Daily Life in This Arab Land in 2019
13
APRIL, 2019
One may wonder what life is like for us here in the land we’ve been called to for this short time. My hope is to portray, through photos and short stories, our experience.
The days tend to begin more slowly here than at home. Many factors play into this. Living with two college students who study, sometimes into the wee hours, leads to later rise times. Also, the culture lends itself to late evening outings. Invitations to go out for tea or dessert after an evening event are common.
One factor that has motivated Cindy and me to try to maintain our earlier morning routine is the unstable electrical power. Hot water for showering is most reliable in the earlier morning hours. We have three sources of power available, one of which is in our control, but used sparingly. Commercial power runs our entire building, “neighborhood” power runs part of our building (very limited current) and a generator owned by ICS powers the entire building. The generator is relatively expensive to run and we limit its use in an effort to be good stewards.
Neighborhood Power (small yellow building to left of power pole is neighborhood generator)
Photograph by Dave Hayden
Although the kitchen is very nice and well provisioned, the water and electrical limitations reduce efficiency, drastically. Tap water contains large amounts of mineral deposits and must be filtered before drinking. Filters become clogged quickly and it can be difficult to find replacement filters. With limited electrical power hot water for washing dishes oftentimes must be heated on the gas stove. The process is slow and heating enough water to do dishes can be challenging.
Gas stove
Photograph by Dave Hayden
Cindy and I have weekly “One-on-One” (really two-on-one) sessions with the RTI students. These are times when we pray, ask questions regarding spiritual life, discuss feelings and attitudes and work to ensure peace and unity are being maintained.
“Two-on-One” with Sam
Photograph by Dave Hayden
“Two-on-One” with Samson
Photograph by Dave Hayden
We are here to build relationships and that we have done! Samson, Sam, Cindy and I have quickly gained friends. The people we meet are friendly, welcoming and very interested in getting to know us and we are blessed in getting to know them. We’ve all been out with some of our students from our Life Center English classes and people we’ve met at ICS.
“We are here to build relationships and that we have done!“
My English discussion group at Coffee Shop
Photograph by Dave Hayden
One of Sam’s discussion groups at Coffee Shop (the young lady in the center of the photo emigrated here from Mexico with her family. She speaks Spanish, English and the local language)
Photograph by Dave Hayden
We also play a role in maintaining the health of the Body of ICS. Sometimes that means just spending time with young followers, hearing their hearts, buying them a meal and listening. We, in return, are blessed by their knowledge of the culture, area and friendships. Our friends take us to places we might not otherwise find.
Cindy and Me Out for Dinner with Some of Our Life Center Students
Our friend gave us an amazing tour of the bazaar while he picked up some personal items. A friend helped us tour a market and restaurant area we wouldn’t likely have found on our own.
As we made our way along a busy sidewalk, we came across this heartbreaking scene. The woman stooped over in jeans had just dropped money into the box. The language barrier precluded us from learning this young mother’s story. All we can do is pray and trust.
On a more positive note, we’ve been amazed at the amount of building and upgrades we’ve seen since our last visit in 2010. There are huge, modern malls with nearly anything one might want or need. Everything from groceries to clothing to jewelry to technology to bowling are available in one very large facility.
A beautiful, modern mall we shop at
The Lindt Chocolate Girl in the grocery store at the mall (we may have been there often enough that she said she’ll miss us after we leave for home
)
Generator owned by ICS
Mineral deposits in a 20-day-old tea kettle
Northwest Natural, Arab Lands style
Tea being made over a wood fire
We had lunch at Cindy (a restaurant whose name means grapefruit)
Photograph by Dave Hayden
What was “that?”
Life Together in Arab Lands
I Woke Up in the Middle East!
Thank you for keeping us updated. I check often and think of you all. We appreciate the pictures 😁👍