It's summer, so this is going to be more informal. We won't meet and discuss these weekly, this will be a place where we share resources and our thoughts as we come to better understand the Middle East and it's people. We will plan a few things together and invite those who are interested... guest speakers, field trips, movie nights, maybe a Middle East dinner at the end.
Feel free to add books, articles, current events, videos, movies, field trip ideas, and guest speaker possibilities.
I keep being amazed at how God's work is growing in these very persecuted areas. I think they seek and need His miracles more than we do in our comfortable state, so they see them often.
Videos:
Here are some videos with a few examples:
CD:
I have been listening to "A Latter-Day Look at Islam" by Daniel C. Peterson that Sis. Pack recommended. I have learned A LOT from that 90 min CD (I bought it at Seagull Book). I've watched some of his YouTube videos and learned a lot. I really want to read his books now.
Guest Speakers:
Bro. Pack has a friend who converted from Islam who is willing to come tell us of his experience - that will be fascinating! Sis. Pack also knows of an LDS refugee family that left Pakistan when things got really dangerous who may be able to tell us of their experiences. She also knows an archeologist that speaks 17 languages and digs in the Middle East who knows much about the area. The author of Saving Babylon is another possibility for a speaker. And so are Sis Pack's parents who served a mission in the area.
We'll send out articles to read before the guest speakers come so you can have some background information and better questions to ask. You'll also be more prepared if you read the books below since the guest speakers will be from the areas these books are written about.
Books, Discussions and Art Projects:
There are some books our family plans to read this summer. When we are finished reading each book, Bro. Pack will do an art project with us when we discuss it. We'll discuss the first one in the beginning of July, the 2nd one in the middle of August and the last one around the end of September. I will post specific dates when I know them, but if you want to come to the discussion and art project, you can start reading them now.
1. July: My Name Used to be Muhammed. (We are reading this out loud and I have had to edit some parts out as we read - Sis. Pack recommends that maybe the parents summarize the chapters from "What is Love?" to "Higher Education"). Cassia and I heard him speak at a morningside a while back. His story is not only inspiting, but really helped us understand some of the culture and difficulties of trying to pull away from it.
2. August: I Am Malala. We have the student version. I have heard he good things about this book, but haven't yet read it.
3. September: Saving Babylon: The Heart of an Army Interrogator in Iraq Sis. Pack will probably be able to get the author to come speak to us.
Some books for younger siblings (or older... I personally love reading these books too)
1. Samuel Zwemer: The Burden of Arabia - Christian Heroes
2. The Arabian Nights (you can listen to this too on Tales2go)
3. Three Cups of Tea - Mortensen
4. Bronze Bow - Speare
5. The Breadwinner - Ellis
If you want even more resources, Sis. Pack collected a list of more possible books - including picture books you can learn culture from as you read to little siblings! She is typing a lot of them out with links, but in the meantime - here is a picture I took of her notes:
It has been a fascinating summer so far. I look forward to learning more. I hope some of you want to join us! Let me know :-)
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