Is My Head Scarf Straight?: The Middle East Tour

My latest business trip led me on a 2-week trek through several countries in the Middle East. Even though I was working a lot, I tried to take more days off this time to stop and smell the roses. I didn't see any roses, but I did see a lot of camels - which don't smell anything like roses.

I was not looking forward to traveling in the Middle East alone, especially just after the whole "Danish cartoon" bedlam. I was prepared to keep a low profile (thus, the head scarf), but I was made to feel very welcome - perhaps too welcome in Istanbul. The locals that I interacted with the most are Christians, so perhaps I was sheltered, but I did not pick up on any tension toward Americans. One of the Jordanians admitted that the idea of America (imperialist super-power with their nose in everyone's business) does not sit well with most Middle Easterners. I wonder why not? However, he continued, most of them really like the American people. This was pretty consistent with what I experienced. Read on for more highlights . . .

Cyprus - February 2006

Though I spent most of my time in Cyprus INSIDE a beach-front hotel, I did get out to explore the island a little. I visited the capital city of Nicosia, which is been divided by a literal wall (a la Berlin). Since 1974, the entire island has been divided between the Greek-dominated Cypriots in the south and the Turkish occupiers in the north. The dividing line runs right through the heart of Nicosia. From one point on the south (Cypriot) side, you can look over the wall to the north (Turkish) side. In between lies a "no man's land" that acts as a time capsule. Bullet-riddled buildings and land mines have remained untouched since the fighting stopped 32 years ago.

I also visited an archeological site on the southern coast. The ruins were of a Roman settlement called Kourion. The site was huge and at a beautiful location overlooking the Mediterranean.

Jordan - February 2006

Jordan was definitely the highlight of the Middle East tour. Jordan lies directly east of Israel and the Palestinian Territories and is rich with Biblical history. In this photo, I am resting on Mount Nebo where, as written in Deuteronomy 34:1-4, Moses was allowed to look into the Promised Land but not allowed to enter. This view looks west past the northern tip of the Dead Sea and on to the Palestinian West Bank.

I worked 2 of the 3 days I was there, but if you are going to have one day in Jordan, you have to see Petra, an ancient city carved into the side of rock cliffs. It's hard to explain, so here are some pictures:



















Jordan also provided some great "kids" photos. These Bedouin cuties - sadly - spend most days selling souvenirs to tourists at Petra. Yeah, I definitely bought rocks from these boys . . . and gave them gum.

Istanbul - February 2006

I had the most time off in Istanbul where I spent 4 days on foot wandering the ancient city's winding stone streets and touring some of the biggest mosques and marketplaces in the world. I really enjoyed the Egyptian Market (aka, the Spice Market). The smells were amazing and permiated everything - I could even taste them in the cashews I bought in the shop pictured here. Besides markets and mosques, I also visited a Turkish bath. Now that is a good story, but not fit to be web-posted. Let me just say that I don't recommend the experience to anyone in the least bit shy, inhibited, or fond of thier personal space.

God Is With the Poor: Bono's Remarks to the National Prayer Breakfast

Bono gave one of the most inspired speeches I've heard at this year's 54th National Prayer Breakfast in February. Below is an excerpt of my favorite parts. You can also follow these links to read the full transcript or watch the video.

Bono, from his keynote speech, 54th National Prayer Breakfast, Feb. 2, 2006:

Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives.

Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone.

I mean, God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill… I hope so. He may well be with us as in all manner of controversial stuff… maybe, maybe not… But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them. “If you remove the yolk from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places.”

It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. [You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.] ‘As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.’ (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor. . .

. . . A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea…

And this wise man said: stop. He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing—because it’s already blessed.

Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do.