Slavery

Are you aware that today there are over 27 million slaves in our world? Did you know that this number far exceeds the amount of slaves at the time when America used slaves, a time when slavery was public? This greatly upsets me. If we, the majority of people in the world, are so against slavery, the mistreatment of human beings, we should have eradicated it a long time ago. So why are there more slaves now than there were at the time when there were thousands of people fighting against it? I believe it is because we have become unaware to what is going on in the world. We think the war ended in the 1800's. I think we need our eyes to be opened to what is really happening, and not only do we need to be aware, but we need to do something about it.
What do you guys think?

Check out this website: http://www.ijm.org/

Bias?

Even though it does not always seem like it, women are still biased against in today's society. There has never been a woman president and men are still in the majority of high positions. Guys and girls, what do you think about this? Do you think men deserve positions over women or should women have an equal opportunity in all circumstances?

Trying to Erase the Past...

Last Monday was the 20th anniversary of the crumbling of the Berlin Wall. This 10 foot barrier divided families, life styles, and cultures. It was the epitome of the Soviet isolationism and the firm grip it had on their citizens (any “Bourgeois customs”, such as washing your car, could get you arrested). People were not allowed to cross the border, so they would sneak across, by hiding in the trunks of cars, catapulting themselves across, or even building homemade planes. While the Western half of the city progressed in sync with the Western world, the East was still stuck in the post World War II age. The city lay in ruins from the war and technology, from cars to radios, dated back to the 40’s all the way until the 1980’s.
A few summers ago, I visited Berlin and walked across the border that once dived East from West and could not tell the difference. East Berlin has assimilated and has morphed into the West. If my father had not told me the differences of what separated the East form the West he saw when he was living there, I would have never noticed. The German government has done so much to help modernize the East to catch up with the rest of Germany, and have done such a good job that the only thing that seperates the two halves of the city are little “Berlin under Soviet Control” museums that you see when you walk through the East.
German history isn’t the most fabled, or the most morally right in the world, so Germany has made the effort to erase their past by pretty much rebuilding an entire half of their city and discourage any toys with a connection with the military. BBC had done interviews of many young Berliners to see what they knew about the Soviet control of Berlin and an overwhelming number of them couldn’t answer any of the questions. I can see how Germany is ashamed about their past, and I understand how they want to have a city like the other flagship European metropolises, but to attempt to erase recollection of the past is hard to handle. If we did erase all the bad things man has done in history we would find that history does repeat itself because we would never learn from the mistakes. We shouldn’t try to forget the past, but we should learn from it. We need something to grow on and sometimes these tough lessons are our tool to grow from.

Dearborn, Michigan

God has been preparing me my whole life to follow His will for my future, but until this summer I didn’t really know what he wanted me to do. This past summer my intellect, character, and Christian faith were stretched while on a missions trip to Dearborn, Michigan with my church youth group.
Walking out of Angel House the first day of the trip wearing my long skirt and long sleeved shirt in the hot June air, I realized I was not in Boston anymore. Around me were men and women from Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. The women wore hijabs to cover their hair and long black robes to cover their arms and legs. I helped the people in the community by selling toys, furniture, and clothing to them. The first day in Dearborn I was immersed in the Muslim culture, which I found completely different than my own. I was intrigued with their lifestyle and wanted to learn more about them.
While in Dearborn, the woman who ran Angel House taught me all about the Muslim culture. I visited museums and mosques everyday to learn and see their cultural practices. Everyday I would debrief with my team to discuss what we had learned that day. We ate in a restaurant serving a different country’s food every night. My knowledge on the Muslim culture and Islam was constantly growing as I listened, was immersed, and talked to people of those cultures. I would step into the culture every morning when the Muslim women came to Angel House for English lessons. I befriended the women and came to know more about their lives as the short week went on. In going on this trip I learned to step out of my comfort zone and look into other cultures. My insight into the lives of the women that I worked with changed my life. After leaving Dearborn, God has laid on my heart the desire to continue to learn more about Muslim culture in general and Yemen specifically.
Living out my faith is a mission engraved on my heart. I am continually amazed by the fact that when I was in Dearborn I was completely out of my comfort zone, but in the end I found out and truly learned about what I am supposed to be. I was able to learn how to reach out to others in new ways and developed a greater love for friendships. I was able to share with fellow members on my trip about God’s work in my life the past year. But the most important thing I learned from the trip was that wherever I am, I want to use my job as a mission to those around me. Some may not understand how much this trip has changed my life. It was only a week, but God redefined me in those few days. Since the Dearborn trip I have been learning more about missions to Muslims and about Yemen because I feel that God has laid on my heart a desire to be in missions and to be a nurse. God has given me a passion for Yemen and I have learned that it is possible to dream big while following His vision for my life. I look forward to the chance to learn more about Islam and Yemen as I am working to understand God’s will for my life. Mr. Chen is allowing me to write on this blog to share what I learned with all of you! Prepare yourself it may be a crazy ride of learning!

Leadership

I think an example of a good leader would be President Obama. I am not saying that I necessarily agree with everything he says and does, but he has great leadership qualities. He has the ability to inspire people and motivate them. He has maintained a large, steady crowd of supporters in the midst of good and bad decisions. Additionally, he is able to clearly communicate his thoughts. An example of his inspirational skills is evident in his winning the Nobel peace prize. He won that on the basis of his promises to take action in promoting international peace.
That actually brings me to something else. What do you guys think of him having won the peace prize? Do you think he should have won it?

Religious Suppression

I heard on the news today that in South Carolina, having a license plate with a picture of a cross and the words "I believe" has been made illegal. The prosecutors said that it violated the Constitution. That got me thinking about the different ways Christians are being suppressed in America, even though we may not always see it. I heard about complaints about the words "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Do you guys think that eventually America will become as hostile to Christians as many other countries are or do you think that these are just minor events and nothing to worry about?

presidency

What do you gyus think about Obama's presidency..Do you think it will cause more racism in our country or do you guys think less of it will be present?

Leaders in Boston

In light of the recent mayoral and district elections, an ethical situation has arisen. In my district, district 7, the race was between Chuck Turner, who was trying to be re-elected, and Carlos Henriquez, a newcomer (and also the president of the DSNI board).
For interns last year, you will remember that Sam Yoon was scheduled to come one day, but couldn't due to the arrest of a district councilman - Chuck Turner. He has yet to be indited, however, I think he should not be allowed to run again if he is currently being investigated for fraud. This is abuse of power. Yet, he won with 60% of the district vote.
Thus brings up a question: why would people vote for someone who was arrested for such a crime? Perhaps it's naivety, or that people are just used to having him as councilman.

So here's a question for you: Should governmental officials who have been arrested for a crime, but not charged, be allowed to run for a government seat?

Halloween -- is it fun???

Hey guys...

this is from my experience today, on Halloween...

Before today, I thought that halloween is the one of holiday for America, the day for only children, little Trick-ot treaters..

However, it wasn't..

I heard the experience from my mother and my brother when they were around the NEC and Huntington Ave.On the way of home, they saw the people who are drinking alcohol in the middle of the day and walking with faltering steps and they also met druken drivers who threats other drivers.other car was about to hit my mother's car, but fourtunately, my mother averted it.
and when I was at home, I got a headache because of my neighbors. They turned music loud ( even I cannot understand the music) and bunch of people were making noisy.

I understand the Trick-or treaters, little children who are going around and knocking the doors for candys, but I cannot understand the young people who drink alcohol and threat other people and interupt other people's life..

It is my second Halloween in America. On the last halloween, I knew that little kids with their parents going around the village and town and say: Trick or Treat!!! and People gave sweets for little kids.. and set off fire squibs at night...

But today, I saw different aspects of halloween...

Having the big parties and drinking and turning the loud music.... Is it the way that people enjoying the Halloween???? Is it the halloween getting popular to adults too or is it already popular to all range of people (disregarding the age)??

(I hope that you enjoy the halloween...)