We woke up early to meet Anna for a girl's b'fast on the rooftop of a building that overlooks the beach. We had a delicious meal - I had banana and chocolate crepe that was amazing!
Next we went to our 2nd class with Professor Nordine. We learned a lot more about the Muslim religion. Did you know that 80% of Muslims are folk Muslims meaning they are very superstitious and believe a lot of traditions that arent in the Quran. Only 20% are literal/textual Muslims. This group is usually divided between religious scholars and the extremists that are against the west and the ones you see portrayed in the film I told you about earlier.
We also learned that both Sunni and Shiite Muslims are both waiting for Christ's 2nd coming. They believe that when He returns he will go to a mosque in Damascus and usher in the age of true Islam. Obviously, there is a huge disconnect in knowing the truth about Jesus but also cool to think they are awaiting His return too. It is our prayer that their eyes will be opened for the truth about who He is and why He is returning.
Our professor also told us his story about growing up Muslim and how he became a believer through a friendship with a Syrian Christian man living in North Africa. It was so moving to hear how God was pursuing him and drawing him closer. And of course also troubling to hear about all the struggles he goes through from being a believer in a closed country. Literally any day his wife or kids could turn him in and he would go to prison! Yet he was so joyful, fearless, and inspired by Paul's letters about suffering for your faith. Truly Amazing!
Next we ate lunch with the staff and students one last time before dividing up for some free time. The boys joined some locals on the beach for any intense game of futbol (soccer). The girls walked down to the beach where I got to ride a camel and get my picture with him. I fufilled my goal of sitting on one even if it was a tourist trap on the beach and not hard core through the Sahara! :)
Then the girls went shopping for some last minute souveniers and spices. We also stopped to have tea with a local shop owner named Muhammed.
The group re-convened for dinner at a local restaurant where we all had chicken schwarma. All 11 of us ate for about $4 each. After dinner Kristin and I joined up with thje 2 girl students (Emily and Sara) and their 2 friends (Fatima & Soued) to walk down the "Look at Me Street." This was Hilarious and a great cultural experience. Basically all the young people in the town go to this one street and just stroll. It is great people watching. There were probably 1000 teenages/young adults there but here is the kicker...you just walk and paraade around! You cant talk to anyone for fear that your parents will find out. Both of the girls have secret boyfriends that their family doesn't know about. We got to meet 1 of them but it was literally hi and goodbye. No mingling with the opposite sex. It definitely reminded me on crusing the strip at Panama City Beach or "The T" in Gulf Shores when I was in middle/early high school!
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