Half-Way Done...really?

March 8, 2011

Grace and peace to all as we prepare our minds and hearts for this Lenten Season.  Lent is a time when many think of different things to give up such as food or beverages, but this year in addition to giving something up I suggest adding some sort of charity into your life.  I always try to think of things to give up during this time, and I believe we should focus more on adding new beneficial practices to our hurried lifestyles of constantly being on the go.  This is also the mid-point in my journey, and I am already thinking about all of the things that I am going to miss here when I should be enjoying my time and being in the moment.  There have been several things that have been going through my mind over the past month or so that has made blog writing very difficult for me, so I apologize for my absence and the likelihood that my thoughts will be all over the place in this entry.

Since my last entry the Middle-East and North Africa has turned into a show of how the people here demand that their rights be known to their government, and that their voices be heard.  Needless to say this has been an amazing time to be in the Middle East, and to see the people rise up non-violently and see progress to a goal that many thought would be impossible.  There has also been bloodshed over the past few months, and we should all continue to keep those in harms way in our prayers as they work for peace and justice in their respective country.  There has been such a pride imbedded in me as all of these movements are going on during the time of my stay here…and ten or twenty years down the road I can look back to this year and reminisce on so many great experiences including being present during this time of revolution. 

The past few weeks have also been extremely busy with events such as my first concert with the Zaridash Choir, a Jericho Retreat with the ELCJHL Schools, our Mid-Year Retreat to Haifa/Caesarea, and a wonderful visit from Heidi.  All of these activities have kept me extremely busy, but also have provided some time for reflection.  I really cannot believe that we are over halfway done now, and the thought of being back in the United States this fall is very weird to think about.  One of the most shocking things for me over the past six months is that I have not really felt homesick at all, but do not get me wrong there are times when I miss the 24hour diner.  I have spoken to many people asking the question of what it is like to be back in the United States after an experience like this, and the answer is always reflective of my own assumptions that it is very difficult.  In the same way that there is always something missing when living in a foreign place, there will be the same feeling when I am back in the United States.  The fact is that my life has been changed, and explaining this is going to be very difficult.  I will want to try to encompass every feeling, scent, taste, and friend that I have met but nothing will ever embody what it is like to live in this place.  The hole that is present when you know you are not fully at home living abroad will be present in the same way when I am away from Palestine.  This place becomes so much a part of you, and the friends that have become family to me here will never make home feel like home in the same way again.  With every month that passes by now I will be thinking of specific stories to tell friends and family upon my return, trying to articulate what it is like to be here, and how hard it was to leave.  While I have voiced many difficulties that I will face upon my return, I will be extremely joyful to share these stories and pictures with everyone I meet.  I have always known that one of the biggest challenges of going abroad is coming back, but knowing that I have amazing friends and family back home makes this all a bit easier to think about.  Just know that I will relate anything that I do to…back in Palestine I…

There have been many discussions that I have had over the past few months that have really changed so many views that I have, and I completely attribute this to keeping an open mind and heart to all points of view.  I believe we become so complacent to the way things are told to us in the Media that we do not take the time to actually go out of our way to find the real story.  I have mentioned this issue about the media in several blog entries and the way that it shapes our point of view on people, regions, and religion…and during this Lenten Season I challenge you to really look at both sides of a controversial issue and form your own educated opinion.  There is such an amazing opportunity for people around the world to look at the Middle East and North Africa as a place of change and hope right now.

I am really having a hard time trying to articulate any sort of idea and putting it down into words, but I guess that is part of the journey.  Coming to terms with the idea that nothing will ever be the same is something that everyone has to encounter throughout their life, and it is never an easy journey.  The one thing that remains constant is that Christ will be there to be an eagle in our lives that will lift us up in times of trial and be our rock in times of insecurity.  Knowing this has helped me through so many trials in my own life, and I know will remain true during the trying times ahead.  I really believe that this Lent I am tired of hearing about things being given up on, and want to hear about new positive things added to people’s lives.

The past few months have provided many challenges in writing about something, anything, that I could try to combine into an idea that did not wander all over the place.  I do believe that as spring adds new life to the countryside that it will also inspire new ideas and a sense of being that will make writing a bit easier.  I want to thank you all for the prayers and support that is always felt here, and would not make this amazing journey what it is without you.  May God continue to bless you all, and be with you as we enter into this spring season of new life, new passions for life, and living our lives with you always in our mind.

Salaam dayman,

David Kingsborough

New Year...New Obstacles...New Life

1/25/2011

Happy New Year’s to everyone back home!!!!  I hope everyone has had a wonderful Holiday season, and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you always.  This holiday season has been one that I will never forget.  Spending Christmas in Bethlehem and Shepherd’s Field, and now getting ready for New Year’s!  The wonderful thing about spending the Holidays here has been connecting with so many friends here, and just spending time with each other and sharing stories about what we would do with our families over the Holidays.  The time I spent together with friends over this Holiday season has been something that I will never forget.  Just hanging out together without planning anything and just going with the flow was amazing, because this is the way of love to live life…never worrying about the little things in life, and just being in the moment.  This works especially well here in Palestine, because both good and bad things can happen in an instance and I must be ready to adjust to any situation.  This should definitely be my New Year’s resolution to take back with me to the States, because worrying is definitely something that weighs heavily on me and I have been so good with adjusting to not worrying here.

The funniest thing for me right now is how I have been without power for quite some time now at my flat, and I am currently at a local restaurant (La Vie) where I spend a lot of time.  La vie is kind of like being on the TV show Cheers because everyone here knows my name, and it is really a second home (a block away from my actual home).  All the thoughts and worries go away when I’m here just relaxing, and although I am here by myself right now it is great people watching.  In front of me is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with really cool blinking lights, and the dimly lit lights around the bar and cash register.  There are a lot of internationals and Palestinians here, and everyone is in kind conversation, and I always enjoy trying to figure out what language is being spoken.  The cool thing about this restaurant is not only how close it is to my flat, but also the wonderful community that I have formed here.  I feel like everything is just wonderful and relaxing here.  La Vie has been the stepping point for me into the community here in Ramallah, and I will forever be grateful for everything they have done for me over the past year.

Thinking back on this past year brings to mind so many things.  I graduated from College, and I am now living in the Holy Land for a year…how amazing.  There is no way that I could have predicted myself being here at this point last year.  This is proof that worrying about the coming year does not prove to help anything or anyone, because even though we might have a plan for our future we must always keep our mind and heart open to the opportunities that lie beyond our plans.  Life does not leave a straight path for us to follow, rather a winding up and down hill road filled with bumps and detours because through that rough journey we all grow stronger and gain a better understanding of ourselves. 

This New Year will come with a lot of important decisions for everyone, as we make resolutions, promises, and ask for forgiveness.  Everyone always worries about the future, but I propose that instead of worrying about what has not happened yet we should stop; look around and see the beautiful things in our lives.  There are so many things that we take for granted, and I just hope that we all can see what we have been so privileged with and try to make a difference in the world.  Making a difference in the world does not mean that you have to do something extraordinary, or give up all of your possessions.  Just be the person that you strive to be, whether that is volunteering more at a place you have always wanted to go, or making that decision on whether or not to take on a new job.  Know that in whatever you do there is always one constant in your life and that is the love and support you have standing behind you in everything you do.  This knowledge has led me here to my year of accompaniment and service, and in this coming year do not be afraid to take on new challenges because overcoming obstacles is the only way to appreciate our greatest achievements.    

May God’s peace be with you all through this coming year, and always!

Salaam,

David