December 13: True Christmas?

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Perhaps this is a secret code of some sort? Nah, just PeBUH walking across the keyboard to position himself next to me while I blog. He inserts himself with total confidence that he is welcome in the middle of anything we are doing, be that playing ping pong, or sleeping.

As we eat our cheeseburgers tonight, a school night after a busy work day; we will light the third advent candle. I almost forget that it is Sunday, let alone Christmas! Driving through the city, the only decorations on display are the colored flags of the nations attending the Gulf Cooperation Council summit for the next two days. About 2 weeks ago the city started laying tile, planting flowers, and draping flags in preparation for this event (that is planning ahead for this place!) I think they may have even swept up some trash. However, the only place where Christmas decorations can be found are in the malls, salons, private homes, etc. The occasional strain of Christmas music or smell of pine is a rare delight.

Amid this, I find myself once again at the Philippine Embassy Labor Office with a couple hundred disillusioned women in waiting. This poem in "Watch for the Light - Readings for Advent" put my time with these ladies in a different perspective.

No one can celebrate

a genuine Christmas

without being truly poor.

The self-sufficient, the proud,

those who because they have

everything, look down on others,

those who have no need

even of God - for them there

will be no Christmas.

Only the poor, the hungry,

those who need someone

to come on their behalf,

will have that someone.

That someone is God.

Emmanuel. God-with-us.

Without poverty of spirit

there can be no abundance of God.

Oscar Romero

When I arrived at the small room where we meet on Sundays, there were two ladies filling out forms while tears splashed down their fear filled faces. New arrivals, fresh pain, raw emotion. As I tried to comfort & assure them they were safe, one sobbed "but I don't have anything" as she had escaped with just her handbag. Her employer had forced her to strip off her clothes and told her they could be alone since the wife was away.... One lady confided in me that she was hungry. Fortunately, we had brought home baked Christmas cookies to share and I could give her something to hold her till the next meal.

Many of these women were grieving the loss of Christmas as they were used to celebrating it. We talked of these memories. Yet, I could not get away from the thought that women away from home, trapped by circumstances beyond their control, living in a temporary shelter dependant upon others...this was much closer to what the birth day of Christ was really like! Mary could not have dreamed about birthing her baby in a smelly barn away from the comforts of home. There were no twinkling lights and steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Into our neediness comes God-in-flesh! The "poor, the hungry" are most able to appreciate the gift of Christmas I suspect. While I had an overwhelming urge to "fix" the immediate problems of these women, I had to just be with them, hug them, and pray with them as we formed a circle and held hands. God was there among us. Blessed are the poor in Spirit. We were blessed.

During the morning, there was also laughter and rejoicing; 21 ladies had received word their cases were being dropped. They would be transported to the police station, and from there, they would be flown back to the Philippines without their documents on a special flight. It is encouraging to have been there long enough to see that situations do get resolved, even though it seems to take forever.

One very precious girl who is only 22 was among those leaving. She has been there many months and is the one who carried the "Trash to Treasure" project when we were not there. She poured her heart & soul into the creation of these beautiful ornaments. She presented us with the most lovely necklaces she had made for us from beads taken off a pair of jeans. They are such a treasure to Molly & I as we remember this dear girl. She is a Muslim and I saw much of God in her. She hugged me and held on for a very long time while her tears wet my shoulder. Her gratitude was such a gift to me. She was very optimistic about her future: I just hope all the current conflict in her part of the Philippines does not dampen her can-do spirit. I wish I could bring her home with me.

Road Rage

December 6, 2009

This was just too funny not to share. As I was driving home today in the taxi, we came to a crawl near my home as there were several cars stopped in the middle of the road at random positions. It was unclear if one of them had actually hit another car but several people were out of their vehicles. As my eyes took in the scene, I could scarcely believe it: a Kuwaiti man was lunging into the passengers window of a car while wildly swinging his black coils (egal) used to secure his red & white head scarf! His scarf and dishdasha were blowing in the wind while he used his head accessory as a weapon against what I think was an Asian man. While he was whipping his coils, other drivers had exited their cars and were leaping to pull him off of his victim. How sad is this??? The insanity of these roads never fails to astound me.

I guess I'm a little slow, but I failed to put 2+2 together regarding the lack of addresses and the "poor" mail delivery in Kuwait. I'd heard the mail was "unreliable" but this week I realized I've never actually seen a mailbox OR a post office here! When our travel agent needed to send me our tickets from Egypt, he sent them by a colleague who I had to track down by phone, then meet him on the street by the Philippine Embassy where I was working to collect my tickets. Once again tonite we planned to go to a Christmas concert and I even had an address. Sadly, our GPS did not recognize the address and we couldn't even find it on Google Maps so we took off our party clothes and settled into the homework routine with the kids instead. No mailboxes...that should have been a clue!!!

Christmas Spirit

Ethan helps pack 1500 winter warmth bags

December 4, 2009

The photos are in random order but show a pack up of winter clothes bags at Operation Hope, a distribution of bags to hospital cleaners, ornaments made by the housemaids, and some of the ladies who worked on "Trash to Treasure." There is also the set up at the Movenpic Hotel where we sold the ornaments at a bazaar.

This week, Ethan & I helped to prepare for a big distribution to hospital cleaners. Socks, gloves, long underware and hats were packaged to give away. I also got to go on the ditribution where bus loads of workers were dropped off in the lot, they filed through in orderly lines, and recieved their bags with such gratitude. I love greeting the ladies because I kiss them (one, two on each cheek) but I always worry if I'm offending a man if I shake his hand.

After several weeks of working with the Filipino Run Away maids in making ornaments, throwing out "practice" ones, and supporting their efforts to produce good results: it all paid off! At the British Ladies Society Christmas Bazaar Operation had a booth and sold both our ornaments and baked goods. It was decided that ALL the profits of the day would go back to the Philippine Embassy, so instead of the 60 dinars from ALL of the ornament which sold, we earned 145 dinars = 522 US dollars!!! I was so amazed that the ornaments generated such interest on their own merit. While some people were excited about the HOPE that was represented in each piece of artwork, others just really liked the recycled magazine ornaments and purchased handfuls of them at a cost of $1.80 - $4.00 each. The ladies had expressed their desire to have socks as cooler weather is upon us; they also wanted more over the counter medications for the sick ones. With the money we earned, I went shopping with an Indian lady & her husband who know just where to purchase wholesale. We got 260 pair of cute, warm socks for the ladies plus a box full of tylenol, cough syrup, and other meds, AND we still have about a third of the money left.

Sunday:

The Labor Attache' came down today for the photo op and congratulated the ladies on their hard work before they passed out socks to every one of the 210 women in the shelter. The smiles were so rewarding. I was so proud of them: this is empowering them to do something that boosts their self respect and allows them to make a difference even while they are living in such difficult conditions. As I got to speak again with Mr. Jimenez about our work, he assured me we would have more space in 2010 to do what we do because he sees its value.

Home from Hajj

Molly returned late last night from her church youth group trip to Dubai. We were so very tired and disappointed when we saw her flight delayed. Aside from shopping in the airport, we were entertained by an entourage of "Pilgrims" returning from their Hajj trip to Mecca.

We didn't learn until later what the fuss was about. First we heard what sounded like animal calls coming from others who were waiting to greet the arriving passengers. A high pitched "la-la-la-la-la" with a trill is the best attempt I can make to describe it, followed by a shower of fresh flowers, coins, and candy coming over the barriers. The black clad women with heavily accented eyes were welcomed like rock stars by the cheering, crying, photo-snapping crowd of greeters. As family members emptied their baskets into the path of the Pilgrims, immediately there were uniformed "cleaners" underfoot to scoop up the small change from the floor into their pockets. While the hugs & greetings were going on, grown men (the Asian cleaners) eager for a few fils (money) scrambled shamelessly between the flowing abayias like boys grabbing candy from a broken pinata. The flowers and candy were swept up as quick as they landed on the floor. The barricade which was erected just for the occasion of the Hajj, extended all the way to the parking lot to keep the crowd of greeters separate from the returning Pilgrims. I assumed this was to prevent congestion but it was a very awkward arrangement.

Around midnight, our own tired and bedraggled little "pilgrims" emerged with bags and bed sacks. Molly had been able to skip through the passport procedure in Kuwait ahead of others; this was only a small consolation after her diplomatic passport caused such a stir on arrival to Dubai that the whole group was delayed by 2 hours.

Thankful List

"Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

November 27, 2009

I've been reviewing my benefits since reading this Psalm first thing this morning and I am moved to tears at the length of my list! Here are some of the hightlights:

1. I'm so thankful for the growing intimacy I feel with God as I get older. I've had such precious glimpses of him at work these last few months.

2. The privilege of serving "the least of these" in Kuwait through Operation Hope.

3. The calls to prayer each day that remind me of the supremacy of God, that Jesus is his son, and of my desire for the Holy Spirit to make Him known in this land.

4. Robert's choices which have enabled us to be together here as a family, his priorities, his support for my passions, and his unbelievable love for our kids.

5. Molly's gap year which is allowing us to serve together. The experiences she is having here and the favor she genders with everyone she encounters. Her readiness for college (even if I'm not ready!)

6. Emily's tenacity in the face of academic and physical challenges, she has been such a fighter. Her relationships with the diverse group of international and Kuwaiti students where she is so very respected.

7. Ethan's strength of character and good decisions in the presence of negative influences and peer pressure. His growing maturity. The opportunity for him to star in "Oliver."

8. My friendships with the ladies from the American Embassy. It is not a chore for me to participate in social events, it is a pleasure.

9. The Kuwait Ladies Bible study and this very diverse group of friends who have been such a delight to get to know and be with. They allow me to lead them in worship each week and this has been a special blessing to me.

10. My Kuwaiti neighbors who are so gracious and generous with us. Tonight Amani sent over a pot of Arabic coffee, the special tiny cups that go with it, and a beautiful platter with a variety of dates for us to enjoy just as she knew we would be finishing our Thanksgiving feast!

11. Our very dedicated American soldiers. We enjoyed having two of them for Thanksgiving dinner along with two other contractors and two American teachers. It was a delightful mix of people, a fantastic "surrogate family" to feast with, play games with, sing karaoke with and even watch the Macy's Day Parade!

12. Family & friends back home who don't forget us even though we have been away for so long. For the stories I hear from them of God's provision during such lean financial times.

13. Our lovely big, comfortable home. The vehicle & free gas provided by the Kuwaiti government who appreciates the American presence and treats us so well.

14. The availability of almost everything we "needed" for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, even if we did have to pay around $15 for fresh cranberries flown in from the states!!!

15. My reliable Indian taxi driver, Hameed, who takes such care in transporting my family when needed.

16. For protection on the roads with the highest mortality rate in the world.

17. The Marines, who guard our embassy and provide security for us 24/7.

18. All the flavors of Middle Eastern food: Lebanesse, Indian, Kuwaiti...so delicious!

19. The thankful lists our children still make every year. We now have enough to cover two large tables.

20. The peace and contentment God has given me while living in a land so very different from my own.

Unintended Consequences

November 23

I'm sure in the handbooks of cross cultural ministry there are warnings of doing things with unintended consequences; we must be taking the extended course of "trial and error!" Actually, I was listening to Lynda's pastor talk about Smart Compassion and he made me think about this. Then, I experienced exactly what he was talking about...

As the first pilot group was underway at a different shelter for runaway maids, it was decided that the ladies would each get the full profit from the sale of their craft items: they were crocheting lovely bags from recycled plastic grocery sacks. We really wanted to let them reap the benefits, especially since many of them ran away in the first place because of many months of unpaid salaries. As we were still discussing how much to sell them for, and what percentage to return to them directly vs going to their common needs; someone took it upon themselves to sell the bags for 5KD (about $18.) These particular ladies are living in a beautiful home that was generously made available for them and limited to a smaller number of women. So, when they got their first payments, they announced that they no longer wanted to return to their countries, but to stay right where they were and make bags!!! Not exactly the desired effect!

Lesson learned. In this situation, Communism is much better than Capitalism! We quickly bowed out of that arrangement and I took another course of action with my ladies. This weekend I sold the first batch of "Trash to Treasure" ornaments (there was much more demand than I could fulfil) and took in over $75.00 US. When I told them today, I thought they might want to spend it on something frivolous since they earned it as "extra." There was a unanimous desire for sanitary supplies and cough medicine! Such basic needs. What a joy it will be to take them a supply of these. All money will be spent as they desire and returned to them in products.

This was such a good lesson to learn. We must stop, look, and really listen to discern how to serve in a way that is beneficial and not destructive or offensive.

Today, Molly & I joined in on our first "distribution" of winter warmth bags to TCN's (third country nationals) working as custodians at a public hospital on the far side of Kuwait. It was explained to me that these workers live 25 to a room with minimal or no toilet facilities. The crumbling walls are stuffed with trash to keep the wind out. Their meager wages are sometimes siphoned off by greedy supervisors who promise them better work or threaten them into giving a percentage of their wage to them. Hospitals hire the middle man; the company who provides a service and manages these workers for profit. This distances the Kuwaitis from how the TCN's are actually treated.

We took over 300 bags and several volunteers where we were met by the maintenance supervisors at end of shift. Very clean and neat men and a few women, all in uniform, lined up to receive their package of insulated underwear, gloves, hat and socks. Molly captured many happy faces on camera as they took the bags from us. Some would barely meet our eyes, most said a very grateful "thank you." A quarrel broke out once between a supervisor who came through twice and was accused of taking 2 bags by another manager. A little prayer, and it diffused. As word got out that we were there, men from a construction site across the street began to join in the line. Then security guards, and random other Indian & Asian workers. Some shouted over the fence, waving the bags, so others could come before we ran out of supplies. At last we pulled away, but one lone man came out by the car asking in Arabic if he too, could have a bag. Sheryll has the biggest heart; she told the lorry driver to let him have one of the few that were left...out of nowhere, others materialized and were stretching their hands thru the bars of the truck to grab one, two bags in a frenzy of greed. Sheryll scolded one man and reminded him that "God is looking and sees your greed, you need to take only one!" Certainly, God sees all of our greed but some of us are able to disguise it better than others.

It was such a joy to serve with Molly. I am so thankful that she has the heart and desire to serve in this way, and very grateful that we have this opportunity to minister together here and now.

Life is a Ball

So, I see; I am a little behind...I will try to close the gap! The days slip by at an accelerated speed as the holidays draw near. In addition to the joy of each day, I've spent time planning for our Egypt trip, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and we have 2 girls with special birthdays coming up as well.



As promised, my neighbor was good on her word: Friday morning when I went over, the maids were ready for church! I was so happy and I could see that they were too. On the way to church we learned that Anna has a 4 year old little girl and a husband back in the Philippines; Venge has a 12 and 19 year old and her husband died in an accident 15 days after she arrived in this country 2 years ago.



As we sat together in the worship service, Venge leaned over and said to me "I cannot believe we are in Kuwait, I feel so FREE here!" Our pastor spoke about leaving a legacy and reminded us that we are all placed here by God for a reason, even if we think it was a job that brought us here. I hope he gave them a sense of purpose for what they do. Afterwards, when I asked, both wanted to pray with the pastor & he embraced them lovingly and carried them and their families to the throne in prayer. The service ran long (as most do here) and we had to chat a bit after church & round up the kids. By the time we were on our way home it had been about 2 1/2 hours the maids had been gone. I got a text from their "Madame" saying "it is too long...where are you? I am having company and need my housemaids." They knew she would not be happy when they returned but I had a feeling they thought what they had enjoyed was worth her wrath. They were so pleased to be out and at church. I felt terrible, and really struggled with the selfishness of my friend who found 2.5 hours in a week with 0 days off to be too much to allow these precious lady's to rest and worship. This sense of sadness diffused into my day. I pray they will be refreshed with a new sense of hope, and pray this won't be the first and last time they get to go.



The Marine Ball was a lot of fun for Robert & I. For security reasons, it needed to be held at the Embassy and there is not a room large enough to hold the event. Thus, the tennis court is used. I was amazed at how they made a tennis court look like an elegant ballroom with swooping lights and draped curtains hiding the green mesh walls. Tickets to this event are considered quite the prize in this country. This is an annual affair at US Embassies all over the world because the Marines provide the security for all our Embassies and this event celebrates the Birthday of the formation of the Marine Corp. The video presentation gave some insight into the valuable service these brave men & women provide to our country and the sense of pride was evident. It was a tear jerker. After all the ceremony, there was a fabulous catered buffet and a live jazz band played songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's which is just the kind of music we like to dance to! For a reminder of the providence of God; I was blessed to sit by a lady who is professional artist who was very interested in the work I'm doing with the Philippine maids. She would love to help in any way and was willing assist me in the "Trash to Treasure" project!!! I just see God orchestrating things I could never even think to ask for and I'm so touched by how thoughtful he is.



The kids enjoyed a 4 day weekend as Parent Teacher Conferences were scheduled for Sunday & Monday. All enjoyed sleepovers with friends and it was so good to see them enjoying themselves. We are trying to get ready for Thanksgiving but this is a challenge. We thankfully got a turkey at the base before their limited supply was exhausted. As for the trimmings...we may have to make some substitutions as things such as pumpkin & cranberries are either not available, or extremely high priced and imported from the US. So far we have 2 teachers, and I think our current count of soldiers we expect is up to 5! These are guys stationed without their families who are at Camp Arifjan. I must start cooking soon:)