David and Jennifer put out the call
Come to Jordan and have a ball
From Ghor Al Safi to Wadi Rum
There will be 10 days of nothing but fun
Aaron was young but very eager to go
Penny was old but not really slow
Jack and Diane were a fantastic pair
Elizabeth and Bruce had birthdays to share
Jill looked forward to her second build
While Sonya on her first was really thrilled
Suzanne thought the middle east would be cool
And Brad just wanted to use neat tools
Leslie the artist rounded out the team
Thirteen would be terrific it would seem
Everyone arrived safely in Amman from different places
Three with no luggage but smiles on their faces
Next day they went with George on the bus
Rommel taught them safety so there would be no fuss
The family was awesome with 3 cute little boys
We hoped our work would bring them years of joy
It looked like the guest house would be great
If only the damn rooster would find a mate
Laying bricks and rebar was not really boring
However most of the conversation centered on snoring
We worked hard but drank lots of tea
And all of the area children we did see
We walked thru town and gathered such a crowd
George said it would never again be allowed
We had BBQ and ate mansef with our hands
Visited the womens centre and Wadi Numera so grand
Jill, Jen and Sonya experienced traditional dress
But the mens head gear tying was really a mess
Everyone in Al Safi welcomed us as friends
But sadly the build had to come to an end
Sheik Soloman said kind words before we ate
Then off to Karak and candles at Petras gate
Its history was told to us by Khaleed
Who seemed astounded at the groups shopping needs
The Nativians magnificence was beyond belief
Until Jack found a garbage can for some relief
Next came the desert dunes at Wadi Rum
Bus, jeeb and camels-a day on our bums
The Dead Sea Spa was a fantastic treat
On the bottom of the sea we could not touch our feet
Well rested and nourished we headed to a place
Where Jesus was said to have immersed his face
Mount Nebo and Madaba were amazing sites
The mosaics, lunch and companionship were just right
Back to Amman for a night at the Inn
The off to see gladiators dressed in tin
The Arab castle was our last walk
On the bus back there was more sleep than talk
So this is ten days in rhyme
Even Peggy, Sophie, Ann, Roger and Dennis had a good time
To Jennifer and David we say shakran
We are now eleven of your biggest fans
Once a group that came from a far
We will meet again-inslhallah
Penny
Reflections
Ghor Al Safi Jordan February 8,2010
Assalam 'alaikoom
Peace be Upon You
The call for prayer mixes
with the rooster's call.
They compliment each other.
The stars still glow thru
darkness.
And all the house is still.
But for the sound of chai boiling on the stove
And the quiet snores.
Silence follows with
No interruption as the
Stillness fills the quiet.
Nothing seems too foreign
Except for the
Absence of noise and
The presence of God.
Les
Assalam 'alaikoom
Peace be Upon You
The call for prayer mixes
with the rooster's call.
They compliment each other.
The stars still glow thru
darkness.
And all the house is still.
But for the sound of chai boiling on the stove
And the quiet snores.
Silence follows with
No interruption as the
Stillness fills the quiet.
Nothing seems too foreign
Except for the
Absence of noise and
The presence of God.
Les
The Beginning
February 7, 2010
All of Team Jordan have arrived in Amman, three late and without suitcases, another on time but with a damaged suitcase. We are a group of 13 Canadians ranging in age from 19 to 65 plus. Led by David and Jennifer Coates from Vancouver Island, other team members are Aaron Hildebrant and Jill Newby from BC, Sonya White, Bruce Braine and his daughter Elizabeth, Suzanne Shum, Jack and Diane Jackson, and Penny Jensen from Ontario, and Lesley Fletcher and Brad Kouri from Montreal. After a buffet breakfast and orientation with local Habitat for Humanity reps, most of us had our first real glimpse of Jordan as we headed southward to our build location, Ghor al Safi. Shutters were clicking as we rolled past the dramatic sculptured hills and valleys outside Amman. We travelled along the Dead Sea and saw Palestine off in the distance.
Our housing in Ghor al Safi is a guest house with separate men’s and women’s sleeping rooms with sleeping mats on the floor. It’s a bit like a sleepover or camping and builds intimacy in a flash. Snoring is common, although I suspect the loudest comes from the men’s quarters! There are separate private men’s and women’s washrooms, something rather difficult for North Americans to observe in a private house with lots of guests but limited bathroom facilities.
We only have a relatively short number of build days in Jordan compared to most other Global Village assignments, but our enthusiasm and commitment to our build here is boundless. Soon after our arrival in the community we were all issued a leather work belt complete with hammer, tape measure and trowel, then met briefly with Sheik Suleyman of Habitat Jordan’s local partner Jamaia. Then off to the site we headed, where we were shown how to mix cement and lay blocks for the walls of a two-room addition to a small block house with an expanding family. In short order we were in a dance line passing blocks “right hand up, left under” while local women, some fully veiled, observed us from afar. The local children were initially shy, but oh so curious, and keeping them safely away from a busy work zone proved to be quite a challenge. Jill
All of Team Jordan have arrived in Amman, three late and without suitcases, another on time but with a damaged suitcase. We are a group of 13 Canadians ranging in age from 19 to 65 plus. Led by David and Jennifer Coates from Vancouver Island, other team members are Aaron Hildebrant and Jill Newby from BC, Sonya White, Bruce Braine and his daughter Elizabeth, Suzanne Shum, Jack and Diane Jackson, and Penny Jensen from Ontario, and Lesley Fletcher and Brad Kouri from Montreal. After a buffet breakfast and orientation with local Habitat for Humanity reps, most of us had our first real glimpse of Jordan as we headed southward to our build location, Ghor al Safi. Shutters were clicking as we rolled past the dramatic sculptured hills and valleys outside Amman. We travelled along the Dead Sea and saw Palestine off in the distance.
Our housing in Ghor al Safi is a guest house with separate men’s and women’s sleeping rooms with sleeping mats on the floor. It’s a bit like a sleepover or camping and builds intimacy in a flash. Snoring is common, although I suspect the loudest comes from the men’s quarters! There are separate private men’s and women’s washrooms, something rather difficult for North Americans to observe in a private house with lots of guests but limited bathroom facilities.
We only have a relatively short number of build days in Jordan compared to most other Global Village assignments, but our enthusiasm and commitment to our build here is boundless. Soon after our arrival in the community we were all issued a leather work belt complete with hammer, tape measure and trowel, then met briefly with Sheik Suleyman of Habitat Jordan’s local partner Jamaia. Then off to the site we headed, where we were shown how to mix cement and lay blocks for the walls of a two-room addition to a small block house with an expanding family. In short order we were in a dance line passing blocks “right hand up, left under” while local women, some fully veiled, observed us from afar. The local children were initially shy, but oh so curious, and keeping them safely away from a busy work zone proved to be quite a challenge. Jill
Day One - Amman, Jordan
After a leisurely stroll around Swefieh, the area in which our hotel is located, we took a cab to the King Abdullah Mosque (closed after two to tourists) and then the roman ruins at the old citadel. Had an incredible view of the city from there, and marvelled at the history right at our feet. The experience was only enhanced by the melodic calling to prayer of the muezzins heard through out the city.
Went to a restaurant called Jaffa where most tables were smoking hookahs, or hubbly-bubblies, which contain flavoured tobacco. Then we went up to the enormous King Hussein Mosque to watch the sunset, but were not allowed to take any photos. The rest of our team is to arrive over the next couple of hours, in fact Brad Kouri walked in while I was writing this. Tomorrow we head south to begin our building project.
Thanks for checking on our blog!
Off to Jordan
Greetings everyone! We are not sure how often we will be able to access a computer in the next week or so, but are confidant that we can fill you in once we start travelling again. Thanks for checking us out, and hope you are all well!
David and Jennifer
David and Jennifer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)