Ahlan wa Sahlan

One of my best friends, Liz, and I have the same feelings about friends: we love it when they can come together and meet one another. We are happiest when we can gather all of those we love in one place for a time of friendship, food, and laughter. There have been so many times during the past nine months (what?! where has the time gone?) that I have thought, "How I wish so-and-so were here to experience this with me!" or been with a friend here and considered how a friend or family member back home would enjoy this person as much as I do.

This past Sunday (Pentecost Sunday, in fact), a bunch of people I love gathered for a BBQ. That's right, Alma (the other YAGM who volunteers at the school with me) and I planned a traditional BBQ! Of course, it was only a success because everyone came together and participated: some of the men grilled the meat (OH MY GOSH IT WAS SO GOOD!); myself and some of the women prepared the meat, putting it on kabobs and molding it into patties; some looked after the little children; some helped set up the tables; and everyone brought a dish to share (representing a family specialty or regional favorite). It was a great mix of people, of food, and of activities.

I'm so blessed to have the community I have here. It's not simply that I have people who I'm friends with because I'm here, but that I have deep relationships that have formed despite my only being here for a short time. These are people God has taught me so much through, and that I would choose to be with no matter if I was in the States or in the Middle East. These people are my family.


One of the first phrases I learned when I arrived in Jerusalem and Bethlehem was ahlan wa sahlan, which basically means "You are welcome". People would say it all the time, especially in the first few months. When you arrive somewhere or meet someone new- ahlan wa sahlan. Over time it grew to be a normal phrase without any special significance. "Welcome"- we can say it without actually feeling a deep sense of welcomingness, can't we? I know I have.

And yet reflecting on that word again now, it means so much more. Ahlan wa sahlan means more than a mere "hello" or "welcome"; it means "you are desired here", "you are a vital part of this community". Now, in my last months, I finally realize this. I finally feel this.

I think what changed this perspective for me was the BBQ, at the point when people started to arrive. It was a bunch of people I care about very much, all together and the only words that could sum up my delight in seeing them was ahlan wa sahlan, "You are desired here. You are a vital part of my life and this community. This time together would not be complete without you."

May we experience the warmth of the spirit of ahlan wa sahlan and share that love of God to all whom we encounter for either five minutes, ten months, three years, or forever.

Alma and I making the meat into patties to be grilled (irony being that Alma is a vegetarian :)

Plenty of help in the kitchen preparing the meat for the grill. 

Julie having a laugh as the grills get ready for some delicious pork and chicken kabobs.

I was greeted with a hug and an exclamation of "Oh! There's my other daughter!"

I was the designated meat pusher (every BBQ has one). People were going to finish that chicken, dang it!

A medley of foods from around the world. Everyone brought either a family specialty or a regional favorite. We had jello, pasta salads, tabouleh,  and much more than I can remember!

I have become known as the "Bacon Girl" this year, as everyone knows how much I love bacon. This has resulted in Pastor Imad always seeming to show up with bacon (thick grilled) whenever I am at a BBQ :) I'm spoiled...but I won't argue!

What better than some card games after you've finished eating?  First a friendly game of Uno...

Then a more intense game of Halli Galli, which is kind of (but not really) like Slap Jack... but with a bell... and way more concentration involved. It really gets your adrenaline pumping!
[Apparently a couple of us have gotten so good we can play with our eyes closed ;) ]

[Photos all by Alma Gast]