Sunday, May 20
This morning was like visiting Monticello in Jordan. We went to a small village (population 3000) called Habbukkah outside of Irbid. We got to visit with the village elders in their new community center and learned that 90% of the inhabitants are from one family. All of their children return to this olive farming village to raise their children. We enjoyed a formal coffee ceremony with these elders (very hot green coffee), had formal introductions and asked each other questions. Their hospitality was so kind. We were able to arrange this meeting through Habitat Jordan who builds houses in this area. Then we were able to visit a family for whom they had built a house. The father Abumaj was at work as a military musician (trombone!) so we met his wife, Ummaj (otherwise known as Rasan) and his two year old daughter, Maj. The momma was 18 years old. And their home was built on his family's land. Notice the names of the parents. When we met with the elders of the city, they all introduced themselves as Abu Muhammad or Abu Hassan, always with the Abu title. I thought that was just an honorific for the elders but latter learned that when one has a son, the father's name changes to Abu (father of) plus the name of his son. Interestingly, when we met this family, the momma showed me her husband's picture and said, "Abumaj." Maj is the name of the daughter. They are proud of their children! Notice the momma's name starts with Um (mother of). Here are pictures of Maj and Ummaj and pictures of our group in front of their home. Here also is a picture of the Jabbok - the river where Jacob wrestled with the angel. We crossed this river today on our way from Jerash through the mountains of Gilead and on to Amman (see Ammonites in your OT).
This morning was like visiting Monticello in Jordan. We went to a small village (population 3000) called Habbukkah outside of Irbid. We got to visit with the village elders in their new community center and learned that 90% of the inhabitants are from one family. All of their children return to this olive farming village to raise their children. We enjoyed a formal coffee ceremony with these elders (very hot green coffee), had formal introductions and asked each other questions. Their hospitality was so kind. We were able to arrange this meeting through Habitat Jordan who builds houses in this area. Then we were able to visit a family for whom they had built a house. The father Abumaj was at work as a military musician (trombone!) so we met his wife, Ummaj (otherwise known as Rasan) and his two year old daughter, Maj. The momma was 18 years old. And their home was built on his family's land. Notice the names of the parents. When we met with the elders of the city, they all introduced themselves as Abu Muhammad or Abu Hassan, always with the Abu title. I thought that was just an honorific for the elders but latter learned that when one has a son, the father's name changes to Abu (father of) plus the name of his son. Interestingly, when we met this family, the momma showed me her husband's picture and said, "Abumaj." Maj is the name of the daughter. They are proud of their children! Notice the momma's name starts with Um (mother of). Here are pictures of Maj and Ummaj and pictures of our group in front of their home. Here also is a picture of the Jabbok - the river where Jacob wrestled with the angel. We crossed this river today on our way from Jerash through the mountains of Gilead and on to Amman (see Ammonites in your OT).
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