Small World: A JBU Alumni

Safa, a JBU alumni, and I.

You'll never guess what happened today! It was one of those crazy small world experiences. I popped into a local Christian bookstore today wearing a grey John Brown University t-shirt. After looking around a bit I start to walk out and the owner/manager asks me if I went to John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR. That had me pretty weirded out - I mean, what are the chances that someone in the middle east would know about John Brown University - this small, Christian school in northwest Arkansas.

Well come to find out, the owner of this bookstore is Safa, a JBU alumni from the late 90's. He went with JBU on their firstever summer studies trip to Ireland in 1998. Billy Stevenson and I had just been talking about him and his brother this summer. He went to JBU for two years, transferred to Asuza Pacific, then returned here eight years ago and married a Palestinian Christian gal. They have one son, Quais, and have another coming in the next month. He started this Christian bookshop - coffeeshop a few years ago.

What are the chances that in a large city like this I would step into the one bookstore that was begun by a JBU alumni? Then, on top of that, Safa's only at the store a couple hours a week - and he just happened to be there when I was. He'd love to get together for tea/a meal while I'm here, but we'll see. I'm not sure if there'll be the time to make it happen. But, he is hoping to connect with JBU's Abila archaeological dig group when they come in the summers - which would be really cool - for him and for them.

Anyways, I just shook my head, amazed at the small world we live in and excited for what Safa's doing here - in the middle east - and the role he has in this community. So, just had to share the crazy story of the day!