A Long Visit to America

Article

I recognize I’m long overdue for an update to this website. Some folks have emailed asking why there has been a lull, and it’s time to share.

It has been a very full four months or so since my last article. I have been spending my time in North America on an unexpected trip. I had just visited the US last summer and thought it would be at least 9 months before returning again, but for several reasons I decided to return. Initially I was just planning to attend a big family reunion and some workshops/conferences on bridge–building. But about the time I was buying my plane tickets, I met someone special.

We met through the most unusual circumstance…through our websites. I was immediately taken by her creativity and passion for life. She is an adventurous world traveler. She photographs. She loves art and design. She’s always coming up with awesome ideas. She’s a thinker. She is peculiar. :) She is one of those rare individuals that can thrive in seemingly contradictory environments. She is both left and right brained. She is very intelligent, but knows how to use that intelligence. She is articulate and yet simple in her communication. Often she will say something in a group setting and it will take me a few moments to even catch the deeper meaning of her words.

Her website demonstrates many of these qualities. Rather than the typical “blog” format, her entries are a blend of music, art, and poetry combined. In fact, her whole life seems to celebrate the beauty around her. Always a camera at her side, she sees art in everything…from the patterns in cut grapefruit to the thorny stickers clinging to her jeans.

So, short emails led to long emails to even longer emails until I said, “Ok, this is ridiculous, I need to get to know this young woman.” After nine years of singleness, I dared to believe and let love lead my life. We began to have deeper conversations online. As my flight approached, we planned to meet together in her homeland, Puerto Rico, during my visit to the US.

A Long, Hard Flight

I can’t even begin explaining my time in America without first describing my journey from Sana’a to Atlanta. The whole journey took almost four days! When I arrived at the Sana’a airport and my flight was canceled, I knew things were going to be interesting. I had chosen to leave Yemen just as the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, was finishing. With the logistical nightmare of getting millions of pilgrims home, Saudia Arabia was using the Sana’a airport as an overflow hub. After spending the night in the Sana’a airport, I was finally on my way. I was one of THREE passengers on the plane who had not just completed the Hajj. Everyone else was decked out in their fancy robes and full of rich experiences from the dream of their lives.

I had a sad conversation with one of the other two non–hajj passengers just before we left. Unfortunately it will have to wait for another journal entry.

Arriving in Paris late, I had to spend another night there. I eventually persuaded Yemenia, my airline, to put me up in a hotel. Ironically, one of the other passengers, a Yemenia employee, was not granted one, so I invited him to stay with me. It was nice to do something hospitable for a Yemeni for a change!

Once in the air and on my way to Chicago, we were again met with a delay—snow! (In Chicago? Imagine that.) The pilot continued circling the flight over lake Michigan until they could clear the runways and we landed. I couldn’t remember landing on snow before. Amazing.

And, once again, another flight was delayed. So I spent the night in the Midway airport…cold and without a jacket. Then, I finally arrived in Atlanta the next day…without either of my bags. And I didn’t have both bags for almost two weeks! (Thanks to the airline, I now have brand new clothes from REI.) I also became sick for about a week and a half.

Family Reunion in New Orleans

The first part of my journey was a trip to New Orleans to celebrate my Grandmother’s 80th birthday. It was great to see lots of family members I hadn’t seen in years. I was entrusted with the responsibility to write everyone’s name on their cup. So I did. Overall I was very fortunate to be able to see so many family members and be there for my Grandmother for her birthday celebration.

First trip to Puerto Rico

After returning from the family reunion, I flew out to Puerto Rico to spend a week around the New Year. It was my first time meeting someone in person with whom I had already become well acquainted. Yet I had an awesome time getting to know her and her friends and family.

Luminescent Bio Bay

While I wasn’t expecting an exotic Caribbean vacation, my friend had planned some amazing things. One of the most extraordinary parts of the trip was a kayak tour of the Luminescent Bio Bay. The bay is one of only a handful of places on Earth (a couple in the Bahamas, and the rest in Puerto Rico) where an eco–system supports a delicate luminescent plankton living in the water. What this means is the water lights up when you agitate it! So imagine taking off in a kayak at night with every stroke of your paddle creating a splash of light. We paddled along a narrow canal (also luminescent) through mangrove trees until we entered the actual bay. Fish darting through the water resembed shooting stars among the reflected starlight. It was more amazing than I even expected.

The whole visit seemed to flow so perfectly with so many details falling into place at just the right time. We drove all over the island, meeting friends and family along the way. We visited Ponce, Guanica, Cabo Rojo, Mayaguez and San Sebastian, Rincon, The el Yunque rainforest, and even “Plantano Loco” (literally “Crazy Plantain”) where all the food is made with plantain. (When’s the last time you had plantain lasagna?) By the time the week was over, I was amazed that she had even exceeded my expectations!

In and Around Atlanta

I had the privilege of attending two important conferences in Atlanta and Chattanooga during my stay. Both were focused on bridge–building with Muslims. It was great to see so much interest in understanding Islam and Christianity, relating the teachings of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad in a harmonious way. In Chattanooga, back at my old Alma Mater, the entire weekend conference was dedicated to Adventist—Muslim relations. It was exciting to see such a strong interest by the students and staff in interfaith dialogue.

Another exciting thing happening in Atlanta is a growing group of Adventists and Muslims who are studying the “Signs of Allah” (or “Ayat Allah”) in the Qur’an. I can’t remember seeing anything like it. Both groups come together and walk away inspired to live more Godly lives, while learning to appreciate the perspectives of one another. It is amazing to see both groups grow in their understanding of the great controversy between good and evil. The big picture is often eclipsed by senseless bigotry. It is good to know there are pockets of people throughout the world who are willing to overcome their fears and pride to seek for a deeper walk with God together.

Back to Puerto Rico

Not wanting to prolong a long distance relationship in a state of limbo, I decided to postpone my return to Yemen in order to spend some time with my special friend in Puerto Rico. I spent about a month and a half there and had great memories. In particular were the trips to the family farm to pick fresh fruit. I also enjoyed spending more time with her friends in San Juan and Ponce.

As our trial period began to draw to a close, we spent a lot of time praying for and discussing the relationship. Knowing that a lot of time and money would be required to maintain the relationship soon afterward, and not sensing God leading our lives together, we decided to end the relationship. Still, we both feel very grateful for the opportunity to learn about ourselves and each other. We have no regrets and feel that the time together was a gift. And we gained a lifelong friendship. Sometimes God’s purpose for a relationship can take us by surprise when he is more concerned about developing our character than giving us a life partner. These experiences are often not enjoyable, but in the end we are able to see God’s wisdom behind it all.

Bountiful Blessings

Before leaving for Yemen, I had the opportunity to visit the Dysingers, a family in Tennessee who lived in Yemen several years ago. Edwin Dysinger had been instrumental in giving me good advice about learning Arabic and understanding Yemeni culture before I left, and we hadn’t met or talked since that time. So I was looking forward to having a shared experience with them this time.

The family runs a fully organic farm called “Bountiful Blessings Farm”, and they sell their produce as part of a “CSA” or “Community Share Association”. A CSA is a growing trend in America and a fantastic idea, in my opinion. This particular farm harvests a portion of their crops every other week and delivers these “shares” to their customers at drop–off points, or at the farm itself. Each week the variety of foods are different and pose a welcome challenge to their customers.

I had the chance to accompany them at a drop–off point and was quite impressed by the enthusiasm of each of their customers. It was great to see the interaction of buyer and seller that is often lost in the supermarket. But the “customers” are more than just that. They are partners in the farm and share in it’s blessings and losses. To me, it was a tangible way to see how a community should work together.

I spent a week on the farm and have the blisters, bee stings, and poison ivy to prove it. :) It was hard work at times, but very fulfilling. And we even took time out to have fun, including some paragliding! It was the first time I had flown anything, and am now determined to do it again.

Quick trip to Virginia

I also made a trip up to Virginia for a few days to visit some friends I haven’t seen in over two years. The thing that made that trip so remarkable, besides the fact that so much has changed and happened in our lives, was the fact that we didn’t do anything but still had a great time. It’s nice to be with old friends and enjoy conversation without feeling the need for distractions or amusement of some kind. (Though we did enjoy some freestyle can–crushing.)

Back in Yemen

So here I am, now back in Yemen in a new house writing this entry with the power out and no internet.(Soon, I hope to have internet. In the mean time I write at home and upload at internet cafes.) There are many uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead. Part of me is excited about that challenge. Part of me feels like I just want to sell out, stop thinking outside of the box and get a normal job. But for now, I still believe God has me right where He wants me.

Submitted by paul on Mon, 05/04/2009 - 2:37pm.