In early January of 2010, I received an email out of the blue from a woman in Lebanon named Hamo. In the email she told me that she had been given copies of Real Woman Magazine by a Canadian friend and felt compelled to contact me.
Hamo briefly explained that she had always dreamed of having a magazine for women and she hoped I would grant her permission to reprint any articles that she felt might cross over well culturally from Canada to Lebanon. I was astounded and touched. There was no question in my mind that I would do whatever possible to help her.
I sent back my response to her, with warm wishes for success – and made a friend for life. Over several emails and one or two Skype calls, Hamo and I have visited about our lives and our dreams. My new relationship with her has solidified a belief I have always had.
We are human beings. Women and men. Wives and husbands. Lovers. Leaders. Peace seekers. Mothers. Children. Babies.
Like me, Hamo is gentle, smart, and loving. She has a family she treasures and worries she cannot escape. She is a business woman with aspirations and a mother raising sons. She is a woman of deep faith, who loves God and her husband and Hamo longs for challenge, personal growth, purpose and to be a leader and role model for other women.
I’ve found a sister on the other side of the world.
Hamo, 37Hamo was born in the mountains of Beit Eddin, Lebanon and married Matthieu in 1995 in the village of Theopolis (on her birthday, two gifts in one!). They have three sons, Lucien-Matthieu, 12 (plays piano); Adam-Luc, 10 (violin) and Hugo-Martin 4 who loves to play the drums and harmonica. She currently helps her husband with his work as a Graphic Designer – their company is Arrows Productions – in Beirut Lebanon and also volunteers three days a week to help supervise the kindergarten her children attend.
As a teenager, Hamo was sent to England for a year to study and grow. This was very difficult for her as she was very close to her family. When she returned to Lebanon, she attended a Bible college and studied for six years to receive her B.A degree in Theology. “I’d also received secretarial and hair dressing certificates before traveling to England and then, in 2002, I got my diploma in graphic design.”
“Matthieu is a Christian pastor in the Church of God and works with especially needy people. He started this ministry work in 1996 among the Bedouin tribe. He also worked on starting an NGO (non-governmental organization or not-for-profit) by the name of Bridges of Love. We teach our beloved children the biblical basics from the first second they came to this life.” Hamo and her family traveled to Red Deer in the summer of 2007 for a vacation.
They have friends in Pastor Jordan Polson and his wife Kathleen of the Crossroads Church in Red Deer. Hamo notes that culturally, there are many similarities between Canada and Lebanon, “We love life and love beauty and we are both hospitable, generous and sensitive, too. We like to collect handmade stuff.”
“Lebanon is a very small country compared to Canada. You can fit several Lebanon in Alberta. Lebanon has a long history hundreds of years before Christ. It is a beautiful country,” she continues, “We enjoy four beautiful seasons. My husband goes skiing with the boys every year during winter. Spring is full of flowers and the mountains are beautiful and green. Lebanon is considered to be Switzerland of the Middle East.”
Lebanon is smack dab in the centre of the Middle East and has seen its share of war (the Lebanese Civil War alone lasted from 1975 – 1990). As a young teenage girl in 1986, Hamo can recall bombs raining down non-stop, “My mom and dad would hold us (she has three brothers and two sisters) under the third floor of a big building for shelter.”
“One day my brother came to my mom asking her if she can come and see a young injured and bleeding boy who was sitting alone in the darkness.” Hamo says she rushed to help without knowing him, eager to be the doctor while her mother followed with the first aid kit she always kept ready. It was the first time she met her husband, Matthieu. “He became a good friend to my family and use to get us some bread under the bombs to feed us as it was so difficult to get or buy at that time!”
“Before my dad died of a heart attack he used to say, ‘I put all of you in one hand and Matthieu on my other hand.’” Hamo says, “This meant he loved Matthieu a lot, and this strengthened my relationship with him.”
In the Middle East, war is never far away. Although distance wise, they are far from Afghanistan, the southern part of Lebanon touches the northern part of Israel. “They still occupy part of our country, and so we are still in a very sensitive position. Safety is not guaranteed. Like the war we had in the summer of 2006. In God we trust alone.” She continues, “But, at the same time you can walk at night on the streets of Beirut knowing that you are safe. The people here are awesome and friendly.” Hamo says that Lebanon is actually considered to be a Francophone country. “Our kids already speak four languages; French as a first, Lebanese, English and Arabic.”
“We have lots of Lebanese in both Canada and the U.S. as well. Lebanon is a little bit different because we are more opened to the West then any other Arab country.” But of course we live in the Middle East and part of a big political problem between big countries is being fought on our ground. There is so much fear, misconception, hate and unrest around the world – ” Hamo pauses and inserts her faith, “No Jesus; No Peace. Know Jesus, and you know peace. That is the only way out.”
What time did you wake up this morning? 6:10 am.
What time did you go to bed last night? Midnight
What foods are in your refrigerator? Yogurt, cheese, vegetables, fruits, eggs.
What will you make for dinner tonight? Steak with baked, mixed vegetables.
What does your house look like? Nice, cozy apartment with a beautiful chimney and a tiny garden.
Do you have any “Words of Wisdom” you can share? Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required. Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens. A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both!
What are you most grateful for? I’m so grateful for my family and the health.
What did your mother teach you? Where ever I go, I need to come back home before the sunset. To finish my plate! To shake my bed cover before fixing it!
What is your happiest moment of your day? Spending time with my husband every morning drinking coffee together.
What household job do you dislike the most? Cleaning under the sink in the kitchen.
What is your favorite book? The Bible.
Do you any advice for how you stay organized? First, think. Second, plan. Third, act! Make everything as simple as possible.
How did you celebrate your last birthday? My husband prepared a surprise party in my favorite restaurant; our table was set in the middle of the garden surrounded by thousands of beautiful pinky flowers.
How do you relax or what do you do for fun? Hot shower, and surfing the web on my computer.
What is your biggest strength? My family.
What is your greatest weakness? My kids; if something happens to them, it makes me weak.
Most memorable life events? When I got married! When I delivered my kids! When I fell in love!
How do you stay healthy? Attention to health is life’s greatest hindrance. Drink lots of fresh water.
Do you have a favorite quote? “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” Albert Einstein
What do you love about being a woman? Being who I am, a woman.
What is your biggest challenge for women in your culture? Dare to be themselves.
What would you like Canadian women to know about Lebanese women? Lebanese women are wonderful, hospitable and beautiful as well. They love life, and love to live. Lebanese, in general, are well trained to overcome difficulties quickly!
Why do you want to start a magazine for women in Lebanon? For the last several years I’ve had a dream to start my own deco (design and décor) magazine, but I couldn’t start because I did not feel sure that this was the one I wanted. Then, I received a copy of Real Woman Magazine. My heart beats got faster and I felt led towards e-mailing you.
What will you call your magazine? VIRTUOUS.
To achieve what I always wanted: I would like to see VIRTUOUS magazine in every house in Lebanon, spreading the message of love among the Arab women and helping the Arab women finding their own self-esteem.
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Fascinating…and I agree with all of it.
Nice post. I like your blog.