The Beggar and the Camel

Here are two parts of a story. What happens in the air and what happens on the ground.

Flying into Dubai, United Arab Emirates, finds a challenging approach and landing to the northwest. It’s nighttime, it’s a long day, and fatigue quietly creeps into our lives. Also, there is a tailwind that nears the airplane’s specified limits. It’s safe to land but pilot skill needs to be near the top of performance.

The approach is made to the last 500 feet. Then the autopilot is disconnected and the approach is hand-flown. Shortly after that the auto throttles are disconnected and power is manually controlled. The runway end looms and passes and the plane nears touchdown.

But the tailwind continues to push the plane down the runway. It’s surprising, and closing the throttles allows the touchdown with runway to spare. But the landing is longer than expected. The causes? Fatigue is part of it.

A post-flight discussion with the captain brings the comment, “I want to work with you ln this for the next time.”. I accept the comment, and silently appreciate the help. But I’m tired and all I really want is to sleep.

So, off to the hotel! And a day later I feel fine. Another trip arrives and the same approach is offered. But this time it’s daylight, I feel rested, and again there is the tail-wind nearing the airplane limits. I fly the last 7 miles manually, touchdown right at the landing area. As an extra bonus, the touchdown is very soft. All are pleased.

A willingness to accept help, a rest period and another attempt, and all ends well.

Pilots need to be fed.   Like zoo animals, they are much more agreeable when they are fed. The parallels are close.

Gathering at the hotel lobby at 18:00 hours, we plan on where to go.   Two nights ago was a visit to Alibaba restaurant, which serves local dishes.   Plus, they take Visa/Master Card.   The previous night we went elsewhere and the restaurant accepts cash only. Cards are preferred payment methods for crews. Besides that, we had a new person or two in this evening's group, So, off to Alibaba!  I'd enjoyed an Arabic salad of: cucumber dices, tomato slices, green pepper, shredded lettuce.   Also, I'd eaten hummus, and hoped to try this evening the mushroom soup.

We arrived en masses and sat outside to eat, along with other guests.   Clear mild skies and a sunset greet our view.   The traffic flows on the street.   Guests dine.  Across the street is a camel, resting on it's knees.   The owner is talking with some other men at a car.   All are locals.   We make our selections and wait for food.

A camel and owner arrive near the restaurant. I approach the camel owner, ask about the camel, and offer him $2 Jordanian. But he declines the money.  We will discuss price later.   I photo the camel and then climb aboard for a ride.  My co-worker photographs the trip in Movie and still-shots.   The ride takes :10 minutes and ends pleasantly.

Returning to the dining area, I join co-workers for dinner.Suddenly a young girl, about age 9 arrives.  She comes to me and utters "give me money".   She is dressed in so-so clothing quality.  Her hair is dark brown and flows past he shoulders.  Her teeth look alright but perhaps need straightening at some point.  She persists, "give me money"

I don't pay attention to her at first.   She continues.  I wonder what to do.  My co-workers notice and frown upon the idea.  She is a beggar.

One guy suggests that she is sent by some man to get money.  Perhaps she will be beaten if she doesn't return with money?   This sounds like a childhood tale, now played out in front of me as an adult.  I wonder what to do.  I continue to say no and ignore her.  

But she persists.   Finally she gives up on me and darts around the table to my co-worker and makes the same plea.  There are six of us.

"Waiter!", shouts one of my co-workers, and raises his had.  He wants the waiter to come and remove her.  It takes several moments to get the waiter’s attention but then he quickly comes.  

By now the girl is on her third customer, making the same plea, "Give me money."   

The waiter arrives, puts his hand on her shoulder and escorts the girl out of the dining area.   She darts away.  Her solicitation is over.  But the questions remain.

What is our responsibility to help others?   How do we measure need and giving?   What is genuine need, and what is false? I have no clear answers and have to relay upon the judgment of co-workers and local employees here.   

But still, she is a child, pleading for money.  Isn't it just that simple?

Time passes. The beggar girl is chased away. Now It's time for our dessert.   But questions remain in my mind.   

I go inside and there is ice cream.  It seems that there are two universal foods:  French Fries, and Ice Cream. Dessert is selected. I order two single scoop dishes.   My dinner has left-over salad which I have in a takeout container.

One scoop of Mango and one scoop of vanilla.

I take the three dishes and approach the camel owner.  His name is Cassem.  I present the ice cream and say, "pick one."  He is astonished and unable to choose.  I hand him the Mango.  It's probably my favorite flavor choice, but I'll get one another time.   Then I present Cassem with the left over salad and tell him, "This is for your camel".

The ice cream and the salad gestures nearly overwhelm this young man in his 20s.  He declares, "You are a great human being!"

I reply, "YOU are a great human being".  We both smile.  He continues an attempt to express thanks, saying that he offers a photo for no-charge (I'd upped my money to $5 Jordanian earlier.  $2 is too little). A simple gesture of kindness and appreciation builds a friendship between two people, across cultures and countries. We share in the gratitude of each other’s efforts: of camel owner offering a ride, and of rider offering food and a thanks.

But I decline the photo, saying that I need to sleep because..., and I show him the B744 photo from my phone, gesture to my co-workers, and say, "we fly in the morning."  But I will return. Then we leave and return to the hotel.

This is the season of Lent. Christians take this time of inward spiritual reflection. We think we can accomplish goals by effort, and this is partially true. We pride ourselves on our accomplishments. But often we fail in our efforts.

How do we apply the lessons from Lent, from the forty days in the wilderness and fasting and praying. The answer is simple. Let God be in control of our lives!

How to do this? Begin with prayer and in confessing our sin. For in doing so, we move ourselves out of the driver’s seat, and allow God to be in control. Whether it is in flying a challenging approach, or relating to a diverse group of people, cultures, and places, we let go, and let God, and find his true purpose for our lives.[1]

“Love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

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[1] [1] Yousef, Miss Jenna, student Sunday, “Two Foundations”, Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian church, Bloomfield Hills, MI, March 17, 2013