What? Burger King delivers?

That is right...as does McDonalds, Hardees, of course Pizza Hut...just about everybody - one of the many unique things that I have found interesting about Qatar.

I live in the capital city surrounded by skyscrapers and water. It is very beautiful and I am glad the company has rented our accomodations here. The difficult thing is that we work about an hour away from where we live...with traffic it is easy a 90 min commute. Our work day starts at 5:45 am so we have to leave our apartment between 3:30 and 4:00 am. There is extra time coming in because of base security...go figure! :-)

This picture is looking out my living room window:

Right now we are watching the Muslims celebrate Ramadan - the holy month in which they fast during the day and eat all night. This means all the restaurants and stores are closed during the day...the exception is the grocery store. We can buy food during the day but we are not allowed to eat or drink in public. The good news is that this celebration ends with a 3-day holiday called Eid...since we are under Qatari labor laws, we also get the 3-days off. The start and end of the 3 days is determined by the moon...so it will either be this Sat-Mon or Sun-Tue, we are not sure yet. Regardless, it is 3 days to really explore Doha.

So far I have been to the City Center mall where there is a bowling alley and an ice skating rink...both of which I have not tried yet. But I will soon!

So far, honestly it has been mostly work, but I am slowly becoming acquainted with the area and have plans to begin venturing out more and more. As far as language school, I have been in contact with Qatar University and they offer several options for classes. I will have to wait until my work schedule is settled before I sign up and pay the tuition fees..this too will come in time.

Prayer Requests:

The requirements for Westerners to get a driver's license has changed recently and now it is very hard. It will be awful for me if I am unable to obtain one...this is very important.

Thank you.

Or...

Okay, so just when you think you have the plan set, God goes and changes everything. I have taken a job working in Qatar. It is just about in the center of the 10/40 window - amazing! This job will provide the opportunity to live in the Middle East and I have been given permission to study the language in my free time. So there it is...He calls, He moves, He provides...all we have to do is obey! Also, since I am working for a defense contracting company I am pretty free to write about my experiences. The day will come when I will not be able to be so free flowing with the blogs, but this go-round is official so I can talk to my hearts content.

Where is Qatar? Well, here is a map...

As you can see it is a tiny peninsula sticking off the side of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf. I will be living in the capital city of Doha. I am so excited to meet the people and begin to learn the very difficult language of Arabic. Everything before me is a complete mystery...but I cannot wait to begin blogging my Mid-East experiences.

Eyes set on the uttermost

Nearly a year later and the thought of the 10/40 window still consumes most of my day. I have clear direction from the Lord that a move is coming...now it is Isaiah 40:31 time. I used to want to do something with my life that would change the world, but now I want to do something with my life that will change eternity. Our country getting all turned around, it seems we are no longer "We the people", now we are "We the dependents of the US government" and this saddens me. While fighting for our country is noble and needful...something pulls my sight to the needs of the world. The thought of women being so tormented that they do not feel worthy enough to even look at a man makes my blood boil. Women and children cast aside like unwanted dirty laundry is something worth fighting for and the pioneer in me wants to at least try to make their lives better.
The first step is a trip to a particular location to determine if humanitarian efforts will be received. This comes this summer. Then, I will raise support for the cause, followed by language school and eventually an education/aid station for women and children. How all of this is going to pan out is anybody's guess but I have faith to believe that God is going to move on behalf of His people and allow us to help them. More to come!

New Life

We added a new member to our family. It is amazing to me that no matter how difficult situations get, the moment a new baby comes it brings everything into focus. Holding this little guy this morning...just a few days old...seemed to breathe new life right into me. What amazing possibilities there are for him! And I hope his mother would not mind me telling you this...but she considered abortion. Why? Well, the world told her that life would be easier without him. They may be right...it might have been easier without him. But all it took was one look at his precious little face and this dear mother fell in love with him. That supreme love is worth all the sleepless nights, and difficulties that are coming to her. She knows she made the right decision. Life - what a gift we have - Let us praise God today for life and decide to lay it as an offering before Him. God Bless!