SOCCER!

Some will be very chuffed to see and read this: Ryan played soccer the other day! It was against little kids, but the point is-he played anyway!

We were at the park, as a family, playing in the sand, when I saw Ryan's gaze shift from his beautiful daughter to the ugly, sweaty boys in the distance. Without even looking back he said, "It looks like those guys need help!" and passed me his watch and was off!

Ryan and another dad (I presume!) took on about 10 little okes!!! The poor lighties had no chance! Ryan was running circles around them-until he couldn't run anymore!!!! I only saw the kids score 1 goal, the cheeky boy got down on his hands and knees and pushed the ball over with his nose! But I know what was going on in my husband, the grandson of Don Wilson's head: "It's alright..." and proceeded to cabelt (SP?!) the boys!!

Fun, fun, fun!!

Desert Safari with Mama Amna

We had the most incredible experience this weekend. Sean has this elderly local patient, Mama Amna, who invited us all to the desert for supper.

Note: You need to look carfully for her in the photo: She's next to Donna sitting in front of her daughter, they're both wearing black, so you can just bearly make out her slit for her eyes. But that is Mama Amna!

We drove out about 65km towards Hatta (for those who know which direction Hatta is!) and at a tiny turn-off we turned off (!!) and drove a little bit into the desert and then just stopped in the middle of absolutely nothing, and started setting up "camp". We parked our big 4x4s lager style around the chosen spot, threw their carpets on the sand, put a screen up around which would become the "kitchen" (I think some thought it would be the "bathroom", but that was deeper into the desert!) and unpacked the food...and more food! Next thing mama Amna is down on her hands and knees, digging in the sand to make her fireplace, refusing help because she is a "Jungle Woman" (her words exactly!)! She made the most amazing meal, a traditional rice and meat dish, and some delicious chicken kebabs. That was AFTER the raisin bread, Patchi chocolates, fruit, Lebanese/Turkish sweets and chips...!

Donna so enjoyed herself. Mama Amna's granddaughter, Miriam, was also there and they both got a little stool, a really cute teddy bear, and a car (!!). I took her little tea set with and she was making tea and coffee for everyone (and juice for Sean!). She asked to go "back to desert another day". I hope we do!

It was such a unique experience and privileged. Having a desert meal with a local family. It was one of those things that I had hoped to experience before we even came-a piece of their culture-their way, not in a museum or "staged" set-up, but enjoying it as part of their family. Well that's how they made us feel anyway.

The Grants

We had such a great time with the Grant family. After their very fancy family wedding in the UK, they came to stay with us for 4 days. The Grant kids arrived with fever, and my sweet Donna was simply miserable, I think from the 4 eye teeth she's been struggling with! We didn't do any of the things we set out to do: ie Wild Wadi, Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai, etc, but each day was an adventure and unfolded into wonderful times! I think they at least got their fill of shopping though, well Angus did, I think Sharon and Emily could have handled a bit more! But then Angus did manage to go on a Desert Safari with Ryan and Sean that I'm sure made up for it!

Poor Emily was smothered by Donna, Donna so loved having a "real" friend around for a while. I don't think she could believe it when she woke up in the mornings and Em was still there! Don would literally latch herself to Em, not letting go...shame man, I feel so bad for her!! It's amazing how true fellowships just are tight and special, no matter what age or distance. We are blessed to have friends in Christ!

For the Grants: The time of fellowship and catching up is what I valued most and miss most now-it was such a pleasure to have you guys over-but now you've just made me sad and long Pretoria all the more. But it is worth it-THANK YOU FOR COMING!