her son. I'm reminded every day that refugees are real people with real stories of loss, heartache, and desperation. They need love. They need hope. They need someone who will take time to sit with them and listen.

It's a girl!

In my last update I asked for you to pray for my new friend Stela. If we're connected on Facebook you've also seen updates about this special family. On July 1st (two weeks ahead of her due date) baby Alexandra came into the world. I've been visiting with Stela regularly over the past several weeks. If you remember, I met Stela on her birthday, June 6th. I've never seen a face so lost and desperate on what should be a happy occasion, but I'm so thankful for the transformation I'm already seeing in Stela's life. Joy and hope are being restored as she is realizing God's abundant love for her. Her boyfriend Nicolas called me minutes after Alexandra was born. I went to visit them that day in the hospital and sat on the hospital bed with Stela for an hour, watching her cuddle with her newborn baby. Smiling as she looked at each finger, whispering to herself about Alexandra's tiny hands and the miracle of birth.

While this small family is excited about their new addition, there are still many challenges ahead. Thankfully they haven't been evicted yet, but when I visited last week there was a sign on their front door that the building would be demolished August 1st. The clock is ticking! Please pray that a door would open soon for a housing option for them. Without a legal address they cannot continue with the residency process. The second prayer request is for a permanent job for Nicolas so that they can have a steady income. Having a full-time job is also a requirement to continue his permanent residency application.

I would love to help this family in a few tangible ways while I'm still here. I'm reminded of the words of Jesus to help those in need. And while I don't believe that Stela and Nicolas are just sitting around waiting for a handout, I do feel that now more than ever they could use a little jumpstart to get them on their feet. I plan to raise some money for diapers and a stroller and anything extra I will put towards their first month's rent on a new place. 

Prayer for a friend

And finally pray for a friend of mine who works at my favorite restaurant. She is a Mus1im from the Middle East. She came to Belgium one year ago. We have enjoyed getting to know each other throughout the summer. She recently hung out for a couple hours. We talked about the similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity. Every chance I had I talked about God's love, the power of Jesus' sacrifice, and how following Him has forever transformed my life. When she told me that she tries to be a good person in hopes that maybe Allah will let her enter Heaven when she dies, I told her that I believe God loves us so much that He doesn't wait to see if we'll one day be "good enough". That He loves us so much He came to us through Jesus and made a way for anyone who believes to spend eternity in Heaven. And that He doesn't just wait until we die to give us good things, but when we believe in Jesus we get to experience hope and peace and love throughout our time on earth. I'm so thankful for my sweet friend and her friendship. I'm excited for more conversations and the opportunity to answer any further questions she has about my relationship with Jesus. Please pray for her as she starts a new life on her own in Belgium.

Please pray also that refugees would experience the goodness of God in the midst of their pain. And pray for refreshment and increased energy for our team as we are in our final weeks in Belgium. Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement! I'm so thankful for you!