hilarious

So our clients did an inspection in one of the kitchens. In their report one of the comments was:

Table for cutting the mutton, chicken and fish in the open area. The area was very dirty because the dove was sitting on the table and making it ugly.

That is the most hilarious thing ever. Yeah, I am working in a real professional business world here. LOL.

Driemaal scheepsrecht... no idea how to translate that in english

So I don't know how this works in life and what it means but I had two remarkable events that seem to be related to each other. Both of them have to do with my car. I know that my style of driving is not what other would consider to be the most safe or considered. And I felt convicted about this. It is one of those things that I have always been aware of. But then I always feel like I am in control over the car. I pay attention very well when I am driving and I feel like I never miss something. But my car, although I am grateful having one here without having to pay anything for it, is really not the best. It is really out of balance and the steering really sucks. But nevertheless I drive with considerable speed. The reason for that is that often in my head I want to be at my destination as soon as possible. A general issue in life that causes problems occasionally. It makes me stressed and feeling like being in a hurry. But the thing is that I picture my destination in my mind and I want to be there right away. All the time and energy needed to bridge the space or time between point A and B feels like a waste.

Now come to think of it, when I was younger I always wanted to have the skill of teleportation. I can remember myself looking at a certain place like halve a mile further and closing my eyes and wishing I was there. To make it even more stupid. I can remember that I was thinking of the passage in the bible where Jesus and his disciples stepped in a boat and instantly reached the other side of the lake. I always thought that if I had enough "faith" whatever that may be would help me to actually acquire this supernatural feature. Until today, I have not.

Apparently this post is not really a case in which I feel stressed or want to reach the destination of having this post finished. As proof I refer to the paragraph described just above and the explanation that I am typing right now. Right now I am more in a mind set that anything works and I am letting "things" (the whole construct of this post) develop in a more organic way. Which means that I kind of know what the outcome is but I don't know how to reach it.

Before returning to the initial point of writing I want to mention that I one of the drawbacks of wanting to be at B while being in the process of reaching there is that it I don't always experience being in transition to the fullest. Consequently I don't always make the most of the learning opportunities and opportunities of enjoying that that particular moment, or rather transition, offers.

So the two interesting occurrences have all to do with driving my car. As mentioned I felt somewhat guilty about not always driving like I think I should. Now what happened was that on friday I was driving and thinking about the fact that I did not want to get into any car accidents. And that I should be more careful about driving. Not more than two minutes later my car is kissing the back of an other car. I was only going 40 KM/H and was fully braking when I say that the car in front of me had come to a full stop. I guess my breaks and tires were not in sound technical condition and while breaking I was just gliding towards the car in front of me. His car undamaged. But the bodywork on my front has a big dent. Nothing major and the guy did not make a big fuzz about it.

And then today I was reminded about the fact that my spare tire was not in my trunk. Some one in the office used it and had not returned it. I knew it was one of those things that I needed to get set but I had not made an effort to solve it yet. And while driving home for my lunch break I was thinking that I'd only had a month and a halve to go here and would assume not having a punctured tire. The moment I got back from my lunch and was about to pull out the parking lot I noticed that my right front tire was flat as an empty balloon.

Fate, the inevitable, punishment, coincidence? All these things automatically run through my head. I've always been skeptical about, well, about many things of which one is superstition. Is there a deeper meaning than just a dented bumper and a flat tire? Is there more to it? Is it a logic consequence of fear being realized since fears inevitably become true when you start focussing on your fears? Is there a Godly plan put in place to teach me something important here? These questions opens whole new spectrum of questions regarding about fate, and Gods involvement in daily mundane life. Any thoughts?

And ofcourse, driemaal scheepsrecht...so what is next?

Easter

On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

It was still dark this morning when I got in my car and drove to church. I was going to a Easter Sunset service. A celebration of the fact that Jesus Christ, Son of the Almighthy God, has risen. A happy occasion that took place outside on the church premises. There must have been around three to four hundred people there.

"Christ has Risen" the pastor exclaimed. "He has risen indeed" the congregation responded.

Isn't it great that in this country, that does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as having died, and risen through the Power of his Father, it is possible to proclaim these words.

The sermon was sectioned in three parts based on John 20.

The first was about Christ giving tranquility.

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

The second part was on Christ giving us an activity. The continuation of the mission that he started.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

The third part was on Christ giving us vitality to accomplishing all this.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; andwhose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

One of the things that actually stood out for me was that there no guilt in life any more. It is so hard to really believe this with my heart. That there is really no guilt anymore in life. That even though I feel that way it is not true. How a deceiving place the heart is.

I pray for all that this easter pushes each of us in the direction of truth and that we may listen and believe his words!

Halleluja, God be praised.

Islam

Friday evening I went to a seminar held at the amphitheater in Muscat. It was the second seminar of a two day lecture discussing Islam in relation to other religions, mainly Christianity.

The speaker was Yusuf Estes, an American (from Texas). He used to be affiliated to christianity and even involved in ministry. However, he converted to Islam. In Islam by the way they don't say 'convert' but 'revert'; but I consider it converting nevertheless. He was a scholar and it was evident that he had studied both Qu'ran and the Bible in depth.

At this seminar were about three hundred people. Of those three hundred there were approximately five non-muslim. My friend Charlie from church was there and some other Westerners (Westerners meaning: North Americans + Europeans). The scholar spoke about why he converted to Islam and what the story behind his conversion was. There was a Q&A session afterwards but I did not have a lot of questions to ask based on his speech.

At the end of the seminar there were a couple of people who wanted to convert to Islam. These were mainly Philippinos I think. It was an interesting experience to witness this. I don't know the meaning of it but the converts had to say something in Arabic. The crowd of people reacted with great happiness and many shouted "Allah akhbar" as expression of their happiness.

Comparing it to christianity it was similar to how baptism happens in some churches.

Anyway, after this all was over Charlie and I were invited to have a dinner with Yusuf Estes and some other people the next evening. It was a good opportunity to be asking some questions and we happily accepted the invitation. Since I am living in a Muslim country I might as well make the most of all the opportunities presented to learn more about the culture and the religion.

So the next evening I was expecting to have dinner with about 8-10 people and have laid back evening talking about religion.

How different it would be. The talking was there but my expectations were way off. What happened is that this was not a dinner for about 10 people. We arrived at this huge mansion. Inside must have been like a hundred people sitting on the floor. Women on one side of the room and men on the other. In the middle sat Yusuf Estes and next to him two chairs. One for Paul (an American Christian who was also invited) and one for me. Pauls wife and Charlie were seated with the women.

Being a little bit overwhelmed by all these people Yusuf started of by saying. Well Harmen (we had been introduced a couple of minutes before) what are your questions... and I thought this was going to be a relaxed evening. But we started discussing about the way that people are Justified (made righteous before God) by God. We talked about the difference between the Allah and God and god. And of course the everlasting point of discussion of Jesus being/not being the Son of God; which to Muslims is blasphemous. We talked for about an hour or so. But I don't really recall all the specifics we talked about. However, it give me a better understanding if Islam. And more over it helps me to read the Bible from a different perspective. I mean, the Bible really speaks of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. And it really boils down to what is true and what you believe. To me it has opened a whole new set of questions and attitude. I learned that I feel like being a very complacent christian often. I mean to say that I often think like I know it all. But really, I lack so much true understanding of the real meaning of so many things. So actually I am happy that I am having these discussions with Muslims around me. It will make my own faith stronger.

And I do think that there are many things that we can learn from Muslims (I am referring to the Omani that I meet here). Their hospitality is great. They have a great sense of respect. And have a very rich tradition.

Well, anyway, I hope to continue to learn more about this whole religion thing. One thing I have learned that it seems very easy and everything when it is not really a part of your life, e.g. when you live in Holland. But when you are in the middle of a different culture and religion it becomes a different situation. You cannot ignore the differences and discussions that require an answer.

Well, my break from work is over and I should head back to work. Sending you my love from a hot Oman.

time flies

Well time flies. It has been ten days already since I posted my previous post. Last week I took a training course on Supervising Food Safety in Catering business. It was a good learning experience. Hopefully I will be able to take the Advanced course as well, although I am not sure if I will be able to complete it before my leave. And I would be anxious about the exam since it is a very hard one. Anyway, I am sure that the one of last week is in the pocket. I am so grateful for the investment that the company is making in me. The generosity has been really great and even sometimes shameful. Like, I don't deserve this. But isn't that the beauty of it either? It is actually great to see how hospitable I have been received and cared for. It has shown me how God is giving. Although I don't always feel it that we he is the One caring for us. And also I am learning to see more and more the meaning of what it means that Jesus Christ has done. Especially in the light of the discussions that I have with my Muslim friends and colleagues here. In church every week when taking communion we proclaim: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Oh! I hope and pray that everyday I will more and more understand the sweet and rich meaning of those words. Really, these words constitute and complete redemption and salvation. And they are a strong testimony. That is the awesome work that God has done. My friends, pray that we might be filled with joy and praise of this miracle. That the name of Jesus Christ may be really honored throughout the nations.

Besides all this I am feeling strong today. I am discovering also how much I love my family. They are these great people in life that will always be there. No matter what the circumstances my family will always be my family. How much more I long to be equipped in my heart to love people around me. Despair and failure often lead to feeling depressed. But that luckily does not change that what is true.

Furthermore I am finishing the book of the Count of Monte Christo. I have read it like ten years ago but I had forgotten most of it. It is a beautiful piece of literary art that is enjoyable to read, rich in lessons to learn and almost three inches thick :-)

Well I am going to continue with my working activities now. I am working on my project approach plan haha. Not even halve way in having completed it after having been here for over halve a year. Haha. But that is of no consequence. I will graduate this year, provided God grants me a peaceful heart.

Sending you all a big big hug and a lot of love!

work in interior

Now I am in the interior. I am learning about properly auditing our locations. It is a good learning experience. It is starting to get hotter again outside. The suns is spreading its scorching rays across the country again. In a month time it will be full time AC hopping again. From apartment to car to the office. It is 35 now outside during the day which is okay, but in a month it will be 45 again... bring out the barbecue...

eaten by a crocodile

I have been devoured by a crocodile. Luckily I had my laptop with me so I can send this message now... But don't be afraid... I will live, I heard the most effective way of overcoming an enemy is changing the system from the inside out...