Although we didn't get to finish everything....we did have fun shopping. Ok, FUN may be a strong word here...but we were together and did get a lot of our stuff. We went to the UAE Walmart which is Carrefour and to IKEA. Both of these stores are in the Marina Mall. Huge, beautiful...and very North Dallas. :)
I'm not sure my kids will get the whole third world thing from living here...In many ways it's just like home....Jaguars, Porshes, Mercedes, expensive stores, beautiful buildings and so on....but then you hear the groaning cry of the Imam calling the faithful to prayer or you walk by another set of women dressed from head to toe in black...with only their eyes showing above their scarves.... And then I am reminded that God called us here.
Pictures from yesterday.....the Abu Dhabi Port with an oil platform right in front of me. Must be here for maintenance...huge. The skyline of the city as we looked at it from the other side of the bay...the most amazing buildings I have ever seen..they are really into architecture....The Marina Mall....Lunch with just Mike and me at the Expat hangout in the very Western type grocery store and drining the best Choc. Shake I have ever had.....Shopping for beds and spending all day to come home with nothing....Ryan asking for local food for dinner...He and Mike ate Swarmas..a sort of lamb wrap.
And then the last picture...but one I will hopefully never forget....Smiling at a Muslim woman wrapped in black and her total shock and double take when she saw me smile. It is very difficult to smile at someone wrapped in black with only eyes showing but I decided I needed to start somewhere. Perhaps a smile can communicate Christ's love.
Here's to a new day in Sandyland....Please keep us in your prayers.
With love,
Mattie
