Day 4 & 5

Hello!

The last two days have been jam-packed with activities and lectures, so I am just now getting the chance to catch up with everything on the internet.

Yesterday, our group visited the Princess Tagharid Institute. This institute was started by a Muslim woman named Dr. Aghadeer Jweihan, one of the most inspiring and empowered women. As a change agent, she has inspired and moved me. She was an amazing women with huge dreams. Besides being inspired, however, many of my preconceived ideas about Islamic women have been shattered. Her father and mother, and later her husband, were so supportive of her ambitions and goals. They encouraged and supported her in every educational ambition she had, both mentally and monetarily. They allowed her to become independent and follow her dreams, not their dreams for her. After years of education (BS in Law, Masters in Women's Studies, PHD in Education, and another Masters in Psychology), she began working in a school. She noticed the terrible condition and treatment of young girls who had been abandoned or orphaned and had a strong desire to do something. Therefore, a few years ago, she began work on starting this institute, which empowers young women to overcome their situation. She is now working on opening a new building that will give women training in beauty school, cooking and catering classes, or crafts and domestic work.

Last night, we attended a wonderful meal prepared by one of our Bethel profs, Doug, who lives in Amman with his family. His wife, Patti, prepared a delicious home cooked meal with "American" food: chili, baked potatos, vegitables, fruit salad, bread, crackers, and apple cake. It was a good night of fellowship and debriefing and lots of laughing.

Today, we visited the College of Islamic Art and had a lecture by Professor Minweir, who is also an advisor to King Abduallah. His lecture was on universal beauty and the theory of knowledge in perception, virute, and intellect. He also touched on the three gifts from God, which are also held by many religions which are Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

One thing that I have been thinking a lot about while being here are my ideas and judgements about this society and how they have been altered or completely destroyed. Often in the West, we are under the impression that women in the Middle East are oppressed. However, Dr. Aghadeer is only one example out of many that show that this view is very wrong, in Jordan at least. Two other women that come to mind are a friend through EWI named, Asal, and a representative of the College of Islamic Art, Hannah Hijazi. Both of these women, as well as Dr. Aghadeer, have explained that it is culturally acceptable for women to make all of their own decisions, such as dress, work, and family. Also, they talked about a view that Westerners often misinterpret that they are oppressed because of their Muslim religion. However, they said that it is written no where in the Quran that women should be covered head to toe, only to be modest. They also say that the Quran very clearly shows that men and women are equal. Therefore, they say that these are characteristics of specific cultures, not of Islam. This was very enlightening for me, because I had always generalized the Middle East under one blanket. I assumed that everyone had the same culture, which was guided by Islam. However, being here and experiencing this culture, it is very obvious that culture varies from country to country and that women of all different faiths, Christian and Muslim, etc. all dress very modestly, often covering their heads. I realized that this generalization is extremely wrong and can be offensive, just as when other people from other cultures assume that our secular American culture is under the blanket of Christianity, since the US is a "Christian" country. 

Day 3

Hello from Amman! Oh my goodness, it feels like I have been here a year already! Something about Arabic time is messing me up (and not having a cell phone!). I often have to ask what day it is and never know the time! Today, we were so busy, we did not have time to eat lunch until after 5pm!

This morning we visited the CMA Church (Christian Missionary Alliance) in the heart of Amman. The service was in Arabic, but we had headphones to hear the transalation. The service was nice but the fellowship was wonderful! Talking to men and women about their experiences within an Islamic country as Christians was really cool. One man, named Fadi, talked to us about the purpose of people on earth. Then we heard from Pastor Josef and his brother about their work in Amman. Their parents were refugees from Israel-Palestine in the 40's and their dad started the church in Amman. They have continued his work within the Muslim community, serving Muslims and refugees from all over the Middle East. They serve through their clinic, providing meals, and housing new refugees, especially hundreds of new families who recently escaped from Syria. Many of his stories were so touching, it made us cry. We hope to be able to go and serve these families with the Pastor and his brother some time this week. What a humbling experience that will be...

Then, we all took crazy taxi rides back to Ithra (the office of EWI) and had a lecture by Dr. Amjad, who is a professor of Islam and Islamic-Christian relations. This lecture was very eye-opening and I have learned so much more about Islam. Many things he said have trully began to change my opinion of the Muslim faith to better understand it. Although I am not converting (don't worry mom and dad!), I believe that it is a wonderful thing to be able to understand other cultures and religions in order to be better friends and witnesses to them. The Muslims we have spent our last few days with are extremely smart, highly educated, and seem to know their faith as well as my faith better than many Christians I know.

Tonight, although we are all very tired and have homeworkd due in the morning, we decided to go out with the guys from EWI to relax and enjoy each other's company. Hamas, Mohamad, and Emad took about 10 of us to a nearby resteraunt and we had gelato and talked for a few hours. Many of them have been to the US so it was fun to hear about their experiences as well as learn more about the culture of Jordan, besides the Muslim aspect. Our favorite conversation was dating and marriage because some aspects are very different than our culture. However, the most wonderful thing that Hamas said was that women are considered jewels and that he is working very hard so that he can give his wife whatever she asks for someday. Another major thing that I have learned through my friends here is the way that media forms our views about other parts of the world. However, I do need to remember that Jordan is a very free country in comparison to places such as Syria and Iraq, where women are oppressed. But as for the women in Jordan, they all have jobs and can choose what they where and who they marry, etc.

That is all for now. :) I miss everyone (kind of) but am having such a wonderful trip!

The answer to the poll, for those of you who answered, was cats in the garbage-apparantly they are the equivalant of squirrels in the US.

Also, I will try to post more pictures of Jerash below!

Day 2

Marhaba! (Hello!)

Second day in Jordan was AMAZING!! Sooo busy! Can't write much, actually, since it is 1 am but will upload some pictures. Hopefully will be able to add more later.

This is Jerash, in Jordan. Jerash is an ancient city, built by the Romans in app. 125AD. We were able to walk on old Roman roads, stand on pillars, walk in temples, and explore 2 amphitheaters.

This is the Aljoun Castle. It is said that the prophet Elijah was born in the town of Aljoun. We explored the entire castle, climbed walls, and stood on the top of it-which happens to be the absolute highest point in all of Jordan. From the top of the castle, we were able to see the West Bank across the river and the mountains in Syria. The view was breathtaking and the entire experience was unreal.

First Day

I am finally in Jordan-arrived late last night.

So far, so good! The only time I thought I was literally going to die was on my first trip to the airplane bathroom. Sat down and the turbulence began! My only thought was "I just really don't want to die on the toilet!"

Otherwise, everything is so new and strange! Hearing Arabic all around me is so interesting-it really is the most beautiful language. I took money out of the ATM and I got the coolest receipt back-hopefully the picture is clear.

We are working with an organization called East West Initiatives (EWI) and have met many new high school and university aged people. Amr is 17 and he attends a British school in Amman; Ahmed is older and works with the Peace Corps in Jordan training volunteers; Rasha just recently got a new job at an architecture firm in Amman; and then there is Maen who I do not know much about yet.

I have tried some new food, too! For lunch I ate shawrmas (phonetically spelled), which was flakey bread around chicken-a little like a fajita, but not spicy. It was awesome! Maen had me try shanini, which is a salty-yogurt drink. He kept describing it like yogurt-lemonade, which made no sense. In the end, it turned out to be very sour and we all connected the dots between it and lemonade! Funny how things get translated.

Tonight we are going out to dinner with our EWI friends to a Lebanese restaurant, which I am hoping to be great!

Everything else is going smoothly-hardly slept on the plane rides so I slept like a rock last night, even though it was mid-day back home. I know I will sleep great tonight too!

Random Facts:

-Jordan has a night culture, mainly because the day time can be so hot. Therefore, Maen told us that stores do not open until noon or 1 generally and are open till 10pm or midnight! So if I get an itch for a new purse at midnight, I know where to go! ;)

-Smiling is not very common. It is a more serious culture, so when seeing people on the straights, everyone looks very solemn. We are trying to fit better into the culture but have realized how normal it is for us to smile! I challenge you to walk down the street without smiling but still saying hello to everyone you see!

-The milk, juice, and eggs were not refrigerated in the store! Not sure what I am drinking therefore...

Receipt in Arabic

 After grocery shopping

McDonald's

Introduction

Hello All!

This coming January (in only 3 weeks!), I will be making the long plane trip overseas into a far away country called Jordan. I am traveling with 23 other students from Bethel University on an interim trip, formally named "Leaders for Change in Jordan and Israel". I have therefore made this blog so that you (being my friends and family) can follow me through the Middle East, hear updates on current events as I experience them in-country, and see beautiful sights through my pictures.

My departure date is January 4th, which is quickly approaching! We will land on January 5th at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman Jordan, and then my journey begins! For a taste of what I will be seeing and experiencing while in Jordan, I will list just a few adventures that I am most looking forward to!
-On January 10, we will be meeting with the Advisor to King Abdullah
-On January 11 we will meet and speak with H. R. H. Princess Sumaya bint El-Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society
-On January 13 (which is my 21 birthday!!) we will be touring Jesus' baptismal site, Mt. Nebo, and St. Georg in Madaba

As you will see on the right hand side of the page, I have posted some links about the countries that I will be staying in. I also have a little poll that I will be updating every few days (more interesting questions to come!) and I will eventually be putting up a slideshow.

I will be posting more information as the time for me to leave gets closer and I will hopefully posting every couple days once I am in-country. Please let me know if you have any questions (or advice!) and please pray for me as I continue to prepare (and pack...) for this wonderful, new experience!

Xox
Courtney