Be careful what you write about

When I submitted my latest manuscript for publication last month, I had no idea its contents would become relevant to me so soon. ‘God’s Great Escape’ tells the true story of a family’s escape from East Germany in the 1950s and how God clearly speaks to them and guides them to safety. Three weeks ago, my husband and I began a week-long holiday in Qatar. The day before we were due to fly home, America and Israel launched their attacks on Iran, and as Iran retaliated, Qatar was besieged by missiles and drones. Unexpectedly, we needed God to help us escape.

We were near the beach when it began, and could see missiles in the sky above us. We heard and felt loud thuds as they were intercepted. Along with everyone else, we ran indoors and began a highly stressful lockdown as we wondered if and when the bombardments would stop. Within just the first four days of the war, Iran fired over 140 missiles at Qatar. Pretty soon, the country’s government implemented a mobile phone warning system to give residents a few minutes’ notice to shelter when missiles were incoming. Consequently, warning signals would blare at all hours of the day. Along with the stress of knowing Doha was being fired at, we soon became tired, as many of the alerts came during the early hours of the morning.

Having ‘God’s Great Escape’ fresh in my mind was a huge help; happily, I can vouch for my own book that what it teaches works! The book is aimed at children, and I have been able to match the ways the German family heard from God with the five C.S.s taught in the Alpha course. I hope the book will become an inspiring and practical guide for children who long to hear from God.  The five C.S.s are borrowed from Session 7 when ‘How does God Guide?’ is discussed. They stand for Commanding Scripture, Compelling Spirit, Counsel of the Saints, Common Sense and Circumstantial Signs. My friend Sue helped me rewrite these so children will understand, and the book’s illustrations match examples to definitions and questions.

Stuck in Qatar, we began to pray about what to do, and many friends (a.k.a. Saints) got in contact to say they were praying too. I sought Scripture for Commands and felt led to Song of Solomon 2:16-17, which varies by translation, but describes a grazing gazelle that escapes to the mountains at dawn. At night, when the alarms woke me, I sensed God assuring me that he had provided camouflage so we would be safe from the missiles, but at some point, we would need to use speed to escape. Isn’t it amazing that God created gazelles with both camouflage and speed, but they aren’t used at the same time? It’s one or the other. After ten days of waiting, my husband and I joined another couple from our hotel and drove to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, then flew from there to Jeddah and on to the UK. I had written about escape, and now I had made my own.

Our ordeal was over, but we left many new friends behind. Although our trip to Qatar was a holiday, I am currently in the early stages of exploring ideas for a new book (for grown-ups), which I haven’t yet mentioned to my publisher. Given that my books are research-led, a new book means a new question, and I liken the process at this stage to unfolding a brown paper bag. Anyone choosing a paper bag has to fold out the corners, make it three-dimensional and test its strength. Similarly, I take a question and extend and stretch it for a while: Is it a big enough question for the answers to fill a book? Is it robust and defined enough to be useful? I promise the question I have in mind for my next book is more interesting than a brown paper bag!

Before reaching Qatar, I had tried to speak with some church leaders who might be able to help me with the question I have in mind, but I hadn’t got anywhere. I had resigned myself to our trip just being a holiday, but when we turned up for a kayaking excursion on the second day, by happy coincidence, all six participants were Christians, including a local Filipino pastor who runs a church for guest (migrant) workers in Qatar. He had brought their visiting guest speaker along to see the mangrove forest. I was amazed, the pastor was just the person I needed, and God must surely have a sense of humour by orchestrating for us to meet in such an unusual way.

A few days later, all of us from the kayaking trip went along to Pastor Mateo’s church for their Friday service. It was just 24 hours after this that the first missiles were fired, and everyone was advised to shelter in place. 

I can’t overemphasise how utterly wrong I believe it is for ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones to be used in areas where there are civilian populations. All of the countries involved in this war are using them in this way, and having lived with the threat of being struck for just 10 days, I feel angry and heartbroken for those who cannot escape. This includes Iranians and Ukrainians, as well as Israelis and Lebanese. My Iranian friend, whom I wrote about in my last newsletter (which I’d love you to read if you haven’t already), hasn’t heard from her family in Iran since the war began. Please pray for her and them.

In Qatar, 88% of the population are guest workers (i.e. non-Qatari), and Pastor Mateo’s church is their family-away-from-family. I’m in regular touch with him, and he has passed on these prayer requests, which I hope will help you pray for believers directly affected by the conflict.

1. Safety and Security of our Worship services every Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. They are running simultaneous online and in-person services.
2. Safety and Security of our Brethren working onsite. (Travelling mercy, going out and coming home). Although Qatar’s government has advised people to stay at home and moved schools online, some workers are still obliged to go to work in person. Most missiles are being intercepted but shrapnel may fall and cause damage and injury, hence the advice to remain indoors.
3. We have 3 Candidates for Baptism and our 1st Church Anniversary Celebration this coming April 3rd or last week. Praise God that the church is growing!
4. Changing of my Sponsor, smooth process. All guest workers in Qatar require a sponsor.
5. Members’ Maturity and Faithfulness in Serving the Lord.
6. Spiritual Strength for me and my wife, Sis Marian. I met her too, and she was wonderful.

I love this prayer list because it includes both current needs and demonstrates hope for future church growth. Thank you for joining me in praying for them.

If you’d like to go deeper and discover more about the situation in Qatar, which is doing a great job of defending its people, you could also read:

The sense of betrayal that Qatar is experiencing.
An indication of the frequency of missile attacks.
More about the impact on Filipino workers across the region.

As for me, I’m experiencing a mish-mash of emotions: there’s relief, tiredness, ‘survivor’s guilt’, and anger. I’m overwhelmed by the privilege of sharing news about current events with you. I wasn’t expecting to write a newsletter on this subject, and I’m grateful to everyone who is reading these words.

Please help me by forwarding this email to anyone interested in knowing more about the global church.

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He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Grateful for the stillness,

anna

On Saturday, 18th April, I will be speaking at Quench Christian Bookshop in Wokingham. Please join me if you can. More Information

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