Bombs and Blood Sugar

Today was the first day of the diabetic testing in Ramtha.  We met the student volunteers from JUST and distributed the supplies in the morning.  Then we drove all over Ramtha to deliver the students to their posts.  Down crowded streets, through alleys, around markets and through neighborhoods.

We had student volunteers in 7 locations.  Our assignment for the day was to be with the team doing testing at a local park.  Cushy!!  We loved sitting out under a tree and visiting with people who stopped by to get their blood sugar tested. We just can't get over how friendly the people are here.

This couple was first in line to get tested.  The woman's name is Myrna..I'm not kidding!!  We really hit it off, in spite of the fact we didn't speak each other's language.  Her husband tried to tell us about his children and he didn't know the words to describe one of his son's occupation, so he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, lit it on fire and threw it on the ground.  Then he pretended to hold a hose on the burning paper.  A fireman!!

NOTE:  While we were sitting peacefully under this tree we could hear the sound of bombs coming from Syria, about 5 miles away.  A stray mortar shell came over into Ramtha and landed about 2 miles from us.  3 people were injured and taken to the hospital.  We could hear the ambulance sirens.

Having your finger pricked can take some courage.  But these Syrian women did it.  They certainly have been through a lot worse.

Another Syrian man brought his four children.  Their mother died of cancer recently.