i dont have the words

My beloved ones, I am sorry I just can't say that I have the words to share with you right now all that is on my heart. I am overwhelmed and just need some time to let the stories, the emotions settle in and sift through. I am thinking about our translator for the week at the academy, he is wheelchair bound since age 3 when he and his father were attacked by a terrorist group and when he told his story alll he spoke up was forgiveness and the need for reconiliation and healing of his peeople as he has personally experienced. I am thinking about the Grand Mufti of Syria an amazing, honorable man and Islamic leader who spoke of unity as a global community, compassion particularly for the orphans of Iraq but also for all peoples deprived of basic needs, and love for our brothers and sisters irregardless of religious or ethnic differences.

I will share in detail about both of these stories soon, I just need some time. My heart is heavy with some difficult, not overly shocking, but still disheartening news we received today regarding the media. I can't share the details here other than to say that after we received the news I was given along with a few colleagues the opportunity in an interview for an article being printed tomorrow to talk about how my views or opinions have changed since I have been in syria regarding the beautiful ppl of this country, regarding the truth about the Islamic faith and regarding the honor of meeting and listening to the Grand Mufti. I felt a responsibility and thankfulness in having the opportunity to share my very positive responses and reactions to the aforementioned items. There is so much I want to say but exhauston calls me to bed. A cold shower was not quite the way i was hoping to wrap up the night but I am thankful for it just the same. Tomorrow we have class, museum, another trip to the mosque and dinner with the American embassy personnel on the agenda. I might even be visitng a hamman, a bath house (gender separated of course) ... why not fully experience the uniqueness of the culture right? :)
...more to come...