Time to confess

Good morning,

I am sitting in the lobby of the hotel watching the sun rise in the holy city (I am still making up for oversleeping a few days ago), and I can't help but lament the state of the world today. It is not a political thing, it is simply the truth from the bottom of my heart. I don't know what will happen when we return on Monday, or how I can write a 25 page paper about the things we have seen. How can we possibly describe all of the things we have seen in the last week? Between the countless incredible sights and sounds of Israel and the exhaustion that set in from traveling and trying to keep up with the class, I have not had time to sort out all of the emotions that have been racing through my mind.

All I can say is that I hope that everyone on this trip and everyone following along on the blog will take a moment to reflect about the implications of human rights today. As far as we have come technologically and socially, we find ourselves in the same quandries that people have faced for thousands of years: Warring for resources and domination of people that are different from ourselves. And of course many people live comfortable lives and are fortunate enough to provide for their families, and yet countless more live in the most dire circumstances. It is not about which country should do this, and which country needs to do that- It is simply a reflection of what we see in the world today.

In any case, I am hopeful. If anything, this trip has shown me the power of people to overcome adversity and the everlasting desire for peace. I fully expect to see peace in our time, even if some of the people here and around the world would not agree. We have an opportunity to give people the hope that they have thirsted for, so long as we go back home and tell others of what we saw here. It is up to us to help as many people as we can regardless of race, ethnicity, country, gender, age, and religion. I am truly grateful to be on this trip and have an unforgetable experience with my 30 colleagues and 3 honorable professors who were willing to take us on this trip.

In conclusion, I keep hearing a song run through my head, and I feel it is appropriate to share it. Please, be at peace and spend time with your families and remember that the world is a beautiful place no matter how dark our lives may seem. I wish for everyone a long and healthy life with all the joy that life has to offer:

The General
by Dispatch

There was a decorated general with a heart of gold
They likened him to all the stories he told
Of past battles won and lost and legends of old
A seasoned veteran in his own time
On the battlefield he gained respectful fame
With many medals of bravery and stripes to his name
He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his face
And always urged his men on
But on the eve of great battle with the infantry in dream
The old general tossed in his sleep and wrestled with its meaning
He awoke from the night to tell what he had seen
And slowly walked out of his tent
All the men held tall with their chests in the air
With courage in their blood and a fire in their stare
It was a grey morning and they all wondered how they would fare
'Til the old general told them to go home...

He said "I have seen the others
And I have discovered
That this fight is not worth fighting
And I've seen their mothers
And I will no other
To follow me where I'm going
So, Take a shower and shine your shoes
You've got no time to lose
You are young man, you must be living
Take a shower and shine your shoes
You've got no time to lose
You are young man, you must be living
Go now you are forgiven