Big Day

I haven't spoken much of it, but the last few weeks have been Ramadan.  Tonight is the "night of power" where men go to the mosque all night to pray.  Women do the same at home.  They wait for visions and guidance, and pray to ward off evil.  They call it "big day" in this language.

We broke the fast with some friends tonight.  Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset everyday during Ramadan.  When the call to prayer goes off in the evening, they break the fast, usually by  eating a couple of dates.  The meal that breaks the fast is called Iftar.  So with our friends tonite, the food was all layed out before us and we waited about 10 minutes until we heard the call to prayer from the mosque, then we dug in.  The smokers in the crowd usually bypass the dates to quick light up as they are not to smoke during the fast either.  

We've had some good conversations about fasting this month.  Sharing notes about what it means.  I speak very simply at this point, but I am encouraged as people are interested in hearing more, and its always good to hear how people understand their own faith.