Hope Resides in Relationships

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8519506.stm

Hopeful about the new ambassador appointment but not pleased with the Republican response:

"But Republicans criticised the nomination as rewarding an enemy. 'With this nomination, our foreign policy again risks sending the message that it is better to be an intractable enemy than a co-operative, loyal US ally,' said the top Republican on the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen."

We have got to drop the term enemy when we talk about Syria, they are not our enemies. We are not at war with Syria. Syria is a vital player in the Middle East peace process and should be treated with respect and value for their position and influence in the region. The collective punishmnet of sanctions on the Syria people b/c of the US's disagreement with some of Syria's politics is ineffective and maintains a devisive and untrustworthy relaitonship between the governments. The appointment of an ambassador does not demonstrate complete agreeement with Syrian policy but it shows respect and value in a relationship between the governments. If the goal is to develop a worldwide political community of co-operative US allies then how would one expect to build that other than to put people in positions to build those relationship where they have been broken in the past? C'mon people! The Republican response is disheartening but thank goodness for those who stand in opposition to this attitude. We must push for peace and work towards saving lives. Hope resides in relationships.

Home

It was late one night last week as I drove the dark quiet streets home.  My heart felt heavy with the weight of reflection both personal reflection in addition to experiential reflection on the Syria trip.  After re-entering my "normal life" back in the US I felt torn, almost divided.  My body was physically in the United States and my mind raced with the list of "to-dos" and a packed schedule of responsibilities and obligations yet my heart, oh my heart was thousands of miles away.  It was back in those ancient streets of damascus; I left it there in the mountains, in the marketplace, in the smiles of the shopkeepers. I didn't feel whole, I didn't feel at home even though I was in the place everyone would technically call my home.  I pulled into the driveway and shifted the car into park. I laid my head back on the headrest and closed my eyes.  My brow showed the tense struggle I felt internally, the old feeling of homelessness was returning. I fought it with all of my best rationale.  Guilt approached as I berated myself for even feeling down and lonesome after such a blessed experience.  I muttered, "Oh God where is my home?" A peace washed over me, the tension left my hands and face, and I pictured myself back in those rugged mountains near Maaloula; standing there, I felt engulfed by the power and might of my Lord in the mountains.  I felt so near Him, so moved by His greatest, beyond words... His soft and soothing voice said "You're home, wherever I am."  I opened my eyes and smiled.    How incredibly true.  I now truly feel at home wherever I feel the presence of the Lord, a place or building or relationship cannot house that, he is omnipresent.

 

So many times over the last five years I have struggled with an ache for my home.  I have missed my family.  I missed the home we shared, the laughter, the stories, and the memories it housed.  I have wanted a place to call mine ever since, yet the contentment I have found knows no address or name it is in the context of a relationship of obedience and faith with my Father that I experience His comfort, His security.  I am at home when I am near Him.  This helped me find contentment in the days following as I continued to adjust back to life here while still missing the people and spiritual places of Syria.  I know He will take me back East but until He directs me there I continue to find my joy and contentment where He has place me right here, right now.  The present is beautiful and full of meaning, opportunity, and growth.  I am home because I am His.

 

in the news

Check out a great article posted by GMU about our trip!

 

http://news.gmu.edu/articles/1654
 

One of my favorite quotes by the Grand Mutfi: "A handful of American dust mixed with a handful of Syrian dust, when mixed together cannot be separated again in order to distinguish between what was American and what was Syrian."  I loved the unity we experienced there with our Syrian brothers and sisters.

 

 

new ambassador, new possibilities

The US has chosen a new ambassador to Syria, we now await the final approval from the Syrian government on his/her acceptance.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hC2ubvYK325InS0B_U-VkzaT2b0w

I pray that this individual will work to improve the US-Syrian relationship. This is huge as we have not had an ambassador in Syria in five years. I hope the US has made a wise choice in their selection. We need to engage with the government and people of Syria and reframe the relationship from one of a relationship with foes to friends.