A Farewell to Dear Students

  This picture gives just a small hint of what a fun group of young men I had the pleasure of teaching!  Our last class was on Sunday, Dec. 28th. ( 3 days off this week, Mon-Wed, due to the GCC meeting going on in Muscat and the Islamic NewYear).  Final Exams are next week and then Che and I are off to the Philippines on Jan. 7th to be wed on the 23rd  in Manila!  Here I am with 2 of my wonderful students.  Issa is on the left and his name means “Jesus” or “the Lord saves“.  Mazen is on the right and his name means “storm clouds“.  Put those 2 names together and it reminds me of a bible verse – “Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He (Jesus) cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him.”

Farewell to Pastor Edward and Tamera

  during Farewell Litany: “We  thank you, our sisters and brothers, for the love, kindness, and support shown to us these past years.  We are grateful for the ministry we have shared together.  With joy we recall what we accomplished with God’s help, and with sadness those dreams not fulfilled.”  From Pastor Edward and Tamera (in church bulletin): With love for all of you, we announce our future plans.  Our ministry with the PCO will conclude at the end of our current contracts in December.  After Christmas, we will return to the United States to spend time with our children.  Thank you for your friendship and support during the past three years!  The Reformed Church in America has selected an interim pastor who will begin ministry with the PCO in early 2009.  A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who contributed to Pastor Ed & Tamera’s Farewell Gift and contributed in numerous ways to the beautiful service last Friday.

Deceptive Advertising Practices of Starbucks Oman

Yes….this is a rant!  Prepare yourself, ha!ha!   What would you think after reading this sign? Most people would read it the way I did, I think.  After receiving my Toffee Nut Latte, I asked the man working there, “Where is my slice of swissroll that is supposed to come with my latte?”  He said, “No, sir.  We are just recommending it as something that would go good with that drink.”  Whatever!  I told him, “That is very deceptive and you should remove this sign!”  An Omani man behind me got quite excited and said, “Yes, it is very dishonest of them!  Very dishonest!”  Well, I think I’ll stick with Second Cup or another coffee shop that is at least honest about their overpriced coffee and what comes (or doesn’t!) with it!