This evening we had an interesting thing to happen. After we finished early for the day, we went to eat at a local Arab market. Just ordering a hotdog was an event, but we finally pointed enough to get the guy behind the counter to understand what we wanted. It was a great double hotdog on toasted bread and probably one of the best I’ve had in a while.

Sitting next to us were some kids that were there eating after school. Three tables down were some Arab college students. We were talking to the kids about school. They take four languages in the seventh grade, English, Hebrew, Arabic and Coptic. They attend the Christian Coptic School down the street. They begin at 6 AM and finish at 2 PM. They even offered us some of their French fries. They are Coptic Arab Christians that live in Jerusalem.

We kept hearing the college students say something about Americans etc. Honestly, I didn’t feel uncomfortable but just uneasy. We had to pass right beside these young people to get back to the street. Now let me remind you that we have been in and around Jerusalem over these past days, walking all through the Arab sections. Most people when they see us say, “Welcome Americans to Jerusalem!” etc. There are tourists from all over the world but I guess we just stick out. I know that these were just young college students ruffling feathers. Sandra also noted that it is the Moslem period of Ramadan (no eating from sunrise to sunset). We were feasting away on double hotdogs and cokes and they were just jealous.

We finished our meal and started to leave. I decided to just break the ice, I asked, “Are you guys attending a university or college?” They said, “Yes.” I asked which one? They said, “Something I did not understand.” I asked if classes were hard and what they were studying. All four said, “Yes! They are hard.” One said biology, one said mathematics etc. As we left they asked if America was good. I said, “We try, we ALL try, right?” They said, “Yes! Have a good day!”

Conflict for many is an inherited thing. Many here see only the bad side of America. Many Americans see only the bad side of this world. Who knows what these young men had been told or even believed. But today, they were confronted not with hatred or fear, but genuine interest and respect. I would have loved to sit and talk with them, but we had to go.

God has a plan for this land and for our land. We often ask the question, “What if?” If I had responded differently, there may have been a different outcome. I know that the people in line behind us were frustrated because we took so long. I need to remember that myself and not be frustrated when I am delayed by others that do not know our language. No one said to us, “Learn the language.” We responded to them with respect and faithful concern. We all laughed as we left and Sandra commented, “They did not expect that.” We must remember that there are all kinds of people in the world. God love’s them all and His son died for them all. Even if they don’t understand us or we don’t understand them.

Conversation and respect can get us a long way!

Over the next several weeks, Jeremy and I are preaching a series entitled, “What if…..? This Sunday we ask the question, “What if … we had more time?” Can you imagine what more time would give us? Just think about it!

We are headed home tomorrow night. God bless!

A young Palestinian boy on his way to school talking to our guide