We had an amazing time in Jordan. It was a refreshing time with friends, family and American cuisine. Its always nice for us to get out of here and experience a life that is a little simpler for a short period of time, but when the time came, we were ready to be home. There's just something nice about being in your own bed, even if there is no electricity to accompany that comfort! As an extra special bonus, Scott's parents also accompanied us back to our home. It was a great time that we had with them, even with half of us with a nasty cold!
While they were visiting we experienced our first new years. It is the biggest holiday here and very unique since it is only celebrated by this people group and it is distinctly them. Everyone was definitely in a partying mood during the holiday. Originally we had heard it would be Saturday and Sunday, mostly, with maybe some of Monday. It turned out to be Friday through Monday solid, with a few stretching into the rest of the week. We weren't able to get our language teachers back in action until Wednesday! Along with the holiday, our neighbors and friends really wanted to show Scott's folks a good time, so we were being pulled in multiple directions the entire week. I think they may have been a bit overwhelming, but their intention was to show our family that we are loved and cared for.
What happened with the holiday was sort of the normal fun and festivities of this culture, only SUPER hyped up. Everyone spends the entire holiday in their fancy, cultural clothes, despite the fact that they aren't very comfortable. On Friday we enjoyed lunch with a some friends that are becoming very dear to us. They pulled out all of the stops with an amazing bbq and also broke out the dance music so that we could rea
lly have a good time. Because me and Zeke were really under the weather, we had to cut the fun a little early. Later that day there was a huge street party not too far from our house. I only saw it on tv, but Scott and his folks ventured down to where the people were packed shoulder-to-shoulder as they walked about, talking, dancing and having a great time. Evidently this year was much bigger than previous years, with something in the hundreds of thousands of people congregating on a shut-down section of a main road. In the evening many light fires on the streets outside there house as a symbol of their freedom and then dance and sing around it. Saturday was a day-long picnic in the mountains. This time included TONS of food, dancing, kite flying, tea-drinking, and good conversation. Once again, Zeke and I missed these festivities, but everyone we heard from had an amazing, but tiring, day. The traffic on the way home from these picnics was bumper to bumper and many had twice as long of a commute home than what it took for them to originally get to their spots.
lly have a good time. Because me and Zeke were really under the weather, we had to cut the fun a little early. Later that day there was a huge street party not too far from our house. I only saw it on tv, but Scott and his folks ventured down to where the people were packed shoulder-to-shoulder as they walked about, talking, dancing and having a great time. Evidently this year was much bigger than previous years, with something in the hundreds of thousands of people congregating on a shut-down section of a main road. In the evening many light fires on the streets outside there house as a symbol of their freedom and then dance and sing around it. Saturday was a day-long picnic in the mountains. This time included TONS of food, dancing, kite flying, tea-drinking, and good conversation. Once again, Zeke and I missed these festivities, but everyone we heard from had an amazing, but tiring, day. The traffic on the way home from these picnics was bumper to bumper and many had twice as long of a commute home than what it took for them to originally get to their spots.
Sunday and the days to follow were much of the same thing I've already described. Everyone has family and friends from all over come to celebrate. Our neighbor's house was packed out and we could here dancing late into the night! On Monday evening, just before Scott's parents had to head home, they asked us to come over because they had departing gifts. We were all pretty tired, so we were hoping to make it a quick visit. However, in this culture, that is easier said than done! When we got there, they told us to sit down and immediately began showering us with drinks, treats, nuts and tea. Then they wanted to do a dance for us. Finally they brought out the gifts and wanted to have each of them individually pictured with our family. The visit ended up being around 30-minutes, which is record time!
On a high-note, Zeke and I were able to experience a picnic the following Friday with many of our friends. Evidently this trend continues through the spring, until it is too hot to venture out during the daytime. We really love experiencing each new part of this culture and find it to be more and more of an enriching experience as we grow in the language. God continues to be faithful in our lives in growing our heart wider and deeper for the people of this land. We have truly fallen in love with the people and loved being able to share that experience with our family. Anyone interested in coming out and experiencing life here is always welcome! All for His glory!
1 comment:
OK I'm convinced. I WILL be there for next years celebration. I am so glad you could share all these events with Don & Linda (including the colds) and that they were able to experience your life and new friends. I can't wait!!
Love,
Ma
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