Easter

For as long as I can remember, EBCI has always had a sunrise Easter service. The weekends in Dubai are Friday/Saturday, Friday being the holy day. So, churches meet on Friday. A sunrise service allows those who work to celebrate Easter and still get to work on time.


I've always been a little nervous worshipping as a group on a public beach. After all, technically, it is against the law. In the late 90's I remember praying for safety for I feared being arrested - nothing to base that fear on, just me being weird I guess. But God, being rich in mercy, love and compassion, caused a fog to roll in and we could barely see in front of us. I knew we couldn't be seen by patrols from the road and I could worship in peace (in MY mind).


This Easter weekend was a little different. The police patrols I once feared were now protecting us. Rumor had it that Christians had been threatened specific to Dubai. So, for some churches, on Friday, cars were parked away from the building and people were bussed in. For us, meeting in temp facilities, we had undercover policemen in the parking lot. Now I no longer feared the police as something greater had taken their place. I guess the next loogical question is was I more nervous with a threat against Christians in Dubai - could I actually focus to worship? Well, as I sat down to begin to prepare myself to worship, I asked God to help me relax and give wisdom to the leaders and cops to spot any bad guys. As I was thumbing through my Bible, it fell open to Psalm 37. 'Do not fret because of evil men'....I really didn't have to read any further (although I did and I was most comforted) and was able to concentrate on who God is and praise His glorious, holy name. The comfort from Psalm 37 carried over to Easter Sunday and I was able to worship without any distraction, the slight fog bringing a little smile to my face. Hallelujah - we serve a risen Savior!!!


Anyway, here are some pics Steve took at the Sunrise service.

Frank

Frank has kept very busy this year. He was cast as LaFou in the fall musical Beauty and the Beast. For those of you who aren't familiar with the musical/movie, LaFou is Gaston's assistant. It was a rough part for Frank who was constantly getting thrown to the ground as part of the choreography. He ended up wearing knee and elbow pads under his costume.




He then began the process of auditioning for the International Honor Choir. Students from international schools around the world record an audition tape at their high school. That tape is then sent off and listened to by a panel of judges. Frank was chosen to participate as a first tenor. This is his 3rd year to be chosen. He had to memorize several pieces of music in various languages. His choir director had to pass him off before he could make the trip to London. After a passport fiasco at the Dubai airport, Frank and I left one day later (the worse 24 hours of my life) and made it just in time for him to go through the 2 days of testing and rehearsals before the performance last Sat. It was phenomenal.



Right before honor choir, Frank was Mr. Kirby in the play "You Can't Take It With You." A slightly different part for Frank but he was faboulous if I may say so.



So, needless to say, he is now sleeping regular hours and even has time to go out on the weekends. Oh yeah, during all of the extra curriculurs, he still had time to make the high honor roll. Following are some pictures of his various roles.

Gaston and LaFou

LaFou with Beauty and Mrs. Potts

Honor choir rehearsal.

2008 International Honor Choir

Honor choir and band students from ASD with the 2 directors.

Mr. Kirby in You Can't Take It With You