Last year, when good luck lead me to the Christian Alliance Church near the 3rd circle, I met very nice people. I forgot the names of all the volunteers, except two: The first one’s name is similar to that of a famous singer-Justin. The other one, is a very optimistic, open-minded, and jolly young man. Jackson!
From the first day we went out in a walk on-foot, I felt like I know this guy for years! Immediately after that, I thought that I must invite this new friend of mine to my house. But why invite him?
It is a tradition of Bedouins, and Jordanians in general, to invite worthy people whom they meet into their houses. If you want to show your respect to a visiting person, then you invite him to your house. On the other hand, not any guest is simply invited. Oprah Winfrey put it in a nice way, “If you invite a person into your house, then you are inviting him into yourself!”
Based on the importance of this guest, a meal will be prepared. The most prestigious meal that you can ever prepare is a Mansaf. But if your guest is American, as I was told, then Magloubeh can be a very fierce competitor of Mansaf!
Sorrowfully, God allowed me to be born in a tiny village more than 120 KMs south of Amman. The only times a person would sneer at this village then this is because of its distance from Amman.
“Would Jackson accept my invitation?” I thought a lot of this question. At the end, I stopped thinking. I remembered what Jackson answered when I asked him how another fellow volunteer of him simply accepted an invitation from me, a person whom he barely knows, “You are a Christian!” He simply answered! Jackson then explained how they would trust a person just because he is a Christian.
Back then, I was baffled! How could they trust a person they don’t know? Even if this person is Christian, will you agree to eat in his house? How Christianity can allow you to trust people you don’t know? This can be written in the bible, but practically, this is not applicable. I never thought of finding an answer! The volunteers, and Jackson is one of them of course, are an example of dedication, altruism, optimism, free giving, and people whom you enjoy their company.
But this year, I find myself reconsidering my not finding answer. It no longer makes sense! Does Christianity, the religion of my parents, confer such characteristics? I look on the world around me and I sorrowfully find no much difference between believers of different religions. We are all human beings with the same mistakes, sins and same prejudices against each other!
Do you remember the dollar you gave me after signing it? I was very proud of this dollar that I kept it in my wallet and did take it out every time I met friends, relatives, and of course, my family members. I then would tell how a Christian Thai-American visited my old rented apartment in Hashmi Shmali. I would then tell how this American and his fellow volunteers said how they trusted me just because I am a Christian!!!
All but one of the people I told the story to were smiling and contemplating about what they have just heard. What did this person say? He gave me a little shock. I just ignored his ‘silly’ comment. But now, if I tell him that my American friend ran from visiting my house, he will be happy because his ‘silly’ comment will prove to be correct. How did he “trust” thing of my new friends?
“They have a goal!” He explained. “No one trusts others that simply!” He continued. “They are Evangelicals. Right? This is how evangelicals work! They befriend you so that you trust them and then convert from your old denomination to theirs!” He then finished, “Nothing is free! A person, who gives, wants something in return!”
I don’t know what to say? Is what he said correct? I don’t know and I don’t want to know! But if I told him that my friend is refusing to visit me, then he would surely…
Summary:
I learnt that friendship cannot be attained easily. It doesn’t matter if your friend is Christian or not! Think of the person in front of you as a human being!
Christianity teaches very beautiful and nice principles. However, they are hard to be executed in real-life. Will a person from another country immediately accept your invitation to a lunch, even as tempting as Mansaf? Noooooooo! This only can happen according to biblical teachings! Some of those teachings, if not most, are not observed by many Christians!
Jordan Blogs
10/07/2009 at 9:10 AM
Heh-heh, us Evangelicals will accept an invitation for Mansaf not to get you to change churches, but to share in your wonderful Mansaf! (or Maqlooubeh)
See, there are benefits to trusting, and not always selfish ones. Jesus gives wisdom to know who should be trusted. His teachings are hard, but He gives His Holy Spirit to provide wisdom and strength.
So you are from Hashmi? I lived in Hashmi! I loved those folks in Hiy Al Hijazeen, and mansaf with Karaki jameed.
11/07/2009 at 5:21 PM
“… will accept an invitation for Mansaf… to share in your wonderful Mansaf!” Very funny!
Last summer, I lived in Hashmi . I lived there for three months.Yes, I lived in what you call “Hiy Al Hijazeen” I am Hijazeen! But a Hijazeen from Karak. My permanent residence is in Smakieh, Karak. Many of my Hijazeen relatives lives in Hiy Al Hijazeen.
Last year, I remeber seldomly seeing western looking woman in a very big supermarkert that is situated in Hashmi. She had a blonde hair and slim shape. She was over 35.
“Could she be an American?” I thought and thought. “But what is an American doing in a crowded and old place such as Hashmi?” I asked myself.
Could it be that you are that woman? We were neighbours! lol!
12/07/2009 at 10:05 PM
Moabite, I lived in Hashmi in the mid-90s, min zamaaaaan. I was 35 then
. It wasn’t me, I’ll ask around to see if anyone knows her!
14/07/2009 at 12:32 AM
Wow! You are in Jordan since a very long time… Wow! You Arabic must be very magnificent by now! Did my relative taught you to speak Karaki?
About that woman, don’t ask! Don’t bother yourself! I thought that it was just a weird coincidence if I just used to meet you without knowing that you are a famous blogger!