Ghaith's interview was today. It went very well, and we were approved!!! If all goes well, we will be on our way home in a few weeks. Praise God for his amazing work in our lives! Thank you all for your prayers. God is so good.
~Tiffany & Ghaith
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
We got a phone call from the U.S. Consulate this morning - it was the same grouchy lady I speak with every time I call there with one of my questions. She knows our case, knows my voice, and now knows me by name. She's never nice, usually rather snippy, and in a hurry to answer my nuisance of questions and end the phone call. That same lady woke me up today with a friendly, chipper "Goodmorning Tiffany, your fiance's case is ready and you can come together for his interview on Thursday." Um...what?? You're being nice to me? And his rescheduled interview date is in just TWO days?
Yeah... God is good! Thank you all for your prayers. Powerful! Now just continue to pray for his interview. It will be at 1:30pm on Thursday the 17th... which will be 4:30am Portland time.
Love,
Tiffany & Ghaith
Yeah... God is good! Thank you all for your prayers. Powerful! Now just continue to pray for his interview. It will be at 1:30pm on Thursday the 17th... which will be 4:30am Portland time.
Love,
Tiffany & Ghaith
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
We woke up today, excited because it's Friday, which means there's only the weekend between us and Ghaith's interview for his visa. We got some bad news though. Ghaith's blood test for the consulate came back irregular for some reason, so they have to do more tests... which means we have to pay more money, and worse, they've canceled his interview for Monday. We will have to reschedule, but not until the blood tests can prove he doesn't have some serious illness. The doctor says Ghaith is probably fine, but the consulate needs tests to prove it.
Ghaith is pretty upset about this, as am I, and now we are worrying about his health. We are trying to stay calm, and trust the Lord's hand in this situation. The test results should be ready on Tuesday next week, and if they are good, we can reschedule with the consulate. At this point, we don't know how much longer we'll have to wait for a new appointment.
Please be in prayer for us as we wait.
Ghaith is pretty upset about this, as am I, and now we are worrying about his health. We are trying to stay calm, and trust the Lord's hand in this situation. The test results should be ready on Tuesday next week, and if they are good, we can reschedule with the consulate. At this point, we don't know how much longer we'll have to wait for a new appointment.
Please be in prayer for us as we wait.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Brothel as a Pulpit?!
I witnessed the most amazing conversation while I was on outreach with my partner from Scharlaken Koord a few weeks ago. (If you’d rather not read the back-story, you can scroll down to “The Conversation”, which in and of itself is quite an amazing story.)
I was so happy when my partner told me I could choose the area we would go in the Red Light District that evening. I’ve been volunteering with this organization for 9 months now, and I realized in my partner’s giving me the responsibility to choose our route for the evening, that I’ve earned the trust of my more seasoned colleagues. I knew exactly where I wanted to go – to an area on the outskirts of the district, the area where Ghaith used to work in a small hostel. He and I walked those streets many times during the 6 months he worked in the area. I would often pray silently over the women as we walked. I was even blessed to have developed trust and a friendship with Maria (of Bulgaria), who worked the day shift at the brothel next to Ghaith’s hostel. I have yet to write about that development, which was so inspiring to be a part of. So, choosing to go to that familiar area with my partner meant I’d have a chance to look for Maria, Rita, and a few other ladies I’d connected with earlier in the year. I have prayed for those women specifically over the months while I was back home in Portland, and then this summer while I took a month off for my mom’s visit to The Netherlands, my wedding, and honeymoon.
So my partner and I set out for the Spuistraat in hopes of finding a few familiar faces. We spoke with quite a few girls from Hungary, as well as Bulgaria, Poland, Holland, and Columbia. When we turned the corner of Rita’s street, I was hopeful to find her in her window and unoccupied. Sure enough, there she was, beautiful as ever. Rita is the Nigerian Christian I wrote about back in February. She has a strength and radiance about her that I don’t see in most of the women working the windows in Amsterdam. Her deep brown skin is flawless, her shoulders and arms strong, her teeth bright, and her eyes sparkle and shine – even when speaking of the pain and turmoil that is often her life.
Rita looked happy to open the door when my partner and I approached her. As my partner introduced us, and the organization we represent, it was obvious that Rita didn’t remember me… but I remembered her. I told Rita I’d met her before, asked how her son (7 yrs) is doing, and if they’d made the trip to Nigeria this summer as planned. She, looking pleasantly surprised, answered my questions and complimented my good memory. I told her there are a few people praying for her back in the U.S., and that I have continued to pray for her since we met earlier in the year. She thanked me deeply. I asked if she was doing o.k., and if there was anything she needed. She said, “Just keep prayin’ for me.”
As we continued our conversation, a man approached the three of us. He was average in height, almost bald on top, wearing wire-rimmed glasses, conservatively dressed in slacks, shirt and tie, carrying a briefcase, and speaking to my partner in Dutch. When he realized I didn’t understand Dutch, he switched to English and introduced himself as Mijael (Michael). The following conversation transpired that evening while standing in the doorway to Rita’s brothel room, mostly between Rita and Mijael.
The Conversation:
Mijael to my partner and I: Can I ask what you are doing here on this street, talking with this lady?
My partner: Well we’re here from the Scharlaken Koord. It’s an organization that helps the women in the Red Light District.
Mijael: And I supposed you’re a religious organization?
My partner: Yes we are. We’re a Christian organization and all of our volunteers and employees are Christian as well.
Mijael: Do you force your beliefs on others?
My partner: No, we don’t force anything on anyone.
Mijael: Well that’s good, because I’ve had things forced on me from girls like you before.
My partner: I’m sorry to hear that.
Mijael (in an annoyed tone): Yeah, this group of Christian girls approached me one night a few months ago, asking what I was doing on this street. I told them I walk these streets every day. They asked why, and I told them the truth. I like to look at the women.
Mijael (Looking at Rita): I must have walked this street 50 or 100 times over. I know every face. I know your face. I know your body, but I’ve only ever looked at you. I’m sorry I’ve never stopped by your window. I hope you’re not offended.
Rita: Please. Me? Offended? I don’t care if you visit me or not.
Mijael (looking surprised): Oh, o.k. So these girls that were questioning me asked if they could pray for me. I said sure, then they surrounded me. There were like 10 of them standing in a circle around me. It was strange and a little intimidating. Then they started to pray for me. They prayed things I didn’t ask them to pray, or want for my life. They prayed that I would stop visiting the women, that I would repent from my sin, that God would forgive me, and that I would turn to God for love. They said only God can fill my heart the way I need. I didn’t like that they prayed those things for me, things I don’t need – especially in front of so many people on the street. I was so embarrassed by the whole thing. I even felt angry with them. I don’t need what they say I need. I’m fine the way I am.
Rita: Well why are you still talking about it then? It must have meant something to you, what those girls said, otherwise you wouldn’t still be thinking and talking about it.
Mijael: Hmmm…
Rita: You need God.
Mijael: Excuse me?
Rita: That’s right. You need God! This place is nothing but a bunch of lies and emptiness. You won’t find what you’re looking for here. You look at the women, you do what you do with them, and you are still empty. It’s all B.S. No love, just emptiness.
Mijael (after a few moments in thought): You know, it’s like I can’t get enough. I come here because I’m hungry. I have hormones, you know? I can’t ignore that. I’m only human. But it’s so strange because when I come here, I get what I want, I feel satisfied, I go home and I feel hungry again an hour later. It’s like I can never get enough. I’m hungry all the time. It never goes away. My appetite is insatiable. It’s a vicious cycle. I just keep coming because I don’t know what else to do.
Rita: I’m telling you, you need to go to God! Only He can give you what you need, in your heart. These women can’t give you what you need.
Mijael: I can’t believe this. YOU, a prostitute, are telling me that I need God? Isn’t that a little bad for business? You provide a service I’m willing to pay for. You need to make money don’t you? You need my money. How can it be that YOU are telling ME to go somewhere else for what I would come to you for?
Rita: I don’t need your money! YOU need God. I’m telling you. You won’t find what you’re looking for here. Go to God. He can help you. He’s the only one that can help you. I see you. You are sad. You are lonely. We all are without God. You can come here and feel comfort for a few minutes, but if you go to God, you will never be lonely.
Mijael: And YOU believe this? I can’t believe that a woman on this street believes in God, and would turn away business if it meant turning someone toward Him. I just can’t believe it.
What an amazing conversation to witness! Mijael displayed such raw honesty and vulnerability... and Rita sounded like she could have been speaking from the pulpit! If you are moved, please lift up Rita and Mijael in prayer.
Rita is a believer who continues to work in prostitution. She says she prays every day on her way to work, for God’s protection and Jesus’ forgiveness. She doesn’t see another way to earn a living for herself and her little boy. I pray that she will truly trust in God, that she can leave this work that she hates every minute of, and that she comes to see that God will provide for her needs no matter what.
I pray for Mijael that he will continue to open his mind and heart toward God, and that he will in turn trust God to fill that aching, insatiable desire in his heart.
I was so happy when my partner told me I could choose the area we would go in the Red Light District that evening. I’ve been volunteering with this organization for 9 months now, and I realized in my partner’s giving me the responsibility to choose our route for the evening, that I’ve earned the trust of my more seasoned colleagues. I knew exactly where I wanted to go – to an area on the outskirts of the district, the area where Ghaith used to work in a small hostel. He and I walked those streets many times during the 6 months he worked in the area. I would often pray silently over the women as we walked. I was even blessed to have developed trust and a friendship with Maria (of Bulgaria), who worked the day shift at the brothel next to Ghaith’s hostel. I have yet to write about that development, which was so inspiring to be a part of. So, choosing to go to that familiar area with my partner meant I’d have a chance to look for Maria, Rita, and a few other ladies I’d connected with earlier in the year. I have prayed for those women specifically over the months while I was back home in Portland, and then this summer while I took a month off for my mom’s visit to The Netherlands, my wedding, and honeymoon.
So my partner and I set out for the Spuistraat in hopes of finding a few familiar faces. We spoke with quite a few girls from Hungary, as well as Bulgaria, Poland, Holland, and Columbia. When we turned the corner of Rita’s street, I was hopeful to find her in her window and unoccupied. Sure enough, there she was, beautiful as ever. Rita is the Nigerian Christian I wrote about back in February. She has a strength and radiance about her that I don’t see in most of the women working the windows in Amsterdam. Her deep brown skin is flawless, her shoulders and arms strong, her teeth bright, and her eyes sparkle and shine – even when speaking of the pain and turmoil that is often her life.
Rita looked happy to open the door when my partner and I approached her. As my partner introduced us, and the organization we represent, it was obvious that Rita didn’t remember me… but I remembered her. I told Rita I’d met her before, asked how her son (7 yrs) is doing, and if they’d made the trip to Nigeria this summer as planned. She, looking pleasantly surprised, answered my questions and complimented my good memory. I told her there are a few people praying for her back in the U.S., and that I have continued to pray for her since we met earlier in the year. She thanked me deeply. I asked if she was doing o.k., and if there was anything she needed. She said, “Just keep prayin’ for me.”
As we continued our conversation, a man approached the three of us. He was average in height, almost bald on top, wearing wire-rimmed glasses, conservatively dressed in slacks, shirt and tie, carrying a briefcase, and speaking to my partner in Dutch. When he realized I didn’t understand Dutch, he switched to English and introduced himself as Mijael (Michael). The following conversation transpired that evening while standing in the doorway to Rita’s brothel room, mostly between Rita and Mijael.
The Conversation:
Mijael to my partner and I: Can I ask what you are doing here on this street, talking with this lady?
My partner: Well we’re here from the Scharlaken Koord. It’s an organization that helps the women in the Red Light District.
Mijael: And I supposed you’re a religious organization?
My partner: Yes we are. We’re a Christian organization and all of our volunteers and employees are Christian as well.
Mijael: Do you force your beliefs on others?
My partner: No, we don’t force anything on anyone.
Mijael: Well that’s good, because I’ve had things forced on me from girls like you before.
My partner: I’m sorry to hear that.
Mijael (in an annoyed tone): Yeah, this group of Christian girls approached me one night a few months ago, asking what I was doing on this street. I told them I walk these streets every day. They asked why, and I told them the truth. I like to look at the women.
Mijael (Looking at Rita): I must have walked this street 50 or 100 times over. I know every face. I know your face. I know your body, but I’ve only ever looked at you. I’m sorry I’ve never stopped by your window. I hope you’re not offended.
Rita: Please. Me? Offended? I don’t care if you visit me or not.
Mijael (looking surprised): Oh, o.k. So these girls that were questioning me asked if they could pray for me. I said sure, then they surrounded me. There were like 10 of them standing in a circle around me. It was strange and a little intimidating. Then they started to pray for me. They prayed things I didn’t ask them to pray, or want for my life. They prayed that I would stop visiting the women, that I would repent from my sin, that God would forgive me, and that I would turn to God for love. They said only God can fill my heart the way I need. I didn’t like that they prayed those things for me, things I don’t need – especially in front of so many people on the street. I was so embarrassed by the whole thing. I even felt angry with them. I don’t need what they say I need. I’m fine the way I am.
Rita: Well why are you still talking about it then? It must have meant something to you, what those girls said, otherwise you wouldn’t still be thinking and talking about it.
Mijael: Hmmm…
Rita: You need God.
Mijael: Excuse me?
Rita: That’s right. You need God! This place is nothing but a bunch of lies and emptiness. You won’t find what you’re looking for here. You look at the women, you do what you do with them, and you are still empty. It’s all B.S. No love, just emptiness.
Mijael (after a few moments in thought): You know, it’s like I can’t get enough. I come here because I’m hungry. I have hormones, you know? I can’t ignore that. I’m only human. But it’s so strange because when I come here, I get what I want, I feel satisfied, I go home and I feel hungry again an hour later. It’s like I can never get enough. I’m hungry all the time. It never goes away. My appetite is insatiable. It’s a vicious cycle. I just keep coming because I don’t know what else to do.
Rita: I’m telling you, you need to go to God! Only He can give you what you need, in your heart. These women can’t give you what you need.
Mijael: I can’t believe this. YOU, a prostitute, are telling me that I need God? Isn’t that a little bad for business? You provide a service I’m willing to pay for. You need to make money don’t you? You need my money. How can it be that YOU are telling ME to go somewhere else for what I would come to you for?
Rita: I don’t need your money! YOU need God. I’m telling you. You won’t find what you’re looking for here. Go to God. He can help you. He’s the only one that can help you. I see you. You are sad. You are lonely. We all are without God. You can come here and feel comfort for a few minutes, but if you go to God, you will never be lonely.
Mijael: And YOU believe this? I can’t believe that a woman on this street believes in God, and would turn away business if it meant turning someone toward Him. I just can’t believe it.
What an amazing conversation to witness! Mijael displayed such raw honesty and vulnerability... and Rita sounded like she could have been speaking from the pulpit! If you are moved, please lift up Rita and Mijael in prayer.
Rita is a believer who continues to work in prostitution. She says she prays every day on her way to work, for God’s protection and Jesus’ forgiveness. She doesn’t see another way to earn a living for herself and her little boy. I pray that she will truly trust in God, that she can leave this work that she hates every minute of, and that she comes to see that God will provide for her needs no matter what.
I pray for Mijael that he will continue to open his mind and heart toward God, and that he will in turn trust God to fill that aching, insatiable desire in his heart.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Update: concert on the water, praises and prayers for Ghaith's interview
I’ve really enjoyed this beautiful summer in Amsterdam. What an amazing and interesting city she is! Just yesterday, after our Saturday afternoon chores of grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning, we ventured out for some fresh air. As is often the case, we didn’t know exactly what we were looking for, but trusted that Amsterdam had plenty to offer. As we biked through streets and over canal bridges, we arrived at the widest canal, the Prinsengracht, to find hoards of people, bikes and strollers heading in the same direction. Ghaith and I joined in to see what could be drawing such a big crowd. A few bridges down, we arrived at the center of all the attention; a huge platform stage and lights set up, right on the water! The stage was completely surrounded by boats, for as far as they eye could see in either direction. The streets lining both sides were also covered with people sitting on the ground, in folding chairs, windows and rooftops. We asked around and found out there would be a classical concert that night on the water. We found a most perfect sitting spot between a full bike rack and the edge near the water, next to a boat full of friendly gay men who passed around tray after tray of tasty gourmet treats – each time finishing off the round by passing the tray to Ghaith and I. The concert started around 8 o’clock with a beautiful section played on piano and violin, followed by other sorts of instruments and composers. It was a lovely time. At 9 o’clock, I was surprised to see and hear an opera singer join in. Opera! I’ve wanted to go to the opera most of my life, and was overjoyed that my first chance was now! What an amazing way to spend a random evening out in the city.
As the days have passed by, some achingly slow, others zipping by in a blink, I have also been missing the summertime in Portland. Native Portlander that I am, I look forward to the wonderful Northwest summers all year. I’ve been aching for a hike in the Gorge, huckleberries picked ripe and fresh from the Mount Hood wilderness, a decent into the sacred _____ River for a cold dip (to protect the tranquility of it, I will not disclose the name of my favorite summer swimming place ;), Grandma’s blackberry cobbler served warm with vanilla ice cream, sprinkler parties with the girls, drum and guitar sessions on the porch with friends, cool evening walks through Laurelhurst Park with my father, a nice bike ride around the Esplanade. There is so much I’ve been missing, and telling Ghaith about as the memories and longings come. I can’t wait to share it all with him!
We’ve been waiting here in Amsterdam to receive Ghaith’s interview date at the U.S. Consulate. A few days ago, we received notification that his interview will be on September 14th. At this interview, a large piece of our fate as a married couple will be decided, as the consular officer will tell us if Ghaith will be given a visa to immigrate to the U.S. If they say yes (and they have no reason not to), we could be home in Portland within a few days after. My best friend’s wedding is just 4 days after Ghaith’s interview. It may be hopelessly optimistic of me, but I am praying the Lord will make it possible for us to be there, so I can stand next to my dear friend on her big day.
Please pray with Ghaith and I for his interview.
*We pray he will have favor in the eyes of those working on his case.
*We pray he will go in that room with confidence.
*We pray for fairness in the decisions made.
*We pray the Lord will make the path for us to come home.
Thank you so much for your prayers,
Tiffany & Ghaith
غيث يتفن
And a big praise and thanks to God, I have been offered a job for the month working with kids in an afterschool program. The director is able to pay me as a volunteer (to avoid paperwork and visa issues), and Ghaith can come too. They are a very difficult group of kids, but we thank God for the chance to earn some money. We’ve had so much fun working together. I do arts and crafts and Ghaith plays soccer with the kids. It is so nice to have a little money coming in. I got to splurge yesterday and buy myself some soy ice cream – expensive and difficult to find. NOW it feels like summer. ☺
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