For two weeks I have been helping translate for a summer camp for bedouin children in a village. This village is located out in the "wilderness" and was super hot and dusty. But the children were so happy to come and play with us in the camp. We taught them some English, did crafts and played games each day.
We held them camp on the edge of the village in a community building where the men of the village have their meetings. Usually the children do not come while the men are meeting, but they graciously welcomed us and the kids for this time. Some days I felt bad because we spread glitter all over the rugs on the ground, but they never seemed to mind.
Some days we tried to sing English songs with the children. They would try to sing and do the motions.
While we were meeting some of the men of our group talked with the man who is the caretaker of the meeting tent. It was a good opportunity for conversation and develop further relationships with the people of the village.
Bedouin people are traditionally known as nomads. They would travel around, not having many possessions, and never really calling any place "home". But in modern days with closed borders, they are no longer able to live in this fashion. But they still strive to keep their traditions alive by living in make-shift buildings, out away from the towns and cities. Most of the men do work in factories nearby, while others are farmers of the animals, which are shared by the villagers.
Their Arabic dialect is different than what is spoken in the cities. During my first conversation with a family I had to tell them that I didn't know the Bedouin dialect, and they graciously spoke in simpler terms for me.
The children in the village are so adorable and have the most beautiful eyes. I pray that, as we continue to live and work in this land, we will have opportunities to share His love with them more and more.
I pray that each child will come to know that they are precious in His sight.
I pray that they might come to know who He is, truly.
I pray they will experience His compassion for them.
And their value in His eyes.
