We have two important days coming up, then a very important month.
On the 17th, we will be celebrating the independence of this country. It is a very exciting day… kids are already getting excited. Today I saw a group of little 10-12 year old girls practicing for their talent show the night of the 17th. We celebrated the 17th once in this country. In the morning, there is a parade that starts at like 7 am. The kids all dress up in traditional clothes and march up to the outdoor stage area near our house (20 minute parade). Once there, the kids stay outside and watch performances and the adults go in and listen to the declaration. During the day, people set up games for the kids and the kids just love it. It is a very fun day. Then in the evening there is like a “block party” where every “block” has like a talent show and comedy and stuff… it’s so much fun. I’m really excited for it. Please pray that it will be a good time for us. Please pray for safety during the day and also as we meet different people that we may be an image bearer of Christ to those who have still yet to know Him.
August 21st will mark the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting for the Islam religion. People will wake before the first call to prayer (which is around 4am) to eat. After that they start their fast for the day. The fast ends at the second to last call to prayer (which is around 6pm). Families and/or friends gather together to break the fast together. They’ll sit around and wait for the call… some people will drink a sweet drink and pray then eat… some others drink a sweet drink, eat and then go to pray. People who usually don’t go to the mosque to pray and just pray at home will go to the mosque every prayer time during this month. This is all that I have learned from neighbors and friends. After the month of fasting, there is one week where most people are off work (almost like Christmas time in the states) and go visit family (idul fitri). It’s big because people give and receive gifts… new clothes, new tvs, new shoes, new… If you work, you get a bonus that month also, which helps with the shopping. He he..
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Ramadān is a time of reflecting and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden.[Qur'an 2:187] Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness of closeness to God.
The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate. It is also intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable. A certain level of self-control can be lost by those who suffer from eating disorders.[3]
The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed.[4] While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavor to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.[Qur'an 2:184] More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 miles in a day as exempt.[3]. The elderly or those who suffer from a disability or disease and have no prospect of getting better in the future can pay the cost of Eftar for a person who cannot afford it, or else they can host him in their house and have him eat with them after sunset as a way of repaying for the days they could not fast. [Qur'an 2:184]
Ramadān is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment, establishing a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involved the preparing of special foods and inviting people for the Iftar meal (the meal to open the fast).
**This is information I took off the internet. Please if you have time, look it up on your own.**
So as you could see, this month is up for some action. Please continue to pray for A and I specifically during this month and for the people as a whole.
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Please continue to pray for my helper (Y) and her husband (A). A was having chest pains a couple nights ago, waking up his wife, Y. He has had some problems with his hypertension, so they took him to the hospital, but wasn’t seen til midday. They didn’t think it had to do with hypertension, but that they should take an x-ray. This afternoon A called Y while at work. The doctors found something in his heart after looking at the x-ray and wanted to admit him. Before she left, I prayed for his health and her heart. She was grateful… please pray that the Lord will heal him.
Today I have been much better. Ate crackers when I was hungry and our helper made me rice porridge for lunch. It was great… my mommy used to make me that when I was sick. A taste of home. The only difference is my mommy would give me soy sauce, the salty kind; here they use sweet soy sauce. I felt good today even though I was still not a 100%. Glad it seems like it’s coming to an end and definitely could feel prayer.
A had school today. She made ice-cream with her class. The first time the teacher approached me with behavior issues. Ha ha… I was so upset for two reasons… one that A wasn’t listening to her teacher, but then I was also upset that I had to hear my daughter wasn’t listening. It wasn’t anything major, but that the teacher wanted A to finish her snack and A did not want to. What’s the big deal right? Well the big deal is, A likes to put a lot of food on her plate and play with it… so that’s what she did and ended up not eating any of it. So the teacher asked her to take a certain amount of bites… A did not. I told the teacher what I do when she does that at home. On the way home, I had a serious talk with A. We talked about what the Bible says. She memorized the verse, “Children obey your parents”. So we talked about how when the parents are not there, the teachers are in charge and she has to obey. The best part was that when we got home and we were getting ready for nap. She asked to read the Bible and picked the story of Jonah… about obeying. After her nap, she was so good. When she started to disobey, I put her immediately in time out instead of listening to her complain and stuff… it worked, she was in time out one time and then was a new kid. I couldn’t believe it. It’s funny. When I was teaching and parents would ask me how they could control their child, I would tell them how much children need boundaries and that’s where they feel safe. I have let things slide for a while now, for whatever reason. Today I wasn’t going to have it… she knew. After her bath she said, “Mommy… I was obeying right?” I love her!!!
Please pray for A. I know she is not a normal 3 year old… she’s been through too much. The other night after dinner, A went to get her bike while I finished dinner. As she brought the bike to the dining room (yes I let her ride her bike in our house… it’s tile floors), she said, “Mommy I have a sad story. When daddy went to heaven, he didn’t say good-bye”. I was shocked and tears started to form in my eyes. I asked what made her think of it, she didn’t say anything. Then I told her how I didn’t get to say good-bye either because we didn’t know he was going to go to heaven. I told her daddy didn’t mean to not say good-bye, that if he had known he would have given us both hugs and kisses and said good-bye. I explained to her that when it’s our turn and we go to heaven, there will never be good-byes and that we would be together forever with Jesus and daddy. She then had this big smile on her face and rode her bike. I don’t know where she gets these thoughts, but I’m glad she could express them to me and we could process it together.
Please continue pray for me as I parent A as a single mom and do work here. I am going to start being a conversational partner for people who want to practice their English and assist in teaching English. The latest the paperwork will go through is October, so hopefully it could go faster and I’ll start before then. Please pray for the process… the Lord knows timing.
