#4 January 18, 2009, Inspiration

Well, the title just about sums it up. I can't think of any better compliment I could give today. It was truly inspirational.

We started the morning out with a few icebreaker games, and then we started a discussion about prejudice and discrimination. It really opened my eyes to the kinds of people who are discriminated against and the ways people discriminate. People are quick to judge others and put them down.

Then we got on the bus. "Darth Scott" gave us a 'tour' of the city. For example, did you know that elevators were invented by Sir Thomas Elevator? Or that the seat was invented by "By Golly Molly" Seat? Or, my favorite, that white water rafting was invented by Sir Thomas White, his wife Molly Water, and their son, Tommy Rafting?

Anyways, when we got to the stadium, that's when the real inspiration began. We had two keynote speakers talk to us; General Colin Powell and Archbishop Desmund Tutu.

Colin Powell gave us a moving story about his life and how we are getting ready to change. The best part was at the end of the speech, when Powell was asked about his endorsement of
Barack Obama and his comment about the accusation that Obama was Muslim. He said the truthful answer is "No, he's been Christian all his life," but the right answer is, "So what?"

Then Archbishop Tutu spoke to us. Basically, he started with "God has chosen you from eternity" and he went on from there. :) Tutu truly inspired me. His message was both funny and motivating, and he used biblical examples of young people in the Bible standing up and doing great things, Joseph, David, Jeremiah, Mary the mother of Jesus...etc. He told us all that we are 'VSPs' -- very special persons. I liked that. He was incredible.

After that, we had lunch on the buses, and travelled down to the National Mall to watch the Opening Ceremonies for Inauguration Week, with performances from such people as Beyonce, Shakira, and Youtwo (and yes, I probably spelled that wrong). Well, we didn't actually get to see it, we watched it live on a big LED screen. Which meant it was almost exactly the same as watching it on TV, except we were a lot colder. We saw Obama make his speech, which was also very inspiring. For those of you who didn't get to see it, President-elect Obama told us that he saw hope and the future in every single person out on the National Mall. It was very moving.

Then we scurried back to the University of Maryland to have dinner, and then listen to blind mountain-climber Erik Weihenmayer speak to us. It was incredible. I am telling you, this guy was amazing. He not only got to the top of Mount Everest, he walked in places where one wrong footstep would mean his death. And he couldn't see a single thing. The clips and pictures he showed were spectacular, moving, and frightening. Erik had to walk across a crevice on a bridge made of rickety ladders strapped together. It was amazing. (BTW, Erik has his wife put the pictures together for his slideshow.)

All in all, an incredible day. I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring, considering we'll be hearing from Vice President Al Gore!

God Bless,
Erienne

P.S. My leader says Vice President is a title you get to keep for life, whether you actually are currently one or not.