Lunch Date Meeting Locals and learning about Family Life teaches me we are more similar than we think. A family who runs the community service center offers to take me to lunch at their home. I accept their kind invitation and then learn about Palestinian hospitality. The wife serves me the most beautiful meal graciously making a lovely table. when I start to take pictures, I notice she isn’t eating. I then see one of her sons isn’t eating. I asked if she was sick.
Palestinian Hospitality
“No we aren’t sick,” She said.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
“We are fasting.”
Her hospitality serves me even when she fasts. She serves a lovely meal. Why did she invite me and cook, and serve me when she was fasting? Augh – this didn’t feel right to me.
She is such a gracious hostess even when she fasts. She puts me at ease, and she encourages me to enjoy the food. She never shared with me that she isn’t eating today until sunset. Humbled by her selflessness, generosity, and kindness I enjoyed the meal. She doesn’t bring attention to herself or point out that she is fasting until I asked her. She thought only of her younger children who weren’t fasting and me, her guest. It must be very hard to prepare food when you are fasting and watch other people eat. The meal is a humbling experience.
Palestinian Hospitality – Head of the Family
Here is her husband at work. He works through lunch because he is fasting too. Since I’m eating with the children, I tease that I am sitting at the children’s table today. She thought that was pretty funny, smiled and shook her head in agreement then offered me more food. I accept with a smile.
Palestinian Hospitality – The Kitchen
Palestinian Hospitality – A Meal
Her kitchen is very comfortable and the meal is fabulous. She is kind and offers to show me her home. Then she asked if I want to take pictures of her home and family. I think her kitchen is like any kitchen in America.
Palestinian Hospitality – The Children’s Room
Can you imagine cooking all of this and not eating a bite from sunrise until sundown?
Playing Around – Showing Me His Coat
Meeting Locals – Horse Play for Company
After lunch, the rest of the family joins us. The little boy is my new buddy. He shows me his favorite thing, his new coat and runs around the room like Superman. Just like our family get-togethers everyone is chatting. Outside, the weather is hot, hotter than summer at home, about 1oo degrees. Inside the house feels calm and relaxed. The family warms my heart sharing stories about how long their family has lived on the land going back to before Jesus’ time. They tell jokes and stories in English. The home is comfortable because of the type of construction of the house and the warm hospitality of the family. There is no air conditioning, but the home is the perfect temperature because of the construction.
Outside, the weather is hot, hotter than summer at home, about 1oo degrees. Inside the house feels calm and relaxed. The family warms my heart sharing stories about how long their family has lived here which goes back before Jesus’ time. They tell jokes and stories in English. The home is comfortable because of the warm hospitality of the family. There is no air conditioning, but the home is the perfect temperature because of the buildings construction.
More Horse Play – Kids Being Kids
After lunch, my little buddy becomes euphoric. He starts bouncing and jumping around the room like Tigger, in Winnie the Pooh.
They are a lovely family. The grand home is where their extended family – brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, and their parents live. Each household lives in their own residence within the building. The complex is like a townhouse or a multiplex. I love the idea of living with extended family members. But, to live with relatives, everyone has to want to get along. I enjoyed meeting this family and the people in Hebron. I am deeply thankful and appreciative of their Palestinian hospitality.
Here is a little bite about Life in Palestine
Palestinian customs and traditions
This post was last modified on February 22, 2017 10:56 am