A couple of weeks ago one of Jon's new co-workers invited us to his home for dinner. Khaled is a young man who lived in the States for several years. His English is great so it's nice to have his perspective on life here in Doha. He and his family are from Syria, Damascus to be exact. It's a city of several million they tell me. I wonder how it's changed since Saul's Damascus experience! Khaled's father is a retired history professor who has traveled and lived all over the world. Dana, Zach and the Gardners ate supper with them. They were very gracious in their hospitality. Langston enjoyed playing hide and seek with Khaled's older sister. They had many Christian friends in Syria and want to live in peace with everyone. I hope we can get to know them better. They told a disturbing story from their homeland. Forty years ago in Syria citizens had to carry ID cards with their religion stated. They knew a man who had an Islam card and also a Christian card. That way he could open his business on Friday and Sunday. If authorities asked why he was open on Friday (Muslim worship day) he could show them his Christian card. If asked about Sunday he could show the Islam card. He also used it to divorce his wife since in Islam a man can say to his wife, "I divorce you," three times and it ends the union. Talk about walking the fence!
At another couple's home we were able to meet Vivian and Clint who have lived in Egypt for many years. They've been in the Middle East for thirty years. They had some stories to tell! As a young man Clint spent several months in jail for some work he did. During this time Vivian discovered she was pregnant and had to relocate and go through pregnancy and delivery without her husband. He got out 13 days after their first baby was born. When asked by authorities why they did some things Vivian said they were responsible for this generation. They've had their share of heartache. Their 13 year old son was killed in a car/skateboard accident years ago. What a testimony they gave of the joyful, surrendered life! Blessings on them.
Dave P. gave a great sermon on Friday. Part of his text was from Isaiah 41:17 - 20: "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow . . . I will turn the desert into pools of water . . . so that people may see and know. . . that the hand of the LORD has done this. . . "
He said most in Doha had come here for work, for the money but could it be that God had other plans for us, to be water bearers to the desert, just to bring a cup of water to the spiritually thirsty. It was really good. He even had a big water pitcher from another desert country as a teaching tool.
Posted by nellie at March 4, 2004 07:51 AM