War-torn countries? Places full of dangerous militants? Places so similar to our own that we cannot tell the difference?   There are many perspectives on the Middle East, but a life-changing trip to Israel moved Trinity teacher Mr. Chad Waggoner emotionally and spiritually.

During Waggoner’s July 16-Aug. 3 trip, he said, he never felt any danger. The Israelis showed him great hospitality. They invited him into their homes for coffee or tea.

Waggoner enjoyed the food very much. He had hummus for almost every meal. He enjoyed the chicken and spices, but his favorite was mint lemonade.

Aside from some cultural differences, the Israelis are very similar to Americans, Waggoner said. They have McDonald’s, televisions, iPhones and even Pokémon Go. They also have malls and Banana Republic.

Waggoner said the city “looks just like a normal American city.”

One difference Waggoner saw was the treatment of women. Walking with a woman who was not your wife is culturally unacceptable.

Aside from all the good things about his trip, he did see some of the bad. He witnessed the hatred  between Israel and Palestine. People on both sides want peace but neither know how to achieve that goal. In Israel it is required for men to serve three years in the military, and women are required to serve two years. Parents are terrified for their children.

One man Waggoner met has a daughter serving in the military. He can’t sleep because he thinks the night he goes to bed, he will get a call saying his daughter has died.

People are sometimes harassed by the military. Waggoner told of a man who almost arrived at his house in Palestine, but eight soldiers at a military checkpoint made him walk more than a mile out of his way through treacherous terrain.

The man stayed calm in that situation, which surprised Waggoner. He asked the man how are you not angry, and the man answered, “A wet men doesn’t worry about a few more drops of water.”

Waggoner described the Israelis and Palestinians as “resilient” people.  Seeing the Holy Land and the spirituality mixed with “surreal” war images that included children made for powerful photos and memories.

Asked if he would return to Israel, Waggoner said simply, “I will go back.”

Mr. Chad Waggoner speaks about his trip to Israel.   video by Michael Payne