Fresh tomatoes, onions, lime juice, garlic, pepper, salt, oregano, olive oil... FRESH SALSA!!!!
Mike did it all! Delicious!!!
He never ceases to amaze me...
18 June 2007
13 June 2007
Visitors
Today we hosted nine visitors! Seven of them were unexpected (and came at the most un-expected times, of course!). And at one point there were three separate groups of guests in the house at the same time. You can imagine the glances my husband and I were giving each other from across the room as the doorbell kept ringing and we kept bringing in more chairs!!
You never know when answering the door if it's gonna be a old man wanting money, a young man dropping off the phone bill, a little boy asking for ice, or a friend with her baby who will come in and stay for hours!
Aside from dirtying lots of drinking glasses and challenging our patience and knowledge of Arabic, These unexpected visits remind us that we are being accepted by those around us! And although along with the acceptance comes many awkward silences... it also brings joy.
The day ended huddled around family photos by candlelight (and headlamp light) with sweets and coffee cups around the kitchen table. Our neighbors came for dinner... of course the electricity went out in the middle of the meal and we were all dripping sweat, but we had a fabulous time visiting. Mike in the courtyard talking politics, and us ladies in the kitchen talking family and babies...
I always worry so much about 'events' like the one we had tonight, but God is faithful, and it is becoming easier to connect into the lives with those around us.
Could someone just remind me of that the next time the doorbell rings?...
You never know when answering the door if it's gonna be a old man wanting money, a young man dropping off the phone bill, a little boy asking for ice, or a friend with her baby who will come in and stay for hours!
Aside from dirtying lots of drinking glasses and challenging our patience and knowledge of Arabic, These unexpected visits remind us that we are being accepted by those around us! And although along with the acceptance comes many awkward silences... it also brings joy.
The day ended huddled around family photos by candlelight (and headlamp light) with sweets and coffee cups around the kitchen table. Our neighbors came for dinner... of course the electricity went out in the middle of the meal and we were all dripping sweat, but we had a fabulous time visiting. Mike in the courtyard talking politics, and us ladies in the kitchen talking family and babies...
I always worry so much about 'events' like the one we had tonight, but God is faithful, and it is becoming easier to connect into the lives with those around us.
Could someone just remind me of that the next time the doorbell rings?...
22 April 2007
Ice Suppliers
So, there is a family that lives on the roof of the building we live in. They are a young local couple with 3 small kids.
A couple months ago the Mom came to the door to ask for some ice. It was because her baby had a fever I think. Then a little later she asked for more... for a burn maybe?
Then she started sending down her little sister to gather ice from us a few times... with no explanation. And today, I open the door after a hearty knock, and it's the 3 year old boy holding a thermos up above his head... looking at me with his big brown eyes. He didn't say anything, and I'm used to this routine now. "Dagigga" I say (Just a minute)... and I go fill up the bucket with ice.
The breakthrough though... is that this little boy has for a LONG time burst into tears when he sees me in the stairway. Sometimes, if I try to shake his hand he will burst into tears and run for cover.
But today, I think we finally hit a turning point in our relationship...
A couple months ago the Mom came to the door to ask for some ice. It was because her baby had a fever I think. Then a little later she asked for more... for a burn maybe?
Then she started sending down her little sister to gather ice from us a few times... with no explanation. And today, I open the door after a hearty knock, and it's the 3 year old boy holding a thermos up above his head... looking at me with his big brown eyes. He didn't say anything, and I'm used to this routine now. "Dagigga" I say (Just a minute)... and I go fill up the bucket with ice.
The breakthrough though... is that this little boy has for a LONG time burst into tears when he sees me in the stairway. Sometimes, if I try to shake his hand he will burst into tears and run for cover.
But today, I think we finally hit a turning point in our relationship...
10 April 2007
Summer
Summer is here. And that is not said with glee like a young child finishing the last day of school dreaming of summer swimming pool trips and evenings at the ball field.
Woke up, stood up, and the sweating began.
A friend said it reached at least 110 degrees in his compound... in the shade, not the sun. In the sun, my estimate is that it must be about 210 degrees. he he Still has at least 10 or 15 more degrees to climb before peak summer temperatures are reached.
Another friend (a medical doctor from the UK who has lived here for 7 years) said that medically, she's not quite sure how it's possible to live each day in such temperatures. But somehow we manage to stay alive.
And there are the other 'joys' of summer... they cut off all the water, then they cut off all the electricity (today at the same time). And currently we are being blessed with a large dust-storm.
Anybody wanna come visit?? Didn't think so.
:)
Woke up, stood up, and the sweating began.
A friend said it reached at least 110 degrees in his compound... in the shade, not the sun. In the sun, my estimate is that it must be about 210 degrees. he he Still has at least 10 or 15 more degrees to climb before peak summer temperatures are reached.
Another friend (a medical doctor from the UK who has lived here for 7 years) said that medically, she's not quite sure how it's possible to live each day in such temperatures. But somehow we manage to stay alive.
And there are the other 'joys' of summer... they cut off all the water, then they cut off all the electricity (today at the same time). And currently we are being blessed with a large dust-storm.
Anybody wanna come visit?? Didn't think so.
:)
08 April 2007
Easter
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
I grew up sharing this greeting at church on Easter Sunday mornings. This morning we shared this same greeting as we celebrated Christ's resurrection on the beachy bank of the river at sunrise this morning. How comforting it was to me...
Today was a good Easter day. Not like any other Easter, but good. After the early morning worship service concluded and we all stood up off our mats to brush the sand off of ourselves, we shared a community breakfast. Homemade cinnamon buns (no frozen ones here!), fresh fruit, coffee, egg-wraps... yum!! Great fare for a pregnant girl who doesn't cook much lately! For a long time everyone stood out on the beach chatting and laughing together. Kids (and adults too) made sculptures in the sand; "He is Alive!" one read. The sun rose higher in the sky and soon it wasn't comfortable to stand in the heat any longer. We packed into the vehicles and headed home.
We had a quiet break before we went to celebrate again with our house church. Once again, there as an amazing spread of food (people really pull out all the stops for Easter lunch!) and kids running everywhere. We then sat together and to share from our hearts what God has been teaching us through this most Holy Week and worshiped together with songs and prayers. Followed by, of course... much more chatting and laughter.
I feel so joyful today. Joyful to have good friends around when family is so far. Joyful to have food and laughter to share. Joyful to celebrate this day... this most VERY special day. The day that all of history was waiting for. The day that has changed MY life and the lives of all human-kind forever.
Thank you, dear Lord Jesus Christ, for coming to die for me, that I might be washed of my sin; that I might be made pearly white before the Father's throne. And thank you, precious Jesus, that you overcame death. You and are so very alive today in my heart and you are so very alive in every seemingly dark corner of this world that is so dear to your heart. Thank you for your sacrifice...
I grew up sharing this greeting at church on Easter Sunday mornings. This morning we shared this same greeting as we celebrated Christ's resurrection on the beachy bank of the river at sunrise this morning. How comforting it was to me...
Today was a good Easter day. Not like any other Easter, but good. After the early morning worship service concluded and we all stood up off our mats to brush the sand off of ourselves, we shared a community breakfast. Homemade cinnamon buns (no frozen ones here!), fresh fruit, coffee, egg-wraps... yum!! Great fare for a pregnant girl who doesn't cook much lately! For a long time everyone stood out on the beach chatting and laughing together. Kids (and adults too) made sculptures in the sand; "He is Alive!" one read. The sun rose higher in the sky and soon it wasn't comfortable to stand in the heat any longer. We packed into the vehicles and headed home.
We had a quiet break before we went to celebrate again with our house church. Once again, there as an amazing spread of food (people really pull out all the stops for Easter lunch!) and kids running everywhere. We then sat together and to share from our hearts what God has been teaching us through this most Holy Week and worshiped together with songs and prayers. Followed by, of course... much more chatting and laughter.
I feel so joyful today. Joyful to have good friends around when family is so far. Joyful to have food and laughter to share. Joyful to celebrate this day... this most VERY special day. The day that all of history was waiting for. The day that has changed MY life and the lives of all human-kind forever.
Thank you, dear Lord Jesus Christ, for coming to die for me, that I might be washed of my sin; that I might be made pearly white before the Father's throne. And thank you, precious Jesus, that you overcame death. You and are so very alive today in my heart and you are so very alive in every seemingly dark corner of this world that is so dear to your heart. Thank you for your sacrifice...
14 February 2007
Airport
(Written two nights ago)
As I sit in the parking lot of the airport late at night waiting for Mike and our friend to bring gas back for our apparently empty fuel tank (gas gauge broken)... a man in uniform is strolling around with an AK-47.
Should I feel safe or endangered? Not sure.
In my head I work out what I will say to him when he comes to question why I am hanging out at the back of the parking lot at midnight. "Ma fi benzine. Rajili ja hassa ma9a benzine"... but he never comes to inquire why I'm sitting here.
This is another reason to wonder... should I feel safe or endangered?
Not sure.
As I sit in the parking lot of the airport late at night waiting for Mike and our friend to bring gas back for our apparently empty fuel tank (gas gauge broken)... a man in uniform is strolling around with an AK-47.
Should I feel safe or endangered? Not sure.
In my head I work out what I will say to him when he comes to question why I am hanging out at the back of the parking lot at midnight. "Ma fi benzine. Rajili ja hassa ma9a benzine"... but he never comes to inquire why I'm sitting here.
This is another reason to wonder... should I feel safe or endangered?
Not sure.
04 January 2007
Kings and Kingdoms
The Old Testament tells many stories of kingdoms rising and falling. Just rulers, wise rulers, evil rulers. But never is our God apathetic to what is happening among His people. He is involved. He cares. He speaks.
He guides the kingdom to and fro: into this land and out of that land; under this ruler and then under that one; bringing famine; bringing bounty. It's an effort to allow the people, all kings and kingdoms, to live in uprightness... to help them stay in His will and walk into the purposes He desires for them.
Sometimes His ways seem harsh. Sometimes they seem gentle and loving. But His heart is always pure. His actions come from a heart understanding discipline, justice and love. He doesn't hesitate to reduce a once strong nation led by a not-quite-up-to-par-of-what-God-expected-of-him man down into a small band of followers. He also doesn't mind rewarding a king with great wisdom when that is what He asks for. He even loves to do crazy things like make a city fall to the ground after it's marched around for a week. He just hopes that people will finally GET IT that He wants to be first in their lives. That He is big enough and great enough and full of so much love that there could be nothing better FOR His people than to make Him first in their lives.
Is this not the same way He deals with us today? Guiding us to and fro. Whispering into our thoughts what His thoughts are. Changing our circumstances to teach us a lesson. Moving our location to open our eyes. Challenging us in little ways to step out in faith. Doing present-day miracles to increase our belief. He's involved in all of our lives, whether we realize it or not. He's in the tiny details and in the big things too. I think He is willing to do just about anything to get our attention. He wants us to see that He's here beside us. He's not in some lofty position out of reach. He's on our tiny little human level. He just wants our hearts to be with Him. His desires that "our hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God..." This is "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other." (1 Kings, chapter 8)
I know I have a really long way to go. Lord Jesus... how I long to be fully committed to you. With my heart, my soul, and my mind...
He guides the kingdom to and fro: into this land and out of that land; under this ruler and then under that one; bringing famine; bringing bounty. It's an effort to allow the people, all kings and kingdoms, to live in uprightness... to help them stay in His will and walk into the purposes He desires for them.
Sometimes His ways seem harsh. Sometimes they seem gentle and loving. But His heart is always pure. His actions come from a heart understanding discipline, justice and love. He doesn't hesitate to reduce a once strong nation led by a not-quite-up-to-par-of-what-God-expected-of-him man down into a small band of followers. He also doesn't mind rewarding a king with great wisdom when that is what He asks for. He even loves to do crazy things like make a city fall to the ground after it's marched around for a week. He just hopes that people will finally GET IT that He wants to be first in their lives. That He is big enough and great enough and full of so much love that there could be nothing better FOR His people than to make Him first in their lives.
Is this not the same way He deals with us today? Guiding us to and fro. Whispering into our thoughts what His thoughts are. Changing our circumstances to teach us a lesson. Moving our location to open our eyes. Challenging us in little ways to step out in faith. Doing present-day miracles to increase our belief. He's involved in all of our lives, whether we realize it or not. He's in the tiny details and in the big things too. I think He is willing to do just about anything to get our attention. He wants us to see that He's here beside us. He's not in some lofty position out of reach. He's on our tiny little human level. He just wants our hearts to be with Him. His desires that "our hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God..." This is "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other." (1 Kings, chapter 8)
I know I have a really long way to go. Lord Jesus... how I long to be fully committed to you. With my heart, my soul, and my mind...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)