Today we visited a Muslim slum to have lunch with a couple. It was eery to be stared at by women through slits in their face coverings and men who look like the ones we seen on movies about terrorists. Later we learned that a terrorist mastermind lived in the same building as the couple we visited. (He's been arrested).
The most riveting sight was goats eating fresh garbage. Why? They roam freely, eating the garbage in an area that is filthy already. It was just such a contrast to the goats our kids raised for the Clark County fair that were penned, groomed and vaccinated.
Last night brought two new experiences. Our friends fellowship with a multi-cultural and multi-faith group on a regular basis. Such gatherings are common, and seem to meet a hungry need for opportunity to share life and to discover answers to its most basic problems. We were stunned by their openness, and they were blessed and touched by our openness about our life experiences and emotions that we shared as part of sharing skills, exercises and concepts that heal, strengthen and protect marriage and other relationships. The countries of Norway, Australia, Japan and India were represented.
An elderly Hindu woman was eloquent in her description about how she and her husband learned to love each other with patience and tolerance. "We didn't know each other before we married, so we didn't fall in love before marriage. That came after as we patiently learned to live together." Fascinating, and something there for us Americans to consider, I think.
Our hosts took us to an Iranian restaurant last night. The setting was dark and misty. Monsoon had its way all afternoon, so the open air restaurant with dim lighting and rustic wooden decor made us feel like we'd stepped into a Harrison Ford 'Indiana Jones' movie. And I forgot the camera! ugh. Sorry. Anyway, some familiar cuisine that included steak, chicken and fish kabobs with mint/chili sauce on the side with some humus and baked pita bread was welcome. "There's some protein for you, Jeff". I haven't been complaining, but have been begging for eggs, chicken, etc. It's amazing how folks here can survive on so many carbs and so little protein. This is supposed to become even more of a challenge in Indore.
This trip is not unlike the camp experiences we had w/ our kids at Butler Springs. It's wet, hot enough to be steamy, mosquito ridden (about 20 found my lower legs and ankles the past few days), and the food is an adjustment. Thankfully, we feel good and we're sleeping reasonably. And, we're mentally sharp, which is our biggest concern. We pray to not be distracted by creature comforts so that we can be encouraging helpers with all of the folks we have an opportunity to meet.
The first three days this week will be filled with opportunities to meet with groups of friends of our friends. The set times for these gatherings are 9am - 1p Monday through Wednesday, but many have requested couple to couple conversations which mean approx 3 hours meals. Pray that we have supercharged social batteries. Both Jill and I naturally require period of alone time to rejuvenate from social times, so we're asking prayer for supernatural capacities.
We're moving to a new host home Monday evening. It's an opportunity to build relationship with yet another couple, and also to give our current family a break as they've hosted a lot recently. Pray for adjustment to a new setting in the midst of our meetings this week. Historically we have trouble sleeping in a new place the first night. I'm not sure we'll have internet there, so if there is interruption in blogging, you'll know why.
Can't think of anything else at the moment!
blessings, Jeff and Jill
No comments:
Post a Comment