Ramadan Begins

Today marks the beginning of Ramadan. Why is that worth posting about, you may ask? Because Ross and I felt called to France largely because of the the large Muslim population(about 4.7 million), and as you may know Ramadan in their holy month. The equivalent in our culture might be the Christmas season minus the commercialism and Santa Clause and add in a large to/not to do list everyday. Over the past several years Ross and I have spent the month doing a fast of some sort and praying for the Muslim world and our Muslim friends. Last year in Denton we even had the opportunity to break fast with one of Ross' Saudi friends and his fiancé, which a huge showing of hospitality. All that to say, Ramadan is the most important month of the Islam calendar and a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY big deal in the Muslim world. Did you know that they are not allowed water during fasting hours?! Did you also know that in some Islamic countries no restaurant can be open during fasting hours and there can be no advertisement of food/drinks anywhere that may tempt an observer to break fast?

This year we are going to be praying through a 30 day prayer calendar and attempting some kind of fast. We haven't quite decided what to do this year because we forgot it was starting TODAY and we aren't in our own space yet and on our own schedules. If you would like to join us in praying, click here for the link.

I'll keep you posted on the fast. I'll be honest in saying it's not always my favorite month of the year because of fasting, but always an eye-opening one.