Page 364 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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xnaiMcrnn .ik.uua

wilinen uuuig for their babies as best they can, aiul Midi men as work
boxes, hand out water to the women for washing their hands or I'm
carry
sprinkling llu* cl:iU‘s- Needless to say that many babies die during the
packing season. I
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'This description of these women and girls readily explains how little
lime they have for any of the best things in life. Likewise, in such an en
viroiuneul, the harsher characteristics more easily develop and more readily
control them.

VIU.AOK WO.MK.X l AUKVINC MU U K

My first visit to the village was just a walk through the place. M is-
Muiiaries and other Occidentals were still little known to them; they were
therefore considered despised infidels, and as such, a fair target for the
mde and shameless remarks from the smaller boys. ( )ur Arab servant
provided a measure of protection against too great annoyance. To know
jitiw to secure a welcome was the problem. The help of the ladies* class
m my own church was .solicited because we believe that “prayer chaiigelh
tilings.” The first need was to establish points of contact. The general
attitude of all the villagers towards foreigners was one id* extreme caution
and shyness. A background of isolation, of ignorance and of religious
superstition, and of misunderstanding about the. “infidel" explains all that.
(July a growing confidence that we want to be their friends, that we have
ci»me to help, not to criticize, that we are not patronizing them in any way.
b causing them to open up to us, and as they are learning to know us and
in tear us less, there is being Imrn in them a true respect for us and trust
in tis that is the basis for friendsliij >.
Some of the needed contacts, perhaps the strongest, were provided for
me through the building work that my husband has been doing, h'rom the
loginning of this work, sore eyes, fever or any minor injuries in any
worker were taken care of by ourselves. \ hat was a new experience for
ilicin. 11 any one was too ill to walk home, our car was used. This caused

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