Well, today is Monday, and we're already underway with a FULL day of classes, Q&A and one on one help sessions. We've had to rearrange our teaching schedule, because of government holidays, which were unexpected. It's a long story, but this is a holiday for the Middle East. The problem is, people can expect to get as much as 5 days of holiday, depending on the government's announcement. Many people registered for the entire conference, expecting that the government would grant Sunday and Monday as holidays. Friday and Saturday are the normal weekend, when people don't work (like the American Saturday and Sunday). Well, on Thursday night, the government announced that Friday and Saturday are the only two days they will have this year. That means that many of our registrants need to return to work on Sunday or Monday. Today being Monday, we've lost a lot of friends. They've all headed home.
We're teaching for about 6 hours a day, but the people are like sponges. They want to know EVERYTHING! The beauty is that God is hard at work in the Middle East. His church IS alive and well. Evangelism is tough, but the believers here are committed, and they're sharing Christ everywhere they go. It costs these people a lot to believe, and especially to come here to the conference. Praise the Lord, they're not giving up.
So, despite the lack of sleep and the long days, it's invigorating to help these people develop their talents and ministries! We keep carrying on - ecause He keeps carrying them!
Well, gotta go - time for worship - - with our Arabic brothers ad sisters. Cool!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Friday is the new Sunday...
Today is Friday, and Friday is Sunday in Dubai (they hold all their church services on Fridays). And if that doesn’t confuse you, the church we attended today is multi-cultural. Over 172 nations are represented in JUST THIS ONE CHURCH! We attended the English service, which followed the Chinese service, and preceded the Arabic and Philippine services held simultaneously - in separate sanctuaries! The Indian service was at the same time as the English service, except it was in a different building. We visited the Indian service, which was considerably longer than the English service, because they break up into Sunday School classes. They have 700 kids in Sunday School... and no classrooms! They all just break off into little groups right there in the sanctuary. The teens meet in a different room... the garage!
And you think YOU’RE cramped for space?!
The staff for this conference is a wonderful group of highly talented people with loving, creative hearts for the Lord and for kids. It’d be easy to think one is as great as these by the look of the pictures on the flyers and brochures and posters. One could easily lose one’s head in the clouds. OR - - one could just be amazed at being part of this whole miracle!
There are 280 people expected tonight. They represent a myriad of countries, the majority being from India, which is the largest population group in Dubai. There are 78 Catholics registered, along with a heavy showing of Orthodox, Anglican and a few Evangelicals sprinkled in there. It’s going to be interesting to see how many want to learn ventriloquism!
I’m still not sure what we ate for supper last night, but we had it again tonight - from a different deli! They don’t tell you anything about these foods - but you just wrap it in a flat bread, spread on a little hummus, ad a can of Coke, and you’re good to go!
On September 11, 2001, I watched the Twin Towers burn from my office window in Newark, NJ. I remember a helpless feeling afterward. I saw all these people who’d lost lives, loved ones and jobs. I’d seen entire companies vanish in a day. What could I do? How helpless am I?! These people are dealing with excruciating pain and suffering - and here I sit... I do puppets. Doesn’t seem very helpful - certainly not powerful. But God does amazing things. He works in mysterious ways.
On October 11, 2007 I begin to teach children’s workers in the Middle East - the land that has been blamed as the bane of my country - to reach children with puppets. NOW we’re talking power! Reaching kids? Connecting kids to God? Saving kids? Kids? KIDS? KIDS!!!?? YES! Kids - you know the ones who will be tomorrow’s leaders. What do you say we reach out to them now. Let’s not wait until they’re grown and set in their ways. Let’s win them now, and some day, some child - who was reached by a ventriloquist who took a class one day in a Christian church in Dubai - will grow up to be president of his/her land. A leader among nations. That’s the power of kids. That’s why we do what we do.
Thanks for checking in. I’ll have more for you tomorrow.
Doug
And you think YOU’RE cramped for space?!
The staff for this conference is a wonderful group of highly talented people with loving, creative hearts for the Lord and for kids. It’d be easy to think one is as great as these by the look of the pictures on the flyers and brochures and posters. One could easily lose one’s head in the clouds. OR - - one could just be amazed at being part of this whole miracle!
There are 280 people expected tonight. They represent a myriad of countries, the majority being from India, which is the largest population group in Dubai. There are 78 Catholics registered, along with a heavy showing of Orthodox, Anglican and a few Evangelicals sprinkled in there. It’s going to be interesting to see how many want to learn ventriloquism!
I’m still not sure what we ate for supper last night, but we had it again tonight - from a different deli! They don’t tell you anything about these foods - but you just wrap it in a flat bread, spread on a little hummus, ad a can of Coke, and you’re good to go!
On September 11, 2001, I watched the Twin Towers burn from my office window in Newark, NJ. I remember a helpless feeling afterward. I saw all these people who’d lost lives, loved ones and jobs. I’d seen entire companies vanish in a day. What could I do? How helpless am I?! These people are dealing with excruciating pain and suffering - and here I sit... I do puppets. Doesn’t seem very helpful - certainly not powerful. But God does amazing things. He works in mysterious ways.
On October 11, 2007 I begin to teach children’s workers in the Middle East - the land that has been blamed as the bane of my country - to reach children with puppets. NOW we’re talking power! Reaching kids? Connecting kids to God? Saving kids? Kids? KIDS? KIDS!!!?? YES! Kids - you know the ones who will be tomorrow’s leaders. What do you say we reach out to them now. Let’s not wait until they’re grown and set in their ways. Let’s win them now, and some day, some child - who was reached by a ventriloquist who took a class one day in a Christian church in Dubai - will grow up to be president of his/her land. A leader among nations. That’s the power of kids. That’s why we do what we do.
Thanks for checking in. I’ll have more for you tomorrow.
Doug
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Camels, Toyotas and Friends
(This is a LOOOOOONG one - so hang in there!)
Well, here we are - my first full day in Dubai is over - and I’ve only been awake for 12 hours!
Today was “sightseeing day”, and Raja, our host, made arrangements for us. Oh boy..... There were two women from Grain DeBle - the sponsoring organization (Catherine, the International Director, and Evelyn, her sister), Dale VonSeggen and myself.
The driver picked us up at the hotel and took us out to a little place in the middle of who-knows-where. He told us 20 minutes, and then back in the car. OK, I’m thinking, this’ll be fun - but I wonder where he’s taking us next? Well, not to rush things.
At this little stop, there were a few camels in pens, one harnessed for riding and ATV’s for riding on the dunes. Catherine chose to ride the buggies. She was the ONLY one to do so - and we have video to prove it! Dale & I both opted to ride the camels. My hat goes off to the wise men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and anyone else in the Nativity who rode those things! Anyway, among the many people who can say they gave Dale VonSeggen a camel for his collection, few can say they’ve actually ridden one with him!
Well, our 20 minutes was up soon, and we piled back into the car, only to find out - THIS was our “Buggy” for the REAL sand dunes ride! For the next hour or so, we rode up and down the hills, sliding, gunning the engine, bouncing around, side to side, sometimes absolutely convinced we were going to roll, other times, absolutely convinced we’d left our stomachs on the last dune! It was just enough dare-devil and just enough let’s-have-a-blast to be an absolutely one-of-a-kind experience none of us can have anywhere else. Thank you, Raja! Great idea!
We stopped atop a high dune, and the view was breath-taking. I got some beautiful videos of the sand dunes at sunset. What a beautiful world we live in! It was truly amazing to stand atop this dune, feet slipping in the sand, and admire a sight that nothing else can duplicate. Have you ever looked at something and thought, “This is the only place in the world where this view is possible - and it’s RIGHT HERE!”? It was one of those moments.
We piled back in the car for the ride back to “camp”, and found that the fun had only warmed up! Majid, our driver was just getting started! The hills were hillier, and the dunes, dunier, and the slips- slippery-er... or something. That’s when we realized just how much our stomachs could handle. This would give any roller coaster competition... except it’s a 22 year old driving!
We stopped at a souvenir stand, and we all bought bottles of water - - it seems our mouths were dry! Oh, and at this point we emptied our shoes, returning a dune or two to the desert!
Thankful that the worst was over, Majid started us “homeward, and wouldn’t you know it - - off the road again! As it turns out, dinner is part of the package - and that means dinner in, well, the desert! A few small dunes away lay a true Arabian buffet. We arrived at the “compound” to find souvenir stands, photographers, who will gladly sell you your own picture, and the Middle Eastern version of appetizers. Dale & I had a cup of coffee - Arabian style, and proceeded to the tent where they had Arabian garb for you to have your photograph taken. That photo lies securely in my PERSONAL collection! lol!
The buffet was quite nice - a full selection of Middle Eastern cuisine. Every kind of salad and vegetable dish - most of which I can’t pronounce, never mind spell! There was a large selection of meats - lamb, chicken, beef, and others I did not ask, nor was I told. They all came on skewers! Normally, I’m a burger and fries kind of guy. Mickey D and I are on a first name basis. But I have to admit that this food was quite tasty, and delicious - - to say nothing of sandy! But then again, what’s a buffet in the desert without a sprinkling of sand?!
Oh yes - to drink - - what else? Coca Cola! NOW we’re talking cuisine!
The whole experience gave us a wonderful opportunity to hear the work of Grain DeBle. As it turns out, Catherine’s father had founded the work, and Evelyn’s husband took it over upon his passing. Today, Catherine is the International Director. It was fascinating to learn of the work they do. I’d tell you more, but this blog is already WAY over time!
Well, Majig finally took us back to our hotel, and we crashed for the evening. For me, the conference has begun. I’m learning much about God’s hand at work - and we’ve yet got MUCH to go. Remind me later to tell you about Raja and the people who’re coming to the conference... now THAT”s another story!
Well, it’s time to go. Camel riding in the desert... sand dune riding in the same desert... Middle Eastern buffet in the .... oh well, it was quite a day in the desert. Have you ever thanked God for the desert? I did. Today.
Well, here we are - my first full day in Dubai is over - and I’ve only been awake for 12 hours!
Today was “sightseeing day”, and Raja, our host, made arrangements for us. Oh boy..... There were two women from Grain DeBle - the sponsoring organization (Catherine, the International Director, and Evelyn, her sister), Dale VonSeggen and myself.
The driver picked us up at the hotel and took us out to a little place in the middle of who-knows-where. He told us 20 minutes, and then back in the car. OK, I’m thinking, this’ll be fun - but I wonder where he’s taking us next? Well, not to rush things.
At this little stop, there were a few camels in pens, one harnessed for riding and ATV’s for riding on the dunes. Catherine chose to ride the buggies. She was the ONLY one to do so - and we have video to prove it! Dale & I both opted to ride the camels. My hat goes off to the wise men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and anyone else in the Nativity who rode those things! Anyway, among the many people who can say they gave Dale VonSeggen a camel for his collection, few can say they’ve actually ridden one with him!
Well, our 20 minutes was up soon, and we piled back into the car, only to find out - THIS was our “Buggy” for the REAL sand dunes ride! For the next hour or so, we rode up and down the hills, sliding, gunning the engine, bouncing around, side to side, sometimes absolutely convinced we were going to roll, other times, absolutely convinced we’d left our stomachs on the last dune! It was just enough dare-devil and just enough let’s-have-a-blast to be an absolutely one-of-a-kind experience none of us can have anywhere else. Thank you, Raja! Great idea!
We stopped atop a high dune, and the view was breath-taking. I got some beautiful videos of the sand dunes at sunset. What a beautiful world we live in! It was truly amazing to stand atop this dune, feet slipping in the sand, and admire a sight that nothing else can duplicate. Have you ever looked at something and thought, “This is the only place in the world where this view is possible - and it’s RIGHT HERE!”? It was one of those moments.
We piled back in the car for the ride back to “camp”, and found that the fun had only warmed up! Majid, our driver was just getting started! The hills were hillier, and the dunes, dunier, and the slips- slippery-er... or something. That’s when we realized just how much our stomachs could handle. This would give any roller coaster competition... except it’s a 22 year old driving!
We stopped at a souvenir stand, and we all bought bottles of water - - it seems our mouths were dry! Oh, and at this point we emptied our shoes, returning a dune or two to the desert!
Thankful that the worst was over, Majid started us “homeward, and wouldn’t you know it - - off the road again! As it turns out, dinner is part of the package - and that means dinner in, well, the desert! A few small dunes away lay a true Arabian buffet. We arrived at the “compound” to find souvenir stands, photographers, who will gladly sell you your own picture, and the Middle Eastern version of appetizers. Dale & I had a cup of coffee - Arabian style, and proceeded to the tent where they had Arabian garb for you to have your photograph taken. That photo lies securely in my PERSONAL collection! lol!
The buffet was quite nice - a full selection of Middle Eastern cuisine. Every kind of salad and vegetable dish - most of which I can’t pronounce, never mind spell! There was a large selection of meats - lamb, chicken, beef, and others I did not ask, nor was I told. They all came on skewers! Normally, I’m a burger and fries kind of guy. Mickey D and I are on a first name basis. But I have to admit that this food was quite tasty, and delicious - - to say nothing of sandy! But then again, what’s a buffet in the desert without a sprinkling of sand?!
Oh yes - to drink - - what else? Coca Cola! NOW we’re talking cuisine!
The whole experience gave us a wonderful opportunity to hear the work of Grain DeBle. As it turns out, Catherine’s father had founded the work, and Evelyn’s husband took it over upon his passing. Today, Catherine is the International Director. It was fascinating to learn of the work they do. I’d tell you more, but this blog is already WAY over time!
Well, Majig finally took us back to our hotel, and we crashed for the evening. For me, the conference has begun. I’m learning much about God’s hand at work - and we’ve yet got MUCH to go. Remind me later to tell you about Raja and the people who’re coming to the conference... now THAT”s another story!
Well, it’s time to go. Camel riding in the desert... sand dune riding in the same desert... Middle Eastern buffet in the .... oh well, it was quite a day in the desert. Have you ever thanked God for the desert? I did. Today.
Well, I made it!
Well, I have no photos to post, yet, but I wanted to let everyone know I made it to Dubai!
Traveling is an interesting animal these days. I felt much like those old pictures of Ellis Island - all those hordes of people, all traveling steerage, and waiting, waiting, waiting. Lines, here, lines there, lines everywhere. Airplanes are crowded. I had to use my bifocals to see the TV screen on the seat in front of me, because it was so close to my face! lol! But then again, the guys in first class didn't get there any faster than I did - and they paid a LOT more!
On our way from the airport to the hotel, we passed the famous hotel in the shape of a ship's sail, the Burj Dubai (world's tallest building) and the Palm Island. Well - I saw the lights of the Palm Island - it was about 3:30am at the time. But I can't wait to see more in the daylight!
Anyway - yes, Dubai is a BEAUTIFUL city! My room is right on the water, and it is a tropical paradise. I can't wait to see what the rest of the place is like.
I about an hour or so, I'll be going on a "safari" with some friends of mine - Dale VonSeggen and Paul Morley, and others - where we'll be dune buggy-ing on the desert sands. I expect to see a camel or two - you KNOW that if I'm traveling with Dale - we HAVE to catch at least a VIEW of a camel!
God is Good. Even on the other side of the world, His eyes are watching us, His ears are hearing us, and His hands are holding us. NOTHING is out of His reach. HE IS GOOD!
Well, I don't have a lot to report right now, but keep checking in - I'll try to keep you posted!
Thanks for all your prayers!
See you soon!
Doug
Traveling is an interesting animal these days. I felt much like those old pictures of Ellis Island - all those hordes of people, all traveling steerage, and waiting, waiting, waiting. Lines, here, lines there, lines everywhere. Airplanes are crowded. I had to use my bifocals to see the TV screen on the seat in front of me, because it was so close to my face! lol! But then again, the guys in first class didn't get there any faster than I did - and they paid a LOT more!
On our way from the airport to the hotel, we passed the famous hotel in the shape of a ship's sail, the Burj Dubai (world's tallest building) and the Palm Island. Well - I saw the lights of the Palm Island - it was about 3:30am at the time. But I can't wait to see more in the daylight!
Anyway - yes, Dubai is a BEAUTIFUL city! My room is right on the water, and it is a tropical paradise. I can't wait to see what the rest of the place is like.
I about an hour or so, I'll be going on a "safari" with some friends of mine - Dale VonSeggen and Paul Morley, and others - where we'll be dune buggy-ing on the desert sands. I expect to see a camel or two - you KNOW that if I'm traveling with Dale - we HAVE to catch at least a VIEW of a camel!
God is Good. Even on the other side of the world, His eyes are watching us, His ears are hearing us, and His hands are holding us. NOTHING is out of His reach. HE IS GOOD!
Well, I don't have a lot to report right now, but keep checking in - I'll try to keep you posted!
Thanks for all your prayers!
See you soon!
Doug
Monday, October 8, 2007
Starting out together...
Well, this week is where we “divide and conquer”. Lee gets to go to Virginia to visit her daughter, Chrissy, and grandson Sam, while Doug heads overseas to train children’s workers.
As you probably already heard, Doug will be leaving on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, for a gathering of expatriate children’s workers in Dubai, in the Middle East. In many of the smaller middle eastern nations, Islam is the state religion. However, there is freedom to worship and witness within the ex-patriot community.
The workers expected will come from many nations as well as many different denominations: Anglicans, Catholics, Orthodox, Armenians and Evangelicals. Fortunately, everyone expected speaks English!
Drop by for a visit: www.beyondwordsconference.com
Co-sponsored by Grain de Ble, a Swiss organization with a branch in the Middle East, and the Bible Society of the Gulf, this conference seeks to offer creative training to those working with children in this part of the world. A staff of instructors from the US and UK will assist locals in learning methods of instruction, some of which, they may have quite possibly never experienced before. Some of the subjects will be drama, worship, puppetry, fitness and of course, ventriloquism. That’s Doug’s department. His three workshops will be An Introduction to Ventriloquism, Voicing for Ventriloquism and Writing for Ventriloquism. Hopefully, some will learn a new skill with which to present the Gospel to their congregations.
The conference begins on Friday night, October 12 and continues through Monday evening, October 15. Hopefully, only a mere 4 hours after the closing prayer, Doug will board his plane for the ride home. Air travel time will be approximately 15-16 hours in the air (plus lay-over time in London and 8 hours time difference). Look for him to get home by noon on Tuesday, the 16th.
On Thursday, the 11th, Lee will head south to Virginia Beach to visit her daughter Chrissy and grandson Sam - who just turned 5 last month! Chrissy & Sam came north last year for Sam’s birthday, and we all had a WONDERFUL time celebrating. This year, Lee will be with them for HER birthday - Friday, the 12th! Yes, Doug is not happy with missing her birthday, but considering the circumstances, we’re both glad that she’ll be with Chrissy and Sam. With all the fancy plans, Doug is a little jealous that he doesn’t get to see “the kids”.
Look for Lee to arrive home on Monday night, the 15th.
Well, that’s it for right now. Seeing that Doug is taking the computer to Dubai, he’ll be doing most of the blog updating. So, keep checking in, and we’ll keep you posted!
Thanks for your prayers!
As you probably already heard, Doug will be leaving on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, for a gathering of expatriate children’s workers in Dubai, in the Middle East. In many of the smaller middle eastern nations, Islam is the state religion. However, there is freedom to worship and witness within the ex-patriot community.
The workers expected will come from many nations as well as many different denominations: Anglicans, Catholics, Orthodox, Armenians and Evangelicals. Fortunately, everyone expected speaks English!
Drop by for a visit: www.beyondwordsconference.com
Co-sponsored by Grain de Ble, a Swiss organization with a branch in the Middle East, and the Bible Society of the Gulf, this conference seeks to offer creative training to those working with children in this part of the world. A staff of instructors from the US and UK will assist locals in learning methods of instruction, some of which, they may have quite possibly never experienced before. Some of the subjects will be drama, worship, puppetry, fitness and of course, ventriloquism. That’s Doug’s department. His three workshops will be An Introduction to Ventriloquism, Voicing for Ventriloquism and Writing for Ventriloquism. Hopefully, some will learn a new skill with which to present the Gospel to their congregations.
The conference begins on Friday night, October 12 and continues through Monday evening, October 15. Hopefully, only a mere 4 hours after the closing prayer, Doug will board his plane for the ride home. Air travel time will be approximately 15-16 hours in the air (plus lay-over time in London and 8 hours time difference). Look for him to get home by noon on Tuesday, the 16th.
On Thursday, the 11th, Lee will head south to Virginia Beach to visit her daughter Chrissy and grandson Sam - who just turned 5 last month! Chrissy & Sam came north last year for Sam’s birthday, and we all had a WONDERFUL time celebrating. This year, Lee will be with them for HER birthday - Friday, the 12th! Yes, Doug is not happy with missing her birthday, but considering the circumstances, we’re both glad that she’ll be with Chrissy and Sam. With all the fancy plans, Doug is a little jealous that he doesn’t get to see “the kids”.
Look for Lee to arrive home on Monday night, the 15th.
Well, that’s it for right now. Seeing that Doug is taking the computer to Dubai, he’ll be doing most of the blog updating. So, keep checking in, and we’ll keep you posted!
Thanks for your prayers!
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