In an hour or so the group heads for the Allenby Bridge crossing to Israel from Jordan. I'll fill you in on how that went later. But first, I'll cover Monday and Tuesday's activities.
MONDAY
We had two extraordinary meetings that were central to the objectives of our trip, namely Christian/Muslim relations and learning about Jordan's response to the huge influx of refugees into Jordan due to the Syrian conflict.
First we met with the Jordanian Minister of Religious Affairs. The meeting was arranged by the extraordinary Father Nabil Haddad, a Melchite Catholic priest who has the ear of everyone who counts in Jordan. We were ushered into a lavishly appointed reception room at the King Abdullah I Mosque (the "Blue Mosque"). Soon the minister, dressed in grey slacks, a brown sport jacket and tie, entered with his entourage of aides. In the course of introducing our group to the minister, Father Nabil mentioned that the two ladies among us, Aleta Richards and Abigail Whorely were teachers interested in making educational connections in Jordan.
Totally by coincidence, we happened to be at the Mosque at the same time as a large conference of Muslim women preachers convened by the Minister. He summoned the female Chair into the reception and arranged to have us drop in on the opening of the conference. Through Father Nabil, he asked if one of the ladies would say a few words. We encouraged Abigail to do it and she agreed. Garbed in a full length black robe with a hood covering her blond hair, Abigail, along with Bill and Father Nabil were ushered onto the stage and seated next to the Minister and the Chair person. After preliminary remarks it was Abigail's turn. Remember, she was speaking on about three minutes notice to a large group of Muslim women clergy, some attired in full Birka. Here is some of what she said:
"I feel welcomed as your sister in the love of God. When I think about what strengthens me as a woman, it is my faith. Our diversity strengthens us as people, and brings us together to serve both God and each other...Moving forward I want to learn more from you, and I want us to grow closer together. This is my most sincere prayer. Thank you." As the visitors got up to leave the stage, Abigail went over to the woman co-chair, embraced her and gave her the customary Middle Eastern two-cheek kiss.
Bill Sachs was on the podium with Abigail and could observe the audience. He reports that some were stunned to unexpectedly see and hear an American Christian woman address them; others smiled with open joy, Bill said. When before or since would an opportunity like that occur ? It really was a goosebump moment.
Right afterwards, we met with Ayman R.Al-Mufleh, Secretary General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, which has been tasked by the government to handle the country's refugee relief response. The task is daunting. As a result of the Syrian conflict, there are 1,385,000 Syrians in Jordan. Half of them are classified as refugees, the rest as immigrants. Jordan provides the refugees shelter, daily necessities, and schooling for their children. That's on top of the Iraqui refugees who have been arriving for the last several years. Not to mention Palestinian refugees who have been there for years. In Jordan there are 36 nationalities of refugees as registered with the UN High Commission for Refugees. Many of those Syrians, Iraquis and others who come to Jordan not as refugees, but as immigrants have money and in some cases, plenty of it. They drive drive up real estate prices, rental or otherwise. In urban centers, rents are up 300%, making it tough on lower and middle income people. The JHCO has budgeted $2.9 billion to deal with the crisis, all of which is expected to come from monetary and in-kind donations. Only 54% has been donated to date. Interestingly, around 50% of donations received by the charity come from Christian churches.
Despite all this, Mr. al-Mufleh was upbeat, optimistic and seemed to have the situation well in hand. As we were posing for pictures with him (he wore a light grey sport coat over an open collar dark blue shirt and dark grey slacks), he said "you should call me George because people tell me I look like George Clooney." And he does, a little. So here's a guy responsible for a huge relief effort able to crack a Hollywood joke with his American guests. Gives you confidence that perhaps things will Work out after all, as long as donors pitch in, of course.
OK, I'm breaking off the post here, and will cover Tuesday and Wednesday in the next one.
Totally by coincidence, we happened to be at the Mosque at the same time as a large conference of Muslim women preachers convened by the Minister. He summoned the female Chair into the reception and arranged to have us drop in on the opening of the conference. Through Father Nabil, he asked if one of the ladies would say a few words. We encouraged Abigail to do it and she agreed. Garbed in a full length black robe with a hood covering her blond hair, Abigail, along with Bill and Father Nabil were ushered onto the stage and seated next to the Minister and the Chair person. After preliminary remarks it was Abigail's turn. Remember, she was speaking on about three minutes notice to a large group of Muslim women clergy, some attired in full Birka. Here is some of what she said:
"I feel welcomed as your sister in the love of God. When I think about what strengthens me as a woman, it is my faith. Our diversity strengthens us as people, and brings us together to serve both God and each other...Moving forward I want to learn more from you, and I want us to grow closer together. This is my most sincere prayer. Thank you." As the visitors got up to leave the stage, Abigail went over to the woman co-chair, embraced her and gave her the customary Middle Eastern two-cheek kiss.
Bill Sachs was on the podium with Abigail and could observe the audience. He reports that some were stunned to unexpectedly see and hear an American Christian woman address them; others smiled with open joy, Bill said. When before or since would an opportunity like that occur ? It really was a goosebump moment.
Despite all this, Mr. al-Mufleh was upbeat, optimistic and seemed to have the situation well in hand. As we were posing for pictures with him (he wore a light grey sport coat over an open collar dark blue shirt and dark grey slacks), he said "you should call me George because people tell me I look like George Clooney." And he does, a little. So here's a guy responsible for a huge relief effort able to crack a Hollywood joke with his American guests. Gives you confidence that perhaps things will Work out after all, as long as donors pitch in, of course.
OK, I'm breaking off the post here, and will cover Tuesday and Wednesday in the next one.
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