The first couple of weeks

Merry Christmas!
On Tuesday, we switched host families, and are now all on our own to try to communicate with our families. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how we look at it) most of our new host families speak very little English and no Spanish. It has been an adjustment to be separated, and it has been a challenge to connect with each other about team business, but it is good for us to continue to be stretched and branch out to meet new people.
We have been blessed to make many connections with other expatriates here before Christmas, so on Christmas Eve, we were invited to take over the apartment of a young woman from Texas who would be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas with another family. Thus we were provided with the opportunity to spend Christmas Eve together, making cookies, skyping our families, and watching a movie. After that relaxing evening, we had another relaxing day at the home of an American couple who had invited several people over. They had a Christmas tree and a very homey environment which finally gave us the sentiment of Christmas. In a country that does not celebrate Christmas, it was very easy to forget that we were in the advent season for the first couple of weeks here.
The last few weeks have been filled with wonderful and stretching experiences. Last weekend, Heidi, Jen, and I (Jamila) were guests at a wedding. Our host family had the time of their lives dressing us up and putting makeup on us to make us presentable at a wedding. Friday evening was a party starting at about 4pm and lasting until 11 or so. It was filled with loud music, dancing, and lots of food. The second party, which was the next day started around 4:30 and lasted until after 12:30. Although we had a great time, by the end of the second party, we were quite exhausted. I had been wearing 3.5 inch heels for nearly 9 hours, so my feet were also in pain on top of being tired.
Language study has been an interesting challenge as well. We are about halfway through the first class "Salaam 1" and it has become clear that Arabic is not an easy language. We were astonished (and thoroughly overwhelmed) to discover that the maternal side of the family all have different names from the paternal side, and the family of one's spouse have different labels, depending on whether you're a man (the family of your wife) or a woman (the family of your husband). I found myself quite relieved that I am not married, nor do I have siblings who are.
Hopefully this gives you an overview of what's been going on in our lives since we've been here.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts in these areas:
-Language study.
-Team Unity and open communication
-Our volunteering opportunities. We've gotten some information, but have not had a chance to come together as a team to discuss our options and call the contact people.

We are thankful for:
-provision and safety
-the wonderful mentors we have met through the Inc and other organizations in the city.
-the relationships we have formed and connections we have made, even with people on the bus.


Here are some pictures of the area where we live.

We have arrived!!!

After 35 long hours of traveling, spending the afternoon at a Christmas festival in Frankfurt followed by several more hours in the airport, we are so happy to report that we’ve arrived in Morocco and begun to settle into our very welcoming host families. It seems we have lived many more days than are written on the calendar, but with the time change and a new culture this is to be expected. We are thankful all has gone relatively smoothly, we are safe, cared for and trust that our purpose in being here will continue to be revealed.

Our team has been divided (two girls and three), into two host families. Here we spend most of our time until school begins on Thursday. They feed us wonderful Moroccan food all the time in large quantities. Even when we explain that we are full (and we learned the word in Arabic!) they will not take no for an answer. A very special holiday entitled the “Eid” in which a sheep is killed and the entire extended family celebrates together will take place Tuesday, commemorating the biblical story of Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son, who was rescued from death through a lamb being provided. The entire city is full of people who have come to celebrate this very special holiday, and throughout the Medina sheep are being transported by wagon, donkey or on the backs of those who purchased them.

Although language is a huge barrier we’ve been blessed to meet several Spanish and English speakers who are more than happy to accommodate to our lack of lingual understanding. It is amazing how much is also possible through nonverbal communication. The Moroccan people are warm and affectionate, attending to our every need and always by our side. They have explained that we are their family, because we are far from home, and even as we will later be living in our own apartment, we are welcome to come by any time.

Continue to think of us as we adjust, learn our way around the complex and confusing streets of the Medina, try to pick up on the language, begin classes on Thursday and make friends. It is very difficult to find time to catch up on sleep or spend time alone, both of which are sometimes necessary. We are learning every moment of every day, having a great time and laughing at ourselves and the cultural differences that are slowing uniting our team and ourselves to the Moroccan people.
Highlights…
Sightseeing in Frankfurt during our 14 hour layover
Exploring the streets of the Medina
The Inc.
Finding it is possible to get warm at night with at least 6 heavy blankets
Eating lunch with a cow tied up in the kitchen, and then later watching it become our dinner before our eyes
Daily tea and coffee time with new friends
Experiencing the kindness and love of strangers who are becoming our closest friends