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04 May 2018 // Vol 7 // Issue 7
 


The President's Desk

 
Come Home
My flight home earlier this week was fully booked.  I was sitting among a group of weary Canadian Lebanese who had already been traveling for a full day by the time we took off from Istanbul headed for Beirut.  Many of them had not lived in Lebanon for decades.  Over a hundred of them had jobs and homes in Edmonton, Alberta, but their roots were in villages across Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. They were coming home to vote.  No matter how far away they lived, or how long it took them to return, they remembered their roots, the family place, and the affairs of their homeland.  They chose to participate.

This morning in our staff worship we went to the scene where Nehemiah’s prayers were moved by his ties to his homeland, his people (Nehemiah 1:1-4).  He carried their needs on his heart.  He longed to do something to help.  He had a lucrative job, a bright future in Persia.  But he never forgot his roots.  His heart stayed close to his homeland and gave him an identity, a focus, a purpose in life.  He chose to invest.
 
In the annual awards assembly this past week, Lina Issa, our registrar, even before introducing five students for their exceptional academic achievement, reminded us that we were really recognizing God’s gifts to them and the glory that is His.  Even more significant than the plaques they held was the prayer of thanksgiving our chaplain offered for what God had given them to reach this accomplishment and what He wanted to do in the life of each student present.  MEU is still committed to the mission of growing deep spiritual roots to ground and steady the next generation.
 
I have the privilege of standing each day on the ridge we call Sabtieh Hill that looks over the city and the sea.  I have experienced the identity that this place has given all those who have stood here before me--experiences, friendships, commitments that have held generations steady and given direction and purpose in so many lives. 
 
Many of you reading this know that your childhood, your college years, your Lebanese family heritage, even the brief year you volunteered here gave you a connection that you can never forget. You may have jobs and homes on the other side of the world.  You may have professions and obligations that bind you to places far away.  But your roots are in Lebanon, at Middle East College, with MEU.
 
I invite you to thank God for all He gave you here, for the challenges and blessings alike that tie you to this place.  I invite you to turn your heart to your roots.  You don’t need to book a flight to register your identity, or quit your job like Nehemiah.  Your heart can participate with your prayers, with your interest, and with whatever resources the Lord has given you so that another generation standing on Sabtieh Hill has the opportunity to grow deep, sound roots.  So that a new generation will learn who they are in God’s plan, and what God wants to accomplish through them in our world. 
 
Come home in your heart—and invest. 
 
Jordan Service Trip
A group of 17 students and 3 staff from Middle East University (MEU) in Lebanon went on an international service trip over spring break to Irbid, Jordan from March 30 to April 8, 2018. The team did Health Expos for children and adults at Irbid Adventist School as well as a government school (Mariyam bint Omran Mixed Basic School) and the Irbid City Center mall. They also did collaborative mural painting at both schools. Dr. Muhammad Bani Amer, the local Director of Education in the Bani Ebeed area, when visiting the adult health expo, affirmed the team. “I am inspired by you! Not everyone can be a volunteer. Thank you for giving of yourselves in this way!” This is the second international service trip that MEU has participated in under the leadership of Sara Lasu, Service Learning Coordinator.
 
Awards Ceremony Assembly
Celebrating the annual awards ceremony was the highlight of this week's assembly on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Five students received recognition of their stellar academic achievements as they maintained a 3.5 GPA in the Spring 2016-2017 and Fall 2017-2018 school year. Congratulations to Melodie Abdalla, Yechan Jung, Karim Kammouge, Mirna Khairallah, and Consuela Khoueiry! Pastor Javier Pintado, assistant chaplain, had a prayer of dedication for their efforts. Research awards were also given to faculty and staff who published and/or presented at international conferences in the past year. The new 2018-2019 Student Association Officers were also introduced to the student body. Congratulations to Peter Abu Jawdeh, SA president, and his team! See more pictures online. 
 
SA Spring Picnic to Arnaoon Village
On Thursday, April 19, MEU spent a fun day out in nature enjoying the sun, outdoor activities, and Mediterranean buffet for the annual Student Association spring picnic. Mrs Joelle Barkanian, SA sponsor, coordinated the event at Arnaoon Village up in the mountains. There were activities for students, staff and their children alike. From go-karting to zip-lining to a high-ropes course, mountain biking, and more, there were plenty of opportunities for laughter, adrenaline, and adventure with friends. Each year the SA organizes several social events for students. As there were no SA officers this year, due to not enough candidates running last year, Mrs. Barkanian very generously undertook the coordination by herself. The newly elected Student Association team for 2018-2019 will be working hard to prepare a similar caliber of events for the coming school-year. 
 
Read the winning entries from the Writing Contest 2nd Edition!
Volleyball team sporting their new uniforms
Refaat Abdalla, Dean of Students, leading out in SA elections assembly.
Upcoming Events
Keep in mind the upcoming dates:  
  • May 4 & 7  No Classes (elections)
  • May 11  Spring Classes End
  • May 14-17 – Spring Final Exams
  • May 27  Graduation
  • May 31, June 1  Registration for Summer Classes
  • June 4  Summer Classes Begin
  • July 18, 19  Summer Classes Final Exams
* Dates subject to change.
 
University Church (www.universitychurchsda.org)
The University Church has a mid-week prayer meeting at 7 pm every Wednesday, vespers at 7:30 pm every Friday, and on Saturday a Bible study at 9:15 am, church service at 11:00 am, and vespers at sundown to close the Sabbath. All events are held in the MEU Auditorium unless noted otherwise. For announcements and special events, please visit universitychurchsda.org and click on the current bulletin.


Alumni and Friends
In order to improve our communication, we encourage you to forward this weekly newsletter to fellow alumni and friends of the University. As we are also in the continual process of improving our database of contacts, feel free to share the contact information of others who would like to be kept updated.


 
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If you or your department would like to make an announcement or report news to be mentioned in the Voice of MEU, please contact Maria Lombart at maria.lombart@meu.edu.lb and she will include it in the next issue.

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