Conversation

A day at the Fauzi - Betsy from 7am to 1 pm, Philip 1pm to 7pm, but much overlap.

Over breakfast: conversation with Marwah, our friend who wears a veil and a long robe over her clothes. She is like a sister, comfortable, laid back, engaged, fun-loving, 23 with two children. She talked about marriage and love...
"I don't believe in this like/love before marriage. You love after marriage."
With a twinkle in her eye, "I don't like this..." when asked about arranged marriage. Her husband saw her, came and asked her parents, bringing his parents along.
Deeply, heartfelt, "... but I love my husband."

Marwah also laughed at us as we tried to learn language like her boys, and spontaneously invited us to her house.

At noon: four Arab women of different ages (two who clean etc at the Inn, one who works with us in reception, one a neighbor) sitting around drinking a sour rose flavored lemonade-like drink and Arabic coffee, eating cake and dates (bellha). I sat with them and didn't understand much but was welcome. Community.

Afternoon: cards and joking the long hot hours away with Paul (from Australia) and Ben (new volunteer from u.s.). Joyous.

Over supper: sharing lentils, hummus, bread and falafel with Esther from Hong-Kong and Greg from Australia. Conversation about hiking and life. Camaraderie.

Evening: conversations with Ben about how to make a cake - passing on information. Listening to another volunteer, Joel, talk about everything you care to bring up under the sun, and working through a difficult customer.

These are our connections. We grow, we listen, we pray, we laugh, we argue, we rejoice.