Finding Hamid

Why don’t you ask the guy with the funny hair? This thought came to me as I was praying about my situation. Here we were, starting our third week in our new home in a new place, and I needed to start my language learning—today! The problem is, I did not have any prime candidates for a language helper yet. It needed to be a native Arabic speaker who could also speak French or English pretty well.

Our new favorite restaurant down the street had helped supplement our meals as we were getting our kitchen set up, and one of the waiters there was very well-mannered and spoke excellent French. He also very distinctly wore his hair teased-up in an oblong shape, adding to his charisma. Later that afternoon, with a quick prayer, I sauntered down to the restaurant to see if I could spot him. Inquiring with the host, I could see funny-hair-guy working further back in the kitchen, but then the crew boss came forward and began to dissuade me, “This guy is probably not a good choice. You would be better off asking a student.” We exchanged phone numbers, and he said he would try to locate a student for me later in the week. 

The delay would not do. LORD, I need to start today! Dissatisfied, I decided to try looking around some more. Peering into shops, trying to size up individuals in two seconds or less, I walked, searched and prayed. Then I noticed a shop with an English name. There might be someone working there who is good with languages, I reasoned. Inside there were more signs in English on the wall. I greeted the young man with a baseball cap sitting behind the counter, explaining to him my need. Switching quickly from French to English, he began, “I have lived overseas before and taught foreigners, even though I am not a teacher. Sure, I can teach you. Do you want to start tonight?” 
Hamid, my new language helper, did come to my house that very night. During these first few days of studying together, our working relationship has been off to a good start. Thank you, LORD, for providing the right person precisely when I needed him. 

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