Just Another Week...

We're headed into our last week in Jordan. The group pictures have begun in earnest!

It seems almost amazing that four months has passed so imperceptibly. There's been no shortage of projects and issues to devote our time toward... what we've produced only time will judge.

The weekend began innocently enough, although Jordanian traffic took one last swipe at us on Saturday. Thanks to Muteib, I've learned the power of rubbing compound and was able to clean up the worst of it.

Then the evening found me under the familiar grip of a sickness that's all too common in these parts of the world. Again, ending as I began this trip in 2008 (involuntary weight loss... what better way to go home)!

We've gone through the transition of finances, personnel, processes, etc with Linda Reed, our supervisor, who returned last week. The coming week will be full of last minute craziness, packing (which Suzi has already started) and more incoming personnel from the States.

This past week, I attended my last OWWA Bible Study. We had a great time and many of the girls were ministered to... This group of ladies is so special to us. We hope that when we return, they'll all be gone to their respective homes. While they're in this state of flux, we do what we can to provide some sense of balance, love and compassion. They're just precious, quick to laugh and, with soft hearts, to worship, as well.

Tuesdays are Days OFF

Several years ago Suzi and I realized that ministry was about balance and balance meant getting away from the crowds and going "up into the mountains"... sometimes to pray (ie Jesus himself) and sometimes just to take in the view and take a deep breath. At the time, we were working full-time secular jobs and staying up all night with ministry stuff. It's not unheard of. I think many ministers deal with some sort of workaholic syndrome driven by any number of issues. But I'm convinced that too many ministering families burn up because they don't take a sabbatical. Not the "month off to go on retreat" sabbatical... I'm talking about regular time off. Whether it's setting aside some time with the spouse for dinner out or a day with no calls or meetings just to read in the sun, we have to recharge our minds and spirits.

When we came back to Jordan this year, we decided, based on our work & service schedules, that Tuesdays would be our day off. We make no plans or meetings; if our phone rings, we answer, but, unless in the case of absolute emergencies, we ask to handle the issue later in the week. Our staff is aware of this and respects it. Sometimes we go out of the city and sometimes we veg on the couch. It gives us something to look forward to and keeps us focused on the task at hand. Most of the folks who attend our services only get Friday off. That means their day off is our day to minister ("work"). These are the concessions you make in our line of work... but to compromise on restoring yourself is a setup for burnout later on.

So, today we slept in and went to the King Hussein Mosque park for a picnic of PBJ on flatbread and walk in the gardens. It was a beautiful day and the views of the city from mosque were amazing. My phone did ring once with a request. And I set up a meeting. For Wednesday morning.

Another Band Concert!

If you check back in the annals of time, you'll find we've now attended three Baptist School band concerts in the past year... I think we officially qualify as Band Boosters! Sara plays trumpet and looks mighty spiffy in uniform. Thursday's Spring Concert performance included both Bands, but I've just captured Sara's side. Enjoy!

Speaking of Dinner... Fisheyes anyone?

So, it's a given that living outside your comfort zone's going to get you into some interesting stuff... but this weekend Suzi took it way outside MY zone.
See, I've never been one for fish stuff... maybe some shellfish, Bill's fried catfish, some crabcakes (oh, and an authentic clam chowder or lobster bisque...hmmm...tasty!), but don't just drop a whole fish on a plate w/ some garnish and expect me to jump up and down. The Filipino folks do the fish thing and Suzi's on board. Cheryl does it up right with stuffing and such, but I've yet to try it.

So, we find out that Cheryl eats the eyes... right out of the head. "It's so easy! Just push one eye through into the other and pop it in your mouth!" Suzi, always up to a culinary challenge, takes fishhead in hand, muscles one eye through... and she's chewing.

"I'm brave! Kinda tastes like the rest of the fish... but I didn't dwell on it too much..."

That's my girl...!

Dinner out... Way out.

Last Friday, we had a great time at Robert & Shirley's house. There was such a wide swath of folks from Ethopians to Papua New Gunea... it doesn't hurt that Robert works with UNESCO here in town, so dinner at their place always has a UN flair of nationalities. (Big thanks to Jacob for working the grill in spite of Rejoice's constant commentary!)

It just reminded me of dinner at Chandrani's place several weeks ago (above) I went digging to find a rudimentary clip (below) of the dinner party that I described in our last newsletter. I think that's what I love most about this part of the world. Many of the folks we encounter are far from home and food reminds all of us of the friends & family we've left behind. Sitting around the table in that one-room apartment under the stairs, all of us jabbering in language of laughter... I couldn't help but feel at home.

Socks & Soge & Sand (still!)

A couple of years ago, Jan & Sasha gave me a set of Acorn socks for Christmas.  Now, before you go on about lousy presents and inlaws, let me tell you something... I love these socks.  I'd been jealous of Jan's for years on those cold Mid-MO nights and now I had a pair of my own.  Guess what?  Last year, I got a pair of blue ones, too... Let's see Santa top that! So, I brought the brown pair with me, thinking, you know, maybe the floor might be cold in February or something... yeah... I'm STILL wearing them! I've singed them so many times off the heater that the bottoms have that marshmallow crustiness.  I'm getting another pair to bring back.

We've had the pleasure of working with Soge for the past year.  He's part of the culinary staff at several restaurants in town.  Soge's a faithful Christian who is returning home to see his family in Indonesia this week.  We'll miss his guitar at our Sunday afternoon Bible Studies!  

The 50 Days of Sand continue... we've got an antihistamine running 24-7 to keep the sinuses open for business.  One day it'll be clear and blue skies, the next day you can barely see across the next wadi.  Craziness that's supposed to end in mid-May... please!

35

I'm 35 today.

And I just posted on FB that I'm the happiest I think I've ever been.  I'm probably also under more stress than I've ever been... carrying more responsibility than I've ever had... I'm further away from my family, my gear, the life I've always known than ever before.  And I'm right where I'm supposed to be... at 35.

I don't think I planned this.  In fact, I'm positive I didn't.  This isn't the life I chose... it's chosen me.  And I'm so glad I agreed to come along for the ride.

OK... enough serious stuff!  PRESENTS!!!  Some of the church folks gave me a very cute card with a couple of ties (what else do you get the pastor!).  Suzi picked up a cake and box of sweets from Fantastic Cake and gave me all these cool little gift boxes she made full of fun li'l things... like U2's new CD, a Donuts Factory gift card... you know, the good stuff!