Ramy and I have been spending a couple of nights a week in one of the pubs recently, partly to try and connect with some people who we wouldn’t meet otherwise, and partly so I can beat him at pool and make him feel bad (I can write that here because he can’t get back at me).
Its been good fun and we’ve met a few characters, let me introduce a few.
A couple of weeks ago we walked in and 3 ladies were sitting at one end of the bar, they seemed in good form. After a couple of minutes they called us over, and asked us where we were from as we looked like visitors. Although slightly insulted (I live all of 2 minutes away), I said Bangor and Ramy said “Lebanon”. One of the ladies said “Where’s that?”, he said near Israel, she said “Where’s that?”.
He changed tack.
“Have you ever heard of Beirut?”.
“Beirut - of course I’ve heard of Beirut. The Shankill is Beirut!”.
I don’t think either of us was expecting that answer. Anyway, we laughed, we talked some more and then Ramy beat me at pool (I know its hard to believe…).
We’ve seen these ladies a few more times since, and they’re always up for a chat. About a week later after the Beirut incident, then shouted at us from across the bar “Youse are Christians aren’t you?” - they really know how to offend me. We ended up having a chat about church and stuff, which was pretty cool. Hopefully we’ll get to have a few more chats like that with them.
I’m trying to not name them, or give away too much info, but there are 3 of them, and they would love it if you would pray them into Jesus’ kingdom (in a pre-destined, future would love it kind of way.)
Ryan
