HelenManson

So can I just say Im so in love with God right now -its crazy! Let me explain,
So since I arrived here, some of you might know that Ive had a bit of a rough time...to say the least. In fact, I can safely say that the last 7 weeks have been the toughest of my life on a personal level. BUT - thanks to the amazing God we serve and love, I now have an amazing testimony to tell of his faithfullness and how looking back even over the last little while I can see his hand directing my steps, his eyes on everything we touched and his love for me is so clear.
Let me give some examples.
1) My Job - I arrived in Dubai and despite the economic doom and gloom surrounding us was offered a job on my fourth day. I accepted it and although it was far from pleasant and I really struggled - I believe that God knew I needed to be kept busy, and instead of me staying at home pining for NZ , he gave me a place to work that I was able to have lots of free time in to email friends and family and earn some good money for a month. Then, the day before I left that job he orchestrated the job I had wanted first to come back to me and offer me a one month contract which is what Im doing now!
2) Our house - Why God decided to put us in Hor Al Anz I thought I had no idea, but on looking at it now I can see that we have HUGE benfits to living here like its cheap! Our number one reason for wanting to move her and we are super close to the city and 5 min from the beach. I was always comparing myself with the other apartments in different areas and I can honestly say that Im so grateful God put us in this little suburb. We have x2 malls open till midnight eveyr night on our doorstep - what more can a girl ask for.
3) Our car - although its not something I would naturally choose or ever want to look at, I now know after living here for 7 weeks that a small red car is a blessing in disguise. Red is such a stand out colour (especially our red) and the car is easy to spot and after living here for more than 5minutes I can see how that is hugely beneficial. Traffic here and changing lanes is slightly more than a challenge and I am so glad our cute red car stands out. The horn is powerful and the air con works! Also - its super cheap to fill up, being so small.
4) The Natives - :) aka the people that live here in Dubai. To be honest before I moved here, the Pakistani, Syrian, Iranian, Middle Eastern Arabs were the people I was most scared of in this world. Now, Im learning Arabic!!! Its nuts. The media does so much to distort our view of these people that are just. like. us. They all have families, they all experience tiredness, lonliness and hurt. We all bleed the same. We are all brothers and sisters on this gigantic planet of ours. And although there are some extreme cases I am blown away by how my opinion has totally changed of the Middle East. I feel so safe here, taxi drivers are more than happy to share their life story as we sit in traffic together and I am so grateful that God is breaking down that wall of fear over this area in my life.
5) Last but not least, I want to mention something so cool that happened the other week. im being as honest and upfront as possible becuase I hope that you can be encouraged as you read it that God is alive and well and the church of Jesus Christ is stronger than ever! I had a bit of an emotional meltdown, probably my lowest point here in Dubai. Actually, yes it was for sure. Anyways, so the mini background to it was that I had been feeling like there was a black sheet/ a black veil over me. Every now and then their would be a pin prick of light break through and I would see the light, meaning I felt hope for the future ahead. Each day I would wake up feeling sick to my stomach, nervous, ill with fear, nerves and anxiousness. And I could NOT stop it, I had tried almost everything possible. Anyways, that morning someone spoke a 'word' at church about how God wanted to 'lift the darkness' and I knew that this was something I so wanted! Yet that night I had this huge meltdown, I had worked myself into quite a state and we had a knock on the door. I know, nothing unusal right, but it was our friend inviting us to a party and It was like this immediate crash back to reality knowing that he was in the next room and I could not continue my meltdown with him next door. So i did what any self respecting girl would do, got dressed, put on makeup and came out to him and Tim chatting, dressed to the nines like nothing had happened and went to the party. Much to Tims disbelief I might add. Anyways, while he was in the room, I felt God give me a song - a song I love - its called At the Cross and the chorus says " you tore the veil, you made a way, when you said that it is done". The verse says "Oh Lord You've searched me You know my way Even when I fail You I know You love me. Your holy presence Surrounding me In every season I know You love me I know You love me.
Of course in a different context for me..it just cut straight to my heart and I can honestly say that from that moment it was like the veil was torn over me and I came out of the room a different girl. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

All of my life, in every season I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship.
xo helen