Generosity and Hope in Amman

Our last few days here in Amman have been full of events and activities. In addition to full days of lectures and activities, we have enjoyed the hospitality of a couple of local families in recent days. The first of these occasions was a few days ago, when Subhi (one of the key people at the AMIDEAST Organization who has been helping coordinate our schedule/visit here in Jordan) invited our group to visit him at his home.

A number of us in the group (Alicia, Linda, Rubaba, and myself) accepted his gracious invitation and we had a very nice visit with Subhi and his roommate Ali. Then, last night, a group of us (Rubaba, Nathan and I, along with Subhi) visited a local family who generously hosted us for tea and snacks, though it turned out to be a bit more like tea and dinner. In both instances, we were given a unique opportunity to catch a more intimate glimpse of the local life and culture of residents here.

On Monday evening, our group met with a local community activist, who among other things, serves as an advocate for local children in an economically challenged neighborhood. The highlight of the evening was a “Q&A” session we had with the approximately 20 local kids (aged 8-15). Their spirit and sense of wonder was a poignant reminder of the hope that exists in the hands of our future generations.

Today’s focus was on education through a series of lectures and events, but the highlight for me was having the chance to visit the large and beautiful campus at the University of Jordan. There, we met with a group of college deans and then proceeded to take a tour of the campus, which happened to remind me a bit of Northern Arizona University with its pine trees and changing topographies.

Tomorrow morning (bright and early) we will be venturing on a 4-day road trip to the south of Jordan. It might not be until we get back to Amman that I am able to post again, but I will definitely provide “the scoop” (or at least my version of a scoop) on Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba in the near future. The wadi count remains at 14, but that will change for sure between now and the next time we meet!