I'm Glad to Be Here

Lights and Lanterns are used for
decoration during Ramadan.

It’s been a while since I’ve written and there’s good reason. Long ago, when I began blogging I made an internal rule that I would not, WOULD NOT post things when taking medication. I broke that rule a couple times which turned out not to be a good choice. So I stuck to it this time and now I am breaking my silence. I know you’re on pins and needles.

Our formal wear...

Speaking of needles, I recently was in the hospital for surgery. What kind of surgery you ask? Sorry. I just can’t type about my internal organs publicly. I’m happy to dialogue privately if you’re interested. (I even have printouts!)

Now I am in the convalescing stage and am doing quite well. So well that I don’t need any further narcotics and thus today’s post. 

It’s Day 7 of Ramadan in the Muslim world and we are reminded once again what a difficult requirement this is of those who follow Islam. No water, food or any other vice from sunup to sundown. Here that has been around 14 hours of sunlight and the temps have been consistently over 100 every day. It’s brutal, but the dear people in our village are sincere, devout. 

This is a small meal!

As we were greeting our neighbors this evening, they welcomed us warmly and continued on to the mosque where they recite portions of the Qu’ran every night of Ramadan. Allah weighs good and bad deeds and the things done in devotion to Islam during Ramadan bear more weight. 

I baked cupcakes today and will distribute them tomorrow to our friends along with a prayer of blessing. They really, really like the Hershey’s Perfect Chocolate Cake recipe. So I make it every time. 

After mosque, many will return home with family and watch the special TV programs that are aired during this season. A-List movies from America, series such as “24”, “The Unit” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” are all quite popular. They also enjoy soap operas that are produced in-country just for Ramadan.

The work schedules for many people are adjusted. Everyone will eat one last meal at 2:30 am and then sleep until around 11 am. Many will then go to work and stay until 6 pm. Then they return home to be ready to eat at sunset which is signified by the blasting of a cannon and calls from all the mosques.

Sunset is signified by the sound of a cannon
and from loudspeakers at mosques.

It’s a time of abundance as families will spend far more than they usually do to create lavish meals each evening. It’s a bucketload of work, too! Imagine having 20 extremely hungry people at your table every night. Yikes! Waltons times 2 and they didn’t have to try to make those rolled up grape leaves thingies.

We are grateful to be here. Yes, I actually said that. It’s difficult trying to plan our day when so many things are closed or when shopping for certain items means going at 10 pm. All of society’s schedule changes for an entire month! And the use of firecrackers at all hours of the night is encouraged. But it’s good to be with our friends, to speak to them of grace, peace and Jesus. How else would different ideas be introduced except through spending time together, building trust and sharing life?

The cloth is called "Ramadan Cloth"
used to decorate during this season.

So thanks for checking in with me. I’m glad to be lucid again. I’m glad to be in your life. I’m glad to be here.
_____________________

PS I’m currently doing a series of photos and Ramadan facts on Instagram (paminthesand), Twitter (@paminthesand) and FB in case you’d like to learn a few more details about it. Look me up! Let’s be social media pals!