Whatever You Do, Don't Smile, It's Frowned Upon

I don’t think I’ve ever been more anxious about a trip.   I’ve traveled lots, airports are like a second home, 20 plus countries. I’ve done life surrounded by monks and Buddhist temples, but this was my first Muslim country. You want to know what I know about Muslims?  They’re scary, they’re terrorists, they hate us!  I mean I've never actually met one in person, my intel is all from the TV and internet so it MUST be true, right?

I had to dress like this, which was oh so hot, but not the thing that made me most uncomfortable. The big kicker for me was I couldn’t take my Bible! Evidently it's frowned upon. 

 I’ve seen all these signs which all make TOTAL sense especially the durian one, but no Bible?! That sword thing is a metaphor guys!  Please let me bring it!  A month without my Bible won't be good for me or you, for that matter. 

I’d been to “Closed” countries before, but this one was different, it was more than closed it was locked up and dead bolted with chains to reinforce it. Metaphorically speaking of course. I mean there isn't a "No Jesus!" sign up anywhere, but the message is fairly clear.  Guess I better figure out how to show the love of Jesus without pulling out my large KJV family Bible. (Actually we ALL should figure this out!) 

The whole flight, I just imagined darkness, but when I landed the sun was shining. At the airport, they just welcomed me and waved me on in to get my luggage; they didn’t even hit me or strip search me! 

This little country is made up of a bunch of tiny islands and honestly the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.  

It was far too hot for so many clothes, but this is what their women wear, so we covered up too.

Even though we were dressed similarly, in my head, they were a different species. What on earth could we have in common?  I found myself looking away from them, not sure what to do, I didn’t smile because their faces were covered.  That makes me embarrassed laugh now because MY face wasn’t covered and obviously they could still see, so I’m not sure why it never dawned on me to smile, but I didn't dare.  Just sharing the love of Jesus by being timid, frowning, and looking away. Works every time, or not.

Did I mention it was HOT? Imagine going to the beach in THIS attire?

But they DO, I saw four women dressed in their all black burqas playing chicken in the ocean! I stopped and looked, okay I gawked, but they were on each other’s shoulders PLAYING in the ocean!? According to my sources this was not normal Muslim behavior, but you know what? It looked like it might be!  It most certainly didn't look their first rodeo!

Walking around their town I happened upon a family home.  Several women were sitting preparing for a family party of some sort, cutting veggies, smoking hookah,  and laughing of all things. To my surprise they invited me into their courtyard. I’m not sure what I expected them to do with the white lady peering into their private gate, but gratefully they invited me in, so I entered. 

 Kids were buzzing around and the men were cutting up an enormous amount of raw meat.  Upon spotting my phone, one of the ladies motioned for me to take a selfie with her and then said “Facebook.”  Chicken in the ocean, selfies, facebook, and laughter?  The common ground was growing. 

One lady brought me out some cold red fanta, drinking the water in other countries may be frowned upon, but cold, cough syrup flavored fanta is just fine. It was a million degrees so I would've gulped any cold beverage brought my direction. My selfie friend even offered me some hookah, but my boss’s wife was with me so I thought better of it. (Another silly thing we frown upon!) We really should smile more, especially at the ladies with their heads covered, I’m starting to believe there might be a human under there.