Regent Student Political Debate

Fiery and personal; a heated debate between Regent Democrats and Republicans took place in the Library Auditorium Thusday, October 30th. The first ever student debate here at Regent University offered an opportunity for students just 5 days before the election to sharpen their political views.

Sensitive topics such as abortion and Christianity were the initial platforms taken, but students quickly moved onto issues of the economy, foreign policy and the integrity of Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

The Question and Answer section of the debate rightfully brought out the boxing gloves as students challenged the debate panel to revisit the issues of race and the virtue of both presidential candidates.

Students congregated around pizza and soda after the debate. No blood was shed.

Over 90 divided family members reunite on an American budget

By: Erik Medrano

Hacienda El Jaral, a local resort of Copan Honduras, was shut down on August 18^th, 2008, to host a special type of family gathering. With $12,150 American dollars, the Medranos of the US financed the reunion of 90 divided family members.

The exclusive gathering united nearly all-living members of Jose Domingo and his wife Elisa Cruz’s family.

In 1971 Jose Domingo Medrano migrated from the mountains of Copan Honduras to the capital of the United States. A year later he could afford to include his wife and four children on this immigrant story.

“Without my father’s migration to the US, there might not have been an event like this had he raised us in Honduras", Jose Manuel second born son of Jose Domingo commented.

Jose and Elisa Medrano dancing at the reunion.

Divided by 2296 miles, nineteen Honduran Americans traveled back to the mother land of Honduras. Some had visited in the past, but for those born in America this was a first encounter with a family they had never met.

“This trip in many ways completed my identity,” expresses Justin Medrano, grandson of Jose Domingo. “For all of my life I’ve constantly had to explain my father’s heritage without ever stepping foot in Honduras. Meeting the rest of my family at age eighteen only seems eighteen years late”.

As far as Honduran natives, four families traveled from the nations capital Tegucigalpa, three traveled from the city San Pedro Sula and eight families had a shorter travel from the city of Copan itself.

From the Honduran American generation the five children of Jose Domingo and Elisa Cruz, along with one other cousin, financed this exquisite festive. Together they paid $7,150 for the family’s travel expenses. Another $5000 of the budget paid for two days accommodation and food.

The oldest family member at the reunion was Jose Domingo’s brother Julio Medrano, at eighty-three years old. The youngest, a mere 45 days old, was Isabelle daughter of Rene Medrano.

“The beauty behind this trip was that for so many years our relatives in Honduras hosted us and took us into their homes when we came to visit,” explains Jose Manuel, son of Jose Domingo. “This was the first time anyone could afford to gather almost all our parents living relatives together in one place”.

Power and Politics

Are we suppose to strive for positions of power? Do we always have to answer to those in authority? How can I become successful and avoid this game of power and politics? Is it possible?

I just want to create art, be successful and own my own company. However, I need people and I need to one day be in an authoritative position, so how is it possible to avoid power at all?

Its frustrating and complicated, but in the end I pray it will all be worth it.

I can not avoid dealing with people.

If I don't get involved, than why am I here at Regent?

Lord right now I want to pray that my plans are according to you. I want to pray that I'm not doing these things with Regent and RUC because of my own personal differences. I pray even if I am, that I learn from this experience of potential mistakes or you stray me away from making the mistakes altogether. Either way, if you're okay with me doing this, than I'm gonna need some tools. I'll need to learn how to submit. I'll need to learn how to convince these people my intentions are pure. And I can't do that alone, I need you Lord to help me here. I don't want to expose these people for being wrong, but a side of me does. I don't wish to ruin them, but Lord its hard for me to just step back and watch. Who am I to be this voice of truth and authority. Make it feel right about what I am doing Lord, and help me not corrupt my intentions. There is this huge possibility of corruption, and I don't want to do something I would regret. Whatever my next step is, actually please just give me guidance. Give me guidance in all I wish to do, with school with RUC with the Founders with church, with Chapel. I'm messing up Lord, all of those things. All of the projects I have a heart to be a part of I'm messing up. And I feel its all because people are stopping me. I don't know how to control them and affect their thinking. And maybe they’re not, and its me, but I fear those who will say I’m not holy or good enough to do these great things at Regent. Maybe its me who feels im not good enough. Maybe I’m letting the devil make me feel I’m not good enough.

People will think this and that about me. I hate what people think about me, you know this. It wouldn’t effect me so much if I didn’t care about my school and was just here getting by, not getting involved. That’s why I hate politics and power. I hate the uncomfortable feeling that people don't like me or that people are trying to find the worst in me. Being under a microscope, in the spot light, with people waiting to see me make a mistake. It’s a deep issue I need you to help me out with PLEASE. I need to get over it in order to do these great things I have a heart for. I don't want to sin right now. I don't want to sin tomorrow Lord. I love having this relationship with you, but I really wish I can do some great things as well. If you're okay with me doing them than please help. If you think I should just chill, waste time and money in my opinion, than I'd actually be okay with that. Help me feel free, because right now I feel completely limited.

Thank You.

Redskins Triumph over Browns 14-11