A Local Market

This was our most positive local experience thus far! The people were friendly and didn't seem to mind westerners and their cameras. The men didn't leer or make comments (except in a joking way ... like the man who offered me his son, but then laughed ... I certainly HOPE he was joking!)

The produce and spices were so fresh and fragrant!

Like most outdoor markets the world over ... a bit trashed and incredibly crowded as the morning progressed.

I limited my purchases to one small basket, 3 palm fronds, a little broom, basil, cilantro, and green onions.

But ... by far the greatest part of the experience were the people -- their faces speak volumes, don't you think? (Well, the faces we can see!)

They didn't mind the camera. One woman even offered for me to take a pic of her with her son -- the woman in hajib with glasses. No one seemed to mind our photo-snapping though many wondered why in the world I would take photos of veggies and spices and such! A couple of guys even were brave enough to ask in broken English -- "Yuu take peechur of dees?" spoken with a tone of incredulity!

Struggles

Struggles ... everyone around here seems to be having them of late, myself included.

Some are discouraged because they weren't able to go home during Christmas break.

Some are discouraged because they DID go home ... but had to come back.

Some are discouraged because their vacation was to another country in this region so, though it has more freedom than we have here, it was too much of the same.

One of my students says she's falling asleep all of the time ... sleeping for hours during the day and then again at night. Her husband works "in the field" for a couple of weeks at a time. He told her to go shopping. So, she grabbed her abaya and hopped on the bus.

Each of my students who did go home for Christmas had at least one child cry miserably when they had to come back.

Words that come up in conversations on a regular basis:

prison

prisoner

trapped

freedom

restrictions

black

prayers/mosques/noise (all together!)

sleeplessness

boredom

weight gain

can't (as in "I can't load the book I wanted onto my Kindle from here." "I can't get out often enough." "I can't Skype my parents." "I can't stand it, here!")

For the most part, I've been able to reach a fairly stable and pleasant state in this place ... thanks to much help from Above! But I'm slowly realizing the important role that I can have in encouraging (speaking courage into) the gals around me.

Jim and I really noticed it when our friends/co-workers returned from their trips home -- complaining, whining, and more complaining!

When we were here, pretty much alone, during the break ... we made it work. In fact, I had quite a pleasant time!

That's due, in large part, to my very low expectations. When we expect it to be a struggle and it's not ... well, we rejoice and are actually excited about something that would otherwise be ... well ... expected! ;)

So, the key is:

keep expectations low

keep joy high

Because then I can spread the joy around to those who are low ... and struggling.

Please join me in prayer for that very thing --

low expectations and high joy ...

so that I can be a blessing to those around me ...

A Survey of the Readership!

I've not been using this blog very often in recent months and it's mainly been for posting photos, in the past few posts. But I've missed writing and would love to pick it back up in this setting.

I need to know if you, the reader, is still out there.

I know that some of you don't like to post comments. But I don't want to be just talking to the wind.

Therefore, please shoot me an email or post a comment if you'd like me to resume posting thoughts about life, antidotes about life here, etc.

Thanks so much!

Sharon