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Memories—MEU 80th Celebration, November 2019
 1946! Not 1939!
MEU’s North Hall cornerstone was laid in 1946, not 1939 as I incorrectly stated in the last Voice of MEU where I announced MEU’s November 15-17 80th Celebration. Did you catch that? Some of you did.
What about the picture? Did you recognize where it was shot? Certainly not on MEU campus. Again, some of you knew the difference.
Thankfully memories linger long—can be quite accurate, and helpful. Take for instance, this very kind email I received the day afterwards: “If you take a look at the cornerstone of the North Hall, you will find a different date for its laying down than 1939. The date on that cornerstone, 1946, indicated the beginning of construction at the new and permanent location of Middle East College. Students who were attending MEC at its temporary location in Beit Mery in Grand Hotel or Ghasoub Hotel and were transported by the army truck (US army surplus of WWII) to work on the new site referred to it as ‘the new earth!’ This was a slight reference to what is expected after the second coming of Christ!”
So much information packed into one little helpful note. Army trucks. Ghasoub Hotel. Temporary location in Beit Mery. New construction. Permanent location. “The new earth.” I like that! “The new earth.” What a thought! MEU campus so beautiful. MEU’s future so promising. The new site viewed as “the new earth.” WOW! I can imagine it. I do so anew as MEU’s current President. There is so much that God has in mind for us still.
Tell me, how would you describe your MEU (MEC) memories? RAM—short term? ROM—long term? Flashbulb—snapshot of a moment?
Is your memory vivid or fuzzy? Like a sieve or an elephant? Do you remember faces or phone numbers? Do stories come to mind or just pieces of information? How about “total recall? Anyone? Or photographic? I wish.
Memory is interesting. Instead of remembering every little thing, our brain picks and chooses what's important. Everything is there—stored. Just not prioritized the way we would sometimes like. Nevertheless, some have incredible memories. At 70 my Dad could still remember phone numbers, street numbers, names, and stories more than half a century before.
When people with shared experience get together, memories flow and are sometimes corrected in the exchange.
I’ve learned that many around MEU have vivid memories. Many of you have precious memories.
As already announced, we are planning a special 80th celebration during the weekend of November 15-17. Please join us. It will be a grand occasion. Share the news. Send your pictures. Stir up your memories. Already, some of you have emailed saying that they will try to make it. As always, there are regrets as the announced date conflicts with something elsewhere.
Already, some are making sure that the timeline of our collective memories will accurate. It will be exciting as together we will celebrate how God has led us in the past and what He is now doing. Together we will look back through the time-line of our collective memories. Together we will look forward into the unknown—confident that the 1946 cornerstone with its Arabic Bible time-capsule, still resonates with truth filled missional vision and the promise of Holy Spirit empowerment.
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Goodbye, Desy Kammouge
Though she was with us for just one short year as our HR director, Desy Kammouge was an invaluable member of the MEU team. Coming with expertise in the HR area as she worked at a large company previously, Desy brought a professional organization to the HR department that was very much needed. She streamlined processes, updated policies and worked to create new ones, facilitated the resolution of employee concerns, and oversaw the student labour program. Her knowledge of policy and procedure was welcomed as she ensured that employee rights were current according to Lebanese law. Desy's husband, Karim (not pictured), graduated with his BA in Theology from MEU and they have now returned with daughters Ariana and Olivia to the Gulf Field where he will be pastoring there.
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 Scholarship for ASB Valedictorians
I recently joined our Adventist School Bouchrieh for their summer 2019 graduation. It was a wonderful evening of celebration for students, family and friends. Dr. Choufani and his team put together an inspiring and spiritually uplifting program. The music, the featured speakers, the videos, and the Valedictorian addresses each spoke to the heart and affirmed the values of Adventist education. There was so much energy. So many proud parents and friends. In the midst of it all, I was privileged to greet three ASB Valedictorians, each representing one of their school’s education programs. As I shook their hands, I handed each one an envelope with a letter offering 100% tuition scholarship for the first year and 75% for the following years if they maintain scholarship excellence and choose MEU for their University experience. A small gesture for sure, but an important one for any student who has demonstrated academic excellence. Our new financial aid and scholarship program hopes to inspire not just Valedictorians. MEU is here to help any student who holds promise and demonstrates interest. Thank you for helping us by supporting our Scholarship programs. For information on how you can support MEU’s scholarship initiative, feel free to contact me, our Business Manager, Alfredo Erfurth or Academic Dean, Ron Vyhmeister.
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 Nearly Half-Way There
On the right you will see a visual of the MENA Union challenge matching funds that have been raised so far. The blue section represents the $32,407.30 that have come in to date, nearly half the total of $75,000 matching funds we look to raise by the end of 2019. We received $8,000 cash in just two days following my last Voice of MEU. My wife’s cousin is sending us $400.
We hope to raise the balance of unrestricted scholarship or operational monies by August 31, 2019.
Thank you for whatever you do in raising these remaining $42,000 double dollars challenge.
In case you are wondering how to best channel your gifts to MEU?
1- Make check payable to General Conference of SDA
2- Write the {destination-MEU for us} and the {purpose} on the memo line
3- Mail check to General Conference of SDA, Attn: Donation Cashier, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904
4- As long as it is post-marked by December 31, contributions will be acknowledged in 2019
I would add that in addition to MEU/general Scholarship/Operations being on the check memo line, that you include a cover letter clearly stating the purpose of your gift. That it is for MEU. That it is for unrestricted scholarship needs and operations.
Thank you so much for taking time to read through this section of the Voice of MEU. Thank you for whatever unrestricted gift that you might bless MEU with. Whether or not you can help us financially in this way, we thank you for your prayers and supportive influence.
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 MEU’s Place for God—After 80 Years
When was the last time you read the book of Haggai? It’s a touching appeal to Israel to refocus on their real purpose, their real mission. A few weeks ago, I read it once more. I was blessed. But over the last few days, I have re-read it—and been deeply convicted of its timeliness and promise to us, to God’s beloved MEU.
Haggai has a message from the Lord to a community faced with the need to prioritize a place for God. The settlers who had returned to Judah were paneling and painting their homes while God’s temple was lying in ruins.
Let me paraphrase it for myself: “Larry, you have a pleasant home equipped with the conveniences of appliances and furnishings, air conditioning and hot water to make your life comfortable. But I have no place set apart for My presence among you and the people who are Mine.” If I didn’t continue in the story, we might all feel judged for our electricity and running water, right? But Haggai isn’t passing on a judgment, he’s presenting God’s plea. “If you will make God’s presence and His dwelling the highest priority among you, I will bless you... If you will build a home for Me, I will be able to be with you in a new way.” See Haggai 2:19
God makes a direct connection between prioritizing a place dedicated to His worship, and His ability to bless us. The thought alone has given me energy and determination, even spiritual joy, as I’ve shuttled back and forth through government offices, stood on one foot then another for signatures, seals and stamps. Getting the necessary paperwork for the architects to begin planning the MEU Worship Center is tedious. Except for the fact that these are the essential steps for prioritizing God’s presence among us and providing for His house!
It is exciting for sure. We hope to have some design visuals to share during our November 80th Celebration. There will be a lot of work between now and then, but it’s been a long time coming. We see God at work. We are inspired. Thank you for joining us in prayer.
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Sign up for our brand new Art & Design camp!
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Join us to celebrate a very special date.
It's MEU's 80th! November 15-17, 2019.
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Annual Science Camp is taking place this week!
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