Laughing and Crying

Despite the mass exodus of many friends from Doha this summer, some for a couple of months and some permanently, we managed to have a fun 4 th of July.  The men kept Mike company in the blistering heat and humidity while he grilled the burgers. We women had the easier job of getting things ready in the kitchen.  No fireworks but lots of laughter and talking.  It was nice to laugh and hang out, especially as we are losing many of our community to lay offs this year.

Due to the economy right now there have been sweeping lay offs across all sectors this spring. Many of our friends aren't ready to leave but it seems this is the way it is.  We continue to pray for them as they job hunt or return to the U.S. without options.  Even friends who have been in the region decades have not seen the extremes we are seeing right now.  It's been really sad. Mike and I are on pins and needles ourselves right now.  Not sure if we will be here next year or not.  It's very tenuous for many of us.  

In the meantime, we pray and enjoy the friends who are here.

One last goodbye dinner for the Germans(second couple from the left) They will be missed. Thankful they live in Houston so we will see them again.