What Am I Doing Here?---Well, when we accepted this assignment or opportunity a year ago, we really wondered what our "mission" would be here. Obviously this wasn't a "mission" in the sense that we understand it. But it always seems that our real purpose in doing something is often not known to us when we begin. So it is with us. There are the obvious things of wanting to understand the Arab people and the Islamic faith better; of wanting to understand the Middle East and the reasons behind the many conflicts; of wanting to get a better perspective of the Holy Land and the historical and religious influences.
We both came to teach but when I arrived on campus and started seeing the many dysfunctional things, I thought, in my American way, that I could "fix" things and make them better. So I made the observations and wrote them up and had them circulated. These suggestions were to make the campus a more 'American' campus that they claim that they want to be.
After a year, it is clear that lip service is in ample supply here. My ideas were presented, voted on and accepted unanimously. Hurray!!Yet, nothing is being done by anyone, nor will it. One of my knowledgeable Arab friends says that the "discussion" is the "product". No one expects that any actions will really take place. That's why they have the commonly used expression, "Inshallah" or "Insha-allah" which means "if God wills it". It's their way of getting out of anything because if God wants it to happen, then God will make it happen. They don't believe that they have any control or influence on it. So therefore nothing gets done.
My greatest frustration is with one of the Vice Presidents in the Administration. He says he's my biggest fan but then says no to everything, everything, everything. I've had some bloody arguments with him and he says to others that "Tom has finally become an Arab". They love to argue, passionately. My Dean said that in the last Dean's Council, he questioned something the President did and it erupted into a vigorous argument. My Dean backed out of it but two others picked it up and according to my Dean, they almost killed each other. These are grown, mature PhD educators. No wonder we have problems in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel/Palestine.
I've learned that no one (especially men) are ever wrong, no one backs down or apologizes and they don't forgive. They would rather fight and die than back down and prosper. It's crazy.
Greatest Need: So I have redirected my energies to the wonderful students. Many of them are very open, eager, bright and have an altruistic optimism. When you think about it, the greatest need in Jordan, and in most other areas around here (other than the message of Christ) is to have critical thinking; to be able to see problems and find a way to solve them. They don't have that. There are many problems all around us but most people don't see them. There are systems broken all around, really everything is broken, streets, lights, signs, doors, elevators, toilets, management, cars, heating and cooling systems,…the list goes on and on. But you see many, many men just sitting all day long.
Here's the crux of it. In Jordan, over 70% of the population is under age 30 and the unemployment rate for those under 30 is about 28%. The average income for those working is about 500 Jordanian Dinars per month. ( 1 Dinar = $1.40) And they have huge families.
So the people are living in relative poverty and have few jobs. That is what the Islamic militants feed upon, discontent.
My thought is that if there is going to be a future for Jordan, there needs to be hope and opportunity for these young people for jobs. Many of them want to leave and come to the US or go to Europe. If I can in some way give them some ability to see opportunity and learn to solve problems, it will have a long term effect on the whole country.
I am teaching the kids of some of the wealthiest families in Jordan. They will grow to be leaders of business and perhaps government. I have 3 classes with about 90 students. Two of the classes have 88 students and the subjects are problem solving in the community and critical thinking. The class titles are Cultural Development and Appreciation of Art but the more I thought about my Art class, it's really about developing the ability to do critical thinking, out-of-the-box thinking. Most do not have a clue, yet. I'm going to change that.
I've shifted the gears in my head to not worry about changing the old administrators. I need to work on the young, gifted, optimistic eager students who can make a difference. So that's what I'm here for.
Trouble in the Neighborhood: I don't want anyone to get unduly nervous but there has been a few changes in our neighborhood. You all know that Syria is really a broken state and there is no end in sight. Most of the people are either displaced and without a home or are refugees in Jordan or Lebanon. The battle is between many groups who are all fighting each other. No one is winning but there are thousands each day that walk about 200 miles being pillaged, raped and robbed to get to a refugee camp.
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| Syrian Refugees fleeing toward Jordan--carrying whatever they can. |
Israel and Hamas, from the Palestinian Territories, are escalating into an all out war. It's crazy. I told friends that if I want to see fireworks I can just go up on my roof and look north, east or west. Not really but almost.
So far, Jordan remains watchful but peaceful. There is little concern shown or talked about by people. They have lived in the middle of conflict for decades and Jordan still remains a safe haven. There have been a few small demonstrations in a town 185 miles south called Ma'an. But most Jordanians appreciate the peace they have. There have been no incidents here. The Jordanian military are strong and well organized and the Jordanian Intelligence service is one of the best.
The US has advisors and technical support and there are American weapons, missiles and fighter aircraft here. It would be very difficult for a foreign force to invade. It wouldn't happen that way. If there is trouble here, it would be by efforts from within to destabilize the government through demonstrations and incidents. The terrorist group ISIS has targeted Jordan, but most believe it would be very difficult and would take a long time. Yet we are cautious and only 25 minutes from the airport. So say an extra prayer for us---for all of us. It's a crazy world.
If you want to have a good news source for unbiased analysis of these events, don't rely on CNN or Fox News. They only tell so much and it's often very slanted. In addition to reading BBC news, I subscribe and read a free news report by The Washington Institute (TWI) and the Middle East Forum. Both are think-tanks in the US that seem to give factual reports and analysis without the hype. You can google and find both of them or http://www.meforum.org and http://www.washingtoninstitute.org.
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| This is one of my students after I gave him his grade for the 1st Exam. |
Ronna has been home in Logan for a month and other than breaking her toe she's been relaxing and hugging grandchildren. I'll be heading there after Summer Semester on August 22-23. The summer here is perfect weather. It's milder than Utah and there's always a nice breeze. I go swimming almost every day and enjoy a nice time in our orchard and vineyard. I took some green grapes yesterday and they were the sweetest most beautiful grapes I've ever had. My cooking problem is solved.
Love to you all.
Tom
Wow Tom, thanks for the first hand account of what is happening over there. How do you change such nonsensicle thinking??? You educate the next generation. Good for you and Ronna!
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