This man is Syrian. I met him last month in the sheltering nation of Jordan where he now is raising his family. Jabal* is a brother I didn’t know. I gave him my book as an encouragement for pressing on. But he encouraged me far more with his boldness, his integrity, and his active faith. We were on an adventure together and then the bus our small group was riding in almost smashed into a truck making a u-turn right in front of us, in the dark. I jolted up as we skidded and came to a sudden stop just inches from collision on the desert highway! Our shaken bus driver got lots of well-deserved applause. But Jabal went out and checked on the truck driver to try to determine ‘what in the world…!’

That driver was African, confused and now fearful that Jordanian authorities would be called. Being put in custody with no real way to engage consulate help would have been a hard sentence for that man, and Jabal knew it. We had a policeman with us already on the bus so next steps would have been immediate. But Jabal intervened; spoke to the African about Jesus and the sound/serious reason for being able to offer release. Then Jabal authorized dropping any charge. This was surprising to the policeman. This was rescuing for the African. This was ‘a day in the life’ for Jabal. This was one memory etched in my spirit.

It’s not easy a find a fellowship of earnest believers where Jabal lives, and he spoke of this. That’s another reason why I gave him the last book I brought along in my suitcase. And that’s why I still pray for him. There are active soldiers out there, and this gentle man is a real live one.

I haven’t been painting this month, my watercolor brushes stayed wrapped up in my suitcase. These words are just a sketch.

*his name is a pseudonym as there are enough non-gentlemen