Home town and state: Santa Barbara, California
Major/Minor: Business Administration, Economics, Religion
What topic pertaining to the Holy Land are you researching?
Israeli Economic development and well-being contrasted with neighboring nations.
What idea have you found inspiring as you’ve prepared for the abroad and/or prayed for the Middle East?
To put it simply- the idea I have worked with is that there is always a middle ground, no matter what the issue is. The reason being is that anyone you may disagree with is still a child of God regardless of what they think! For some issues the middle ground between two sides may seem hard or even impossible to find, but it is always there. Whether it’s a small, personal disagreement, or a large international issue, knowing that there is a middle ground is often all you need to continue looking for a compromise or resolution.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)
What biblical character or site would you want to be or do you feel you are like?
I really admire Noah from the Old Testament. I think there are many lessons to be learned from his courage, his tenacity, and his enduring Faith in God. In our own lives, it can often feel as though we may be building an “Ark”, and human doubt and hatred try to creep into our thought. It may even seem that the entire world is against us, however, when we continually insist on the Truth and refuse to let error root itself in our thought for even a minute, then the rewards of maintaining a foundation in God are reaped.
What is the place or activity you are most looking forward to on the abroad?
I am most looking forward to seeing and walking through the Via Dolorosa. This was an incredible moment of humility and allowing God to work His purpose out as demonstrated by Christ. To ask almost anyone today to put so much trust in God that they would willingly walk to the site where they were going to be killed seems unimaginable for most. Yet Jesus did it, knowing his needs would be met. Additionally, I think having such a unique experience to “walk in Jesus’ footsteps” and have a better understanding of what this must have been like for him is a once in a lifetime opportunity, which is incredibly exciting for me.