Here Am I: Ramadan Week 1 In Review

We are one week in to Ramadan, and it has been great! Ramadan brings the community and families even closer together than they already are (which is really close), and there is always a neighbor to hang out with, a house to visit, and a Iftar to help prepare. I feel like in one week, I've become so much closer to my neighbors and friends, and that makes this girl happy. This is my first Ramadan spent on my Island, and I have been looking forward to praying for my friends who are seeking God during this time, as well as spending some time fasting with them/for them. I have been, and am, expectant for God to move.

Week in Quick(ish) Review:

Last Thursday, my best friend here started reading the Injil (New Testament) with me. A few weeks back, we were driving to the big town, and I was talking about my relationship with God. I was explaining the intimacy I am able to have with God because of Jesus. As we continued to talk, she said she knew some about Jesus (Isa), but would like to know more. I told her I had an Injil she could have to learn more. When she came over last Thursday to hang out, she asked me where the book was. We decided to read through John together, and talk about it along the way. The next day, I got a phone call at 7:30am, saying she was excited to talk about it, and was wondering what time she could come over.

Saturday, as I was praying in the morning, I believed God wanted me to go to a specific road and pray for sick people. As I walked, I prayed for these villages. I was greeted by friends, acquaintances, and many new faces. I got invited in to 3 houses, and each of them offered the information that someone was sick in their home. In the first house, there was a baby who had been sick for weeks. The mom said the baby had been to the doctor several times and taken medicine, but nothing was working. I asked her if I could pray for her baby in the name of Jesus because I believe there is power in His name, and that God was able to heal her child. She declined, but told me after she takes her to the doctor one more time, then I can pray for her. After some more conversation about who they were and about their family, I headed on my way. Shortly after, I was invited into another home. There was a Bibi (grandmother) who told me she was unable to walk because her knees were so bad and swollen. I asked her if I could pray and ask God to heal her knees in the name of Jesus. She said yes, and her daughter gathered around, raised her hands in the air, and agreed with my prayers to heal her. Nothing miraculous happened, but the joy on her face and her genuine thankful heart was awesome. A little while later, as I was finishing up my walk, I got invited into a third home. This is a family that I know and had visited several times before. They have a daughter who gets extreme headaches and has been really sick. Several months ago, she told me that another student at her school was jealous of her because she was the top student in her class, and sent a bad jinn (demon) that effected her ability to finish school. I prayed for her a few months back, and her father has asked me to keep praying for her. When I showed up at their house on Saturday, the mom told me that the daughter had gotten so much worse. I asked if I was able to see her. She was cooking food in the jikoni (outdoor kitchen type thing). When I greeted her, she tried to greet me back, but she wasn't speaking words that were understandable. I offered to pray for her, and she motioned that she was cooking right now. I am planning on following up with her, and have been praying for her a lot. You may think, Ging, nothing cool happened. Ya, if you were expecting miraculous healings (which I TOTALLY believe He is able to do), you might be thinking nothing cool happened. BUT God has been teaching me to be obedient. I am not in control of the results, and He wants me to be obedient to what He asks me to do- no matter what. He asked me to go and pray for the sick, and I went. He guided me to 3 houses, ALL of which offered information about a sick person being there without me even having to ask. I believe I was obedient in offering to pray for them. He is in control of the results. I believe He was pleased in my obedience. I'm learning and growing in this area, and was grateful for this walk through the village, and the people God asked me to pray for.

Sunday, I was asked to speak at a church in the big town of our Island (church of folks from the Mainland). On Saturday night, my best friend asked me if I could give her a ride to the big town because she needed to return to her school. On Sunday morning, when I arrived at her house to pick her up, she told me she actually didn't need to go to school anymore because she got a call saying it was closed for the week. She asked if she could still come with me and do whatever I was doing. I told her I was teaching at a church, but she was welcome to come. She hopped in the car. The folks at the church couldn't have been nicer, and I enjoyed getting to see how they worship together here- that is one of the main things I miss from back home- worshipping with a congregation of believers! My friend was pretty low key the whole time, but afterwards, told me how she really understood what I was teaching on, and she enjoyed listening to me teach.

Then Wednesday rolled around, and I had invited two of my neighbor families over for our breaking fast meal. There were 3 adults and 10 kids, and we really enjoyed our time together. I had cooked a chicken, soup, breadsticks, rice, and some banana bread for dessert. They licked their plates clean, which I guess was a good sign. (I've had quite a few bad hosting experiences because they are pretty picky eaters when it comes to Americanish food).

I have been spending every evening outside with the two women and kids, and have gotten to know them a lot better- as well as gotten in a little extra Swahili practice. We sit in the dark, under the incredibly beautiful sky, watch the kids play, and chat it up. I love the simple life.

Thursday, I was invited to cook and eat iftar with my best friend's family. I have been enjoying learning how to cook over a fire, but I'm not gonna lie, that is hard and dirty work! I have mad respect for the women here. I am spoiled, and have a gas stove that I cook on. After we cooked for several hours (and that was after she had already been cooking for a couple before I arrived), we sat down to a nice candlelit dinner with her family.

Saturday, I went to dinner at Mariam and Ali's. I sat with Mariam while she finished cooking some of the delicious food, but she insisted that I didn't get dirty by helping. (I think she was afraid I would mess it up- and she was probably right). I have been able to share with all of these families and friends that as a follower of Jesus, I also fast, and that I have been praying for them during my time of fasting.

So far, my experience with spending Ramadan on my Island has been awesome.

Thanks for loving my friends with me through your prayers!

Here are some pics from the week:

My friend and I making "Zebra Cakes". Or just playing.