Day Twenty-Three: Farsi Anyone?

Still no wallet. Still a nasty cough in my child. Whatever. 8...  (the countdown, remember?)

I wanted to share some really cool stuff with you all.  It gets me excited as I continue to wrestle with the logistics of an event, wondering if people show up and buy some incredible art, or if they'll go buy a book and read it.  This kind of information makes it hard to forget that I can't manifest the important work- God does.  And He always does.

My husband, Jonathan, was part of a citywide prayer luncheon at our church in Burbank.  The purpose was to connect with pastors of the area churches no matter denominations or preference or style.  I think over 90 invitations were delivered.  20 showed up.  For the first time and for the overwhelming task (for some) of stepping over denominational lines, this was an encouraging number, to me.

One of these in attendance was a church planter.  He is Iranian, and he feels like his job is to plant a church to reach out to and address the needs of the very large Armenian community in Burbank.  Very exciting stuff.

Anyway, he and Jonathan were talking about what each did when J told him about Desperate Hope and a little about our story and the culmination of a book.  The pastor was intrigued by the story and what God has done, but he shared just how foreign the concept of glory in death can be in Iran.  He said in his culture among believers, if you die or you don't receive healing, then it's because of sin.  There is no thought that death or illness can be an avenue to experiencing God's glory.  He started to light up as he considered the impact of a story such as Ricky's, especially among a culture that can't imagine any good associated with death.

He then shared that he was interested in reading the book and then attempting to figure out how to have it translated into Farsi so that it can be available in Iran.  IRAN!!!!  Are you kidding me?!  God's story has no boundaries and isn't contained by our little minds or our little countries.

Btw- the pastor's wife studies language and literature and expressed that she might be up to the task of the translation.

WOW.

That's all I can say.  Wow.  How could I possibly get bogged down in wondering if this release will go well?  How can I get caught up in how many books we sell?  God's providence is so astounding it makes these little concerns seem so trivial.  Probably because they are.  :)

God, you overwhelm me.  Even in the middle of my planning, the absence of my identity and money, and the presence of sickness, I cannot escape Your remarkable work.  Continue to amaze me.  You are not just Great, You are GOOD.  Amen.

- C

EVENT PAGE: Desperate Hope Book Release & Concert

TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Book Release Tickets