Between Two Worlds

30. Being an Arab American Christian in a Post 9/11 World-- Hadeel (Part 1)

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Change Management Specialist for an international company, Third Culture Kid, and American in Amsterdam, Hadeel McCall shares about how she can relate to being between two worlds on multiple fronts. Her dad was an American missionary serving in Jordan, and her mom is one of the .1% of Jordanians who are Palestinian Evangelical Christians, so she grew up half Arab in a post 9/11 America. This sensibility has helped her relate to others who lived in that tension too. Who find themselves not fully belonging wherever they live. But she has an answer to that homeless feeling. 

Other Topics Discussed:

  • Scott and Hadeel talk about how they first met each other, including an intense mayor face off in the game Werewolf and standing and pointing at each other at their church in Amsterdam
  • What it was like to grow up Arab American including the different parenting styles of her parents' cultures. She talks about how they had an arranged marriage and that Christmas was often like my big fat Greek wedding meets sarcastic small town Pacific Northwest family.
  • The different ways we can feel like an outsider in our own culture.
  • The "flying the coup moment" for Hadeel with an Arab mother. The fear her mom had of Hadeel moving to Amsterdam and not having a "male covering" to protect her. And how Hadeel argued that if we believe that Jesus is good, he can also be that covering for us.
  • The white water outdoor summer camp that broke Hadeel and made her take more ownership of her faith in God and ultimately addressed her longing to belong.
  • The frustration of being a woman in Christianity and wondering why the Bible only addresses men. Wondering if she is valued in Christian culture if she is not married. And the danger of putting her faith in her career and trying to never be dependent on others.
  • The positive side of Covid in that it forced us to slow down, not make so many plans, and actualy deepen your connections with the people and place where you live  
  • Response vs Reacting: being intentional about taking our first raw thoughts to God and a trusted few. Being a non-anxious presence in an anxious world.

    • Questions for the Community:

    • Will we carry the resting rhythms and deep connections post Covid?
    • How do you experience the difference between responding and reacting in life?
    • How do you address that feeling of not fully belonging?

      • Find Hadeel at:

      @hadeelmc

      Listen to her Podcast: Real With Hadeel 

      Message Us:

      You can e-mail (https://[email protected]/) us your questions directly

      or follow us on Instagram or facebook (@betweentwoworldspodcast) and become part of the conversation.

      Also find us on YouTube: (BetweenTwoWorlds - YouTube)

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      Between Two WorldsBy Scott Trout
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