Jun 08 2011
More New Friends
At the beach.
One of Sana's friends got engagd (the women in red). She wanted to show me what the party was like.
Annada is making friends everywhere she goes.
Ibtissam's family
Last week I met Ibtissam, an economics student (the degree is close to an MBA). She invited Marc, Annada and I to her home for dinner Monday. It was such a treat! Her mother made breads for us to eat at the 5 pm snack before dinner (with mint tea, of course!). Every thing we ate she cooked from scratch. I wish I could explain the work that goes into these breads – they kneed them on the floor into many flat layers.
Ibtissam is the oldest and has 2 brothers and a sister, just like me. She showed me pictures of her hometown in the countryside.
Ibtissam’s brother had a few soccer medals that hung in the salon (like a living room). He proudly showed them to Marc. Then… he gave one to Marc! Ibtissam’s family gave us many beautiful gifts. We are humbled by all of them and particularly humbled by this medal. It is a very special treasure.
I enjoyed her family so much. They were welcoming and gracious even when Annada had a melt down. (She has been running a fever the last 3 days, please pray with me that she will feel better soon.)
Ibtissam’s aunt heard that I had tried on Sana’s wedding dress. The brides here wear 7 dresses – one for each region in the country. She wanted me to wear one of hers too and then she and Ibtissam put one on too. She also let me look through her wedding photos. Then we talked for hours. I am amazed at how quickly I am coming to love the people I meet.