In 1997, at the age of 27, I made the bold decision to leave the banking industry and embark on a “crossroads trip” to Israel and Egypt. My intent was to pray and seek guidance from God about my next steps. However, upon arriving at the borders of both countries, I found myself detained in their border jails for having a passport filled with stamps from various countries. My last name, Nesser, didn’t help matters; some authorities mistook it for “Nasser,” as in Yasser Arafat. 🤣
Being held for about one to two hours in each jail gave me a moment to reflect on my privilege as an American living in such a great country. It struck me how 250 years of American history is relatively brief compared to nations like Spain, Germany, Isreal and Egypt which boast rich, biblical histories.
Every year, I watch *The Patriot* with Mel Gibson to remind myself of the sacrifices made for our freedom, and I also view *Saving Private Ryan* with Tom Hanks to honor the bravery of World War II veterans.
Let’s cherish each day with our families and remember the blessings we have. May God bless America! 🇺🇸🙏