I love Jordan! However, the past week has been a little bit of a struggle. I was missing my family a little and just was discouraged that I have not been able to meet a lot of Jordanians. However, I had a great experience with a Jordanian family that made my week. My Arabic class just ended and I was originally planning to go to a café to study. I was already in a taxi heading toward rainbow street when I remembered a young woman who also teaches English to Iraqi refugees at the church I work with had invited me to youth service at the church. I instantly asked the taxi driver to change the course of the taxi toward the church. I was glad he did not complain about it because traffic was heavy. Around an hour later I wound up at the church, I was early so got to talk a little with Annabeth and her two roommates along with a lady from the church. The service started a half an hour later with worship. They sang a few songs in Arabic. Than Annabeth sang a song in dutch with the Arabic translation. A man named Paul taught the lesson in English while a woman from the church translated in Arabic. He taught on the will of God that it does not have to be this big mysterious thing. Simply, follow the word and know that God has set you apart for a purpose. As long as you are following the word you will get to where you need to be in time. The service ended with another song, offering, and sword drills where candy was awarded. After church, I was invited out to dinner with Pastor Zaqi, his wife, children, Annabeth, her two roommates along with another girl Janwa who was my brothers age. We walked up the street to the Mcdonalds which was packed, We ate together and fellowshiped. I ended up playing with the kids. They got these sweet toys that were mini tennis sets. Obviously, we played this mix of tennis/soccer while everyone finished eating. It was so much fun! After dinner, they insisted on driving me home all nine of us piled in the family van. The best way to describe the scenario is in story form.

Joyous melody fills the atmosphere as you are surrounded by a chorus of singing voices. The little boy next to you bangs out a beat on the car door with his hands as he sings his heart out in Arabic. The little girl up front climbs back and squishes between you and the person to your left. You fill like you are with your family embarking on the beginning of an epic road trip. Dancing and laughter fill the air. Joy pure and simple penetrates straight to your heart. The refreshing power of joy should never be taken for granted.

Overall, I am blown away be the hospitality and how welcome I have felt in Jordan.