I have been home for almost five weeks from Real Life trip to Israel. I co-lead a trip of 13 young adults of differing backgrounds and mindsets. What we originally thought was that we would be working with the native nomadic Arabs known as Bedouins and working closely with them in their communities. Well, as usual, things do not go according to plans, assumptions, and expectations; it is rare that they usually do and this is where flexibility comes into play. We found out that most, if not all, of our time would be will the Sudanese; teaching them English, which usually was teaching Arabic, and providing daycare for their children. What an awesome experience this truly was!

Just a little background so you can see why many Sudanese find themselves in Israel. Sudan is the largest African country, yet the most ethnically diverse of the African nations. If the name Darfur rings a bell, then you are looking at the correct country. Sudan has been ravaged by civil war and many ethnic minorities have been subject to discrimination in the form of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Most of the people we worked with were from the southern part of the country, and they migrated through the hostility in the north, to Egypt where they were not welcomed, to Israel where they were given a safe place to live. 

These were some of the most amazing people I have ever had the chance to work with and had such incredible stories to tell. Grace and compassion have touched their lives. Many would like to go back to their country to bring a story of love back to hostility they fled from.