catch up

Ok, so I'll play catch up on everything as quickly as possible. Our internet in the Habana Inn (the largest gay resort in the Southwest) is rather crappy. But the Habana is pretty much AMAZING. I would be happy to share with you all why it is so wonderful perhaps on the phone, but I cannot on the interwebs unfortunately.

Our stop at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO was exasperating but powerful. Two of our straight allies were arrested as they walked with Bibles in their hands on campus to talk to students. We held an all-day vigil outside of the campus hoping students would come speak to us, but we learned that the school told the students to stay as far away from us as possible. (There was likely a severe punishment). Two students drove around all night looking for our bus at hotels and finally found us. A few Equality Riders stayed up talking with them. It's ridiculous that students have to drive around Springfield, MO all night searching for dialogue.

Where is the Christ in Christianity?
Where is hospitality?
Where is communication?

Later that day (the 12th) I received this e-mail:

Dear Amanda,

I am delighted to relate that the Admissions Committee voted enthusiastically and unanimously to offer you admission to the Clinton School for fall 2007 with a scholarship offer which will be detailed in full in the official letter which you will receive soon from our Associate Dean, Dr. Tom Bruce. I am so excited and hope that you will decide to accept this offer and join us next fall. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Congratulations!

SO YAY! I'm officially going to the Clinton School of Public Service to receive a Master's of Public Service.

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Today we arrived on campus at Oklahoma Baptist University and attempted to attend chapel service with the students, but we were stopped by the police as we stepped off the sidewalk to the chapel walkway. Five of us were arrested. The school would not even allow us to worship... and we were forced to stand on the sidewalk the entire day trying to engage students in dialogue.

We'll be back tomorrow to try to have more conversations and to assemble a tapestry to present to the school.

Sorry that this is so short. Gosh, updating this thing is so hard. I'll try harder, I promise.