President Karzai comes to Omaha: my observation

Wow. How do I start? This is going to be a long post… I actually have something of interest to say!!!

We left four rambunctious little boys under the care of a… wary Grandma and left for West Point at 12:30. We picked up the Afghan flags Dad was in charge of from the Chamber of Commerce. Dad was in charge of ordering the flags and making sure they followed the Secret Service protocols. When they arrived they had little points on the end; the Secret Service didn’t like that so Dad spent most of his past few days stapling them onto straws. It was crazy around UNO and Dad was rather stressed. In a way, for him we’re all glad it’s over.

We drove in the pouring rain to Omaha (an hour and 15 minute drive). Mom met with an old college friend and they talked until I convinced them it was time to leave. We picked Dad up and drove as close as we could to the building where Karzai was supposed to speak. We ended up being quite a ways away from the building and had to walk over half of campus to reach it. Having thought it would be warm as the past few days we hadn’t brought any jackets… it was raining lightly and there was a cold breeze… by this point my excitement had mounted to it’s peak and I couldn’t believe we were actually going to see the President of Afghanistan! The security guards, buses, ambulances and circling helicopters also made it a bit more exciting. J We went through security (they didn’t frisk us girls; Dad said it was because we were cute but I don’t think that was it) and found our seats. The building was smaller then I had expected; seating about 700 people. We found our seats; about four rows from the front and a good view. Dad kept stopping to talk to people he knew from work… us girls tried to amuse ourselves by watching the bored Secret Service guys as we had a whole hour and a half to wait.

Karzai had landed at the Offutt Air Force Base to speak to the troops and then went to West Point to visit some feedlots before he went to Omaha. We can’t really understand why he is so interested in cows… and why he chose West Point out of all the possible feedlot locations in Nebraska… but it was cool nonetheless.

Just before the program started Afghan families started to file in; families that live in Omaha. Most were wearing exotic Middle Eastern garb. We had left the camera in the car as we thought we couldn’t use it at all; I was SO upset to see people taking pictures beforehand.

The program started 15 minutes late. All the important people from UNO (J) filed in and took their seats; last of all Hamid Karzai. Tom Goutierre, the founder of the whole UNO/Afghan projects (and also one of my Dad’s bosses) spoke in the beginning and introduced everybody. Then we went through several speeches before they presented Hamid Karzai with the “key” to Omaha and Doctorate of Letters. Then he spoke. He spoke about Afghanistan, how it is rebuilding itself and is thankful to be working with Omaha. (Omaha, apparently, has been the most involved city in the States as far as Afghanistan goes. He also made several comments about the hospitality of the host of his tour of the feedlots; I think that was his favorite part of his tour. We also presented the President with a supply of books for some schools in Afghansitan and 6 scholarships to UNO for Afghan students.) I would post his whole speech but I doubt I would find it anywhere; he appeared to have to notes and seemed to have it all memorized. It was very exciting to hear him speak… and as I listened, just this feeling… it was such a historic event! The coming together of two countries; one newly freed and just starting to build a democracy; the other striving to make democracy possible for this country! It was powerful, and I am so glad I was able to be a part of it.

Once he finished up his speech we waved our flags on the funny straws and filed out. Out in the entry way people were talking and Afghan people in their beautiful dresses and robes were still lingering; I HAD to get the camera. So I run halfway across campus, finally manage to work the key in the lock of our car door and grab the camera before jogging all the way back. Talk about motivation to get your cardio workout! I am sure I was quite a sight when I ran back in the building; hair all messed and frantically looking around for an Afghan to take a picture with. The first people I saw (poor couple; probably thought I was crazy) was a nice couple with a sweet little girl who had sat in front of us for the speech. They kindly took a picture of her with me which I will post in a minute. I was very happy to have at least one picture taken… and made up my mind right there that when I get to be old enough I will go to Afghanistan and Iraq… I told Dad to prepare himself!

I am going to meet our next group of Afghans with so much more enthusiasm now. I think something just clicked for me.. how I love to meet people from other countries and become involved with them. It’s so exciting and educational… how can some people be reluctant to meet people different than themselves? Just seeing these people… they can be so loving and sweet. Driving home that night… I was so happy. I could have teared up the speech it was so… historic and important. I told Dad how many wealthy home-schoolers have chances to travel all over the world; but not many home-schoolers get to see the President of Afghanistan! This is an experience I will never forget. Thank you Lord for the possibility of ministering and interacting with people of different nationalities! What a blessing it is to see how Freedom can bring two nations together with one mind: to live.

Jennifer