Differences...and the life

As I am sure all would realize culturally I am in another world. I am really being stretched and am beyond thrilled because of this. My eyes are being open to so much and i feel like my relationship with God is growing to a whole new level because of this!
The language barrier is one of the hardest things to deal with. I am use to conversation and using it as my way to help others but the majority of the time i am with people who know as much English as I know Arabic. The Coffee house is the only place where i can use my natural gifts; and is one of my favorite times during my week, so far.
Another huge change for me is the dress and the reason for this. While men can wear whatever they wish, the woman need to be covered at all times in public. When going out for everyday things like walks, or going to the center for teaching aerobics the least I should wear is long capris and a shirt covering all of my upper arms. Of course no one can make us wear anything but culturally it is horrible to wear less. In aerobics I and my sister-in-law wore shorts, which the woman were wow"ed" by. They did not know they were even in existence for woman. When we (American woman) are in direct contact with people we are establishing relationships with, we are even more covered. Typical dress is pants and a long sleeve shirt that is long. Did I mention this is in 105 degree weather?
Although it is uncomfortable with the extreme heat I have learned to appreciate the coverage in the clothing we wear. This is due to the way men view woman here. Woman are things to be owned, American woman are looked at as the highest prize. This is not in a honored way where the woman are held in high esteem but in a way more degrading than I can even begin to explain.In the states woman are use to going to Wal-Mart and have men make comments or stare. My brother says this, as disgusting as this is, in the mind of those American men, is slightly a compliment because they only do this to woman they find attractive. With the men here, it is different and you can see it by just the look in their eye. When they stare they are raping you and conquering you in their minds. You can't make eye contact with them and make them stop looking because first of all,that only makes them feel like you are inviting them to continue and second of all, even other men can not make the Arab men look away with eye contact.
This was beginning to overwhelm me a little (culture shock) but in the midst of this I have been going through the best mentoring I have ever been under, from my sister-in-law! Then God truly has shown me more of Him. I feel more whole than i have felt in years. I can see God and things he is calling me to in a clear light. So through a time where logically i should be feeling more down and oppressed emotionally I am quite the opposite....
What I should and long to write next is all the amazing ways God is through all this and the greatness he is reveling to me about himself but I can't. The words just don't exist and the restrictions i have limit my choice of stories to explain. So this post is cut in an unfinished way, maybe only for God to work more...