Family

Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 3: Singles Support and Sending

In Parts 1&2, Hayat shared some of her experiences as a single female living in an Arabic speaking part of the world, then shared some wisdom from Romans 12 on finding our place in belonging. In this final part, Hayat shares some helpful tips and insights for those involved in supporting and sending singles overseas. …

Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 3: Singles Support and Sending Read More »

Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 2: Belonging to each other

One family here have taken me in and consider me to be one of theirs. I’m expected to celebrate Eids with them, to come over for iftar (the daily breaking of fast meal during Ramadan, the month of fasting), to visit on at least a weekly basis (ideally from dawn to dusk). It’s a joy …

Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 2: Belonging to each other Read More »

Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 1: Being Single in the Arabic Speaking World

One of my favourite things about the Arabic speaking world is the high value placed on hospitality and the extended family. Living in this part of the world, it is rare that I would be asked questions typical to a western culture upon introducing myself to someone. “What’s your name?” “What do you do?” are …

Being Part of a Collective: Singleness Marriage and Family. Part 1: Being Single in the Arabic Speaking World Read More »

Dealing with loss in cross-cultural service (resource)

While loss is an unavoidable part of life this side of eternity, many have noted that cross-cultural living comes with more loss than usual. Moving to a new culture, whether by choice or necessity, involves leaving things behind – parts of your identity, people and places you love, perhaps the ability to speak in full …

Dealing with loss in cross-cultural service (resource) Read More »

SHARE THE ADVENT STORY IN ANY LANGUAGE

Photo Credit: baerchen57 via Compfight cc First published www.towinsome.com If you had nothing but the Bible as a guide, what would you do to celebrate Jesus’ birth? I’m wondering because here in my Middle Eastern country Christmas isn’t celebrated at all. Yes, some of the bigger shops sell lights and fake trees, and Starbucks even serves a gingerbread latte. …

SHARE THE ADVENT STORY IN ANY LANGUAGE Read More »

Break the Rules

When we moved to the middle east I discovered that there were loads of rules in my new home… which no one kept! As someone who grew up in Britain, this was hard for me to grasp. We all have our own worldviews and it was fun having this one challenged! Here is some examples …

Break the Rules Read More »

girl, father, portrait

Parenting

Once again I find myself crouching down on my 6 year old son’s level and saying sorry. ‘Sorry son I shouldn’t have said those words when I got angry. I didn’t mean them. Will you forgive me?’ He smiles his ‘of course mummy’ and runs off to play. I tearfully go and put the kettle …

Parenting Read More »