Being Foreign

It is funny how simple things can bring people together--like just being foreign. You feel a kind of kinship with other people who are away from home...no matter where they are from =). I met a guy from Lebanon the other day and his is a sad story. Not unusual where he comes from, but sad.

He and his parents and brother lived in a house in 1990 and one night some Palestinians wanted to stay in an empty room behind where they lived. His father let them stay but told them that they should leave by morning. Early the next morning however, some men came that Mudi (this guy I met) describes as "hating the Palestinians." Whether they were Israeli or some other sect of people I don't know, but it doesn't matter. Mudi's father spoke with them for a long time, and eventually their conversation ended in threats from both sides with guns. No one was killed at that time but a few weeks later, Mudi's father had to take a trip to a nearby city...and he never made it. None of his family has heard from him since, and Mudi assumes he is dead. Besides not having a father, Mudi's brother was in an accident 10 years ago. He was refused treatment at 3 hospitals in Lebanon because he had no money to pay. He cannot walk. Mudi's mother brought his brother here to Germany 7 years ago hoping to get treatment for his brother, and as of yet, nothing has worked. Mudi has only been here 2 years and he sees no future for himself in Germany. He applied for an American visa through the lottery and hopes that he will be one of the few lucky ones. This might seem a bit fantastic to you, but this IS his story...please pray for him!

Blooming is beginning here in Leipzig and you can smell spring. I played softball for 5 hours on Saturday and actually got a little sun! Konrad and I cooked Brats and mashed potatoes and sauerkraut (how German right? =) yum! and Caroline and I had a great chat Saturday night as well.

Sunday Randy came from Dresden for worship. He and Konrad and I had soup for lunch as usual. Sunday night I ate Indian food with some new friends from the Internet cafe and it was scrumdidilyuptious! (from Charlie and the Choc Factory in case you didn't catch that :)

Just about the only worry I have right now concerns my registering for classes at the U of Ark. and it's not that big of a worry either...but I haven't been given an enrollment appointment probably because I had to re-enroll and they don't consider me a senior, instead I'm a transfer student...bleh. So if any of you reading this go to the University and have a little time, you should petition the Registrar to let me register soon =) thanks

Love conquers all