Lifechanging

My name is Sean Montgomery. I am from Carson City Nevada USA. I came to Palestine to volunteer for the people in the refugee camps, mainly teaching English to the children. I chose the "Excellence Center" because I liked the program activities they outlined for me to do during my stay here. The accomodations and hospitality far exceeded what I was expecting and the locals that work here are absolutely amazingly beautiful people. From the day I arrived to my departure they assisted me with everything needed. The dinner parties and memories we've made together will stay with me many years. Lots of peace and quiet at the apartment and I was blessed with the most colorful and entertaining roommates. It was very hard to say goodbye.
I've spent a month in Palestine and had the pleasure to travel to most of the major cities. I visited many refugee camps and taught in many schools. The kids loving energy was always the highlight of my days. By far it's been the most spiritual experience I've had in all my travels throughout the world. Never before have I felt so welcome and loved by everyone here. I am not exaggerating when I say that I felt more safe here than I do in my own City which is only a small fraction of the population. I have never before been treated with more respect and kindness out of the hundreds I've met during my stay here.
Before arriving I knew very little about this country and its history. I thought I had an idea of the current war with israel. I had no idea whatsoever. The information provided to us by the news is so far away from the truth it makes me sick. I was so deeply Disturbed to see how these kindhesrted people have been treated for the past 70 years, it occasionally brought tears, not being able to control my emotions. I wore a rubber band around my wrist to "snap out of it". Just earlier today I was on a public transportation van or "Servise" and a total stranger sitting across from me introduced himself with a warm smile and invited me for dinner in his house. This has been very common during my stay here. I've had the pleasure to sit with at least a dozen families in their house. Always feeding me as much as I could eat, giving so much trust and hospitality to a total stranger. It rips me apart inside when I think of the many live recorded videos I've seen from phones in the hands of innocent civilians that have experienced so much loss and trauma, yet still somehow hold their faith high above the hatred that has infiltrated this country like a black plague. I will not name it for everyone knows who I'm talking about. I tried my best to forgive and understand but after my first week here I was given to dark thoughts of bias and negativity towards their oppressors. It was the Palestinians themselves that helped me let go of that darkness for the good of my own soul. Regardless of this ever encroaching occupation, these people with such a strong faith that embraces them with love, teaching them to love others, these people have grown very strong, resilient and beautiful in spite of it all. I came here thinking I would help feed them, teach them and lift their hearts to yet now looking back, I see they were the ones that fed and taught me. I am forever changed. I even converted to their religion of Islam. How could I not? After seeing what it's done for them and myself. The world is so very wrong about Palestine and the Muslim belief. I only hope to express my personal experiences to my countrymen when I get home and I will be returning here as soon as possible. Just the thought of leaving them feels like abandonment and has brought many tears. Living in a city with a population more than a million, continually getting lost and helped by the locals, They never once tried to harm or Rob me but they surely stole a piece of my heart. I will surely be returning soon.