At a little after 4a.m. this morning my kids were up screaming and I was sitting straight up in my bed. We live in a building with a mosque on the first floor. So hearing the call to prayer is nothing new to us....but this morning evidently the normal Imam was taking a breather. This new guy came through the speakers at full force. I heard several people from the other apartments moving around too.
Then minutes after the yelling ended, a crazy new sound kept us awake.....a rooster. Yes, a rooster in the middle of downtown!! My son sleepily asked me if we were on the farm??? Craziness! We finally were able to return to sleep at nearly 6 a.m.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Hello again....
We have been very busy the last few weeks with lots of guests and other things. I have slacked a little in my blogging.
I have been reading a lot these days and I just finished an excellent book. It is called
A Martyr's Grace. By Marvin J. Newell. It was a challenging book, but also a great faith building tool for me. I wanted to share one of the quotes from a recent martyr. It was a journal entry, a prayer written down, by Bonnie Witherall shortly before she was killed in Lebanon.
"Lord, here we are in the Middle East. How many people will die in this city of Sidon today without knowing You? How can I worry about my life or Gary's life when tens of thousands of people may die and face eternal damnation today? Lord, my life is already hidden with You. I know You. I have the truth. There is nothing they can take from me!'
That is powerful isn't it??? I can not explain how much her words helped me. I sat with tears in my eyes out of conviction and from an amazing peace and love that only God can give.
An interesting thing is I had already heard her story before I read this book. I have met Gary, her husband in Atlanta. He has forgiven her killers and still continues to serve the Lord. Bonnie was a nurse at a pre-natal clinic in Lebanon. The clinic was very well known to be a Christian Clinic. She was killed there at her place of service. She was killed by someone who didn't know the love of Christ.
I thank God for people like her, people who love God and gave everything to see God glorified in places where the people can not even see their own need.
I have been reading a lot these days and I just finished an excellent book. It is called
A Martyr's Grace. By Marvin J. Newell. It was a challenging book, but also a great faith building tool for me. I wanted to share one of the quotes from a recent martyr. It was a journal entry, a prayer written down, by Bonnie Witherall shortly before she was killed in Lebanon.
"Lord, here we are in the Middle East. How many people will die in this city of Sidon today without knowing You? How can I worry about my life or Gary's life when tens of thousands of people may die and face eternal damnation today? Lord, my life is already hidden with You. I know You. I have the truth. There is nothing they can take from me!'
That is powerful isn't it??? I can not explain how much her words helped me. I sat with tears in my eyes out of conviction and from an amazing peace and love that only God can give.
An interesting thing is I had already heard her story before I read this book. I have met Gary, her husband in Atlanta. He has forgiven her killers and still continues to serve the Lord. Bonnie was a nurse at a pre-natal clinic in Lebanon. The clinic was very well known to be a Christian Clinic. She was killed there at her place of service. She was killed by someone who didn't know the love of Christ.
I thank God for people like her, people who love God and gave everything to see God glorified in places where the people can not even see their own need.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Easy North African Pancakes.
Several people had told me they tried some of the recipes I put on here before, so I thought I would share another.
My kids LOVE this stuff. This is an everyday food for people over here. It is usually eaten in the morning or at night as a snack.
Pancakes (or flat bread made in a pan) -These can be served with jam, syrup, or with cream cheese. Also folded with meat and cheese.
The following recipe makes 3 large pancakes. Multiply the recipe by the number of people you wish to serve.
Mix in a bowl:
1cup flour (wheat flour works great too)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup warm water
Turn out onto floured table and knead until the dough is elastic. (you may need to add a few drops of water.) With well oiled hands form the dough into ping-pong ball sized balls. On a well oil surface, with well oiled fingers flatten the balls until they are the diameter of your open hand. Fold the dough in 1/3 from top to bottom and then from side to side. You will have little squares. Again flatten the squares with your fingers until they are once again the diameter of your hand. In a pan fry both sides over moderate heat until golden crisp.
They freeze well too.
My kids LOVE this stuff. This is an everyday food for people over here. It is usually eaten in the morning or at night as a snack.
Pancakes (or flat bread made in a pan) -These can be served with jam, syrup, or with cream cheese. Also folded with meat and cheese.
The following recipe makes 3 large pancakes. Multiply the recipe by the number of people you wish to serve.
Mix in a bowl:
1cup flour (wheat flour works great too)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup warm water
Turn out onto floured table and knead until the dough is elastic. (you may need to add a few drops of water.) With well oiled hands form the dough into ping-pong ball sized balls. On a well oil surface, with well oiled fingers flatten the balls until they are the diameter of your open hand. Fold the dough in 1/3 from top to bottom and then from side to side. You will have little squares. Again flatten the squares with your fingers until they are once again the diameter of your hand. In a pan fry both sides over moderate heat until golden crisp.
They freeze well too.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Part II
If you read my husbands blog you already read about our awesome time last night! Giving out food and ministering from the Word of God. It was truly a great time. Everybody knows every reporter reports differently so here's my take on yesterday's ministry outreach:
First we counted up the money and went to the market. My co-worker and I were excited as we walked there, planning out what would be the best to buy with the little money we had. We were both trilled to be given the opportunity to minister in this way.
We returned with potatoes, milk, canned tuna, soap, noodles, beans, tea, and a few other things. We then divided up what we had into bags of equal portions. As soon as we walked out the door we saw Evelyn. A tall Nigerian women dressed in a purple djellaba, and a white head covering. Her friend was with her. She was similarly dressed, with her baby named Jackson strapped to her back. We talked with them for a few minutes. She shared with us the bad way she is treated here by the North Africans, and told us she was not a Muslim, but she had to dress that way to receive hand outs. They are in a difficult situation I understand, but I will admit she did hold a little bit of an expectant type attitude. We explained we wanted to give them food in the name of Jesus. We told them we simply wanted to share His love. We also explained we would do the same regardless if they were Muslim or Christian. As we handed them the food we received many strange looks from the people walking by and those working in stores near us. It was awesome to be showing others in a discreet way our good works, so they may in turn see Our Father.
Then we loaded all of us into the car and went to find Emy. Also a Nigerian. My husband had met him awhile back and had shared with him our churches desire to help. We found him and he directed us to his house. Or actually more accurately put, his room. When we were getting close, my heart was beating faster than normal. It was getting darker, all I could think about was about how the very neighborhood we were in is the one where reportedly many terrorist or would be terrorist live. The neighborhood had been on the national news awhile back for this reason. There was trash everywhere. Stray dogs and cats running everywhere. Horrible smells, etc. I think you get the picture.....really a BAD part of town. When we arrived my husband offered a man working a run down shop a little money to watch our car. We then filed out of our car. People were staring at us....well mainly me.( The white lady with blue eyes holding the hands of two light haired children. I usually stick out more than anybody.) I mean this is not the place tourists go for family picnics....I am sure the people were wondering what in the world we were doing there. At night for that matter. We then followed Emy into a building with a grass mat on the floor of the hallway. Shoes were lined up everywhere. We walked several rooms with only blankets on the floor. All of the rooms rented out for about $70 a month. Again bad odors filled the air. Something chemical, B.O. , and smoke. We all gathered in a room at the end of the hallway. Four or five guys live there. There were only blankets for beds. We sat on their blankets. The had a tiny TV and a small shelf with a Bible on it.
We sat with them for awhile. My husband shared the Bible with them and we prayed with them.We began with only a few and then others came in, one went to get his own Bible from his room. He then returned with a used looking Bible. Suffain shared his testimony with them. They were shocked and pleased to meet a North African Christian. I think it was awesome for Suffain as well to meet them and minister to them. I know usually when he shares his testimony he has to deal with negative responses. It was awesome to hear their positive and encouraging remarks when he finished. We had a great time and I am excited to meet many more Africans that we can minister to here. We are looking forward to next Saturday, when we plan to meet with them again. It was really a great day yesterday, I praise God for the opportunity!!!!
First we counted up the money and went to the market. My co-worker and I were excited as we walked there, planning out what would be the best to buy with the little money we had. We were both trilled to be given the opportunity to minister in this way.
We returned with potatoes, milk, canned tuna, soap, noodles, beans, tea, and a few other things. We then divided up what we had into bags of equal portions. As soon as we walked out the door we saw Evelyn. A tall Nigerian women dressed in a purple djellaba, and a white head covering. Her friend was with her. She was similarly dressed, with her baby named Jackson strapped to her back. We talked with them for a few minutes. She shared with us the bad way she is treated here by the North Africans, and told us she was not a Muslim, but she had to dress that way to receive hand outs. They are in a difficult situation I understand, but I will admit she did hold a little bit of an expectant type attitude. We explained we wanted to give them food in the name of Jesus. We told them we simply wanted to share His love. We also explained we would do the same regardless if they were Muslim or Christian. As we handed them the food we received many strange looks from the people walking by and those working in stores near us. It was awesome to be showing others in a discreet way our good works, so they may in turn see Our Father.
Then we loaded all of us into the car and went to find Emy. Also a Nigerian. My husband had met him awhile back and had shared with him our churches desire to help. We found him and he directed us to his house. Or actually more accurately put, his room. When we were getting close, my heart was beating faster than normal. It was getting darker, all I could think about was about how the very neighborhood we were in is the one where reportedly many terrorist or would be terrorist live. The neighborhood had been on the national news awhile back for this reason. There was trash everywhere. Stray dogs and cats running everywhere. Horrible smells, etc. I think you get the picture.....really a BAD part of town. When we arrived my husband offered a man working a run down shop a little money to watch our car. We then filed out of our car. People were staring at us....well mainly me.( The white lady with blue eyes holding the hands of two light haired children. I usually stick out more than anybody.) I mean this is not the place tourists go for family picnics....I am sure the people were wondering what in the world we were doing there. At night for that matter. We then followed Emy into a building with a grass mat on the floor of the hallway. Shoes were lined up everywhere. We walked several rooms with only blankets on the floor. All of the rooms rented out for about $70 a month. Again bad odors filled the air. Something chemical, B.O. , and smoke. We all gathered in a room at the end of the hallway. Four or five guys live there. There were only blankets for beds. We sat on their blankets. The had a tiny TV and a small shelf with a Bible on it.
We sat with them for awhile. My husband shared the Bible with them and we prayed with them.We began with only a few and then others came in, one went to get his own Bible from his room. He then returned with a used looking Bible. Suffain shared his testimony with them. They were shocked and pleased to meet a North African Christian. I think it was awesome for Suffain as well to meet them and minister to them. I know usually when he shares his testimony he has to deal with negative responses. It was awesome to hear their positive and encouraging remarks when he finished. We had a great time and I am excited to meet many more Africans that we can minister to here. We are looking forward to next Saturday, when we plan to meet with them again. It was really a great day yesterday, I praise God for the opportunity!!!!
Awesome Day Yesterday!! Part I
I had a great day of ministry yesterday. It is awesome how God knows just what you need to stay encouraged!! After many days feeling a little sick and just hanging out in the house with not much to do, I was bored out of my mind. Also I was anxious to do something productive.
Lately I have been spending a lot of time with some new friends. (I think we get chubbier by second, with the all food they give us!) God is really building some new relationships for us to share the Good News with. Suffain's family was pretty hard on him this past week, perhaps the two hardest on him were the husband and mother of my new friend. Yet anytime someone is discussing anything about what we believe I have noticed her straining to hear every word. Last night I asked her a question and she had to apologize for not hearing me....even though she was sitting right next to me. She had been listening to my husband and Suffain talk. I really think she is curious about why in the world would Suffain endure what he has from his family. Everybody loves him and respects him.....'why isn't Islam good enough for him.' He has been and continues to be a great testimony to them!
I thank God for more doors opening all the time. I know we have our responsibility and we have to leave it up to God to work in the hearts of those we speak to. He is working.
Lately I have been spending a lot of time with some new friends. (I think we get chubbier by second, with the all food they give us!) God is really building some new relationships for us to share the Good News with. Suffain's family was pretty hard on him this past week, perhaps the two hardest on him were the husband and mother of my new friend. Yet anytime someone is discussing anything about what we believe I have noticed her straining to hear every word. Last night I asked her a question and she had to apologize for not hearing me....even though she was sitting right next to me. She had been listening to my husband and Suffain talk. I really think she is curious about why in the world would Suffain endure what he has from his family. Everybody loves him and respects him.....'why isn't Islam good enough for him.' He has been and continues to be a great testimony to them!
I thank God for more doors opening all the time. I know we have our responsibility and we have to leave it up to God to work in the hearts of those we speak to. He is working.
Monday, March 10, 2008
"Lady Ramblings"! Finally hearing from some ladies!!
I have been excited this week because the Lord is really working here in what we are doing. I was a little down last week struggling with what exactly God was doing with me. I mean it is obvious He is working here. We have many people attending our Bible studies, and lots of e-mail contacts, but nearly everyone of them is male. So I guess to put it simply I was asking God to move somehow in the lives of the women we know.
Praise God, He is always faithful. At the end of last week my new friend came over to see me. She is Suffain's cousin. She brought her son with her. Our children played and we had a great chance to talk. Her Arabic is a little more difficult to understand for me right now because she has grown up in the south and I have learned from mostly northern people. None the less we had a great talk. I was able to witness some to her and she actually asked me some questions. The crazy thing is that she is the first Muslim lady I have ever talked to that has not put up one argument about Islam. She never offered even one word. She is not a quiet person either. She listened and then asked a few questions. Often my conversations are interrupted by the statement, "Well, in our religion....." But she said nothing. I know my Arabic is limited, but I praise God that this conversation opened up the door for Suffain to talk to her even more than before. He told us on Sunday she wants to come to our Bible Study, maybe even next week. Now, I have to say her husband is very Muslim at this point he is very friendly to us and we are praying for him. Should my friend continue her interest in the Jesus Christ this could be a major stumbling block at any moment. Right now I believe God is working in her heart. If you could remember to pray for her. Her name is Nejlat.
I often struggle with lack of faith. Learning to wait on God is difficult, but I believe He is giving us a little picture of the future. We had a lady visitor at the Bible Study last week and we have received a few e-mails from a few other brave women. For a lady to think about changing something so huge as her religion on her own is very serious risk in the eyes of her family. I am thankful for those who are ready and willing to search out the truth. Please continue to pray for these ladies.
Praise God, He is always faithful. At the end of last week my new friend came over to see me. She is Suffain's cousin. She brought her son with her. Our children played and we had a great chance to talk. Her Arabic is a little more difficult to understand for me right now because she has grown up in the south and I have learned from mostly northern people. None the less we had a great talk. I was able to witness some to her and she actually asked me some questions. The crazy thing is that she is the first Muslim lady I have ever talked to that has not put up one argument about Islam. She never offered even one word. She is not a quiet person either. She listened and then asked a few questions. Often my conversations are interrupted by the statement, "Well, in our religion....." But she said nothing. I know my Arabic is limited, but I praise God that this conversation opened up the door for Suffain to talk to her even more than before. He told us on Sunday she wants to come to our Bible Study, maybe even next week. Now, I have to say her husband is very Muslim at this point he is very friendly to us and we are praying for him. Should my friend continue her interest in the Jesus Christ this could be a major stumbling block at any moment. Right now I believe God is working in her heart. If you could remember to pray for her. Her name is Nejlat.
I often struggle with lack of faith. Learning to wait on God is difficult, but I believe He is giving us a little picture of the future. We had a lady visitor at the Bible Study last week and we have received a few e-mails from a few other brave women. For a lady to think about changing something so huge as her religion on her own is very serious risk in the eyes of her family. I am thankful for those who are ready and willing to search out the truth. Please continue to pray for these ladies.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
"Do not Distrub."
I have learned this week a huge difference in our American culture and the culture here. I have been sick this week and I stayed home most of the week. I quickly learned I would be "well taken care of". Here when a friend is sick it is customary to go to them. Not to just call them. That is considered by some people to be rude. It is important to visit with, sit with, cook for them, etc. Of course to me this is quite uncomfortable.
So, there I am on the couch not feeling good, in my pjs, my hair a mess, no makeup, and visiting with my friends. Everyone takes the responsibility of caring for their sick friend very seriously. Now, I will say it is very normal for women here to wear pjs all day long. They come home and quickly change and then change again if they go back out. So it is really normal from them to see their friends in the pjs. I feel very uncomfortable with this however. I like to be somewhat prepared when I am going to have visitors. I am used to the unexpected drop ins, but at least when I am feeling good, my house is clean, and I look half way decent.
So I have learned two things from this past week; one being that I will not have very much privacy when I am sick if I admit to being sick. I thought by telling my friends I was ill I would be avoiding visits. Wrong!
Secondly I learned that in the future if I want to be a true friend I need to always give kind gesture to my friends. Even if that means just sitting with them watching t.v. Here no one wants to be alone if they a sick.
I am grateful even in my discomfort, that I know people who want to care for me and show their friendship to me. I think I will be forever learning all the cultural differences that exist here. I am trying to understand and adjust the best I can.
So, there I am on the couch not feeling good, in my pjs, my hair a mess, no makeup, and visiting with my friends. Everyone takes the responsibility of caring for their sick friend very seriously. Now, I will say it is very normal for women here to wear pjs all day long. They come home and quickly change and then change again if they go back out. So it is really normal from them to see their friends in the pjs. I feel very uncomfortable with this however. I like to be somewhat prepared when I am going to have visitors. I am used to the unexpected drop ins, but at least when I am feeling good, my house is clean, and I look half way decent.
So I have learned two things from this past week; one being that I will not have very much privacy when I am sick if I admit to being sick. I thought by telling my friends I was ill I would be avoiding visits. Wrong!
Secondly I learned that in the future if I want to be a true friend I need to always give kind gesture to my friends. Even if that means just sitting with them watching t.v. Here no one wants to be alone if they a sick.
I am grateful even in my discomfort, that I know people who want to care for me and show their friendship to me. I think I will be forever learning all the cultural differences that exist here. I am trying to understand and adjust the best I can.
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