A Year of Trial and Providence
A Reliant worker reflects on a year marked by profound challenges and God’s sustaining grace in their ministry team. Serving in the Middle East, they faced political unrest from the Israel–Gaza conflict, detainment, health issues, and team separation. In the midst of fear and suffering, they remained steadfast, watching God open doors for gospel conversations and provide strength beyond their own. Grounded in the hope of God’s promises, they continue their ministry with faith that their presence and witness are not in vain.
Read MoreA Year of Trial and Providence
Anonymous Missionary | Jun 12, 2025, 13:42 PM
A Reliant worker reflects on a year marked by profound challenges and God’s sustaining grace in their ministry team. Serving in the Middle East, they faced political unrest from the Israel–Gaza conflict, detainment, health issues, and team separation. In the midst of fear and suffering, they remained steadfast, watching God open doors for gospel conversations and provide strength beyond their own. Grounded in the hope of God’s promises, they continue their ministry with faith that their presence and witness are not in vain.
When you move overseas to engage in cross-cultural work, challenges are far more common than everything going smoothly. Being steadfast in the Lord is essential for anyone engaging in this kind of life and ministry. We were trained for this before we launched, but we've had to truly live it out every step of the way, especially over the past year.
In 2024, our country was drawn into aspects of the Israel–Gaza conflict. While we never placed ourselves in direct danger, our team’s decision to remain in the country during the unrest increased both our vulnerability and stress levels. Hearing the sonic booms of fighter jets and distant explosions is enough to get anyone’s heart pumping. Although we weren’t at the center of the conflict, it disrupted the rhythms of ministry and, at times, made us unavailable to the very people we were there to serve.
In late spring of last year, a ministry partner and I were out sharing the gospel when a drone attack occurred just a few miles up the road. In response, the government heightened security in the area and began monitoring for any suspicious activity. Unfortunately, we were out of the ordinary. We were detained by government officials, questioned throughout the day, transferred to another city, and held overnight. By God’s grace, we were released the following day.
It was likely a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and thankfully, it wasn’t a severe experience. But being questioned for hours, detained, and unable to contact loved ones is not something you'd wish on anyone.
Despite the challenges of the conflict, it opened the door to some incredible conversations with our national friends. Our decision to stay in the country allowed us to connect more deeply with others who were also living through uncertainty. Everyone in our city and across the country was being confronted with their own mortality. In those moments, the conflict created natural opportunities to share the hope and truth of the gospel. God truly is always working things out for our good and His glory.
As fall began, I started experiencing back pain. While in the States for a short trip to attend some conferences, the pain worsened to the point where I needed a walker and eventually became bedridden. At one point, I even needed help just to get to the bathroom. I’m a pretty fit guy, so this was an incredibly humbling experience. On top of that, I couldn’t be fully present for my team, my three kids, or my wife, who was pregnant with our fourth child at the time.
What was meant to be a short trip to the States turned into a stay of several months. Around the same time, my associate team leader tore his Achilles and also had to return to the States for surgery and recovery. With both of us away from our ministry location, some of our newer teammates were left vulnerable, right in the middle of the ongoing conflict in our country. From my bed in America, we had to make the difficult decision to have them leave the country for a few weeks for their safety.
As time progressed, we were able to return to our country and get all our teammates back to the work of the gospel. However, things are far from ideal. Our country is still in conflict. Some of the back issues I experienced, along with subsequent treatments, led to an infection that landed me in the hospital, just weeks before my wife was due to give birth to our fourth child.
The infection, though challenging, was temporary. In the midst of it, we were blessed to welcome our fourth child, a little girl, into the world in early spring of 2025. Our teammates are now able to focus once again on their work. This conflict will eventually come to an end, and through it all, God will continue to reveal His goodness and providence.
It’s easy to wonder and even question what God is doing during times like these. Yet, verses like 1 Corinthians 15:58 offer us strength and encouragement. The context of this verse speaks to the power Jesus has to defeat sin and death, and the promise that He will one day resurrect our bodies and restore this fallen world to a place of perfection.
For all Christians, there is the hope of salvation and the opportunity to bring others along with us to meet God at the great feast in heaven. While we will face troubles in this world, we know that nothing is outside of God’s providence. This is His promise to us. With all of history being guided by this incredible story, we can take heart. By His power, we can remain immovable, giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, knowing that it is never in vain. In Him, we can remain steadfast.
Main Line:
Donor Direct Line:
Address: