Adventures with Adnan II

Just to remind you, this is back in Bethlehem the first couple of days on the trip...

So, we decided to take Adnan up on his invitation and went back to his store that night along with Lindsay and Paul. And, let me say that the Palestinians should very much be known for their hospitality! He welcomed us with open arms into his store and rolled out the nice rug and grabbed us snacks and liquor. It was more than any of us were expecting. And then we just joked and talked about pretty much anything and everything from the siege on Bethlehem in 2002 to scotch to being a fighter and not a lover (related to relationships) and what he thought about the wall. We were there very late and it was a great experience for all of us and a highlight of the trip. We were invited back for the next night and we knew there was no way we were going to turn down the invitation.

What struck me the most from this conversation and everything was how he has every reason to be bitter and hate the world. Jerusalem is 10 minutes away and he cannot go there. They are basically penned into this city and they cannot leave very easily. Yet, he kept on insisting that we are brothers, Muslims, Jews, Christians, etc. Hearing that from someone who has been affected so much by the wall and the occupation really made an impact on all of us. He is a shop owner, he has a family and four kids and he works so hard for what he has. I can't help but admire his resiliency and his respect and his hope for a better tomorrow. We did ask him what gives him hope. His answer was a both us being here and listening to his story and the hope that is promised in the Bible and in the second coming. So, I find hope in his answer and in his hope for a better tomorrow for him and for his people and for the world.