For two weeks, I have been so blessed to be able to visit Beirut, Lebanon. I climbed ancient ruins, had a fake wedding, and made friendships that I pray will last a lifetime. One thing I realized on this trip was the more I saw of the world, the more I fall in love with it.

I also see how much work we have to do in making this world a better place.

The "Syrian War" has become a common term Americans have heard about, especially with the debates speculating with the Syrian refugees. Some say we don't have enough resources to support them, some bring up the issue of safety in regards to American citizens, and some say we should give these people a chance.

I never really thought about this issue until I saw the smoke rise from the mountains at the Lebanese/Syrian border, and played with the children who were forced to leave their homes because of the war.

For three hours, I played, talked and laughed with Syrian children in the Beqaa Valley. They came running towards us with smiles on their faces and arms spread for hugs. All they wanted was to love and be loved. They didn't even know us, but they grabbed my hand and attached themselves to my heart.

One girl in particular casted her spell over me. She crawled up into my lap for the first few minutes of camp and spent hours hugging my waist and staring into my eyes. During this time I couldn't help but think: How the heck do Americans believe this is the face of terrorism?

These kids want nothing more than to return home, but it's not safe there. They have seen and witnessed horrors that Americans can only see through movies, yet they still loved. They jump rope like our children, they play tag like our children, they dance and sing and giggle and are joyful like our children.

Shouldn't they be given an opportunity to be children, too?

I can't help but feel that some Americans think it would be a blessing and honor for these kids to come to America, because it's America, "the greatest country on Earth." Yes, it would be amazing for these kids to attend our schools and grow in careers here, but in all honesty lots of them wouldn't come to the west unless they absolutely had to. Their families have lived for many generations in Syria, their schools are there, their friends are there, would you want to pack up and leave everything you knew to go to a different place so far away? Especially to a place where not that many people are welcoming of you?

There are many things to consider when addressing the refugee topic in politics, but before you just assume that these people have no place in our country, imagine yourself in my shoes. One little girl is in your lap, another veiled muslim girl has her arm around your shoulder, and another resting her head on top of yours.

They are all singing:

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so," in their beautiful, high-pitched voices, and just before they go back to their lives of uncertainty, they hold you tight and say: "I love you, thank you so much for loving me."