Zahir Never Ceases to Amaze...

*** Change Of Address?!?*** 

 Zahir's mom let the cat out of the bag. She asked if I was looking forward to my move. She could tell by my facial reaction I knew nothing about it. She clammed up tight changing topic. I knew I had to let it go. It turns out she texted Z about her slip.

 Zahir came home apologizing for the surprise of his mother's questions. Being the eternal pessimist, I was thinking he finally had enough of me. I asked when he was sending me home. Then he was panicked, "WHAT DID MY MOTHER SAY?!?" I told him that she said I was moving, and I apologized for being so much trouble.

 He kissed my forehead telling me I was no trouble. He told me it was time to find our forever home. I thought Z owned this apartment, I was wrong on that too, it was a one year rental. He told me the term is up in September.

 He spent a lot of the evening showing me his ideas. I was just becoming comfortable with our cosy two bedroom nest in the North West area. He wants to be closer to the center of town. His folks are moving too and he wants to be close.

 He is also looking at a large villa we could share with his parents out side the city. He took me out for dinner, "American food." That is his code for stopping at Wazzup Dog. Best burger in Amman, behave the owner is armed. Only guy in Amman who will make a Chicago Dog for me. Z got me hooked on them when he took me on a buying trip to the midwest. I will NEVER put ketchup on a dog ever again.

 After dinner we drove by Abdali. I have no doubt the apartments are pretty, but it is a huge construction zone. It is also gonna be WAY too crowded. "Keep your mind open little one."

*** New Church Home Too!***

 He found a church for me. Understand the term church means a gathering of believers. That is what he found for me. Not only has he found me a group of believers, they are even MY denomination.

Syrian refugee camp in Zaatari, Jordan

 Zahir has a friend from college who recently moved here with his family. It was not lost on me they lived in Abdali. In addition to running the gathering, he arranges humanitarian aid for the Christian and Muslim evacuees and refugees. It turns out the Presbyterian Church (USA) has a mission in Amman via the Middle East Council of Churches.

 One of my friends from Miami had a rant about why the neighboring nations aren't helping the Syrians themselves. I love Matt like a brother even though he is a little closed minded and judgemental. The people of Jordan are a giving people, but even the deepest of generosity must have limits. There are no more resources without help from the West. I know this smacks in the face of the lies spoken on the West side of the river, but it is the truth.


 Here is an ugly part of history, after the 1948 war a number of Christians from Palestine were expelled to the East Bank of the Jordan. People around here are used to hearing lies. Thanks to the lies spoken by the Russians (and my fellow Americans) the Syrian crisis is intensifying. Both parties promised NOT to let the violence spread into the south of Syria.

 <Sorry end of rant...>

 *** EpiPen, EpiPen, everywhere an EpiPen...***

He had it custom made.

 
 Zahir is absolutely insane about my protection. The end of the month has become something of a weird ritual. He picks up two fresh EpiPens for my belt case. I told him it was silly, the lifespan is longer. Why waste so much money? (I forgot rule one of dating an Arabic man: When they do something for you, thank them profusely and move on.)

 He showed me. He pulled my "OLD" pens from my belt case and put the new ones in. Then he loaded mine into HIS pouch. One from his pouch went into his desk drawer, the other his nightstand. On and on it went. One is in his desk at the office. Even his mother has one in her purse. Apparently he has been doing this for years. First in the States and now here.

 With a lifespan of twenty months, the "OLD" pens are still good for a year after we retire them. Two of the older ones per month go to the refugee camps. Zahir is not only protecting me, he is protecting the Syrian refugee children. I love my guy.


 - Chase