October 1 was the first day of EXPO 2020. The grand opening was the night before with dignitaries from the UAE and stars from around the world speaking and performing. You can watch it here. It was an amazing event! The theme song, “This is Our Time”, was released a few weeks before.

The skyscrapers in Dubai glisten like diamonds reflecting in the sun. The city is a glass window into a world of luxury where anything desired can be instantly at your fingertips. But a window only reveals a small picture of the yard. Perhaps a Mercedes in the yard might be in sight but not the crumpling shed on the opposite end of the yard.

Before moving to the city, Esther loved to support her friends when they were going through traumatic situations. She would call out their identity when they felt insignificant, but she found this difficult when many of the women she met in Dubai preferred to hide behind perfection and avoid depth in conversation.

Steven was watching a movie trying to wind down after a very busy day when he received a desperate text from Hasan.  “Can you call me?  I really need to talk to you now!”

Bills and debt collectors cling to Naaman’s neck like a strangling noose.  With $28,000 owed and only earning $1,250 a month (not to mention the money he is expected to send home to family), the future looks bleak for Naaman.

Remember Mohammed, the young married engineer that Brad had met.  Mohammed found a temporary job but had to work 7 days a week for 12 hours a day because it was a special project. 

Mark moved to Dubai from New Zealand in developmental projects. He was chasing after the thrills and allure of a city where he could work hard to be successful and then spend a lot of his earnings on different drugs, drinking and clubs.