Can't we all just get along?

I wasn't going to comment on this....I really tried not to. (Sorry to our friend from here who I know is reading.....this does not of course include you.) I had heard before I came that during Ramadan sometimes there are more fights than usual....let me say TRUE,TRUE,TRUE. Fighting is kind of a common thing to see on the streets from time to time here, but in the past few days I have seen two pretty major ones. The other day A. and I were shopping in a busy area of town and we saw a huge swarm of people gathering around a group of men fighting. -Let me stop there to say that swarms are super common. Crowds are everywhere here. But when there is a fight everyone goes to see what is happening. - Anyway, so we were in the busy area of town shopping, we got in our car and we were trying to drive away. The mass of people were screaming, women were grabbing their children and running. I looked over and to my surprise the men were throwing huge rocks at each other. I mean softball size. They were throwing them at a man on the ground too. All the cars were honking like crazy-more crazy than normal-trying to get away from the rocks and the fight. I know that is not normal for here or anything, I was just amazed it could go on for sooooo long. We were stuck in traffic at the intersection for at least 10 minutes, and the fighting was not letting up.
Just last night I heard yelling outside our apartment. I mean hateful yelling. I looked down to see what was going on. It was almost 1am. All the men that worked at the barber shop on the first floor of our apartment were in a fight with some men dressed in djellabas and long beards. I looked around and noticed almost every balcony had someone leaning over watching the fight. LIVE entertainment. Honestly all this anger scares me. I have seen several other small fights this month as well. You know they will blame it on the lack of food all day or whatever, but it is the lack of Jesus Christ in their hearts. I guess I would be mad and frustrated all the time if I was living only for myself and trying to work my way into Heaven. They say Islam is the true religion of peace...hmmmm.

So what did you have for dinner tonight????

Well, if you are from here chances are you had Harira. This is a famous soup that the people here eat every night to break the Ramadan fast. I thought it would be appropriate to share the recipe. If you make it then you will know exactly what this whole country smells like from about 4:00pm until 7:30pm. I am not joking.....I open the door to our apartment and I feel like I just took a bite. Every family eats it everyday, I am not exaggerating. If they don't eat it everyday they are really in the minority. So here you go, you can fit right in.......

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

1/4 cup lentils

2Tbsp chopped parsley

2Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 small chopped onion

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp saffron colorant

three sticks of celery chopped very fine

( it would be great if you could use the leafy part too)

1/2 tsp turmeric

1lb lamb or beef chopped small

2 cubes beef bullion

3 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup rice

8 grated tomatoes

salt to taste

1/4 cup flour mixed with 1/2 cup water

Place all the first section of ingredients in a large pot, saute on medium heat for a few minutes. Fill your pot 2/3 of the way full with water. Cook until all ingredients are tender.

Add in rice, tomatoes, and salt*. Cook on low until rice is tender.( You can also add 1/4 cup vermicelli pasta for a fuller soup. )

Finally add flour and water mixture. Simmer for a while longer until all is well blended.

*Add lemon juice to taste for a real authentic taste.

This recipe serves about 6 people.

* salt and lemon are always placed on the table for everyone to add to their personal taste. Harira is usually served needing salt. So don't over do it with the salt in the pot.

Let me be honest....it is good...but to eat it everyday for a month....well....

I mean it is not Papa John's, or MEXICAN FOOD, or even taco bell,or The Cheesecake Factory,or Starbucks, or Applebee's, or Cinnabons,or Cracker Barrel, or even Subway...........Okay, sorry....it has been a while!:)

Respect is an Understatement.

I have been wanting to share this but I really haven't been able to think of the right words to say. Before we came over here, I will not try hide the fact that I was scared. I was intimidated by what was in front of me. I felt so small and so helpless. I thought we would be hated and unwanted. I even let my mind entertain thought of all the horrible things that "could" happen to us. I made my self physically sick. Worry and fear- two things that don't have a place in the victorious Christian life were taking over. After we got here and the Lord began a work in my heart everything was improving. I was learning to daily trust the Lord and not let myself think about anything "scary" or negative. Of course I had to learn to not watch Aljezeira News Station, and we quickly deleted all the propaganda channels.(There is one channel that shows nothing but Insurgents in Iraq killing American Soldiers and laughing about it. They just show it over and over again all day.) Yea, sick to your stomach doesn't explain what I felt when I saw that. We erased that one as quick as possible. I had to eliminate as much negative as I could. But everyday I was growing daily more comfortable here.
Then we heard news from Turkey....a Bible publishing warehouse type place had basically been attacked. There had been 5 young Turkish guys who claimed they wanted to learn more about Jesus and His message. They arranged a meeting with two young Turkish Christians and a German man serving in Turkey. They used the Publishing place as a meeting center as well. Well, to make the story short and less graphic, the 5 "seekers" brutally killed the two young Christians and their German mentor. The German man had a wife and 3 beautiful children. He was in his 30's I think. They had a huge funeral for the men. Thousands of Turkish believers attended. The fiance of one of the young Turks had to watch the funeral from far away because though she is a Christian her parents would not let her attend. The thing that impacted me the most about all of this and the thing that really helped change me, was that at this funeral the wife of the German was interviewed. She was asked if she had anything to say to the men who did this to her husband. She replied to the question with a very short but familiar statement: "Father forgive them for they know not what they have done." She responded in Turkish. I am sure when the people heard her answer they were amazed and confused. This response can only be given and understood by those who know the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. When I heard about this I began to cry, I asked God to make me as strong as she is. She stayed in Turkey with her family. This kind of example I have never seen before. I praised God that his Grace is sufficient. I learned how petty the little things I get upset about are. I learned honestly how to appreciate my husband more. I learned that if this lady could trust God and have faith even enough to stay there, that God would meet all my needs and calm all my fears.
I am not saying since then that I do not struggle or worry. It would be a lie to say that, but since then I realized that my life is about God. HE is great and He will always be all I need! I can honestly say that living here has changed me in ways I never thought possible. I know God is working in my heart and life. It is amazing to me how if you are scared and alone how if you search for Him, He not only lets you find Him, but He lets you know Him better. I don't know if this makes since, I am just writing whats in my mind. Never more than a few days go by without me thinking about this lady. I don't even know her name I just know that I respect her and that God has greatly used her in my life. I just wanted to share this with who ever is reading.

Feeling Alone.

I just got off the phone with two of my good friends . I just got finished talking about all the hard things I feel I am facing right now. My husband just left for a trip for one week. So we are here alone for this short period of time during Ramadan. (Ramadan is the time of the year when everyone suddenly becomes super spiritual. They all pray five times a day. They fast all day and then eat a ton at night. Of course that is loosely put.) I just complained and "vented" as we women like to say. Then I hung up the phone and God began to work in my heart. I know I am facing spiritual warfare right now. When I feel discontent I know it is because I am letting the devil win. I feel so convicted right now. Though I am facing challenges I have never faced before. Challenges I would not be facing if we did not live in a Muslim country, I am reminded that I don't understand. I don't have a clue what alone feels like. I just got off the phone with people telling me they were praying for me. I have many good friends who really do care about us who are praying for us. I am so thankful for them. I can't stop thinking about how it must be for the Christians here. Having to everyday be reminded that the don't fit in, even in the country where they were born. Let alone their families. The pressure they must feel. I am sure their families are asking them to pray and to go to the mosque. Some of them are completely alone. Like my friend M. who had no idea there were other Christians here for about 8 years. That's "ALONE." But I DON"T FEEL SORRY FOR THEM!! Praise God, that's honestly the good kind of alone.

I am asking God to meet our needs and help us to be a blessing to those around us. Please pray for the Christians here. Pray for God to use them. Pray for God to strenghten and comfort them.

Healthy Version of Fish Tagine

Okay here is another recipe, only I modified it a little bit. A lot of oil is typically used in Tagines* here, but since we eat them so often I try to adjust the recipe to make it a little better for us. If you want a more traditional tagine* just add about a 1/4 cup more oil and spice mixture.

* A "Tagine" is a typical dish here. You can have tagine of chicken,fish,or meat. They are all prepared in a simliar fashion. More on the way the people here cook it in another post.


INGREDIENTS:
(serves 4-5 people)
4 pieces of fish of your choice (frozen or fresh tilapia would be my choice if I lived in the USA)
2 potatoes
3 carrots
1 small onion (or less if you don't like onion very much)
2 medium sized tomatoes
1 handful of fresh chopped cilantro (or parsley)
1 tablespoon cumin
salt to taste (a tablespoon maybe)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon saffron colorant
chilli pepper to taste
1/4 cup mixed veg. oil/ olive oil

Okay, it might seem a little intimidating with the spices but it isn't. And it is simple to make. Of course you don't have to eat it like the picture, you can serve it on individual plates!!!

1. Cut potatoes,onions,carrots,and tomatoes in 1/4 inch thick slices.
2. Layer all the above in a LARGE skillet or casserole dish if you would rather bake this dish. Potatoes first, ending with the tomato. Save a few slices of tomato.
3. Lay fish on top of veggies.
4. Mix together spices,1/2 of the cilantro,oil and enough water so it pours easily over fish and lightly coats the top of the vegetables.
5. Place remaining tomatoes on top of the fish and sprinkle with remaining cilantro.
6.Add a light dusting of salt and cook until fish is fully cooked and potatoes and carrots are tender.
(you may have to add more water, and change spices to your taste.
I hope you will try this recipe it is one of our favorites. I am jealous you guys won't have to be careful not to swallow any fish bones. -it really is a pain to have a little tiny one stuck in your throat!!!!

Nothing like Northern Hospitality!!

Living here is teaching me so much! Muslim women believe one way to ensure their welcome into Heaven is by being hospitable!! They really do an amazing job......so you can imagine the pressure I feel when we invite friends over. When they leave I feel like I have run a Marathon...( or should I say done an exercises DVD because I really know what that feels like. ) Before I go on let me mention something very important:
- If an Arab invites you to their home, they really mean they want you to come to their house. Excuse this next comment if you are the rare American who invites and really wants to always have people you barely know in your home.
-You know how we are, we always say "if you are ever in the area please,please come to my house." Of course what we mean is" if you are in the area CALL ME....and if I have time we will go out to eat or something. " Well in our experience here in North Africa (as well as with our Muslim friends in the States) They really mean it and if they live more than 1/2 hour from you don't be surprised if you are expected to spend the night!! Whatever time you go expect to stay looooong time!! You will most likely be shown every picture they have. (And if they have a video of their wedding you will see that too!)
In our time here we have invited lots of our friends to our house......in this time I have learned a lot! How did I learn by inviting our friends to our house ???? Well, the first few times one of my friends was "invited" to our house she came in, went in the kitchen......and TOOK OVER!!!! At first this got me a little upset. I was thinking okay, this is my house, my kitchen, my food,etc. Then I realized if I just accepted all the criticism I could really learn a lot. She means well when she tells me "......you don't know how to do anything right!!!!" :) I will admit they don't just pop anything into the oven directly from the freezer and eat it 20 minutes later, so I give them credit for that.
Every mother assumes the responsibility our teaching her daughters how to become good women. They are taught from the time they are little that is pleases God for them to be good housekeepers. The greatest compliment you can receive is, "you are a real woman." It is also an embarrassment to the woman of the family if her family eats out a lot. One embarrassing thing happened to me when we first got here; I was walking in the door to our apt. and my new friend (we had only been here a few weeks) stopped me and said, "Do you ever cook?I saw you just yesterday with a rotisserie chicken from the store. For us that is a hshuma(a shameful thing.)" Again this friend meant her comment for good. I explained to her that I really like to cook but we didn't have our kitchen set up yet. She nodded and later that day she rang our doorbell and handed us a huge plateful of food for our whole family! Later that week was when our daughter got sick. As soon as she knew we were at the hospital my friend walked in the rain to bring us food and see how we were doing. It is a real challenge for me to think of things I can do to repay my super hospitable friends and neighbors. Sadly, our hospitality is similar but our motives are completely different. While I my mind I do for others to show God's love for them, in their minds in a way they do for others to gain God's love for themselves.

No PLUCKING.......

Eyebrows that is..... I am never going to understand all the "rules" Muslim women are suppose to abide by, but come on...what is so spiritual about a uni brow???? Really my friend told me she really need to go get her eyebrows waxed, but she said it was a problem during Ramadan. She said God doesn't like it when women pluck their eyebrows. When I asked" why" she kind of shrugged her shoulders and said "He just doesn't like it and If we pluck our eyebrows when we get to Heaven God is going to rip out every little hair!" OUCH! But I guess this is pain she is willing to face or should I say a "rule " she is willing to break.
After a little study I understand a little bit about where this idea comes from: The idea from the Quran is that we should not change God's creation. -I guess for some it would be a big change. It even goes as far as to say that if the woman's husband asks her to pluck or shave she should refuse. I am all for being happy with how God made you, don't get me wrong. God did create us the way He wants us. But come on. -I wonder how they feel about nose hair...... Just an honest question. Maybe I should start looking at eyebrows to see how serious they are!?????
I am learning more and more about the liberty we have in Christ! The TRUTH really does make you FREE.......even free to pluck your own eyebrows!!