Temperatures in the UAE have been hitting 108F (over 40C) for the past couple of weeks. It is hot. While much of the world is flocking to the beach or going to the park for picnics, residents of the UAE are staying inside. Much of the entertainment and restaurants are located in the malls. So while the temps are soaring, people can learn to ski. Dubai, especially, is a crazy place!

The total population in the UAE in 2022 is 10.08 million. 99% of the population are active internet users. 98.99% use social media. People in the UAE spend an average of 3 hours per day on social media while the daily average time spent using the internet is 8.5 hours which is an hour more than in 2021.

“Can you eat sushi in Hinduism?” I asked.

He tilted his head, surprised by the question “Oh the fish?”

“Yes, I wasn’t sure if there were certain food laws you had to follow,” I replied.

“Ya, we can have sushi. The only thing we are not supposed to have is beef because we believe that a cow is a god. What about for you?”

It is time to pray, God spoke as I walked into the mall Sunday afternoon. Hunger was the motivating factor that kept me from taking the 30-minute metro ride home – the mall was just a few stops from church. My destination was the food court which sat to the left of the metro exit. Turn right, God spoke again. Suddenly my hunger was a far-off thought.

I talked to God as I walked and came across a sign that read, “angels coming soon.” I paused. This was new. I took another right and ended up down a quiet hallway. At the end of it sat an art gallery, EDEN.

The UAE is in a 40 day mourning period following the death of her president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan on May 13. There was a three day mourning period where schools and government offices were closed. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was voted in as the next president.

Saturday evening, 6:30 p.m. We walk up the stairs into the compound where we meet, face mask on (as always), and present “green status” on our country’s COVID-19 tracking app to the man at the door (again, as always). After that, we’re free to enter the place where we gather for worship. That’s the routine every week – or at least it has been the last three that I’ve been here.