Don't drink the water..

There wasn't any actual water drinking involved..only sealed bottled water anyway. I was sick though. for a few days, too. ew. I have to say that it's pretty embarrassing when you have flu like symptoms, one boss sends you to bed in the middle of your work day, and the other boss takes wonderful care of you. Yes, it was embarrassing--it was also a wonderful testament to the people I work for. They made sure I had proper medicine, foods to eat, a doctor came to see me and  they also insisted I had adequate time off. I was so so thankful for them this past week. I'm feeling good as new now and closer with my "family" then before.

Ramadan is nearing it's finish and my "typical" day will change yet again. On the table for discussion right now is whether we will fly to Sharm El Sheikh for Eid(The Festival of fast-Breaking). Its a 3 day feast, or something like it, after Ramadan. Sharm El Sheikh is worth a Google Image Search. It's a gorgeous place at the Red Sea..i'm hoping to get a little diving in if we go :) It'll be nice when school starts and things are more settled. 

Speaking of the Red Sea..today I drove over the Nile again..it just blows my mind to think this huge river was blood at one time. Or that I may get to swim in the very water that God parted for the Israelites. I mean..whoa. I literally live minutes from the pyramids. I drove by those today as well..and I couldn't help but read some of Exodus when I got back home. I want to soak it all in. Give God all the glory. Let Him into my life to over power the Islam that coats my life here. In the same hour that I marveled over the Nile, I walked by a building that had  "RIP Bin Laden" in Graffiti on it. I saw a little boy no older than 7, who washing cars on the side of a road, with his family for money and dressed in rags. I later stood in the place where hundreds of people have died fighting for their freedom and haven't gotten very far. It was a sobering day.  It's going to be a humbling year. I was thankful to get back to my private room, in my house with guards, to order a pizza and eat oreos. It makes me ready to go back to my real home to help my sister pick a college. To see my cousins get married. To be comfortable. But please tell me where in scripture it says to be comfortable? Tell me what reasons other than selfishness and fear that I would abandon this awfully beautiful place? Think on that one. Something is happening here. I'm not sure what, but I can't quit. Check out this conversation:

M: Need anything from the Pharmacy?

Me: Some nail polish remover and hand soap, please!

K: Amanda, it's not good to wear nail polish. You can't pray.

M: It's okay, K.

K: Amanda, DO you pray? 

Me: Yes, I do pray.

K: But you cant have a manicure when you pray!

M: K, she prays but she prays differently than we do..

K: oh..*sits quietly*

My boss proceeded to explain to me what K meant about wearing nail polish. Basically they wash in a certain way to cleanse before they pray and the nail polish blocks the nails and so they aren't pure. That's not my point though. I'm DIFFERENT. Kids notice these things. She knows I look different. She knows I speak differently. She knows I don't fast during ramadan, and she's asked why. She knows I pray, but she knows its not like her family. I don't know if i'm here just to learn and to expose. I don't know if i'm planting seeds and/or if i'll see any fruit. I don't know God's plan for me other than my goals as a Nanny. But I know that he's big. I know that he's more powerful than any being. I know that he can use regular, imperfect me..in whatever way he chooses. So i'm here with arms open asking Him to take me and break me and use me for his purpose only. I miss home..but I'm needed here..maybe for more than just potty training. Pray that the Lord equips me with whatever it is I need. I'm nothing without HIM and he will provide.

    

                                   I'll leave you with a few shots from my trip to the city today:

Told ya there are pyramids!

Nile

The next two are in Tahrir Square

<3 Amanda