CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The moral of the story

“The more we learn about the wonders of our universe, the more clearly we

are going to perceive the hand of God.”

-- Frank Borman

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I’ve enjoyed hearing from many of you about last week’s column, which

contained entries from my journal on our recent trip to the Middle East.

Many of you shared great stories about your visits there, as well as your

eagerness to hear more about our trip. I will share more stories in the

future, and I’m also more than happy to show my 12 rolls of film to any

of you as well!

When people have asked me what was the highlight of the trip, I can only

reply that the entire journey was one big highlight. If I did have to

summarize what impacted me the most, however, I would have to say it was

the people.

It was the people on our team, and it was the people we met.

It was the people in the church, the men at the addiction-recovery center

and the women who helped us shop.

It was the people in the Bedouin village, the taxi drivers and the tour

guides. It was the young men and women who told of their experiences

fighting for their country and why they were proud to do so.

We made new friends, learned about other cultures, spoke new phrases,

sang new songs and tried new foods. We shared our experiences and

information for strengthening Sunday schools, recovery centers,

technology and support systems.

We learned that God’s love is not limited by language or land. We saw

firsthand that cultures have individual ways of doing things -- not

right, or wrong, just different.

We all have much to learn from each other.

One reader e-mailed me to share a concern because I had expressed fear

about the people in the Middle East. In case anybody else misunderstood

my intent, let me reiterate that the fear I referred to was not directed

toward any culture or country, but was simply an admittance of my own

fear of change and of the unknown.

I wrote that I had the same kind of fear right before landing in

California that I had right before landing in Cairo. The problem isn’t

other people or places; it’s me.

Using a word from my childhood, there are times when I’m just a little

“scaredy-cat.” I admit that I get nervous about being out of my comfort

zone, and that is why I take comfort in the fact that God will always be

with me.

I closed the recent column by emphasizing that God was faithful on the

trip, and that I know he will be faithful in the future. Other people are

far more adventurous by nature than I am, but I know some of you have

fears of the unknown, as well.

It’s helpful for us to be reminded that no matter what changes or

unknowns are ahead, we have an unchanging God who knows the future. We

also have a loving God, who is eager to walk through it with us.

And you can quote me on that.

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