Dubai

Good morning,

Steve and I just got back from our trip to the Middle East. We traveled to three places in a week: Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. I was pretty apprehensive about going to a place so close to ISIS and all the upset and tragedy on the news. I had never been faced with not wanting to wear a cross around my neck or having to cover my hair. What I found out about myself is I chose not to wear a cross but bring my Bible. I chose to wear a long black dress and head covering and go into a Mosque to see for myself what a Muslim believed. I chose to talk with the people to see what they were like. I realized I have choices as an American and as a Christ follower.

Why did I choose not to wear my cross? I have to admit I felt a bit like Peter the disciple who denied Jesus three times. I never thought I would be afraid to show anyone I was a Christian. That was the thing, I felt like a cross would make people afraid of me, like I was sort of afraid of the Muslim because of their dark burkas and long robes on men. I chose instead to bring my Bible and all my reading material that I would usually bring. My daily bread is His word, not the symbol of what I believe.

I wanted to be approachable. I wanted to see for myself what I thought of this country and the people. My eyes were opened to where we are born is not up to us. In America or in Dubai, we are influenced by what our family believes. But when we graduate from second-hand religion, we find that what we read and hear for ourselves is what gives us conviction or not.

I can only tell you what I experienced, but the Mosque we visited was beautiful. They said they wanted it to seem like heaven so they have vines and flowers and light colors. They have one wall with individual plaques with all the names they use for God and one blank, in case He has a name they don’t know. Names like: Almighty, Provider, Comforter… sounds familiar! Our friend Mike commented, “We live in the most blessed place on earth and we would benefit from stopping and praying and giving thanks to God five times a day.” I love that when we experience something different than what we understand, we can always learn more about what we do understand.

I realized how close the three main religions that were started right there in that region are! In the Old Testament, Abraham is the father of Ishmael, Islam. Abraham is the father of Isaac, Judaism, and through Christ, Christians are children of Abraham. I realized how thankful I am that Jesus asks us to come to Him with a heart that wants to know Him. He wants us to have a willing heart, not obligation. He is the good news! We have forgiveness, grace, mercy, and eternal life as a gift. Not to be earned. I am sure it just sounds too good to be true. God sending a Messiah is written because we need one. We have the Holy Spirit, who we can invite to come. Come and fill me, walk with me every minute, every place, and change me to be new in Christ!!

I wanted to talk with the people that I was sort of scared of because of what we read about in the paper and on the news–and even how they dress is a bit freighting. We had two young men that were my son Charlie’s age for a tour guide and driver to show us the mountains in Oman. They were dressed in long white robes and wore scarves on their heads. We headed out on a two-hour ride to a “Souk,”–we would call a Souk a farmers market. They also had an old fort that we would tour when we arrived. On the way, the boys were so delightful. The driver was very smiley and laughed easily and often. The other one, his name is Mamoot. Mamoot was the tour guide. I asked how old they were and if they were married. The driver was married. Mamoot did just like any one of Charlie’s friends might have done: “No, no, no, I am not going there yet. Maybe three or four years from now. I am young still.” His actions and laughing while he said it was so universal. We passed a Mosque and they told how they are called to pray five times a day and that they go to the Mosque at least once a day for prayer. I asked if they had any churches and they both said, “Yeah, yeah, we have five in Oman.” I thought that was remarkable because just 20 miles away, ISIS was killing people for their Christian belief and in Oman, at least these two kids had no problem with five churches being there.

My overview of the trip is: Sometimes we should do things scared! Wonderful experience with a reminder that in general, people are people. We love our families, we have beliefs, we want to connect, we all have beautiful things in the places we live and we need to find out for ourselves that God calls us to love. I quote from my teaching Bible, “Love is an effort, and sometimes we allow ourselves to become lazy in dispersing this gift. I hope you will actively express God’s love everywhere you go, sprinkling ‘salt’ on everyone you meet because God has placed you where you are for that very purpose.”

Love you, Teri