I teased them (students) for being so quiet and
calm. It broke the ice and smiles filled the room. I
told them about my family and my home and that I
have so much respect for the people of Afghanistan
and how I hoped my country could help them. I
ended by saying that I would like very much if we
could become friends. Hands went over hearts all
around the room. I thanked them and we exited.
I was relieved that I had seemed to survive my first
public speech without too much embarrassment, but
that relief was short lived. The gentleman escorted us
down the hall into the next classroom, and the scene
was repeated for the next grade of young girls.
This went on and on until I had spoken with most, if
not all of the classes, probably some 250 students total.
There was only one awkward moment when I
asked if anyone had any questions and a student
asked me about Islam and my own faith. The staff
began to rebuke her for asking such a question, but
again my training kicked in and I replied in Dari,
“I am a man of the Book.” The tension immediately
turned to an even warmer reception than before.
Thankfully, our Dari instructors in D.C. had told the
class to anticipate such a question, and I was ready.
We left the school in the most heartfelt scene I
could ever hope to see. The engineer seemed to take
great pride in our morning, and I was grateful for
their hospitality. They invited me back to the school,
and I hope to take more Hands there very soon.
The rest of the day was spent back on base doing
absolutely awesome things, but my thoughts and
adoration remained with those kids and the school. I
still have goose bumps.
Perhaps the most meaningful expression of this
trust came from one of the teachers at the school.
As we were leaving, she stopped me and said, “It
is very good that you have come here to see these
children. You must tell your family that we are very
grateful. We know that they are worried about you, but
you must tell them that we will never allow any harm
to come to you. Do you hear me? We will never allow
any harm to come to you because you are our friend.”
I have never been an overly emotional man, but I
will never forget the honor I felt today. The chokedup kind of honor that makes you wonder how to say
in Dari, “No, I’m fine... just something in my eye.”
Lessons learned?
1. The Dari training we received works like gang
busters here.
2. Even a few days of facial hair on men is a very
powerful communicator with our hosts -- it clearly
shows that we respect their culture to a huge degree.
3. Trust is absolutely vital, and we must give trust
in order to receive it. The engineer told me after all
this that to him “we are more than friends, we are
brothers.”
12
Photos by Lt. Col. Max Moore
Edited by Natela Cutter
*Ahmed Shah Massoud played a leading role in driving out the Soviets from Afghanistan, and later fought
the Taliban. He was killed Sept. 9, 2001, just two days before 9/11 by suspected al-Qaeda agents.