Traveling Time

Mike and I took a few days and went to Abu Dhabi.  Our friends from Chicago were in town and we wanted to see them and hang out with Russell, too. It was a great getaway.  We got to visit church, catch  up with good friends and stroll down memory lane. Mike and I had not been back to Abu Dhabi together since we left 19 months ago. (Can't believe we have been in Doha over a year and a half now!)

My friends and I in Abu Dhabi eating lunch  served on a banana leaf.  

Next week I am leaving town again. This time to a much cooler climate and a place very unlike our home here in the Arabian Gulf. I am on a team heading to Krygyzstan for 8 days. We are going with Samaritans Feet and taking in over 600 pairs of new shoes to orphans there and delivering a message of hope to them. An interesting side note is the team is made up of many of my Abu Dhabi friends. Not only do I look forward to what we will be doing in Bishkek but I also look forward to hanging out with good friends for 8 days. Nothing like a challenging adventure to make good memories which hopefully include lots of laughter. :)  On a more serious note, I pray that God will touch the lives of the people we encounter and that He will be pleased with the work that is done.



   

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I  didn't expect to laugh while getting my vaccinations for my upcoming trip in March.  I expected the lines, the back and forth to different places, the delays..but I didn't expect to laugh.  I waited at the counter for the young lady to sign me in for my Typhoid and my DTAP or whatever it is.. As the smiling young woman, who wore a colorful head covering and beaded abaya, turned her attention to my request and my passport, she asked..When you go back to America?  Confused as to why she was asking, I shrugged and answered."In the summer, sometime..."    "Oh that too long. Too far "  Smiling I asked her, "Why?" She wanted me to bring her a kobo.  You know, a kobo. Blank stare.. What was she talking about.  But as she laughingly tried to communicate her wishes she reached up to her head and sort of made a circular motion.  Oh my gosh.  A cowboy hat! Yes. Yes! Cowboy hat!! I want whole thing.  She motioned the belt, the vest, (not sure if she wanted the gun )  and I just laughed out loud  Here I stood, surrounded by woman in abayas and men in dish dashes and there she was asking for a cowboy outfit.  I asked her where she was from. "I am bahraini, WE are different.."  Well, she certainly is. First time we have had that request.  I am still smiling.

I did get my shots, too. And then Sunday I got my Hep A. Where am I going? Well there are 11 of us from Abu Dhabi, the US and Doha(me) going to Krygystan with Samaritan's Feet. We will be delivering good news and 600 pairs of new shoes to orphans there. I am excited and at the same time, nervous. Mostly I am nervous about the cold. Very low tolerance for cold.  The other day it was 63 and I was sure it was 40. Still, mostly I am excited.

I need to save room for a Cowboy hat next time I am back in Texas.