Getting the big picture

We have been in Qatar almost two  weeks now and are so thankful for all the continued  support and love we  have received. It's very comforting and encouraging to know that we have people keeping us lifted in prayer.    Slowly but surley, we are adjusting. While it's still blazing hot here, we are learning the best times to go outside and starting to get used to sweating the minute we walk out of the building. 

        Dominic started practice a few days ago and I had the opportunity to go check out the team's facilities which are pretty impressive.  Nola and Pip even got to come along  were extremely  happy to see all the grass covered soccer fields and were able to get off their leashes  to run free for a bit (until pip chased a cat up a 40foot fence).  

     It's truly a blessing to get to see my husband be able to get back to using his God-given talents to play basketball after taking a year off to focus on our family and His relationship with the Lord, especially knowing he is now playing to glorify God and be a much needed light to other players, team staff, and fans.  I'm a proud wife not only because of all his hard work over the summer that I will get to see pay off but more so because I have seen how hard he has studied  God's  word and is dedicated to becoming all Christ died for him to be. 

      We also got to go see the doctor again today and Jincy is doing great! I'm now 37 weeks and we are growing more and more excited by the day to meet our little princess. I was hoping she would arrive early for daddy's birthday on Oct 5th but have changed my hopes after learning today that my doctor will be out of the country from Oct 3rd-10th for a middle eastern holiday called  Eid al-adha. (Also known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, Eid al Adha commemorates Abraham's obedience to God and his willingness to sacrifice his son. As the story goes, God intervened and provided Abraham with a lamb to sacrifice instead, thus many families in Qatar often buy and slaughter an entire animal for the holiday. Eid al Adha is also marked with celebratory meals and family gatherings and the days off work.) So, we will just continue to be patient and hope Jincy does the same! 

   After our doctor's visit today we were in the lobby waiting on some  paperwork when an Arabic muslim man sitting next to my husband handed him an ad paper. My husband said no thanks but the man insisted that he take it so I gave him the "take it" nudge. He then asked if Dominic was Muslim because of his beard, which has been a common question he has been asked since being here. He went on to tell him "no, we are Christian." At this point my ears perked up as I wondered  how the conversation would go from there.    I'll let my husband explain the conversation and experience from his point of view but I must say from the outside looking in, it was a beautiful thing to see and altered some stereotypes of mine. (His account of the conversation below) 

           "What exactly is it with this beard? What used to be a mandatory two visits per week to my barber has changed to an extended absence from his chair as I decided to let my hair and beard grow out until our Jincy arrives. Only Angela knows just how difficult this has been for me, maybe even my father-in-law and pastor who playfully jeer at me from time to time about it. But I have started to embrace the personal challenge of denying myself the refreshing feel of a hair cut, especially since our arrival to Qatar. 

I've learned that when my wife gives me a nudge to do something, it's best just to do it, it always seems to work out better this way. Today proved to be no different, as I decided to accept the ad the Qatari gentleman generously offered me to read, only after Angela insisted of course. I tried my best to look engaged in the ads of household appliances, when he fired the question inquiring if I am a Muslim. I've been asked this question several times here, each time in my mind I am a bit taken off guard, but without hesitation it's as if my heart responds for me that we are Christians. I immediately study his reaction to see how he may receive me, but his calm but serious demeanor eases with a hint of a smile as he refers to my beard as the customary look of a Muslim man. I smile too, and reassure him of our faith in Christianity and the reasoning behind my beard which strikes up for  more laughter. In no time our conversation jumps from one topic to another, from sports, jobs, family and so forth. I learn that his name is Mishaal and he and his wife are expecting a little boy, or so he hopes. He also explains to me the dark cloud of perception hovering over Muslims perceived as being "all terrorist", while pointing to himself, saying maybe I think the same of him. Obviously, he knew I didn't, but his point was made clear of the perception that has caused hate and division to spread around the world. He was adamant about the violence which has occurred is not Islamic beliefs, but evil which exist in all people, despite religion or ethnicity, pointing out the violence which occurs everywhere. We were both in agreement of the ignorance of people, but I was just as as adamant to Him about Jesus , and because of Jesus  I am able to see him as a brother. Before our conversation could go any further, it came to a sudden halt when our paperwork had been completed and handed to us by the Dr. I could tell he didn't want the conversation to end, and quite honestly neither did I. We shook hands, both referring to

each other as brother and friend, and embraced in a hug. As Angela and I exited the Dr.'s office, we were both amazed by the pleasant interaction and conversation we shared, wishing we would have gotten a picture with him. (Not knowing my wife had already snuck one photo of us talking) 

 As we hopped into the van with our driver to head back home, out of the rear window we saw Mishaal approaching us. When I got out of the van, he said he didn't want us to leave without giving us his phone number and said if we needed anything at all not to hesitate to call him. Thinking that would be the end of it,  he expressed how he would love to have Angela and I over for dinner to meet his wife and family. We gladly accepted the invite as warmly as it was offered. Again we shook hands, shared our gratitude, and gave our farewells. I am glad he came back, I got my picture after all." -Dominic Wright 

      In a little less than 2 weeks we have learned so much about another culture, ourselves, and what a loving and Holy God we belong to and serve. While their are many challenges,  (like practicing patience because of the "no rush" mentality here) I can't help but see how valuable our time here will be if we can continue to fully submit our lives to the Lord on a daily basis. 

    Scriptures on our hearts:

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul

    -Matthew 16:24-26

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’" This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”    

   -Matthew 22:37-40