What's Happening Lately

I finally made it to my first Arabic class--last Wednesday.  I'm going to love writing in Arabic because the letters are beautiful and intricate, almost like some form of art (I have a bit of art in my background).  One interesting thing that happened during that class is when I tried to pronounce the word for "neighborhood".  A slight mistake in my pronunciation caused me to say "sh-t" in Arabic (my teacher kindly informed me).  I think I'll practice saying this word on my own a few times before I use it in a conversation with an Arab.

As I am writing, I can hear the pounding of the rain upon the roof of the high school.  This is great, because Jerusalem had been experiencing a drought recently.  It also rained a couple of days ago, and the students were fascinated.  At first, my mindset was, it's rain--what's the big deal?  But living in this dry, desert-like region, it is easy to see why it is so precious.  It also made me realize how I take things for granted, at times--especially when I lived in America.  So, thank You God for the rain!

I've been getting to know a few more locals, and it has been awesome.  Last Thursday, I went over the house of one of my student's family.  They were very hospitable, and the food was fantastic!  Lately, I've also gone to the sports events of the high school in order to show the youth my support.  It is a great way for me to reach out to the students more, and to be a positive influence in their lives.  I also have hosted a couple of movie nights at my apartment for the teachers, and I feel that times like those enable us to bond more as a team.  It is amazing how, when we give up our lives for the Lord, He gives us a life which is far greater and beyond what we even imagined!  Glory to His Name. 

Talk to you later.