Easter in Dubai

Posted on April 9, 2012 by texpatfaith

Today is Easter Sunday in Dubai. This morning the Dubai Ralston’s woke at 4:45am and headed to Kite Beach for our church’s sunrise service. It was beautiful. The pale yellow moon was still up, looking very full and very close. The air was cool and clear, not yet tinged with the sand that creates Dubai’s dusty haze. The beach was quiet, except for the occasional curious jogger or kayaker. The surf was calm. As our church family gathered for worship, the moon slid towards the Arabian Gulf and the sun rose behind our backs. I think I must live in a very rare place, where the desert topography allows you to see the full moon set and the fiery sun rise simultaneously. It brings a whole new meaning to the separation between darkness and light in Genesis 1:5. I also found myself thinking about Psalm 135:5, “He made the heavens skillfully. His love is eternal.”

We prayed and sang while the children played on the beach and dallied at the edge of the surf. Pastor Jim taught from the top of a mound of sand, ornamented with a cross made of sea shells. Three wooden crosses covered in wire mesh were secured in the sand, awaiting the flowers we’d been given to adorn them during worship. Finally, there were the baptisms in the sea. I absolutely love seeing people immersed in baptism and hearing those words, “buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life.” It fills my heart with joy. People who get baptized are always smiling when they come up out of the water. It makes me smile too. It also reminds me why I feel different, am different, from the world in which I live.

The simplicity of our time together was refreshing. The music came only from our voices. The teaching, unaided by a microphone, gave Pastor Jim’s voice an emotional timbre that only added to the poignancy of the morning. There was an overwhelming sense of peace. As if I had finally “awakened and come to my senses”, as Paul encourages the Corinthians to do. (1 Corinthians 15:34)

There is no official observance of Easter in Dubai. Unofficially, Christians mark the day in a pretty low-key way. To be able to worship openly on the beach on Resurrection Sunday is a privilege no one takes for granted. Aside from the commercial aspects, namely, the large variety of chocolate eggs found in Dubai’s fabulous chocolate boutiques, there isn’t much evidence of Christianity’s most holy day. Thankfully, this lack of evidence includes no large rabbits in the malls, something I think we could do without in the U.S.

Life in Houston was so different this time of year. When the children were young, this season consisted of Lenten meals, worship services, Stations of the Cross, Easter baskets, egg hunts and other egg related fun. Many an hour was spent telling the story of Christ’s death and resurrection by using resurrection eggs. Just as much time went into the fun of dying eggs or making those crazy confetti eggs you crack over people’s heads. Easter was integrated into our lives in everything we did. Later on, it became more about reflecting on the deeper meaning of Christ’s resurrection and, of course, participating in large get-togethers with family and friends.

Today I couldn’t help but notice the contrast in life as it was and life as it is. I realized my worship experience was one of a stranger in a foreign land where my faith is in the minority. I felt a bit more kinship with the believers of the early church. The simplicity of the message, the geographical location, and the baptisms in the sea,  reminded me that when all is said and done, the message is still the same, and it’s a  simple one.

“He is risen”

“He is risen indeed”

  Amen

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Reflection

Posted on December 31, 2011 by texpatfaith

Recently, I asked my family, “As the door closes on 2011, what are your most prominent reflections on the year?”

It’s funny; no mention was made of graduations, travel or jobs (there was a lot of activity surrounding those things this year). Rather, their answers all seemed to center on the importance of their relationships.

My son and daughter-in-law commented, “We are far from home and the relationships we’ve made in our small group at church have been invaluable. They are a reminder of why continued fellowship is so important to us.”  My youngest daughter remembered her oral final exam from one of her tougher college courses. Not for the grade, but for how a discussion on Paul’s literary style called up the words necessary for a defense of her faith and the opportunity to share the gospel with her professor. My oldest daughter readily replied that during a particularly trying time in her life she was grateful for the help she received from so many just when she needed it most, and for the courage to accept it. My husband’s response was about the incredible group of men that he works with in Iraq, a dangerous and uncertain environment. He considers their camaraderie and ability to persevere essential for their very tough assignment. Thomas Paine said it well, “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” As for me, I am reminded once again how God bestowed grace on my insignificant self in a generous way.  He has continued to give me wisdom in regards to my relationship with my aging parents and shown me that with Him, I can navigate the tough roads. All of our reflections seem to have a great deal to do with our relationship with Christ. And, as we all know, relationships require attention.

Someone who knew about reflection was Mary the mother of Jesus. In Luke 2:18-19 we read,

After the shepherds had seen the child, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

                                                                                                                   Luke 2:18-19

What exactly does it mean to treasure and to ponder? The Greek word for “treasured up” in verse 19 is suntereo, meaning to preserve a thing from perishing or being lost or to keep within one’s self, lest it be forgotten.  Likewise, “ponder” is sumballo, meaning to gather together in one’s mind or confer with one’s self.  Mary knew some big things were happening in her life and she was paying attention. She was reflecting on all that had happened to her and putting it into perspective. In her Bible study on Women of the Bible, Vicki Kraft describes what the environment may have been like for Mary,

“I wonder what she was thinking in that humble place. God’s Son had been born in the equivalent of what today would be a stable! There was no family there to share their joy.I think God deliberately sent a bunch of excited shepherds. They came in wonder and awe, telling the amazing story of an angel who had told them that a Savior was born, and then the sky was filled with angels praising God. …He sent these humble shepherds to rejoice with Mary and Joseph. We get insight into her reflective nature from Luke 2:19. “… Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” …This is a very thoughtful, deeply reflective, spiritual woman.”

The words in Luke indicate a quiet reflection in Mary that is consistent with her obedient and patient character. It is evident in her interaction with events and people God puts in her path. Her responses set an example for us in reflecting on God’s word in our lives. Quiet reflection on the truths of the scripture often reveals God’s miraculous way he lovingly cares for us every day. Friends and family who support us, co-workers who labor diligently alongside us, words of faith that come at the proper time and a peace that passes all understanding when understanding seems impossible. Quiet reflection enables us to recall God’s word and remember His past faithfulness, sometimes so easily forgotten. It allows us to progressively trust the Lord more readily with our lives. Quiet reflection is a discipline honed through regular application. It brings into focus what we really need to see as the confusing chaff of the world fades into the background.

I know that keeping New Year’s resolutions is a notoriously fickle process, but I’m praying that I can engage more diligently in quiet reflection. There is plenty of room in my life for improvement. For 2012, I want to be guided by Psalm 119:16, “I shall delight in thy statutes, I shall not forget Thy word.” I pray that your 2012 will also be filled quiet reflection.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you this season. It has truly been a blessing.

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Adopted at Birth

Posted on December 20, 2011 by texpatfaith

Brotherly Love

Do you have relationships that have stood the test of time? You know the ones I’m talking about. Despite the distance in miles or the time between visits, when you are with that person, it’s like you’ve never been apart. Solomon certainly knew of these relationships when he penned Proverbs 18:24, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” How is it that a friend can be “closer than a brother”?  This is often true of friendships among believers. A recent discussion between my husband and me about relationships prompted an unexpected expression of loss. “I miss Mike”, he said.  Mike is my husband’s best friend. Twenty-two years ago Jeff came to Christ through a men’s bible study that Mike was leading.  For 16 years they met regularly on Saturday mornings and shared the triumphs and trials of life. Even now, when they are in Houston at the same time, they are a well-known duo at the Starbucks in our neighborhood. My husband often receives his tall coffee with cold soy milk without having to utter a word at the counter. When Jeff wanted to run a marathon, he trained with Mike and they ran it together. When Jeff wanted believer’s baptism, Mike did the dunking.  These two men, unrelated by birth, share a familial bond nonetheless. It’s just one of those relationships; faithful, unconditional, enduring…closer than a brother.

Born for All

There is a difference at the heart of relationships within the body of Christ. A difference that is revealed in some of the dialogue surrounding the events of Jesus’ birth. First, the angel of the Lord’s announcement to the shepherds, “… Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). Second, Simeon’s emotional prophecy reveals the heart of a steadfast believer whose been promised a glimpse of the Messiah. He says, “…For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”(Luke 2:30-32)  All people, all nations. Jesus’ birth swung open the doors for all who believe to become children of God, regardless of their race, ethnicity, heritage, status or family. Those who are born again are adopted into God’s family and therefore, share a unique fellowship. What holds this fellowship together and gives it uniqueness? Paul speaks of it when he says, “…Because you are of his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father. So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:6-7)  The children of God share the Spirit of God. We live, think, act and communicate in a way that sets us apart from the rest of the world and puts us in unison with one another and with Christ. Regardless of our origins, that, my friends, is what holds us together. That is what is at the heart of our divinely different relationships.

Believer’s Home

This Christmas, we are thousands of miles from our homes. But where do we really reside? Even though our passports bear the seals of our countries of citizenship from all over the world, our real citizenship is eventually in a far better place. For now, our adoption into God’s family gives us a home no matter where we are. I love C.S. Lewis’s quote, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”  Is this not especially true of those who share the Spirit of God?

Abiding Fellowship

When I moved to Dubai I did not expect to find such vibrant fellowship of believers. In fact, I had been told to expect otherwise. What a blessing you are to me! I am thankful for each and every one of the relationships I have made in my time here and for the ones I left behind in the states. I know that I could meet you anywhere and anytime and it would be as if we had never been apart. Praise God that we can love each other in this way!

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On the Road to Bethlehem

Posted on December 14, 2011 by texpatfaith

This week as I read Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, I was reminded of my first hour in Dubai. It was July of 2010 at Dubai International Airport. I had come to meet my husband so we could find a place to live. The fourteen hour flight had been sleepless. My back hurt and I was confused and disoriented. My brain struggled to make sense of my surroundings. Masses of people crowded around me on all sides as my daughter and I tried to stay together. I felt invisible. In the immigration line, I tried hard not to stare. The Emirate who stamped my passport, the throngs of people in the visa line, they were of every nation, tribe and tongue. Their skin color and dress, their language, it was all so new and unfamiliar. One particular group caught my attention, the laborers, streaming into Dubai in search of a better life. Their haunted expressions revealed their fear as they struggled to communicate. Like me, they felt invisible. They had no one, they were… no one. We were all alone in a crowded city, separated from our family and friends, ignored, tired, uncomfortable, and looking for a place to stay. Sound familiar?

When Caesar Augustus calls for a census, Mary and Joseph must travel to their traditional family town to be counted. Because they are descendants of King David, they make a 100 mile (160k) journey to Bethlehem. Scripture doesn’t tell us their mode of travel, but most likely it was on foot or by donkey and it probably took five or six days.  For a pregnant Mary, this would have been extremely difficult. Think about it, you and I travel in fast cars and, even more incredible, in a chair…in the sky, with people serving us drinks! And we complain about the traffic and the service. Can you imagine Mary’s discomfort?

When they arrive in Bethlehem, it’s full of people and there is nowhere to stay. I think of Mary and Joseph, exhausted and being turned away time and again. Who turns away a woman who is 9 months pregnant? Who turns away the woman carrying the savior of the world? The world does of course. They were surrounded by crowds of people who were oblivious to their true identity. Mary and Joseph were invisible. The mother of God delivers her first born child, our savior and king, in the lowliest of conditions without the support of family or friends. Except for those privileged shepherds, Jesus’ birth was invisible to most, at the fringes of society. He came into the world He came to save, with little notice.

The faithfulness and obedience of Mary and Joseph is a hallmark of this story. Even though they knew they were giving birth to the Messiah, they received no special treatment or attention. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Despite their circumstances, they trusted God to sustain them through the most trying of times and He did.

Do you ever feel invisible? Are others invisible to you? The story of Jesus’ birth is a reminder of just how easy it is not to see some of His most significant works He has placed right in front of us. We live at a crossroads of the world’s society. As Andrew Doust stated last week, we have over 65 countries represented in our church alone. Every day we are surrounded by thousands of souls from every nation, tribe and tongue. They come and go…nameless faces, all in need of a savior. We are all travelers. Are we taking the time to point the way?

Dear Ones, For the first time in 24 years I am away from my Texas home for Christmas. Thank you for the privilege of sharing my thoughts with you. With each other we are not alone, we are not invisible. Love, Shirley Ralston

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Home Away From Home

Posted on December 7, 2011 by texpatfaith

Have you ever been falsely accused? Have you ever felt the accompanying stings of rejection and ridicule? Whatever the circumstance may have been, it was a terrible feeling, wasn’t it? Be it an incidence in traffic, a misunderstanding with our spouse, perhaps a business-deal-gone-bad, false accusations make us burn. They drive us to explain ourselves, to make things right, to seek to set the record straight. Daniel Webster states it well, “Justice, sir, is the great interest of man on earth.”  Why? Perhaps our desire for justice goes a bit deeper. A clear explanation is found in Deuteronomy 32:4, “As for the Rock,his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, he is fair and upright.” Justice is a reflection of the character of our God. Inherently we know this to be true. Even in our fallen state, our desire for justice reflects His image in us.

Can you imagine then, what must have gone through Mary’s head when, at the tender age of thirteen or so, the mighty arch angel Gabriel appeared to tell her that she would become pregnant with the son of God – by divine intervention? Scripture reveals very little questioning on Mary’s part besides the obvious. “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)  In fact, her response is one of total acceptance of her new situation. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

You’d think she’d be panicked, her thoughts racing, ‘My reputation is ruined. I’m going to be falsely accused of having sex before marriage. Joseph is going to cast me aside and I am going to be alone with a baby. My family is going to disown me and I’ll have no home. I’m going to be stoned to death. Why me Lord?’

Joseph also had quite the predicament. Upon finding his betrothed to be pregnant, he considered his options according to the Mosaic Law by which he was bound. He could expose her publicly for being unfaithful, possibly subjecting her to stoning, divorce her privately or continue the engagement. As you can imagine, all three pose a dilemma. What must he have thought upon waking from a dream where an angel of the Lord definitively instructed him to take Mary as his wife? Again, Scripture reveals no indecision in Joseph. “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”(Matthew 1:24-25)

I wonder if his head reeled with thoughts of, ‘People are going to think she was unfaithful to me…was she? They are going to think that I got her pregnant. Either I come out looking like a heel or a sucker. I’ll probably have to move away’

Rejection. Mary and Joseph risked it in order to obey God; Jesus certainly knew it from the very start of His life on earth. “He was despised and rejected by people,one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him;he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.” Isaiah 53:3

Take time this week to meditate on this incredible story. What a contrast to the chaos and materialism leading up to Christmas that we experience today. But really, our issues are the same, aren’t they? Take heart if you find yourself far from home this Christmas. However you may feel separated, rejected or alone, know that there is always one place of safety and security… in the arms of our loving savior.

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Visit to a Distant Planet

Posted on December 4, 2011 by texpatfaith

Imagine. It is the ultimate expat assignment. The boss asks you to leave your home and move to a distant land with an alien culture. You are given a specific message to communicate and a critical task complete. To do it, you must become one of them. In fact, their survival depends on your success. You know from the outset your message will be accepted by few and rejected by many. Your presence will be viewed as a threat. For that reason, the authorities will try to arrest you, deport you, and even take your life. The pay is terrible and the housing allowance is non-existent. There is no health care, holidays, or bonuses. You will be poor, homeless and fated to wander.  You are told it is a three-year assignment, but in reality your work will be seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day for eternity.  Do you take the job?

Probably not, right? As an accompanying spouse I know I would have serious doubts about this kind of deal. Fortunately for us, Jesus accepted his expatriate assignment without question. Our Savior left His home in the heavenly realms and came to earth to be one of us.  Hebrews 2:14-15 eloquently explains that Jesus shared in our humanity so that by his death he could defeat the devil and free us from slavery and the fear of death.  He took that terrible expat package for you and me and the rest of Abraham’s lowly descendants. The apostle John tells of an indescribable gift for those who receive Jesus and believe in his name. We have been given the right to become children of God! I love the phrasing he uses in John 1:13, “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”.  The implications of that statement are vast. It means that the opportunity for eternal life is available to all. Amazing!         

I find myself far from home this Christmas. Yet, I am thankful that my family will be together in Dubai. How incredible that we find ourselves living in such a place at such a time as this? Yet, still have the opportunity to worship together and share the incredible truth of Jesus and his journey to earth, his transformation into human form and what he then accomplished on our behalf.

Will you be sharing? – The God of the universe who becomes…A child in a manger, who becomes…Our Savior. Amen.

* If you are far from home this Christmas, come with me and worship at Fellowship of the Emirates in Dubai *

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Why We Sacrifice

Posted on November 9, 2011 by texpatfaith

The following essays are dedicated to the men and women who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces in honor of Veteran’s Day ~ 11/11/11

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement, who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

 ~ Theodore Roosevelt 

Why We Sacrifice

A Decision Point ~ Onward to Normandy

My husband’s voice was muffled by the satellite phone but I could still hear his sense of urgency. “I really want to go to Normandy”, he said.

As an expat child, growing up in Switzerland, he had been to Normandy when he was young so his memories were vague.  I think his desire to return was influenced by fatherhood. Raising a history buff that devoured every book and movie associated with World War II had given us a new appreciation for the men and women who lived and served during this turning point in world history. I wish I had a penny for every time we watched The Longest Day or Band of Brothers. My desire to visit Normandy also stemmed from a natural interest in the history of that period. My father’s memorabilia from his time of service in the Army Air Corp always captured my curiosity. I was fascinated by his uniform, his photos, the ornate German beer steins and the ominous German army helmet he brought back from the war. Our history buff child was now a young army lieutenant and our circle of family and friends had come to include many men and women who had served or were serving in the Armed Forces. For us, Normandy had taken on a more personal significance.

We had twelve days to spend in Europe, much of it already planned. Finding extra time to travel to the Brittany coast would be a challenge. My daughter was already going to be a truant, she was missing more school than her spring break allowed. Fortunately, being an expat has its advantages when it comes to school attendance. Global life means being on the move. Something that is more tolerated in international schools. I knew we would regret missing the chance to see Normandy. If there was a way, I was determined to put my research skills to work and find it.

My initial internet searches were not very promising. Most travel forums indicated Normandy was a two or three-day visit, involving the five-hour ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre, then renting a car or taking a bus. Not possible with our schedule. We were taking the Eurostar from London to Paris for a four-day stay. It was possible to rent a car and drive from Paris but that would be expensive and more time-consuming. For some reason I kept imagining us lost in the French countryside, in the dark, trying to find our way back to Paris. Under different circumstances that would be fun, even romantic…but not this time.

My searches finally led me to a recommendation on Rick Steves  website for D-Day Battle Tours. The story of the proprietor, Mr. Ellewood von Seibold, and the exuberant reviews of his private tours of the region held promise. After a few email exchanges, we were set to travel by train from Paris, for an all day, private tour of key Normandy sites that included the town of Sainte Mere Eglise, Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Pointe Du Hoc and the American Cemetery.

A Time to Ponder ~ Paris to Carentan

After completing the London phase of our trip we took the Eurostar to Paris. Our four days in Paris were filled with museums, river cruises, the Eiffel Tower at night and a fabulous Fat Tire Bike Tour to Versailles. We set aside an entire day for our trip to Normandy and dawn came early as we raced to catch the 7:10am train from Paris-St. Lazare station  to Carentan.  This two-hour ride is relaxing and the scenery is beautiful. Much about the towns in this rural region of France seem untouched by modern life. Today the rolling hills of the Normandy countryside are peaceful; its windswept beaches are quiet. I suppose if God had directed human history down another path, perhaps Normandy would be known more for its Camembert, Calvados and Cider. Maybe even its seaside resorts. That was not to be. As we cruised along at 200kph there was time to contemplate what we were going to experience.

It’s hard to describe the feelings associated with a visit to Normandy. It certainly isn’t the normal excitement you experience when going somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, like Hawaii or Disney World. It’s kind of an uneasy anticipation. For me, it was an overwhelming awareness of the great sacrifice that occurred there. Today, the region is synonymous with a free Europe, gained through the spilled blood of allied soldiers during the D-Day invasion of World War II, June 6, 1944.  As an American I felt sadness and pride, for the thousands of men who gave their lives, for each other and for freedom.

During our train ride, the sunny April day had turned cold and windy. When we arrived in Carentan, the skies were overcast, adding grayness to our already subdued mood. Our guide, Trevor, collected us at the train station and after a few brief introductions, we were on our way.

A Town’s Perpetual Testimony ~ Sainte Mere Eglise

Our first stop in Sainte Mere Eglise was like stepping back in time. Bullet marks still riddle the wrought iron fences and buildings still bear the signs of the fighting that occurred on that fateful day in June of 1944. Under German occupation, the citizens of this strategically important location were confined to their homes in black out conditions the night paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions approached from overhead. Low visibility, anti-aircraft fire, and concerns about fuel caused allied planes to drop paratroopers at too high a speed and off target. In the ensuing chaos, men landed in and around the town square and Sainte Mere Eglise Church. Many were separated from their gear, their units and their leadership. On this night, darkness that normally would have provided concealment for paratroopers was eliminated by a house fire in the center of town. The soldiers became highly visible targets for German troops below and many were picked off one by one as they landed. In spite of this, these men, in addition to lightly armed reinforcements from the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment took and held the town until tanks arrived from Utah Beach two days later, thus giving them the distinction of becoming the first  to be liberated in the D-Day invasion.

A Film’s Poignant Testament ~ Battle for Liberty