Everyday Reminder

While we have gotten considerably more busy and seemingly consumed with school life, we still are daily reminded of why we are here and the purpose we long to fulfill. Every morning around 4:30am the prayer calls start and then continue throughout the day 1:00pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Now that Ramadan is approaching the prayer calls tend to linger, with chanting, praying and singing, and in some instances, passionate yelling, for hours.

As you wander through the streets at these times, people everywhere, in shops, offices, gas stations, at the visa office, on the sidewalks and roads, stop where they are, roll out a large woven mat (or if they are alone, a small rug) and begin the ritualistic movements of the prayers. Everything stops. They take off their shoes and wash their hands, feet and faces and rinse out their mouths. Bowing before they step on the mat, they take a place, forming rows of devoted followers. After a few minutes, a leader appears and begins to guide them through the by-now routine 'stand-up, bow down, head touches the floor, return to standing' procedure of the Islamic prayer time. After a few minutes they remain kneeling, turn their heads to the right, greeting the "good angel" and to the left, greeting the "evil demon"... saying, "Asalaam Aleykum", peace be with you. It has become a common thing for us to see. But we have yet to let it become common place and routine in our hearts. A constant reminder for us to pray, ask and believe God for revelation and salvation. At times overwhelming, the depth of their devotion and discipline, we know that God is victorious and His desire is for redemption of all nations, tribes and tongues!

Visa Update: Jess' passport and visa are still MIA... we will try again today.
Housing Update: We have one month left in our current home... the search is on!
Photos: Prayer time at the gas station; cars were waiting in lines to be serviced... Women gather in lines in front of a Sufi mosque... A little girl in front of a house in a now developed refugee camp... Eddy coaching at school...