Friday Church

Does everyone know we have church on Fridays here? Our weekend is Friday/Saturday. I really actually like it better. It makes the weekend seem longer. Church is going well. We are bursting at the seams, though. And, we really need a pastor. If you know of anyone that would be interested, let me know. The church has two full services, standing room only. The church is multicultural and non-denominational. It would definitely be a challenge for any pastor, but I am sure there is someone out there thinking "I wish I could move to the Middle East and pastor a church."

On the subject of church, did you know that the Muslim community is now entering the month of Ramadan? The word "Ramadan" derives form the Arabic root meaning scorching heat or dryness. This whole month beginning with the sighting of the new moon, the Muslim people will fast daily from sunrise to sunset. It is a time of joy and excitement among the Muslim people. It is considered the most blessed and spiritually beneficial month of the year for them. It is also time of increased prayer and charity.

What this means for us is that stores and restaurants have weird, shorter hours. The Muslim people work a shorter work day. Our kids get out of school 30 minutes earlier. We are supposed to be especially modest in our dress and not eat, drink or chew gum when out in public. Abbey said that all the windows of the cafeteria at school are covered and two children in her class go to another room because they are fasting.

It is said a sense of lethargy permeates the country, with empty streets and an errie silence as sunset approaches. At the end of each day, they break the fast with dates and yoghurt or milk (called iftar), followed by prayers and eat and party with family and friends until the wee hours. Night is turned to day as people visit, shop and go about activities. They eat a final meal (the suhour) just before dawn in preparation for a new day of fasting. The hotels set up extravagent tents where anyone can go (for a charge) and indulge in Arabic foods,music and entertainment. It is here you can see a "whirling dervish". We are planning on going one night, so I will let you know more about it soon.

At the end of Ramadan is the Festival of Fast Breaking, called Eid Al Fitr or just Eid. It is a 3 day holiday for us and a major celebration for Muslims. We are just happy to have 3 days off from school and work.