The past few weeks have been busy with various people and places. One of the places I've been hangin' out a lot is with Jim, featured in this picture, in one of our hospitals here in Amman. Jim and his wife, Gwen, are co-workers of mine and live in a town about one hour or so away. About three or four weeks ago, Jim became very ill and has been in the hospital since- some time in the ICU and some in a regular room. I have stayed with him for several days and also go to visit every other day or so in order to give Gwen some time to run errands, pack their house so they can return to their home in the U.S., or just get out of the hospital to grab a bite to eat. I didn't know them very well a month ago but we know each other well now! I'm not very good at asking for help and neither is Gwen.... so I don't give Gwen a chance to have to ask, I just go.
We hope that Jim will be stable enough to travel within the next day or two. I know that we've all gotten to know hospitals too well lately and they'll be happy to get home where they can have their family near-by. It's been a pleasure to get to know them.

In other news... I am getting myself together in order to travel to Yemen next week. I have this weird thing since living here that every time I travel, especially for long periods of time and especially to unstable or dangerous places, I feel the need to clean my house to perfection, clean out "junk drawers", leave my important papers in order, and in every other way leave behind as little mess and clutter as possible. I guess for two reasons: to have a clean place to come back to or to not have a mess for someone else to clean up in case something happens and I don't come back (the second reason is unlikely but it's still in my mind).

Before I sign off for the day, I want to remind you about the believers in Gaza who have continued to have their lives threatened since Rami's death (see below post if you don't know about Rami). It's a terrifying thing to wonder every day if you're next to be killed. But in their boldness, our brothers and sisters have said this about the persecution they endure for their faith: "it is a difficult school but we learn alot and it is a privilege to be in this school. " Please continue to remember them in your prayers.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!!!!