The Lehman Family

Peace for Israelis and Palestinians? Not without America's tough love.

2010-04-21T16:38:00.000+02:00

An Israeli student explains why the US should act on moral outrage over Israel’s discriminatory policies before it’s too late.

By Jonathan Ben-Artzi
posted April 1, 2010 at 11:48 am EDT
Providence, R.I. —
More than 20 years ago, many Americans decided they could no longer watch as racial segregation divided South Africa. Compelled by an injustice thousands of miles away, they demanded that their communities, their colleges, their municipalities, and their government take a stand.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Today, a similar discussion is taking place on campuses across the United States. Increasingly, students are questioning the morality of the ties US institutions have with the unjust practices being carried out in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories. Students are seeing that these practices are often more than merely “unjust.” They are racist. Humiliating. Inhumane. Savage.

Sometimes it takes a good friend to tell you when enough is enough. As they did with South Africa two decades ago, concerned citizens across the US can make a difference by encouraging Washington to get the message to Israel that this cannot continue.
A legitimate question is, Why should I care? Americans are heavily involved in the conflict: from funding (the US provides Israel with roughly $3 billion annually in military aid) to corporate investments (Microsoft has one of its major facilities in Israel) to diplomatic support (the US has vetoed 32 United Nations Security Council resolutions unsavory to Israel between 1982 and 2006).

Why do I care? I am an Israeli. Both my parents were born in Israel. Both my grandmothers were born in Palestine (when there was no “Israel” yet). In fact, I am a ninth-generation native of Palestine. My ancestors were among the founders of today’s modern Jerusalem.
Both my grandfathers fled the Nazis and came to Palestine. Both were subsequently injured in the 1948 Arab-Israli War. My mother’s only brother was a paratrooper killed in combat in 1968. All of my relatives served in the Israeli military for extensive periods of time, some of them in units most people don’t even know exist.

In Israel, military service for both men and women is compulsory. When my time to serve came, I refused, because I realized I was obliged to do something about these acts of segregation. I was denied conscientious objector status, like the majority of 18-year-old males who seek this status. Because I refused to serve, I spent a year and a half in military prison.

Some of the acts of segregation that I saw while growing up in Israel include towns for Jews only, immigration laws that allow Jews from around the world to immigrate but deny displaced indigenous Palestinians that same right, and national healthcare and school systems that receive significantly more funding in Jewish towns than in Arab towns.

As former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in 2008: “We have not yet overcome the barrier of discrimination, which is a deliberate discrimination and the gap is insufferable.... Governments have denied [Arab Israelis] their rights to improve their quality of life.”
The situation in the occupied territories is even worse. Nearly 4 million Palestinians have been living under Israeli occupation for over 40 years without the most basic human and civil rights.
One example is segregation on roads in the West Bank, where settlers travel on roads that are for Jews only, while Palestinians are stopped at checkpoints, and a 10-mile commute might take seven hours.

Another example is discrimination in water supply: Israel pumps drinking water from occupied territory (in violation of international law). Israelis use as much as four times more water than Palestinians, while Palestinians are not allowed to dig their own wells and must rely on Israeli supply.
Civil freedom is no better: In an effort to break the spirit of Palestinians, Israel conducts sporadic arrests and detentions with no judicial supervision. According to one prisoner support and human rights association, roughly 4 in 10 Palestinian males have spent some time in Israeli prisons. That’s 40 percent of all Palestinian males!

And finally, perhaps one of the greatest injustices takes place in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is collectively punishing more than 1.5 million Palestinians by sealing them off in the largest open-air prison on earth.

Because of the US’s relationship with Israel, it is important for all Americans to educate themselves about the realities of the conflict. When they do, they will realize that just as much as support for South Africa decades ago was mostly damaging for South Africa itself, contemporary blind support for Israel hurts us Israelis.
We must lift the ruthless siege of Gaza, which only breeds more anger and frustration among Gazans, who respond by hurling primitive, homemade rockets at Israeli towns.

We must remove travel restrictions from West Bank Palestinians. How can we live in peace with a population where most children cannot visit their grandparents living in the neighboring village, without being stopped and harassed at military checkpoints for hours?

Finally, we must give equal rights to all. Regardless of what the final resolution will be – the so-called “one state solution,” the “two state solution,” or any other form of governance.

Israel governs the lives of 5.5 million Israeli Jews, 1.5 million Israeli Palestinians, and 4 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. As long as Israel is responsible for all of these people, it must ensure that all have equal rights, the same access to resources, and the same opportunities in education and healthcare. Only through such a platform of basic human rights for all humans can a resolution come to the region.
If Americans truly are our friends, they should shake us up and take away the keys, because right now we are driving drunk, and without this wake-up call, we will soon find ourselves in the ditch of an undemocratic, doomed state.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi was one of the spokespeople for the Hadash party in the Israeli general elections in 2006. His parents are professors in Israel, and his extended family includes uncle Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr. Ben-Artzi is a PhD student at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

Kairos and Lent in the 'Holy Land'

2010-03-13T06:39:00.003+01:00

Posted with permission from Author.

By Timothy Seidel
6 Mar 2010

Experiencing the Lenten season in Palestine is unique. It carries with it incredible feelings of closeness and concreteness as one visits sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem — the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected. Yet, those feelings of closeness are easily swallowed up by a sense of separation and forsakenness as one considers the current situation.

In the recently released Kairos Palestine Document, Palestinian Christians take this situation as their starting point in challenging theological interpretations of those “who use the Bible to threaten our existence as Christian and Muslim Palestinians,” trying to “attach a biblical and theological legitimacy to the infringement of our rights.”

Though Easter and its celebration of resurrection and new life defines Christianity, in a place like Palestine the season of Lent always seems more appropriate. Lent is a time of preparation in expectation for Easter. It is a time marked by fasting and other acts of penance with the practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving signifying the pursuit of justice toward God, oneself and one’s neighbour.

With restrictions on movement and the denial of freedom of religion, this sense of Easter celebration delayed and Lenten season prolonged characterises much of life in the 'Holy Land.' Indeed, as Palestinians remember more than 40 years of occupation and more than 60 years of Nakba (catastrophe), the ongoing experiences of dispossession and justice delayed are all too real.

Palestinian livelihoods continue to be devastated as more land is being expropriated for the construction of a 430-mile or 700-kilometre barrier that has little to do with security and terrorism, built not on the 'Green Line' but instead on Palestinian land. As it cuts deeply into the West Bank, the Wall forms the borders of what some call 'reservations', isolated islands of land on roughly 40 to 50 per cent of the West Bank where Palestinians are confined.

Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. (Luke 2.10)

For Christians, the words from Luke’s gospel hold the core of our faith: that God so loved the world that God came into the world in Christ to be born in our midst to embody hope and new life. During this sombre time of Lent, we look to Jerusalem and wait with eager anticipation for signs of new life.

Yet, even as we wait, do we listen to the voices of the children of Jerusalem today who still wait: for justice, for peace, for basic human rights, for a sign that the world hears them, trapped behind concrete walls and locked into tiny enclaves? When they hear the words of the angels: “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people,” they wonder when this promise might include them, too.

What does it mean for us to proclaim this “good news?”

Does it not mean that we stand with all those who are oppressed and held captive to fear and violence? That we remember that God once chose to come into the world as a poor, vulnerable child to lift the lowly, set free the oppressed and bring new light and love? That we believe in this Word made flesh who proclaimed that every child deserved love, justice, hope and a fair share of the blessings of creation?

Does it not mean that we receive with confession and repentance the calls that continue to come from our Palestinian sisters and brothers for a just peace?

This past December, Palestinian Christians launched the Palestinian Kairos Document, “A moment of truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering” (http://www.kairospalestine.ps/). Inspired by the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and written 24 years after South African theologians published their Kairos Document, more than a dozen Palestinian church leaders and theologians from various denominations co-authored the document as a “cry of hope in the absence of all hope,” addressed to Palestinians, Israelis and “Christian brothers and sisters in the Churches around the world.”

In addition to challenging theologies that legitimise violence and dispossession, it points out the mission of the Church “to speak the Word of God courageously, honestly and lovingly in the local context and in the midst of daily events,” and to “stand alongside” the “oppressed.”

The Palestinian Kairos Document issues an invitation, asking the question to Christians around the world: “Are you able to help us get our freedom back, for this is the only way you can help the two peoples attain justice, peace, security and love?” It urges Christians to “take a position of truth with regard to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.” It favourably notes that some Palestinian civil organisations, as well as international organisations and churches, support boycotts and divestment as a form of nonviolent resistance to the occupation.

The Palestinian Christian leaders describe a message of “love and living together” to the Muslims and Jews of the Holy Land, condemning “all forms of racism.” The Palestine Kairos call is for a “common vision, built on equality and sharing, not on superiority, negation of the other or aggression, using the pretext of fear and security.” It is only in this manner that “justice and security will be attained for all.”

During this time of Lent, there is still a word of hope that resists the dispossession and the injustice. Especially for Palestinian Christians — those communities of resistance formed with the conviction that the purposes of God and the demands of justice will not relent — the words of John’s Gospel still challenge and comfort: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

Zoughbi Zoughbi, the director of the Wi’am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Centre, echoes this hope. Zoughbi often talks about how the Palestinian people are walking the “Via Dolorosa” or the “Way of Sorrow” — a path of 14 “Stations of the Cross” through Jerusalem’s Old City that ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Christians remember the path Jesus walked on his way to the crucifixion. “It is only that we do not know at which station we are along this path,” Zoughbi says, “but we know that at the end there will be resurrection and new life.”

This is the new life that all Palestinians hope for — a new life born from a peace that knows justice in this broken land.

May the voices of our Palestinian sisters and brothers that are so often dismissed, silenced and dehumanised speak loudly to us this Lenten season, providing both a meaning and a challenge for Easter.

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(c) Timothy Seidel works as director for Peace and Justice Ministries with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) USA. He was a peace development worker with MCC in the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 2004-2007 and a contributing author to Under Vine and Fig Tree: Biblical Theologies of Land and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Cascadia Publishing, 2007). This can be purchased through Ekklesia here: http://tinyurl.com/ybmerxz MCC continues to struggle with how to respond in Palestine and Israel in ways that best serve the cause of justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis. Learn more about MCC’s work in the current issue of MCC’s magazine, A Common Place (http://acommonplace.mcc.org/).

Rich Siegel "In Palestine" Part 2

2010-01-28T12:57:00.002+01:00

Siegel and Lippman share their views.

Rich Siegel sings about life "In Palestine" Part 1

2010-01-28T12:20:00.006+01:00

I just returned from spending a few days in Gaza. It continues to be a sad place to be and not much has changed since the war last year. Israel continues to enforce the blockade and deny the things needed to rebuild Gaza. The population of Gaza is 1.5 million with over 50% being children. These are the ones Rich is singing about as the suffering and trauma continues to affect them.

Picture of boy next to mud house in Fukhari
(outside of Khan Younis)

Israeli army attacks At-tuwani

2010-01-08T21:04:00.003+01:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Israeli soldiers attack Palestinian shepherds, CPTers, and arrest At-Tuwani resident
by CPT At-Tuwani Team

This morning, Thursday 7 January, 2010, Israeli soldiers attacked and injured Palestinian shepherds from the Musa Raba’i family, as they grazed their sheep in Humra valley, near the village of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills. The soldiers also attacked the two CPTers accompanying the shepherds and broke a video camera. Before leaving the area the soldiers arrested one of the shepherds, Musab Musa Raba’i.

At around 10:30am Palestinian shepherds were grazing their sheep on privately owned Palestinian land when they saw Israeli settlers observing them from the outpost of Havat Ma’on. A short time later an Israeli army jeep came to the area. After stopping to speak with one of the settlers, three Israeli soldiers approached the shepherds and ordered them to leave the area. The shepherds explained that it was their land, but agreed to move further down into the valley. The soldiers followed them and grabbed at one of the shepherds, so they all tried to quickly leave the area with their sheep. A second army jeep came to the area and a further three soldiers joined in the attack escalating the violence. Soldiers hit the shepherds with their rifle butts, pushed them and while some soldiers forcibly held them to the ground others kicked them.

Other members of the family came to the area, and the women tried to intervene, hoping to deescalate the situation. However, the women were also forcefully pushed to the ground. CPTers trying to video tape the violent attack were roughly pushed and a soldier grabbed at and broke one of the video cameras.

Other villagers came to the area and tried to calm the situation by talking with the soldiers, but the soldiers ignored all pleas for calm and instead fired percussion grenades and tear gas into the small group of women and children gathered nearby on the hillside.

Israeli police reported to the scene after receiving numerous calls from internationals, but arrived as the soldiers were leaving the area. The police told CPTers that there would be a military investigation into the actions of the soldiers.

During the incident a spokeperson from an Israeli Human Right Organization called the local Israeli Army Brigade Operations Room and the Israeli Army Coordination Office to find out what was happening. She told CPT “I called several time and they had no information and no idea that something was going on in At Tuwani.”

Additional information: At the time of writing Moussab Mussa Raba’i is still detained at Kiryat Arba police station. One elderly woman, Umm Juma’ Raba’i, and a young woman, Umm Ribhi Raba’i, who is 2 months pregnant, had to be taken to hospital, suffering from the effects of tear gas inhalation. Three of the shepherds, Kamaal Raba’i, Majde Raba’i and Juma’ Raba’i were hospitalized for their injuries, and a young boy, Ramze Jamaal Raba’i, had his tooth broken.

Israel's 10 worst errors of the decade

2010-01-03T16:47:00.002+01:00

To My Readers:

Gaza has been on our minds a lot lately. This month marks the one year anniversary of the 22 day bombardment which began on December 27, 2008 and lasted until January 17, 2009. This suffering continues through the ongoing blockade of Gaza.

We have had the chance to meet many ordinary Gazans and we are always impressed with their strength, determination, and hospitality to us as strangers. The people we met want to live normal lives just like all of us. We hope and pray that the international community pressures Israel to end the siege on Gaza.

Please click on the link above and read the article written by Bradley Burston of Haaretz titled, "Israel's 10 worst errors of the decade".

Ongoing dispossession in East Jerusalem

2009-12-02T14:43:00.003+01:00

Dear All,
Just received this from Rabbi Ascherman of Rabbis for Human Rights. Another disturbing story of dispossession in East Jerusalem.

Ryan

Armageddon, Straight Ahead

Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman

It is 1:30 am on December 2nd, and I just came back from Sheikh Jarakh –I see Jerusalem in flames, and know than my words will not succeed in conveying the horror of what I saw or the dread in my heart.

Today the court ruled in favor of the settlers who had taken over part of yet another family's home in Sheikh Jarakh. Because a lawyer for some of the families in the 1980's recognized Jewish ownership in return for protected tenant's status, the addition the El-Kurd family made to their home was deemed illegal. They had to ask permission from the "owners" to do it. Did the court order the addition demolished or a fine paid? Of course not. Why, anybody should be able to understand that the only logical thing to do was to let settlers move in to the extension.

All day the tension was palpable, sometimes breaking into physical violence. People warily looked at me to determine if I was friend or foe, until I got close enough to be recognized and greeted in Arabic the newcomers who didn't recognize me., Palestinians backed by Israelis and internationals huddled around fires, keeping a watchful eye out, as Arab music reminded settlers huddled inside their new acquisition just where they were. Nasser Ghawi is closing in on his fourth month in a pitiful lean to across the street from where 6 settler families lived in his home, with a constant stream of visitors in and out. He asked me if there was any hope left. Usually full of optimism in even the most difficult situations, I could only mouth some meaningless platitudes about looking for new legal options. Yesterday Maya, our staff person who spends the most time in Sheikh Jarakh, asked me where justice was. I didn't have an answer for her either.

All of a sudden a group of settlers and their supporters comes to the Ghawi home amidst cat calls and insults hurled by Palestinians seeking an outlet for their seething anger and pain. The settler group moves closer and wants to come in to congratulate those within. Everybody jumps to their feet and the gate is slammed shut, but there are settlers already inside as well as outside. I am amazed that no fights break out. The taunts get louder and more vicious. Some spit at the settlers. In similar situations I have urged Palestinians to calm down, but here I felt that I had no right and that it would do no good. The only comment I responded to was when somebody said in Arabic that they wished Hitler had finished the job. I tried to think of what I could do if things escalated further, and didn't come up with any answers. The settlers keep staring at me and my kippah. They don't get it.

The most terrifying indication that we were at the brink of conflagration was that the police were did not wade violently into the Palestinians or arrest people for having the wrong look on their faces, as so often happens in Sheikh Jarakh. I even saw one of the officers trying to clear the way for settlers to come in and out snarl at one of the settlers and tell him that he dare not touch anybody. In other situations I would have been pleasantly surprised, but here this was an indication that the police also knew that they were sitting on top of a volcano about to blow.

Maya arrives. I say to her, "It will be a miracle if the night passes without an explosion."

Every few minutes a new group of settlers comes to look, to smile. At one point a settler inside comes demanding that the Palestinians turn off the blaring music. I have visions of what will happen if he pulls a plug or smashes something. I remind him of the Jewish teaching, "You don't rebuke somebody in the midst of their sorrow. " He goes back in, as Palestinians shout and rattle the windows. One woman addresses at length the Druze officer guarding the door to the captured room. I can only imagine what she is saying. What is said in Hebrew again and again is, "This is your system of law?" I can only answer what I learned years ago, "Not everything that is "legal" is just."

The worst of it is that I don't know what to suggest. Israel's democracy has failed up until now. International pressure has failed up until now. The activist community has failed up until now.

Although his worst predictions that their actions would cause the inhabitants of the land to rise up and destroy them never came true, our ancestor Jacob cursed his sons Simeon and Levi until his dying day for their violent and brutal act of revenge in this week's Torah portion, Their weapons are tools of lawlessness. Let not my prison be included in their council,, Let not my being be counted in their assembly. For when angry they slay men, and when pleased they maim oxen."(Genesis

I hope that I too am wrong. What is the big deal here? Be angry and upset, but why so worried about one more incident of helpless Palestinian fury directed at an Israeli injustice? Why should activists spend a sleepless cold Jerusalem night huddling in front of a fire. Why should the political echelons and the courts shake themselves out of their torpor. Can't the international community feel satisfied with itself over it's "strong protest?"

Because this is Jerusalem. As I wrote a week and a half ago, I see a Palestinian anger burning so strong that, unlike what usually happens, neither the threat of arrest or the use of overwhelming force is a deterrent. That means a third intifada. That means that the fact that the world community forcing Israel into a settlement freeze (perhaps) may be too little too late. That means that the Obama administration remains a laughingstock at best, and in many quarters the U.S. is again the subject of scorn and derision.

I see Jerusalem in flames – I see Armageddon straight ahead. I see everywhere complacent alarm. I know that tens will answer our call to demonstrate today, but we need hundreds and thousands. The diplomats will write urgent reports, but we need effective pressure. The peace and human rights community will say that this is terrible, but we need them to come out of their homes. The politicians will say that it is a matter for the courts and that they can't interfere, while the courts will say that the law takes precedence over their personal conscience. The police will prepare emergency plans. If nothing changes (olam c'minhago noheg), Jerusalem will burn.

Alsumeriyya: Challenging Recorded History and Releasing Memories

2009-09-13T21:24:00.010+02:00

One of the organizations with whom MCC partners is Zochrot (Hebrew word for Remembering), a group of Israeli citizens who work to raise awareness about the Nakba (Arabic word for catastrophe), the Palestinian catastrophe of 1948. MCC supports Zochrot's central project, which is to tour and commemorate each of the Palestinian sites that have been destroyed since 1948. Each visit includes a ceremony in which signs are posted designating the site and its basic details in both Hebrew and Arabic. Original Palestinian residents are invited to tell the story of the village both before and during the expulsion of its villagers. Not only do the tours empower Israelis to confront the difficult issues surrounding their own national identity, but they demonstrate or support the truth and value of the Palestinian experience.

Earlier this year, Zochrot organized a tour of the destroyed village of Alsumeriyya, a Palestinian village of 880 residents that was destroyed on May 14, 1948. The site lies in northernmost region of Israel, south of the Lebanese border and north of the Carmel Mountain range. Although Zochrot tours a different village every month or so, with 100 participants on each tour, the visit to Alsumeriyya offered something quite unique. On this tour both a Palestinian refugee and an Israeli eyewitness to the village's destruction shared their stories.

The Palestinian woman, a refugee from Alsumeriyya, fled the village as a child along with her family. They moved to Lebanon, and she grew up in the Ein el Hilwe refugee camp. As a child she grew up hearing stories about Alsumeriyya, and kept a photo of it. She came to the Zochrot tour after hearing about it locally. During the tour, she told the participants of her family's story, and talked about being a refugee in Lebanon and seeing the village for the first time after only hearing about it for so many years. For the participants it was a different experience to hear the story of a refugee who lived in Lebanon, and it was also uncommon to hear a woman refugee on the tour.

The other side of the story came from an Israeli participant, also a woman. An activist of many years for human rights and peace in Israel, she told us that the destruction of Alsumeriyya was a turning point for her. She shared how she used to pass by the village on her way to work, and one day on the way back, saw that the land had been flattened. She said that for her, this was the moment "I understood that Israel has no intention of living in peace with the Palestinians, but intended to expel them from the country." For her, telling her story during the tour of Alsumeriyya, was an opportunity to stand in the village, look into the eyes of its refugees, and tell them that she was sorry for what had happened, and that not all Israelis agree with what their state has done. Unlike discussing the Nakba in academic surroundings or in a classroom, having this story unfold on the land itself, was a unique experience for her as an Israeli eyewitness.

The tour of Alsumeriyya was a powerful experience for many participants, both Israeli and Palestinian. For the Israelis this was an uncommon occasion to hear a different story from an Israeli who had seen the destruction of a Palestinian village; for the refugees, this was a very touching and rare occasion to hear an Israeli admit to seeing the destruction for what it was and being sincerely sorry for it.

A Synopsis of the Israel/Palestine Conflict

2009-08-12T07:55:00.001+02:00

Reflections on Gaza

2009-07-17T13:03:00.011+02:00

“How was Gaza?” I’ve been asked this question by a few friends and family members over this past week. Trying to find the words the answer this question have not come easily partly because I continue to process all that we experienced during my first visit to the area and partly because my responses seem to contradict each other: "It was both awful and beautiful. Frightening and encouraging. Depressing and inspiring." It has been hard to give an answer that makes any sense, but perhaps the following reflections will illustrate these paradoxes.

We entered and exited Gaza through the Erez crossing, which is monitored on the Israeli side by the Israeli military and on the Palestinian side by Hamas. We registered with both as we passed through their separate checkpoints and answered various questions about our work and where we would stay while in Gaza. Our bags were carefully inspected by Hamas, who seemed to realize pretty quickly by their contents (coloring, books, crayons, clay, embroidery kits, watercolor sets, peace cards, origami paper cranes and books), that we did not represent much of a threat. We were given permission to enter and a driver from Culture and Free Thought Association, a partner organization, picked us up and took us to one of their centers. At one point in this process of entry and exit, I remember being surprised by the sophisticated technology used at Erez. Although I am well aware that Israel’s army is one of the most technologically advanced in the world, for some reason I was expecting something more primitive at Erez. I thought about the reasons behind my expectations while I stood in the middle of glass cubical with my hands held in the air while an x-ray scanner automatically spun around my body and eventually gave me a green light to pass. As I exited the cubicle, I wondered how a society with enough intelligence to create and implement such sophisticated and costly technology could not see that systematically isolating, controlling and depriving an entire population of life’s basic necessities will ever result in a permanent and sustainable solution to security. The contrast between the advanced technology that surrounded me and the primitive understanding of some of the factors that contribute to peace (personal security, social justice, economic equality, and political and religious tolerance) seemed vast.

I was really inspired by the strength of many of the people we met, but truth be told the population in general is quite discouraged. During and shortly after the war Gaza received lots of attention and I think raised the hopes of civilians that the world would intervene and the situation would change. Unfortunately, nothing has changed. The blockade continues with little entering Gaza, not even supplies that would enable reconstruction to begin. Poverty is rampant and there is little hope that the situation will improve any time in the near future.
Pondering the “big picture” can pretty soon make one feel overwhelmed and numb, the focus must narrow to individual lives and situations. Without illusions of grandeur about our work, the best any of us can do is to weave one thread into the fabric of justice or put one small tile in place in the mosaic of God's reign.

The experiences of last week’s visit bear witness to this perspective among many in both Gaza and North America. I met several families who now have an income because of a donation of just four rabbits. I saw children who lost family members just a few months ago, laugh and play during summer camp games. A widowed mother of a special needs child now teaches therapeutic exercises to other young mothers of children with disabilities. A hap knotted MCC blanket now offers a cushion for an elderly woman who spends much of her day sitting on a hard concrete floor. Highly educated Palestinian youth volunteer many hours every week to bring development to their communities. A relief kit bucket provides one man with a "table" from which he can serve tea to guests

Although some gifts might seem small, they really do make a difference. Most of the homes we visited were comprised of several empty rooms with cushions and MCC blankets. The five-gallon relief and health kit buckets were used as chairs, stools, and small tables. Beneficiaries displayed these items as if they were treasures. One man told us, “Whoever decided on what to put in these buckets really understands us and our needs. Please thank them.” Another mother of thirteen children showed us her bucket and then explained that she no longer had the towels. Her eldest daughter recently married and since the towels were the nicest things she could offer, she gave them to her daughter as a wedding gift. After this experience I will never think about our church’s relief or health kit drives in the same way. These relief packages give people a tangible expression of care and concern and an acknowledgement of desperate circumstances.

There were also humbling moments when we became recipients of the generosity of those to whom we claim to serve. Almost every home we entered offered us tea, coffee or a cold drink. We’ve grown pretty accustom to Arab hospitality almost to the point that we expect these refreshments during visits. In many homes we entered during this trip, I accepted these offerings with gratitude, but I must admit that all too often I was more concerned with what kind of bacteria I was ingesting along with the drink. At one point during our visits though, something touched me. I don’t want to paint a romantic picture of the situation, because it was a difficult one: one man with two wives and fourteen children all living in extreme poverty. I felt pretty critical of the choices this man had made and blamed him for much of the family’s desperate circumstances. When we entered the home, the eldest teenage boy jumped up and ran out of the room. I was sure our presence must have irritated him for some reason. Yet ten minutes later he was back with a huge smile on his face and steaming cups of thick Arabic coffee. As I my sipped my eighth cup of the day from a small chipped demitasse cup, we talked with the father about his children and ours, and eventually he asked us where we were from. When Ryan told him we were from America, his face broke into a big smile and he said, “We are brothers!” At that moment, I realized that he had many reasons to be critical of the rich Americans in his home who really understood very little of his personal circumstances, who would leave Gaza a few days later and return to a life of comfort and opportunity that he would never have the chance to experience, and whose tax dollars helped fund the weaponry used during this past January’s military strike on his community. Yet, despite this knowledge, he and his family generously welcomed us into their home and served us coffee out of their poverty; they gave from the very little they had. When the young man asked me how I liked his coffee, I told him it was the best I had all day, and I meant it.

From day one of our visit, it became clear to me that Gazans wanted me to appreciate the beauty of their homeland. I have to say that in the beginning this was a real challenge for me. Houses and other buildings destroyed during the conflict remain as hollowed-out and dusty monuments to violence. The big metal walls of the businesses along Salahadeen Road, where the heaviest fighting took place, now leak light through hundreds of bullet perforations; other walls are splashed with the shrapnel of missiles fired from drones; blocks of flats hit by artillery fire show scorched holes. And across the north of the Gaza Strip stand the weird igloos of the bomb-flattened houses. Barren lots remain where orange groves once stood and tattered slumping greenhouses that once housed an abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers now lie in disrepair. Yet on our ride along the coastline from Khan Younis to Gaza City, Majeda, a friend and employee of one of our partner organizations stopped the car to show us the spot where she thought Ryan and I should celebrate our next anniversary. At first my eye settled on a beach house that had been hit by a missile, all levels of the structure had flattened into layers so that it resembled phyllo pastry. I snickered at first thinking that Majeda was just being facetious, but when I looked at her face, I realized she was serious. I followed the focus of her gaze to discover a beautiful palm grove that was truly an oasis. “Isn’t it beautiful?” sighed Majeda. “Yes, it really is very romantic,” I replied. Throughout the weekend I had other moments like this when I was able to see beyond the rubble and destruction to recognize the natural beauty of Gaza and its people. Every night we witnessed beautiful Mediterranean sunsets along the beach and in the mornings we couldn’t take our eyes off the fisherman who cast and pulled in their nets just as it has been done in these waters for centuries. During our visit I also learned that Gaza is so much more than the sum of it problems and its civilians are much more than victims of occupation, siege and violent internal conflict. They are beachgoers, excellent swimmers, and expert fisherman. They love spicy food, outdoor barbeques, singing and laughing. They are also some of the warmest, most friendly people I’ve ever met. --Heather

Portraits of Survival

2009-07-03T15:11:00.009+02:00

As I sit in my comfortable office in Jerusalem, I sometimes wonder how people are coping in Gaza. The extreme heat wave this week has me wondering about the people living in tents all over the Gaza Strip. What does the future hold for the people of Gaza?

The portraits shared in the title link above are of real people with real feelings and real emotions. Click on the link" Portraits of Survival" to meet them. Would you worry about making sure a visitor was comfortable in your destroyed home? Would having your family members killed make you more extreme or less extreme? Would it test your faith in humanity and in God? I wonder if I would be as strong as the people in those in the portraits.

The international community is starting to recognize the injustices that are occurring in Gaza. Specifically, the Free Gaza Movement, a group of civilians from 10 countries launched an initiative by boat to provide aid to the Gaza Strip this past week. Members include Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire and former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The 'Spirit of Humanity' was taken, illegally, from international waters. The fate of the 21 civilians being held in Israel remains uncertain.

The aid was being delivered in the wake of a 22-day military assault against the Gaza Strip last winter, in which Amnesty International has charged the Israeli military with "reckless conduct, disregard for civilian lives and property, and a consistent failure to distinguish between military targets and civilians and civilian objects."

The Gaza Strip has also been subjected to a crippling blockade for two years, in which the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza has been at the whim of the Israeli military. The people of Gaza face severe shortages of medicine, food, and materials that are necessary for rebuilding homes after the war. International law defines the actions of the Israeli military as unlawful collective punishment of civilians. Please contact your Senators or Reps demanding that Israel release the "Spirit of Humanity" humanitarian aid boat, its cargo, and crew.

Below read recent recording of former US Congresswomen Cynthia McKinney while being detained:

Finding new life through wood carving in Bethlehem

2009-07-01T06:37:00.002+02:00

Please click on the title to read the inspiring story about Mu'in who we met in Bethlehem. Thanks to Gladys, a writer from MCC, for putting this on the website.

A Week in Review

2009-06-20T06:00:00.012+02:00

Like most families, our weeks are a mix of preparation, routine and novel experiences. Here are a few experiences from the past seven days.

Earlier in the week, while visiting a friend, we had the chance to admire her garden. One of the plants that caught our attention was an artichoke. While I have seen many artichokes in the market here, I have never actually seen one growing. Here is a picture of the the plant which is actually about three feet tall. Right now artichokes are in bloom with the purple flowers and eventually the part under the flower develops. Obviously the stem has to be pretty substantial to support the artichoke.

Elijah has been involved in an art class for toddlers this summer and yesterday we had the chance to work with clay. Elijah made a bowl, two handprint tiles, and a few other "pieces." He loved it and didn't want to leave the studio. I had to coax him to the car with a piece of clay. We'll go back in a few weeks after the pieces have been fired and paint.

On Wednesday we attended a UN Press Conference commemorating two years of closure for Gaza. The conference was held in a warehouse which contained all the items which Israel will not allow into Gaza--lentils, pasta and shampoo with conditioner. One U.S. Congressmen recently asked, "When have lentil bombs been going off lately? Is someone going to kill you with a piece of macaroni?" Four months after 8,000 homes were destroyed in the Strip during Operation Cast Lead, the families affected have no prospect of building new homes because the Israeli authorities continue to prevent construction materials from entering Gaza. By attempting to isolate Hamas, the government of Israel and key international donor governments and institutions have in fact isolated the people of Gaza, thereby reducing the chances of securing a peaceful, just and durable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Our partners confirm that that life in Gaza has become increasingly difficult. As I stood in the warehouse among boxes of toys intended for children in Gaza I thought about how these items might have given opportunities for constructive play... how crayons and paper may have helped some kids express and process the trauma they have endured... how a cup of tea might have given a young mother a moment to unwind. Denying Gaza's civilians these commodities is no way to a peaceful future. We look forward to visiting our partners in Gaza later this summer and will deliver cards and paper cranes from children in Indiana. We continue to pray about ways to offer encouragement.

At the beginning of the week Ryan visited Lajee's Summer Camp and last night we went to the closing program. The camp, which is sponsored by MCC, takes place in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem. Throughout the week about 150 kids participated. We thoroughly enjoyed the program which included lots of Debka dancing (traditional Palestinian dance), singing, and poetry readings. Incidentally, the program was held on the stage which was built for the Pope's visit to the refugee camp. It is now slated for demolition because of its close proximity to the wall. The children performed with conviction and passion. One teen who helped organize the camp's activities, spoke about the hard work involved in leading the camp, but also the beauty she experienced as she gave to others. During the program Ryan had the opportunity to thank Lajee's staff and the young adult leaders for their efforts. He told them that MCC supports Lajee's camp because of opportunities it provides for development among youth and the smiles that it brings to the children's faces.

Ban on Memory

2009-05-27T22:22:00.004+02:00

Just a few weeks ago, I stood at the Western Wall during Holocaust Memorial Day. During my time there, a siren blared for a full minute and I, along with many tourists and all of Israel stopped to remember the events of the Holocaust and honor its victims and survivors. But this week, just two weeks after Holocaust Remembrance, a bill will go before the Knesset that will force another people to deny their own traumatic historical narrative. This bill has not only drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian Israelis, but has also raised serious concerns among Jewish Israelis. See article below:

Ministerial Committee: Ban Nakba Day
Aviad Glickman

The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs on Sunday approved a motion barring the marking of Nakba Day. "Nakba", or "catastrophe", is the term used to refer to the refugee flight of Palestinian Arabs that followed Israel's inception in 1948.

According to the motion, brought before the committee by Knesset Member Alex Miller (Yisrael Beiteinu), all public events which refer to the establishment of the State of Israel as a calamity will be prohibited by law.

Any infringement on the law would be punishable by up to three years in jail.

Miller's motion followed the violent events which took place during Nakba Day in 2008. It was initially brought before the committee during the last Knesset, but was put aside when the Knesset dispersed and new general elections were called.

"This is the first step in stopping the organized incitement by the Islamist Movement. Every democratic county has the right to defend itself and this is exactly what the State of Israel has chosen to do," Miller said.

Minister Michael Eitan (Likud), who voted against the motion, said that the motion "plays into the hands of our enemies… it will not be able to bar anything. The State of Israel has to be certain of its ability to fight against those who wish to ruin it, not by means of reducing freedom of speech, but by holding on to our beliefs. One has to remembers that the law already makes provision against incitement.

Balad Chairman Jamal Zahalka called the motion "crazy": "This is a crazy law by a crazy government. Passing a law that bans grief and mourning is an international precedent and an Israeli invention which indicates (moral) bankruptcy. We will find way to mark Nakba Day in spite of Netanyahu and Lieberman's insane government."

MK Afu Aghbaria (Hadash) slammed the motion as well: This suggesting is reminiscent of a Third Reich law. The Israeli government has declared a jihad on the Arab community and is slowly turning Israel to an apartheid state. I will not be surprised if the Netanyahu-Lieberman government will impose other restrictions on its Arab citizens, like barring the use of the Arabic language."

The motion will be put before the Knesset for a first reading next week. Should the Knesset decide to mature it into a bill, it would be referred back to the legislation committee for further drafting.

Gaza: The Closed Zone

2009-03-06T12:13:00.007+01:00

While many of us take for granted our daily freedoms, the people of Gaza do not have this luxury. Yoni Goodman, one of the creators of “Waltz with Bashir”, which won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award, today launched a new animated short film entitled "Closed Zone”. He created the short for “Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement”. Gisha is an Israeli not-for-profit organization, founded in 2005, whose goal is to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents. Gisha promotes rights guaranteed by international and Israeli law.

In addition to the closure, the residents of Gaza do not even have the luxury to eat certain kinds of food like pasta. Israel feels this is a security threat. If pasta is a threat, then it will be many years until cement enters Gaza to help rebuild the damaged and destroyed homes. Even though much money is being raised, it will not go to the people who need it. Many of those in Gaza who are homeless as a result of the Israeli bombardment will continue to live in tents, just like it was 1948 all over over again. The borders must be opened.

Aftermath of the Gaza Bombardment: A View from Inside the Wall

2009-02-22T14:19:00.015+01:00

Although we’ve kept in daily contact with MCC partner organizations during the recent Gaza Bombardment, Daryl and Cindy Byler and I were finally granted permits to enter Gaza this week. Our trip was both sobering and inspirational.

In many areas of Gaza, it looked as though a tornado or other natural disaster had occurred.
It was sobering to recognize that humans could inflict this kind of destruction on others within just 22 days.
The devastation became overwhelming as we met with many who had lost their homes, businesses, and sadly, family members.
On the night of January 15, 2009, the nine member family of Mohmammad Mussa Alamor (pictured below), lost their home and automotive shop to a bomb. Later the home was completely destroyed with bulldozers and tanks. Fortunately for them, they escaped to the center of Khan Younis. They are currently living in this shelter.Subha Abed (below) lost her husband who was in their home when it collapsed during an Israeli airstrike. We met her outside her tent where she now lives along with 750 people from her area who are mostly farmers.
She became a refugee in 1948 and was again displaced last month. She asked why the Americans continue to support Israel through this massacre—
“we are just farmers trying to get by.”
The extended family of Abu Eida (below) owned 4 cement plants. During the last days of the bombardment, their business was targeted and all four plants along with equipment were completely destroyed. They were the sole suppliers of cement for Gaza. The family also lost 9 homes and 70 employees lost their jobs. How will rebuilding occur since cement materials are severely restricted at the border?
One day prior to Senator John Kerry’s visit to the American International School of Gaza (below), we were able to see first hand the destruction of this $4 million dollar facility. It is ironic to think that American tax dollars paid for both its construction and destruction.
Selwa (center below) volunteers with MCC Partner Al-Najd. In 2006, her father was killed during an Israeli incursion into the village—he was attempting to gather the children outside the front gate of the house when he was shot and killed. During the most recent incursion during the war on Gaza, her mother hurt her leg running away from the house and her sister was shot through the shoulder. Selwa feels good about her volunteer contributions to her community. She dreams of a country with open borders and good jobs for her and her friends.When we met Selwa’s family (below), her 5 year old brother was very afraid of our intentions. No doubt, his experiences with non-Palestinians up until this point have not been positive. Over 80% of children in Gaza display symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which includes enuresis, nightmares, and a fear of being left alone. Selwa’s mother explained to her son,“these are Mennonites, they will not bring rockets.” Selwa’s mother told us, “We need to live in peace. Survival means more than just money and food, but peaceful living which will help us feel like human beings”.
Children told us of their experiences through drawings.
We were inspired by the strength of those we visited. Their courage and resilience was evident. One taxi cab driver told us that even though his home was destroyed he would rebuild it as many times as necessary.Our partners continue to provide their communities with needed services. Each day Culture and Free Thought Association helps over 250 children work through social and emotional problems by offering activities at their Sunrise & Hope Center (below).During a visit to a school run by Amera Society, we were moved by the children’s hopeful spirits, “We dream of freedom… of a chance for education… of a future,” sang these young girls (below).
MCC & Amera Society’s cookware distribution to 154 families who lost their homes (below), demonstrated a vibrant community spirit.
Mothers who continue to train to provide physical therapy to their disabled children demonstrate a desire to build a better future for society’s most vulnerable (below).
Since children make up over 50% of Gaza’s population, we recognize that their healing is critical to a better future for all of Gaza and Israel. We left confident in the work of our partner organizations and even more conscious of the need for a just and peaceful resolution to this conflict.

60 Minutes Feature--Is Peace out of Reach?

2009-01-29T06:52:00.003+01:00

CBS aired this story on Sunday, January 25th, 2009.

60 minutes provides an overview of the challenges facing those who want peace in this land.

From Gaza

2009-01-16T14:52:00.004+01:00

Earlier today Ryan and I spoke with our friend Majeda El-Saqqa, Director of Public Relations at Culture and Free Thought Association, an MCC partner organization. Over and over Ryan and I have been amazed by the strength and positive outlook of this woman and our conversation with her today only strengthened that perspective. Majeda graciously shares the following notes of experiences over the past few weeks with us offering us a glimpse of life in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

27 December, 2008
I had a strong feeling that the Israelis would attack over the Christmas holidays. I know deep in my heart that the neither EU governments nor the USA will care much about responding. But I also know that the Israelis will calculate to commit their massacres when they have more time. But I didn't imagine for a second it would be like this. At around 11 or 11:30 am, I felt like an earthquake hit Khan Younis with sounds I'd never, ever heard before -- not even when the Israeli occupation forces used sonic booms a few years ago.

First thing that came to my heart was my mother, sisters and the kids at school and kindergarten. I was upstairs rushing to take a hot shower -- I'd been taking cold showers for over a week because it was not sunny enough to heat the water and we didn't have electricity in decent hours or decent power to heat enough water for my luxurious 5 minute shower! I rushed down the steps, faster than the sounds I was hearing. Looked into my sister's eyes, looked into my mother's eyes and, in no time, I ran towards the steps into the garden to go get the kids from kindergarten and school…

My nephew who is six- years-old had exams, so he was back early from school. The other two were at the door. It happened that our neighbor was in town, so he had brought them along with his own child. The kids were scared and talking about the huge sound which they didn't understand. Wael, my 4-year-old nephew didn't understand a thing -- he didn't even know that Israel exists. Now he knows. All of them do.

The whole family didn't know what to do, so we all gathered in the garden. Last time the Israelis attacked, our windows crashed in over our heads and some doors were broken. This time the shelling is stronger, so the best solution seems to be, to stay out in the open. All of that and the noise of the bombing continues, there's smoke around us everywhere and the smell of shelling is back to pollute our life one more time. I was trying for over an hour to call my brother and his family in Gaza city to know that he was safe. Landline and mobile lines were out of service! After an hour we managed to get hold of one of them -- my nephew Azzam, who is working for the UN. He tells me that he's safe at one of the shelters in the UN compound in Gaza. It's the first time I hear that shelters even exist in Gaza!

After two hours, text messages started being delivered and we got responses from everyone that they are safe BUT … everyone his/her own story of this manmade earthquake to tell. Later, we discovered that the bombing happened at the same time in all of Gaza Strip. How lucky my family and I are because we are not among the scores of people killed in the first 5 minutes of the attack! We are lucky, we really are!!!

For the passed 20 days we haven't had cooking gas. Last month my cousin gave us his extra 6 kg to use. This morning, on Black Saturday, the 27th of December, 2008, we managed to get some cooking gas from the black market which I have been trying to avoid all my life. I filled my cousin's and our cylinders, paid four times the price, but I had no choice. At 5 pm I felt it was safe to take the cooking gas cylinder to my cousin's house because the shelling had stopped. The house is only 5 minutes away from us by car. The kids insisted to come and they started to cry, so I took them with me. We drove in a loop around the house and entered the street from behind. But then I remembered that there was a police station there, so I thought it's better to take the other road. I reversed and took the other street to find in front of us an airplane shelling a car. The kids see the flames and hear the sound. They're so scared. I tell them this is fireworks for the New Year.

We couldn't go back to the house because our neighbor's funeral was passing and the street was full of people and cars, so I decided to just go ahead. We gave the cylinder to my cousin and on our way back there was another huge explosion, this one at one of the police posts in the city. We leave the fireworks behind and come home. My mother tells us that the Israelis have just shelled Asda'a Media City, the new entertainment area at the ex-Israeli settlements, at the edge of Khan Younis. Arslan, my 5-year-old nephew, is furious. Arslan, like all other kids, likes this place because it has fish, a small zoo, a small playground and a restaurant. He cries and cries. I cannot promise him anything: "I'm sure we'll find another place that is more beautiful… " We made sure to have the kids fall asleep among us first and then took them upstairs to their beds so they would somehow feel secure. All night I couldn't sleep, hearing the shelling, calling friends and family to make sure they were ok, listening to the radio because there was no electricity to watch TV, and cursing myself for being so stupid as to take the kids out of the house!!! I don't know if I am insensitive, or the Israelis, or the world!!!! Isn't it wise to take kids out?... Of course, it is... But not in Gaza. Not at this time. Nor at other times...

28 December, 2008
In the morning, Wael wakes up and comes to me to show me his finger which is swollen: "Look, this is from the shelling and air strike!"

"When?" I ask.

"Last night when I was sleeping, they hit me."

"You lie," I say.

He smiles and says: "You lie too..."!!!

31 December, 2008
Yesterday night I called my friend Wafa, who is living in Gaza City, in Tel Al- Hawa neighborhood, to check on her. She is fine and they are a lucky family, as she said. Because on Saturday when the first bombing of Gaza Strip started, she had all her doors and windows open since she was about to clean and rearrange her apartment.

None of her windows or doors are broken, unlike all her neighbors, who are now seeking her apartment's refuge on the second floor. Wafa told me that after 7 pm all the neighbors gather in her small apartment, men in one room and women in the other room. I could hear the crying of children and anxious noises coming through the phone line.

"Mira my daughter is the one who is scared," Wafa told me. "You remember her, right? I thought if I take her out to see the reality of Gaza she might be less scared because we're all living same situation and I'm sure we're better off than others. So I took her for a walk around the neighborhood. I wish I hadn't!" "When I saw what I saw, I got scared myself," Wafa explained. "I wanted to blindfold her eyes and run back home. I cursed myself for taking her out of the apartment. But I'd never imagined Gaza could become a ghost city in less than a day! If you see our neighborhood you will not recognize it." Wafa added hysterically: "You know, Majeda, we are all fine. Really. Our only problem is that we don't get any electricity since the bombings on the first day. Since then I make the bread dough and send it to my neighbor in the building nearby to have it baked. They have a power generator, thank god!" "To be honest, the bread, the cold, buildings and all of that are not the problem for us today," Wafa told me. "Our real problem is that we have this rocket which did not explode in front of the building."

"What rocket?"

"The F16 rocket. We called several people but no one can do anything about it, they are worried it will explode or the F16 will hit them if they go near it."

"You mean it's still in front of the building?!"

'No, not right in front now. The Civil Defense came and tied a rope around it and moved it up toward the road."

"They put some sand over it so no kids or others would get hurt."

2 January, 2009
Wael woke up really angry with me this morning. He came to me frowning and, as he hugged me, he said: "I don't want to give you a hug or kiss you today."

I ask why.

"You promised us a Christmas tree and you didn't get one. You promised to take me to the beach when it rains and you didn't. You promised we would watch the birds in the sky and now you won't even allow us to move from the living room and play in the garden."

Wael loves to watch birds. For the last six days, every day he looks up at the sky and wonders why the birds take so long to go to their nests. He tells me that every day birds used to go to their homes directly, only maybe once or twice would they fly around the house. Yesterday Wael was watching his birds and all of a sudden an F16 started roaming about, occupying the sky. The birds flew from right to left and then back again -- every time they found a safe area in the sky an airplane would drop another shell and the birds would flee to the other side. In the beginning, Wael was laughing and he called all his brothers to watch how the birds were dislocated. But today Wael is really angry; he feels that the birds are not safe.

Wael tells me: "Last night when I went to sleep the airplane hit my finger again. I know you don't believe me, but it fell down and set fire to our garden. I could smell the fire.

"What did you do?"

"I was looking for my airplane to go up and take all the birds to their mother because they were calling me to help them."

"Did you help them?"

He gives me a very angry look and says, "Of course not!"

"Why?"

"Because you didn't buy me an airplane, so I couldn't do anything for them and they are really angry with me."

I look at Wael:"Listen, I promise you when this war is over I will buy you a very big airplane,with a remote control."

He asks: "What is war?"

"War is what we are living now. Like what you saw in your dream."

"And why would any one make this war?"

I think that he's got the idea and then he continues: "Why would anyone not want the birds to go back to their nests?"

I look at Wael and say: "For now I will give you a hug and you will forgive me for all the bad things I did in the last few days. I have to do some work... we will continue later..."

He is happy with my new promise and I am happy I've managed to cut the conversation short.

4 January, 2009
Yesterday was most awful day we ever lived, I think. My mother said even the 1967 War was not this bad. No electricity, very little water, freezing cold and most horrific was the cold accompanied by the live war orchestra.

Tanks bombing from the ground incursion, F16s bombing, the drone which keeps going around in circles all day and night non-stop, making this annoying sound as if there is a bee just at the edge of your ear. And added to all of this, the sound of shelling from the sea. War melody, is what I want to call it. Like this I can answer Wael's questions. He keeps asking: What is war? Why is war? Who started war? Why is war? Maybe if I add the word melody, he'll ask about what a melody is...

Unfortunately, Wael doesn't ask about melody. Instead, he keeps asking: Why does the pilot want to kill the birds? Why does the pilot hate birds? Maybe he doesn’t know that they have a life like us... I 'm shocked by his question: "Maybe he doesn’t know that birds have a life."

I ask Wael to come inside because it's freezing cold outside. His birds are no longer in the sky. "Come let's play the Alaska game!"
"What is Alaska?"
"It's a new game we'll all play with grandmother. Each of us has her/his own blanket to cover all of the body from head to toe." I don't know if we were trying to warm ourselves or trying to hide from all the bombing... Whatever it was, it felt better since there was no electricity and no birds in the sky comforting us.
"Ok, Wael, you are the head of the state of Alaska, and we are the people of Alaska. What do you order us to do?" I started the game...
"I order you to go to the shop and buy me an airplane, a cage and seeds," he said, sucking on his thumb.
"Why?" I ask. "You need to explain to me."
"I want to fly up, up, up -- till I reach god! I will bring all my birds, and put them in a cage. I'll fly again, and I'll catch the pilot. I will bring him here and give him the seeds to feed the birds." I look at Wael as the bombing continues, he's quite anxious.

...And I thought the Alaska game could bring some kind of creative ideas to bring warmth to our bodies and some life under this bombardment.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a very smart idea. So I just obeyed my mother's order: we all got closer to each other and created a net of hugs that really brought warmth to our life and very little security. We kept listening to the melody coming from outside and we started to count the bombs out loud; 1, 2, 3, ... 28, ... 32 .... The kids don't know how to continue counting after 50, so we stopped. We have to keep the door and windows open because the shelling of the F16 can shatter the door and window panes. It happened before, in March 2008, when they hit the building in front of us. But then there was glass available in the market. This time there is nothing, which means we might spend the whole winter with no doors and panes for the windows. Let's be in control for a change and choose to open the windows and doors. A very long 5 hours passes by and the situation is still the same. The only change we witness is an extra sound added to the orchestra: the sound of ambulances going up and down.

I ask the kids to sleep on the first floor with all of us. Wael refuses. He keeps saying: I'll sleep in my bed, because if I don't, the pilot will hit our apartment. I try to convince him that if we are all together, then we'll feel warmer. He finally agrees. But then he keeps asking to go upstairs to check on his bed, his room, his toys, his schoolbag. In the end it seems safer to just let him stay in one place, so his family goes upstairs, even though it's colder and more dangerous. After everyone went to sleep, the electricity came on. It had been almost 24 hours we'd spent without electricity. I tried to take full advantage of it. First thing: hot shower. But unfortunately, it didn't work because the current wasn't powerful enough to heat the water. So I sat at the computer, finished some work that needed to be done, wrote emails to friends and family outside Palestine to try and comfort them and assure them that we had survived one more day under this war on Gaza.

5 January, 2008
Just before going to bed Wael says: "Actually, I like war."

I ask why.

"Because I don't have to wash my face and hands. I don't have to wash my
hands and face in this cold. And I don't have to go to kindergarten in the
morning."

"But you won't be able to count the bombs... if you don't go to kindergarten,
because you'll only be able to count until 50."

"I don't like to count bombs anyway," he answers and goes up the steps.

I feel how stupid I am to make this little boy count bombs. I'm so angry with
myself.

Wael comes back and says: "I want to ask you: if a boy and his father are made
out of iron, will the rocket affect them?"

"Yes," I answer.

"And if they are made out of wood?"

"Yes," I answer.

"And if they are made out of tree?"

Suddenly I recognize that I must say no, so he can sleep...

Peace and Security for All

2009-01-14T19:24:00.002+01:00

The following article was written by Rev. Alex Awad, Dean of Students, Bethlehem Bible College and Pastor of East Jerusalem Baptist Church

Regarding Gaza

December 31, 2008

One hundred tons of bombs are Israel’s way of saying to the captive citizens of Gaza, Merry Christmas, Happy Eid (feast) and Happy New Year. These “gifts” that were showered from US-made F-16 fighter jets demolished government buildings, mosques, a university, hundreds of homes and snuffed out many lives – among them scores of children. Like many in this part of the world and around the globe my heart aches when I read and see pictures of the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip and likewise when I see Israelis killed or injured by Qassam rockets. However, I have a special love for Gaza and its people. Before the strict closure of Gaza, Bethlehem Bible College used to have an extension there. I went to Gaza once every Thursday to teach our students and often I stayed the night there. Interacting with Gazans in class, in church and in the community, I learned much about the kindness and the hospitality of the people of Gaza, both Muslims and Christians. The majority of the people of Gaza are not Hamas militants. They are people like you and I who long to live in peace day in and day out. Regretfully, everyone in the Gaza Strip--men, women, children, civilians and fighters alike—is now feeling the horrible impact and devastation caused by the newest and deadliest Israeli incursion over the Strip in many years.

There is no doubt that the Qassam rockets launched against the western Negev and Ashkelon by Islamic militants linked to Hamas cause great pain and anxiety for many Israelis. Most people agree that Israel, like any other country, has the right to defend itself from outside attacks. However in this unequal conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israel, as usual, has overdone it. When it comes to dealing with its enemies, Israel has a pattern of being extreme. “An eye for an eye” does not satisfy. It has to be more like one hundred eyes for one eye and one hundred teeth for one tooth. When the Israelis attacked Lebanon in June 2006, they sprayed the country with millions of cluster bombs (which are internationally banned) and these bombs continue to kill innocent people even today. What troubles me most in this current war is that most of the victims of this Israeli incursion on Gaza are average people-men, women and children--who are struggling to just to survive under the extreme and harsh conditions that the Israeli siege has created. For 40 years the Gaza Strip has been under Israeli occupation and during the last few years, although the Israelis redeployed their troops from Gaza, they never withdrew the symbols of their dominance and occupation. They continue to control the borders, which mean controlling food, medicine, fuel and goods going in and out of the Strip. In essence, they have turned Gaza into the largest open-air prison in the world.

If the Israeli leaders assume that they can assure the security of their citizens by the might and the power of their superior army and air force, they are mistaken. The outrage caused among the peoples in the Arab and Islamic world by these horrible attacks will most likely blow dark clouds over the skies of Israel or elsewhere in the world.

Israel should learn to negotiate with its neighbors in good faith. Negotiating in good faith means implementing UN resolutions, ending the occupation of the West Bank, opening the borders of the Gaza Strip to the rest of the world and stopping military incursions into the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The rise of Hamas and militancy in Gaza is directly related to a vacuum that Israel and the United States have created by dragging their feet in never-ending and fruitless peace negotiations with moderate Palestinians. As long as Israel continues to place obstacles on the path of the peace process and as long as the US continues to allow it to do so, we can expect new outbursts of violence in the Middle East that will cause more horrors and waste more lives on both sides of the political divide.

The Israelis have the right to live in peace and security and so do the people of Gaza. I call on you, friends, to pray for the civilians on both sides who are caught in this nightmare. In addition to praying, let us protest these lethal bombs with a barrage of our own letters to our elected leaders calling for an end to this human tragedy.

There will only be peace when there is justice.

2009-01-06T23:07:00.006+01:00

We have just returned from a month-long holiday vacation in the states. Our time with friends and family was precious and rejuvenating, but we were also saddened by the escalation of the conflict in Gaza. While we were gone, Bassem, our co-worker stayed in touch with our Gaza partners daily most of whom continued to work from home while trying to survive.

Of course we tried to monitor things from the U.S., but we became frustrated as the media reports were often biased towards Israel. We followed articles in the local paper that demonized the Palestinians and wondered why people could not come to the same conclusion as Dr. Martin Luther King: "Violence begets violence". Our country's (the only one out of 15 members of the United Nations) refusal to sign a resolution calling for a cease-fire on both sides also was especially troubling.

In the end, we decided to write the following letter to the editor of our local paper:

January 6, 2009

Our family is serving with Mennonite Central Committee in the Middle East and we have lived in East Jerusalem for the past year and a half. We have many friends, both Israeli and Palestinian, but it saddens us to see the recent violence in Gaza and the portrayal of Palestinians in the media. We were particularly troubled by one of the recent Editorials in the January 6th edition of the Tribune Democrat.

While the majority of Palestinians want peace, the news media here leads the public to believe that all Palestinians are terrorists and they want to destroy Israel. This cannot be farther from the truth. We know many Christian and Muslim Palestinians who want the same things many of us want. That is to take care of their children and provide them with a quality education. They want them to have a future, just like any of us.

The media often fails to describe the realities of life for those living in Gaza. This small area which is twice the size of Washington D.C. is completely encircled with a 26 foot high wall (twice the height of the Berlin Wall) and Israel completely controls all aspects of life for the people of Gaza (land, sea, air). For example, 80% of the population in Gaza relies on food assistance and there is over 50% unemployment. In addition, Israel routinely continues to cutoff or delay vital food, fuel, and electricity supplies. Also, Israel has not allowed badly needed parts to enter Gaza to fix the sewage treatment plants. As a result, approximately 40 million liters of sewage is being pumped into the Mediterranean on a daily basis. I was last in Gaza in July of 2008 and witnessed the devastating impact of these measures on Palestinians. Not only do Palestinians in this region live in fear of death, but many have lost family members due to the conflict. The continued closure of Gaza is one of the main reasons last year’s ceasefire was not successful. The situation in Gaza did not improve for Palestinians after the treaty was signed in June 2008. Furthermore, Israel failed to initiate a political solution to the conflict in Gaza during this period. It chooses instead to solve the conflict militarily which will only create more followers of extremism.

As people of faith, we care deeply about the welfare of both Israelis and Palestinians and deplore the violent deaths of those caught in this conflict. We reject all justifications for the unconscionable Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza into Israel. We similarly reject the Israeli response as disproportionate and believe that it is likely to strengthen extremists and undermine moderates in the region.

It is not enough for the United States to urge "Israel to avoid civilian targets," particularly in light of Israel's stated intention to continue, expand, and intensify its current offensive. The United States did not act in the best interest of either Israel or the Palestinian people by voting against this week’s U.N. resolution which called for an immediate ceasefire on both sides. If this spiraling violence continues, both Palestinians and Israelis will suffer and the risk of a broader confrontation will increase. There can be no military solution to this conflict. Only a political solution will bring a durable peace to both Palestinians and Israelis. If the U.S does not encourage Israel to pursue peace through diplomatic efforts, it surely will not come in bombing each other’s children. There will only be peace in Israel/Palestine when there is justice.

Sincerely,

Ryan and Heather Lehman

Speechless after witnessing a home demolition

2008-11-20T14:39:00.006+01:00

While on my way to visit one of the MCC partners on Tuesday, I drove behind Hebrew University Mt Scopus Campus (less than 1 mile from our home) and came upon 20-30 military jeeps and police cars. As we drove past, Bassem, our locally hired MCC employee, and I looked at each other and said,"home demolition". As I drove, my stomach was sick with the thought that another family would be homeless tonight. I decided to call Jeff Halper, Director of MCC partner, Israel Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD), to see if he was aware of it. Jeff answered his cell phone and after some brief small talk, I asked him if he was aware of the high military presence behind Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus Campus. Jeff said that he had not heard about this, but that he would contact his office right away to get a witnessing presence at the sight. Jeff happened to be speaking at the Sabeel conference at 11:00 and thus would not be able to go. As I was talking to Jeff my phone ran out of minutes.

It was about 20 minutes later when I heard from my friend Allyn Dhynes of World Vision. He asked if I was aware of the demolition and if I could go with him to the site. I told him that we happened to be visiting a partner for the day and I could not. Allyn went on to say that he had heard from Jeff Halper of the potential demolition.

Housing demolitions are on the rise because of all things-- the Israeli Fiscal Year is almost over and they have to spend the budget line for demolitions before the year's end.

When will these senseless acts end? Do these demolitions make Israel more secure?

Below is the account of the demolition as seen through the eyes of Jennifer and Allyn from World Vision.

From the field- Speechless after witnessing a home demolition

By Jennifer Chiodo, Advocacy/Communications Assistant, WV Jerusalem

What do you say to the man who just watched his family's home destroyed by bulldozers sent by Israeli security forces? Looking into his face just moments after the dust settled I glimpsed his pain and devastation. "Asfe (Sorry)" felt so inadequate as I looked into his heartbroken eyes, which returned unspoken thanks for my small offer of sympathy.

This east Jerusalem family is homeless tonight. What did they do to deserve this? They built a home without a permit as many are forced to do. Since 1967, Israel has implemented a policy of planning, development, and building that restricts Palestinians from constructing buildings and planning cities while simultaneously establishing and expanding Jewish settlements.

More than 12,000 Palestinian homes have been demolished since 1967, rendering an estimated 70,000 homeless according to the Israeli Committee against Home Demolitions (ICAHD).

Many homes are demolished for 'administrative' reasons, i.e. building without a permit as is the case for the Abu Sneineh family. The United Nation's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that 94% of Palestinians in Jerusalem who apply for permits are denied.

B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, gives three overall reasons for home demolitions—as a political act (to make room for bypass, or restricted access roads in the West Bank, to remove Palestinians from land near Israeli settlements), as an act of reprisal (in response to a Palestinian attack on Israeli civilians or if they are built without a permit), and as a policy of discrimination (Israeli settlers also build without permits, but the authorities often look the other way and retroactively approve building plans).

The Abu Sneineh family built its 170 square metre house in 2001 in Al 'Eisawiya, a Palestinian neighborhood in east Jerusalem valley behind Hebrew University. A demolition order was issued in February 2007 and Monday night municipality representatives visited, informing them of the 'eviction'.

We heard the sound of the bulldozers before we could see them as we arrived at around 10:30am on Tuesday morning. It sent a chill through my bones. We watched from the main road as the destruction got underway. Not a single stone was left unturned. There was still food in the refrigerator.

The family of six, including a 15-year-old is now left with only the clothes on their backs. When we asked where they would go, the father responded that they would probably sleep in a tent that night. The mother was too distraught to be present immediately afterwards. One of the sons, aged 21, along with his cousin (also 21) was arrested when they tried to stop the demolition from taking place.

In recent days, Israel has demolished numerous Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. ICAHD reports five Palestinian structures (four houses and one banquet hall) were destroyed from November 6-8 alone.

At the international conference in Annapolis one year ago, Israel reaffirmed its commitment to the Road Map, part of which includes halting "confiscation and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and property" and "freez[ing] all settlement activity." The number of houses destroyed this year already surpasses that of 2007. Since Annapolis, 94 Palestinian homes have been destroyed in east Jerusalem and 235 in the remainder of the West Bank, compared to 78 in east Jerusalem and 208 in the West Bank in 2007 according to ICAHD.

The sun has already set as I write this at 5pm. My heart goes out to this family—and to the 329 other families who have endured this unnecessary tragedy in 2008 alone. I can't even imagine how it would feel to be in their shoes. May God grant them grace in the difficult time ahead and may He grant us courage to speak out against unjust policies and such deplorable acts.

By the time we arrived, the demolition was underway. Jamal, the owner of the house, just moments after it was destroyed.

Where the house stood this morning, all that is left is rubble. Mahmoud, 11, a neighbour boy looks at the destruction.

A Day of Olive Picking

2008-11-05T10:42:00.018+01:00

This week we had a chance to support one of our partners, Rabbis for Human Rights, as we participated in a day of olive harvesting. It was a good way for local Israelis and internationals to support the local Palestinians. The harvest took place in the West Bank close to the Israeli settlement called Ma'ale Levona and also a local outpost. This is north of the West Bank city of Ramallah. The settlements begin as outposts with a group of settlers setting-up trailers on a hillside. Later, they become established settlements as Israel provides supports such as roads, water, fencing, and electricity to the sites. This is how outposts become permanent and how settlements are established all over the West Bank. All settlements are consider illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Palestinians often find themselves separated from their land or given only limited access when a settlement moves in. Sometimes families must obtain permits and are only given a brief period of time to harvest their olives. Rabbis for Human Rights provides much needed help and support to Palestinian families during these times.

On this day, we followed Rabbi Arik Asherman to the site of the harvest. When we arrived, we were met by the police and military. Rabbi Asherman helps to coordinte groups with the authorities to provide support to Palestinians who are oftened harassed and attacked by settlers. Sometimes it takes a little extra convincing to insure that they can offer help.

The human rights group Yesh Din on Monday criticized the government for its "faulty" methods of dealing with settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Only 8 percent of Palestinian complaints of settler violence result in indictment, according to the report, which was released on Monday November 3rd.

Prior to that, on Sunday, November 2nd, Israel decided to cut off all funding for illegal settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank in response to an escalation of settler attacks on its security forces. The decision would apply to the more than 100 wildcat outposts considered illegal under Israeli law, but not to the more than 120 "official" settlements. It is important to remember that the international community considers all West Bank settlements to be illegal.

It was a privilege to serve alongside Rabbis for Human Rights to build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians. Perhaps seeing a man in a kippa helping to harvest olives will help this Palestinian family break down stereotypes about Israelis and may also give them hope for a shared future between the two groups.

The Heart of the Conflict

2008-10-24T17:30:00.008+02:00

There is no issue in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict that is more explosive that the status of Jerusalem. Although the topic is often set aside during negotiations because of its contentious nature, there are some who believe that the city which represents “the heart of the conflict" must be the starting point for negotiations. Ir Amim (which means "city of peoples" in Hebrew) is a local Israeli organization that promotes this belief and is working towards creating a stable reality for all the peoples of Jerusalem. Today, I had the opportunity to join Ir Amim on a tour of Jerusalem, revisit the wall which surrounds much of eastern part of the city, and more closely examine the current realities "on the ground" that are working against a future compromise and hopes for a viable Palestinian state. Because most of the tour's participants were Israelis who had never or perhaps infrequently visited this part of the city, it was also an opportunity for me to gain a better understanding of the Israeli perspective.

Following the Second Intifada that occurred in 2002, construction on the "separation barrier" began for the purpose of providing security to the Israeli population. Yet the current route of the wall grabs undeveloped West Bank territory for the purpose of Israeli development, includes the major settlement blocks of Gush Etzion, Maale Adumiim, and Pisgat Ze'ev (some of which are quite some distance from the city center and excludes Palestinian neighborhoods like Abu Dis and Azaryia which had traditionally been considered suburbs of the city.

The Wall as a Tool for Land Confiscation. Hailed as Jerusalem's fastest growing neighborhood, Har Homa offers Israelis "all the staples anyone could ask for: health services, supermarket (with many American foods), pizza, and falafel stores plus regular bus service throughout the day are easily available. Residents are friendly and eager to welcome newcomers. Sitting atop a mountain overlooking Ramat Rachel and Bethlehem, residents enjoy breathtaking views and breathe fresh mountain air daily. There are playgrounds and greenery scattered throughout and many more on the way. All the homes are new and more are planned to meet the growing demand." Subsidized housing makes this settlement appealing to many Israeli Jerusalemites. What developers don't mention is the fact that this land was once West Bank territory--a forested area that provided an open recreational space to the residents of the crowded city of Bethlehem. Confiscation of the area by the Israeli government, development and now adoption into the city of the Jerusalem as a result of the wall insures that Palestinians of Bethlehem and the West Bank will never again be able use the area to hike and picnic.

The Wall as a Tool for Exclusion of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and from One Another. In the Shofat Refugee Camp, an area clearly within the municipal boundary, residents maintain Jerusalem ID status, but the path of the wall now limits access to the city and essentially declares a new municipal boundary. Many Palestinians are moving inside the wall to hold on to their Jerusalem ID card, but this has only added to the East Jerusalem housing shortage, and contributed to overcrowding and economic decline. A similar situation has occured in fringe Palestinian neighborhoods which surround the city like Abu Dis, Azaryia, and Kafr 'Aqb; half of the residents are included in the city and half are cut off. From a security standpoint, there has been no evidence to suggest that those living outside of the wall have engaged in more violent activity than those living on Jerusalem's side of the wall. There is evidence to suggest ulterior motives for the path of the wall.

The Wall as a Tool to Shape Future Borders and Create Irreversible Facts on the Ground. In Abu Dis the wall not only cuts through the community but also runs just in front of the Palestinian Authority's Parliament Building which was to serve as the Palestinian seat of authority of East Jerusalem. Was the path of the wall in this place chosen as a way to prohibit a future Palestinian capitol in East Jerusalem? The question must be asked.
The development of Maale Adumiim, the large settlement block to the east of the city, essentially divides the Northern part of the West Bank from the Southern part making a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult.

Although these tours are often difficult for anyone, I was encouraged this time by the reactions of some of the tour's participants. Many were disturbed by the obvious lack of social services provided to the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem who pay the same taxes as residents of the Western side of the city. Garbage pickup is clearly less frequent, antiquated water and sewage lines are in desperate need of repair, streets are in need of paving and lights, sidewalks are infrequent, and few playgrounds exist. Education is a huge problem as well. Approximately 1500 classrooms are needed in East Jerusalem and although the Ministry of Education has promised to provide these facilities, they have been slow to act. Many Palestinians are forced to provide private educations for their children, yet Israeli children in West Jerusalem receive these services free. Further, the municipality has refused to zone portions of East Jerusalem, making construction for Palestinians on this side of town illegal. Obviously there is a huge disparity between the city's treatment of its Israeli and Palestinian residents. Many of the tour's participants acknowledged that this could not be morally justified.

Some questioned why so many decisions are made between private individuals and the municipality without public debate. "After all, these decisions affect us all," said one participant. A few recognized that the current realities only aggravate strained Palestinian Israeli relationships and will not lead to a more secure Israeli State. Perhaps tours like this will encourage more Israelis to become better educated about the realities of the current situation and call their own government into accountability for its actions.

Perseverance

2008-09-26T01:05:00.003+02:00

Although Ramadan in East Jerusalem is a special time, we have to admit that we dread the Fridays of Ramadan. During those days the injustice and oppression of the occupation seems to be amplified in East Jerusalem. We knew from our experiences last year that it is best to stay home on these days, but somehow our schedules this year didn’t allow us this luxury. Three Fridays ago we were reminded how frustrating it can be to move through the city. Roads were closed with yellow tape and gated barriers and checkpoints were set up to cut off entrances to the city from the suburbs. Soldiers and police seemed to occupy every corner and intersection. Palestinian pedestrians hoping to worship at Al-Aqsa waited at the various checkpoints while their IDs were held and examined. Most were turned away. Although we expected all of this, seeing it all again, first hand, brought out fresh anger. At times like this, the impossibility of life here and its injustices can feel overpowering. The recognition that generations of Palestinians have experienced this kind of oppression in various forms and that the situation only seems to be worsening has moved us this past year to ask some questions about perseverance. How do we develop hope that is deeper than just easy optimism or a “don’t worry, be happy” outlook? How do we maintain hope as we wait for God to fulfill his promises? How can we express hope to those around us?

Along side this process of questioning we have also observed and wondered over the Palestinian spirit of perseverance and resistance. Palestinians are often perceived by the outside world as either terrorists or powerless victims, but our impression of many Palestinians does not fit either one of these stereotypes. “Sumoud” is an Arabic word that expresses a spirit of steadfastness and perseverance. Its usage emerged among the Palestinian people during the experience of occupation as they sought ways to hold onto their land and also searched for ways to build alternative institutions that would help them resist and undermine the occupation. It incorporates an “attitude of patience and persistence, of not giving up, despite the odds”. From some of our Palestinian Christian friends like Naim Ateek of Sabeel, and Jean Zaru, Clerk of the Quaker Meetinghouse in Ramallah, we have learned about the nonviolent expression of “sumoud” and the development of steadfastness as a result of faith in God and a deep rootedness in his promises of mercy, compassion, and justice.

There are various symbols used to represent the concept of “Sumoud,” but one of the most powerful is the image of the olive tree. As you know, olive trees tolerate drought well, thanks to their sturdy and extensive root system. Further, olive trees can be exceptionally long-lived, up to several centuries, and can remain productive for as long.

There is a story that demonstrates both the endurance of the olive tree and the spirit of sumoud among Palestinians. For years now, residents of Tuwani, a small Palestinian village in the South Hebron Hills have endured harassment and aggression from residents of the surrounding Israeli settlements who aim to chase away the village’s residents and claim land. Tuwani’s children have been attacked while on their way to school, sheep have been poisoned and homes destroyed. In fact, the presence of CPT and Operation Dove in this community was established to support the community’s efforts towards non-violent resistance and bring international attention to the situation. On one particular occasion, settlers cut down an entire grove of olive trees. All 102 mature fruit-bearing trees were cut off at the middle of the trunk. This was a tremendous blow to the small village which not only depended on the olives and oil for nourishment, but also sold these products to supplement their impoverished household incomes. It seemed to the CPTers that the grove was destroyed, but the next day, the villagers carefully put the trees back on their trunks and carefully bound them in place. Over time many of the trees were grafted back into the trunks. Not only did they survive, but they thrived and continued to provide their life-giving and healing products to the villagers.

Our faith journey over this past year, which includes the observation of sumoud among our neighbors, opportunities to hear stories of perseverance from Palestinian Christians, and time in the scriptures have lead us to revisit and also discover several practical exercises that are helping us develop perseverance in our own lives. It is certainly not a complete or original list, but perhaps it will be an encouragement to you.

Spend time seeking the presence God. There are many valuable activities that help us care for ourselves physically and emotionally, but intimacy with God as experienced through prayer and meditation deeply roots our spirits in His abundant power and gives us strength for living. This is not a new concept for any of us, but it’s something that should not be overlooked. We all have to work at maintaining a prayerful spirit and arranging our schedules and activities so that prayer becomes a priority, because it’s very easy to let many worthwhile activities take precedent over our time with Him or to allow thought patterns to disrupt our focus on Him. Like the olive tree whose deep roots allow it to withstand drought, extreme heat, severe pruning, and sometimes neglect, speaking directly with God, opening ourselves to the new life He offers, and simply resting in His presence gives us the strength we need to persevere through difficult times.

Praise God daily. Another very important exercise in developing perseverance includes praising God daily. The Psalms teach us that our praise should not be a result of our circumstances, but should come from an inner recognition of God’s character and being. When the writers of the Psalms pour out their hearts on the dark topics of fear, sorrow, loss, frustration, and abandonment they still end with an offering of praise. The book of Lamentations recognizes this truth when the speaker says “The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is bitterness and gall”— “My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me…But this I call to mind,” he says, “and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:19-23). Praise can sometimes be difficult in the midst of seemingly impossible situations, but when we praise Him, we explore who He is and what He has done and this enables us to trust him. Praise clarifies our minds and strengthens our wills.

Encourage one another through stories of God’s faithfulness. As people of God, we must appreciate that the Story of God’s grace is written out not only on the pages of scripture, but also on the pages of our own lives. If you look at those around you will see other important characters in God's story. Jesus invites us to be alive to the Spirit which blows through our own lives, to recognize his presence and our interaction with him, and then we are commanded to encourage each other with our stories of these experiences. This allows us to see the kingdom of God at hand and gives us hope. Hebrews 3:13 also explains how this prevents hardness, which includes feelings of fear, isolation, powerlessness, bitterness and hopelessness, from taking root in our hearts.

Recognize that there is always a choice. Violent actions most often come from those who have given up and believe the lie that “they have no choice.” But each day we are presented with a choice: we must choose whether or not we will nurture intimacy with God, praise Him and share the stories of God’s workings in our lives. The practice of these exercises gives us hope, which in turn empowers us to recognize that we also have the choice to hold on to what is good, to love deeply, to walk with our neighbors through joy and pain, to offer hospitality, to exercise humility, to practice charity, to bless our enemies, to see beauty in everyone, and to live in harmony (Rom. 12:14-21).

Incompatible US Policies

2008-09-15T18:57:00.011+02:00

MCC recently ran across a Reuters article entitled “U.S. tax breaks help Jewish Settlers in the West Bank” (Aug. 25, 2008). Reuters’ review of U.S. tax records found 13 tax-exempt organizations openly linked to settlements that have raised more than $35 million in the last five years alone. One particular fund, The Hebron Fund, supports the most extreme and violent settlers. Even among many Israelis, Hebron settlers are viewed as radical extremists -- just as the majority of Palestinians view suicide bombers as extremists. Both radical groups use violence to achieve their purposes and fail to see the humanity of the other. Just as the U.S. government would never offer tax incentives to charities that support violence against Israelis by Palestinians, it should not support violent actions against Palestinians by Israeli settlers.

It appears that U.S. charitable tax exemption practices are undermining U.S. foreign policy by making settlements in the West Bank stronger and a peace deal less likely. We encourage you to write letters to your Representatives asking them address this inconsistency. If there is any hope of a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, the United States must consistently support peace in all of its policies and practices.

In the Reuters article, a State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, is quoted as saying that tax and legal issues are not the concern of the State Department. This response is less than satisfactory – and is in fact inconsistent with the State Department’s concerns about charitable deductions for organizations that are believed to undermine U.S. security interests.

Our government has recently spent a great deal of energy in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. How unfortunate that the U.S. government is granting tax exemptions to groups that are undermining that work and the cause of peace.

Reuters Article

East Jerusalem: Urban Planning or Ethnic Cleansing?

2008-08-08T12:51:00.004+02:00

As a part of urban planning and land use development in communities around the world, building permits are required to ensure public safety, health, and welfare as they are affected by building construction. In East Jerusalem, however, building permits appear to have a different purpose.

A complicated and lengthy application process along with fees as high as $25,000 make obtaining a building permit almost out of reach for many Palestinians and very few permits are actually issued. In addition, Palestinians are only permitted to build one- or two-storey buildings, while adjacent Israeli housing units may have up to eight floors. With a housing density double that of Israeli’s, 11.9 square meters per person in Palestinian neighborhoods compared to 23.8 in Israeli neighborhoods, Palestinians are often forced to build “illegally” without permits. The Jerusalem Municipality enforces the building laws by issuing demolition orders for all houses built without a permit. In recent months we have seen a significant increase in home demolitions among Palestinians in East Jerusalem for this reason.

Just two months ago, a nearby house owned by the Ibrahim Ghazlan Al Abbasi family was demolished because they did not have a permit. One month following the demolition Al Abbasi died of a heart attack and shortly thereafter the family decided to come together to rebuild the home. We watched the four walls of the new structure go up over the past month, but this past week the backhoes returned and the new structure was again demolished. Also within the last week, a five-story building in the nearby neighborhood of Beit Hanina was demolished leaving 70 Palestinians homeless. It is important to underscore the fact that these are not isolated incidents. Nearly 80 businesses and homes have been demolished since the beginning of this year and earlier this summer the municipality announced plans to demolish 47 of the 88 homes in the neighborhood of Silwan.

At the same time, illegal Israeli settlements continue to be built and expanded in East Jerusalem. In January 2008, just two months after Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations in Annapolis, the Israeli government announced plans to build 300 new apartments at the Har Homa settlement in occupied East Jerusalem. Settlement expansion is also being encouraged in the Palestinian neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah where a court order threatens the evacuation of 27 homes.

Yet Palestinians and internationals are not the only critics of the municipality’s ethnic cleansing program. In protest of the destruction of property and confiscation of homes, Rabbi Meir Hirsh, a leading rabbinical figure, issued the following statement: “Torah Jewry condemns the illegitimate occupation of Palestinian land and the subjugation of Palestinians throughout the Holy Land…What a very different world it would be if all Jews would seek to emulate the traits of Abraham our forefather. Then respect would begat respect and love would yield love and peoples would once again live as true neighbors as we did in the decades before Zionism sought the dispossession of people…We all hope and pray for the day to come, that we all may yet live in peace in the land of our mutual forefather Abraham, under the moral laws of the Almighty.”

As Christians, as messengers of life, healing, and peace between peoples, we must oppose violence in all forms, whether suicide bombings, or ethnic cleansing which destroys homes, tears away the hope of a people, and hinders peace. As Americans whose tax dollars support Israel, it is our duty to call upon our government to hold the nation of Israel accountable for actions that contradict the democratic principles we value.

Although this video is a year old it gives some insight on the problem.

Visit to Gaza--Part 2

2008-08-02T12:31:00.013+02:00

The remainder of our time in Gaza was spent visiting two additional partner organizations, Al Najd and Amira Society. Al Najd, which means “to rescue,” has been working to improve food security by distributing animals like rabbits and chickens to residents of Gaza City and the surrounding area. As the animals reproduce, families are able to feed themselves. Most of our time with them was spent visiting beneficiaries.

Four chickens and a rooster recently received by the Jazzih Hamdunah of Gaza City are now beginning to help feed all thirteen members of his family. Jazzih, his wife, and children proudly showed us their chicken pens located on the roof of their home and were very happy to tell us that earlier that day a chicken had produced the first four eggs. In Beit Hanoun, we visited the home of Watfa Ilbeh who holds her family together since her husband died three months ago during an Israeli air-strike. Watfa and her children are very thankful for the rabbits she received from Al Najd that help her feed her family. Watfa is also was very proud of her son—Ahmad, who was the top academic performer in his school this year. Ahmad introduced us to one of the rabbits named Mish Mish. In Arabic, “mish mish” means “apricot”. Also a recipient of rabbits, the Zanin family of Beit Hanoun, showed us their rabbit pens, but they also offered us a glimpse into the life of those situated close to the wall. Shrapnel embedded in a bedroom door and holes in the walls evidenced the violent exchanges of rocket fire and shelling. Once surrounded by fruit trees of all kinds, the land surrounding their home has leveled by Israeli tanks in order to rid the area of “hiding places.” This family of nine is just trying to survive.

On Wednesday we spent the day with Amera Society, another partner organization that provides meals to schoolchildren in the Khan Younis area of the Gaza Strip. The founder and director, Imm Ali, and the children welcomed us to their center with songs and flowers, which was a very humbling experience. We met with the teachers from four of the fourteen kindergartens Amera serves. They expressed appreciation for meals and described the change in health, concentration and energy levels of the children since the program began. A secondary benefit of the program has been an improvement in behavior and in relationships between the children. Before the schools started receiving the meals the children would fight over food—some would bring lunches, but many could not. Now there is enough for everyone. The teachers told us how the parents have expressed appreciation and thankfulness for the meals, which satisfy their children and make them happy. The children expressed their thanks by hugging their teachers.

Aside from this project, Amera Society also helped distribute relief kits, food kits, health kits, school kits, and blankets this past spring. Imm Ali took us on a walking tour of the community allowing us to visit many of the beneficiaries of the relief project. Imm Ali reminds me of Mother Teresa as she seeks out the poor and disadvantaged. I was moved by her sense of compassion for those in need. One of our stops was at the home of Ibrahim Saqer who proudly displayed the blankets they received throughout their home. Unfortunately, these blankets are among the few items this family of eleven can count as possessions. Even the refrigerator was empty. Many of the homes we visited repeated a similar story: large families living in tight quarters with very little to call their own—no furniture, no food, and few clothes. Most wake up not knowing if they’ll eat that day. The brittle hair and distended bellies of children evidenced malnutrition. Sorrow is also a common thread as many have lost loved ones to the conflict with Israel or clashes between rival factions. Sabreen Firwana, a mother of eight, is one such example. She lost her fourteen-year-old daughter this past year when fighting broke out between Hamas and Fatah in their neighborhood. Her daughter was shot as she ate breakfast on their small, enclosed porch. At each home, Imm Ali, offered words of blessing, hope and encouragement.

Aside from helping families and individuals, we learned from our other partners that Amira Society which was started with the support of MCC in 1997, is now helping other local organizations establish themselves and obtain funding from donor organizations. Instead of viewing these local groups as competitors for funding, Imm Ali welcomes the help of others in the struggle to alleviate poverty. We consider it a privilege to partner with Amera Society.

On Thursday, Bassem, my co-worker in the MCC office in Jerusalem, lead a workshop for our partners in Gaza on fundraising and proposal writing. It was good that we planned a training without technology because we experienced one of the regular power cuts during the workshop.

On Friday, we left for Jerusalem after meeting with the YMCA and a few of Bassem’s friends. During our discussion on the way home we talked about the poverty and oppression we witnessed. It was shocking and difficult to see and then so freely walk away from, but we also came away encouraged and inspired by the work of our partners, Culture and Free Thought Association, Al Najd, and Amira Society, who all strive to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick,” which is what Christ calls us all to do. Bassem and I also recognized that the leaderships of each of these organizations are predominately female and talked about how these partnerships empower women and provide role models for girls and young women. This is significant in a society that is male-dominated and speaks of the strong desire of women to care for their communities and build a better future.

Visit to Gaza--Part 1

2008-07-30T09:41:00.008+02:00

My recent trip to visit our partners from July 21 through July 25 in Gaza was an eye opener for me. While I expected things to be bad, I still thought things might not be as bad as reported by the news. The taxi driver who took us from Erez Terminal stated that since the “cease-fire” last month things have improved by about 20%, but this was coming from someone who has a job. This is not the norm throughout the Gaza Strip where unemployment runs high due to Israeli limitations on imports and exports. Right now only seven main types of commodities are allowed to be brought into the Strip. Prior to the blockade the majority of Gazans were employed by factories and industrial plants. But now, without raw materials and without a market for products, many companies have been forced to close driving the unemployment rate to 80% over the past year. The cease fire has allowed a few more materials into Gaza, but exports have not increased. Even though the situation has improved slightly, the smell of cooking oil and propane run through cars and the many people I saw walking and sitting told me that the situation is desperate and the restrictions are still severe. This is the car in which we traveled. When we lost power, we pulled over to the side of the road to change propane tanks.

We arrived in Gaza City around 3:00 in the afternoon on Monday, July 21st and checked into the Al Deira Hotel, one of the few hotels still in operation in the strip. A generator powers the building that continues to host most visiting journalists and short-term foreign workers. I felt guilty that we could afford to stay at this place while many people in the streets are hungry. A comment in a page in book near the front desk signed by a journalist from the Los Angeles Times caught my attention: “This is pretty much my favorite hotel in the whole world!”

On Tuesday we visited a partner organization, Culture and Free Though Association (CFTA) who helped us distribute a container of relief supplies earlier this spring. Throughout the year, CFTA offers after-school programs to children and trains youth to develop leadership skills. The MCC Global Family Project provides support for a summer camp attended by 200 children ages 6-16. We met with the Director of Communications, Majeda, who talked with us about the situation in Gaza. Even though it would be easy to be negative, she always seems to find things positive to discuss with us. Majeda said of the MCC blankets received: “they were beautiful and obviously made with love. I feel the love from this project, it was beautiful”. I affirmed that this was true as I thought of Kaufman’s sewing ladies and their dedication to making these blankets week after week, month after month, year after year. I also had an opportunity to give her the medications that the church helped to buy. She was very thankful that she could restock some of the empty shelves of their women’s health clinic.

We also had the opportunity to visit the children participating in the summer camp. CFTA spends a significant amount of camp time helping the children many of whom suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, process their grief. While progress is often difficult to measure in the area of mental health, it was so encouraging to see kids laughing and having fun. At the camp center we visited the boys ages 12-16 and later visited the girls who were at the beach. When we asked why the kids were separated, we were told that Hamas requires the separation of all camp children older than age eleven according to gender. The groups changed locations every five days of the camp, which is held for a total of twenty days.

After leaving the center we visited the girls’ camp at the beach. Choosing to host campers at the beach was a difficult decision for CFTA this year. A shortage of electricity and a lack of needed parts and chemicals at the sewage treatment plants have forced the residents of Gaza to pump raw or partially treated sewage into the Mediterranean. We discussed this problem with Majeda who said “recently my nephews and nieces begged me to take them swimming at the sea, so I gave in and took them, but we all ended up with a skin rash that had to be treated by a doctor.” In the end, CFTA decided to continue to use the beach for activities although swimming was not permitted. We enjoyed watching teams of girls each carry a ball with a spoon during a relay race, but my favorite moment was watching the girls learn how to fish.

We were very impressed by the ten youth in the leadership training program who did all the preparations and set-up for the camp. The youth were also responsible for choosing the name of the camp. The boys came up with a few ideas, but in the end, they compromised and went with the name chosen by the girls, “Colored Strings”. We spoke to three youth leaders from the girls camp, Shahd El Farra, Ayat El Saqqa, and Nermeen Abu Duock described how the camp has helped them to develop leadership skills. Specifically, they learned how to be strong leaders and meet their own potentials while also meeting the needs of the campers. Giving generously with open hands was also identified as an important part of their leadership training. They also praised the program for teaching them how to cooperate and think creatively. One of the challenges arose from the fact that many were asked to be leaders for their peers. At times their friends were rebellious and challenged their authority. They all said they had to be reasonable with their friends and not allow arguments to escalate. Most importantly they learned how to be flexible and find common ground. They all expressed their appreciation for MCC’s support.

I spent a little time with one of the young leaders, Omar Onata, who was busy filming the activities of the camp and making sure everything was running smoothly. Omar showed me the camp passports created to develop pride and leadership in all the participants. The passports are color coded green, blue, or red according to level of achievement and amount of positive interaction with others during participation in activities like sports, art, music, dance, educational games, and drama. All passports outline a strict code of conduct and allow campers to rate activities. Omar had a blue passport and was working towards a red passport, which will give him the most privileges at the center. Because it requires much work, few children reach this milestone. I asked Omar what he had learned from doing all the preparation work for the camp and he said, “I learned to work together and how to better deal with people. I also gained self-confidence (translated from Arabic).”

When I returned to my hotel room that evening I watched a program sponsored by Christians United for Israel. The show’s host was interviewing a Florida Senator who was calling on the United Nations to stop funding children’s summer camps in the Gaza Strip because, “these camps serve as terrorist training centers for children and youth.” When I asked our partners about this claim throughout the week, they clarified that there are camps run by religious extremists, but that the U.N. supports summer camps coordinated by the Gaza City YMCA. When we met with the YMCA later in the week we learned that they promote healing from trauma, instill self-confidence and a healthy self images, explore children's rights, develop skills in sports and the arts, and provide environments that promotes positive interactions. I came away frustrated by this senator’s misinformed claim, concerned about the effects it could have on funding for children's summer camps, and saddened by stereotypes that this "Christian" broadcast will promote. This is a good example of why we all need to search for the facts and not believe everything the media presents to us.

I'll share more about the rest of our experiences in my next post.

Rebuilding in Anata

2008-07-15T17:27:00.010+02:00

Every year international volunteers join with Israeli peace activists and the Palestinian local community to rebuild the home of a Palestinian family demolished by the Israeli authorities. This year it is the home of the Elyan family in the village of Anata, near Jerusalem. The rebuilding campaign is sponsored by Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions (ICAHD), an MCC partner organization. Construction began this week and our family had the opportunity to help.

Shortly after we arrived at the construction site Tuesday morning, we met the owners of the home, Nadir and Fidaa' Elayyan, along with their three-year old daughter, Bissan, and one-year old son, Mohammad. Fidaa’ is pregnant with their third child. The origin of the Elayyan family is similar to that of most other families in Anata. The land has belonged to their family for generations, with the deeds filled-out in Nadir's grandfather's name dating back to the British Mandate. In 2003, the Elayyan family began building their home without a permit, as most people are forced to do in the Palestinian areas of Jerusalem. Requests for permits for Palestinians to build on their own land are almost uniformly rejected and immensely expensive. The construction was going well and it appeared that the young family was on their way to creating a beautiful home, yet with the second floor nearing completion, the family received a demolition order from the Jerusalem municipality on April 15, 2004. Knowing that their home could be demolished at any moment, the Elayyans lived in constant insecurity. For the time being, Nadir stopped construction on his new house. Four weeks later, Nadir received a phone call in the morning from a neighbor saying that the bulldozer was outside of his home. Frantically rushing to the scene, the demolition had already begun by the time Nadir arrived. When he asked the commanding officer why his home was being targeted, he was told that it was because he did not have a building permit. Recounting that moment and the absurd restrictions faced by Palestinians in Jerusalem, Nadir tells us "but not one person in my neighborhood had a permit!"

The demolition of their home left the Elayyan family in serious debt and without a house of their own. The family now lives in cramped accommodations with Nadir's brother and his family of five. As of now, Nadir's brother does not have a demolition order on his house, but with 1,081 demolition orders issued last year in East Jerusalem alone, no security is ever assured.

Throughout the two days we assisted, work consisited of moving cinder blocks and a cement mixer, shoring up columns, pouring cement and carrying out various miscellaneous tasks like passing hammers and nails to the regular construction workers. Tayllor contributed by playing with Elijah at a nearby shady spot and Ellena helped by clearing piles of wood from the work site. During the next two weeks volunteers will complete construction of the home and hand the key to the family. Rebuilding demolished homes is ICAHD’s statement of resistance to the Occupation and, beyond that, resistance to the ongoing process of dispossessing Palestinians from their land and patrimony.

Throughout the next two weeks building activities will be accompanied by evening meetings with Palestinian and Israeli political figures, activists, academics and artists, including tours throughout the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel. The focus will be on such issues as home demolitions, settlement expansion, the “Separation Barrier”, the economic closure of the Occupied Territories, the refugee issue, possibilities of peace and strategizing. The work site will be a hive of construction, interaction, learning, discussion, and constructive resistance. More importantly it is good to stand in solidarity with the Elayyan family and support them as they try to put their life back together.

2008-06-12T12:35:00.006+02:00

When we first arrived in Jerusalem, the subjects for our emails and blog postings seemed limitless. The excitement of a new culture and our learning inspired us to share everything we were experiencing with friends and family back home. Our only difficulty was trying to limit our writings so that we wouldn't ramble and bore everyone. As time has passed we have noticed that our communications have become shorter and less frequent and as I sat down at the computer today I realized we haven't posted anything for three months. There are several excuses I could give for not writing including travel and a full hosting schedule, but I also know there have been times of searching over the past few months when we weren't sure what to say.
A good friend of mine says, "when you arrive in Jerusalem you can write a book on the subject, visit for a few weeks and you are able to write a few paragraphs, stay for several months and you might be able to write a sentence." While I'm not sure that this is completely true, it does illustrate the fact that those who have never lived in this place or are new arrivals seem to have definite answers and ideas about the conflict, how it should be resolved, who are the good guys, and who are the bad guys. But if you stay long enough to get to know people, build relationships, and see the "facts on the ground," you soon realize that finding real solutions that respect the needs and values of a variety of people, faiths, and cultures is a much more challenging process.

Throughout this past year, this place has confronted us with many questions about God. Where is God in this land of road closures, checkpoints, separation barriers, land confiscations, and home demolitions? Where do we see Him at work? How can we experience Him in this place? The answers to such questions seemed much easier to find back home, but this year we have been forced to revisit many of our carefully conceived answers. When we look into the hollow eyes of an eight year old girl whose father was shot in the head as he held her in his arms, or we talk to a family that has just witnessed the destruction of their home, or listen to our partners in Gaza mourn the deaths of their loved ones, we ask these questions. We are not angry or indignant. We just long for His presence and some days we cry for it in desperation. It is easy to feel that we lack faith during these times, but we are learning that it is through our searching and seeking that He reveals Himself to us in new and unexpected ways.

During these past few months there have been many times that we have drawn hope from the people around us who respond to difficult situations with courage and grace and have encouraged us to keep seeking Him. When we see an Israeli woman, who lost her son to a Palestinian sniper, and a Palestinian woman, who lost her brother to an Israeli soldier, embrace, care for, and offer encouragement to one another, we witness God’s love. http://www.theparentscircle.com/Pages.asp?page_id=4 We feel his presence at Beit Arabiya, a Palestinian home that has been rebuilt four times with the help of a community of Palestinian, Israeli, and international volunteers. We observe his care and concern for the poor and disadvantaged so frequently described by His son, Jesus, when North Americans assemble and send relief kits to needy people living half way around the world in the Gaza Strip. Maybe too, we recognize his imprint on our own hearts when we look out toward the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and mourn its division. Sometimes when we can’t find God, God’s hope finds us through passages of scripture, the comforting words or presence of friends or family members, or the beauty of the natural world He created.

There are still days when He seems illusive, but He is showing us that He wants us to seek his presence, that we are capable of experiencing His presence even in an environment of fear and violence, and that by experiencing Him we can begin to offer hope to those around us.

Easter Happenings

2008-03-21T08:28:00.018+01:00

We are blessed to be in this place during the Easter Holiday. We were fortunate enough to participate in the Palm Sunday walk from Bethpage with the Miller's and Nanna. It was exciting knowing that many different Christian faith traditions are walking the route Jesus rode on a donkey. We all walk in remembrance of HIM, waving palm branches, and in celebration of HIS triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The route went down the Mount of Olives, passing all the churches along the way, and it ended at Lion's Gate or St. Stephens gate of the Old City.

As we walked with some 10,000 people we were also aware that part of the route from Bethany is now cut off by the Wall. Earlier in the day, a march was held from Lazarus' tomb to the Wall in Bethany. For people in Bethany, they can no longer come to the Mount of Olives, which use to be a 10 minute walk, but is now impossible because of the Wall. I was reminded by this as we passed a group of CPTers who held a sign saying "Where could Jesus go?" and it included a picture of the Wall.

The Miller's and Nanna had to go home to Pa on Monday, March 17th.

Last night our family participated in a Maundy Thursday service with the Lutheran Redeemer Church in the Old City. Since there are separate services on most Sundays, it was nice to gather with the Arabic speaking and German speaking congregations during this joint worship service. At the end of the service we celebrated the Last Supper with Communion, we then walked the path Jesus may have walked through the Old City, along the Via Dolorosa, to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene at Gethsemane. To hear various languages giving praise and honor to Jesus helps us know we are all one in HIS name. As we walked, each congregation grouped together and we sang hymns in our own languages. At this final stop we lit candles and there were readings from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 26.

We had a great time with the Miller's and Nanna taking them to see the sights in Palestine. We even convinced them to ride a camel. Last week we dropped the Miller's off at Masada while we went to Qumran. Qumran is known for the place the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. They were found by some Bedouin shepherds in a cave. Speaking of the Bedouins, we were able to take the Miller's and Nanna to see the Bedouins we had met and had provided some relief to in the past. We were able to hand out some clothing gathered through some local donations and provide some support for a sick child who is in need of medical care. Thanks to all of your for your continued support and prayers. May each of you experience the hope of the resurrection during this Easter season!!

Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

2008-03-04T21:45:00.003+01:00

Dear Friends and Family,

The situation here continues to worsen and become more desperate, especially for those living in Gaza. The death toll from the violence over the weekend was over 115 Palestinians killed, 2 Israeli soldiers, and many more injured. Violence by either side cannot be justified, but the damage done from Israeli shelling of Gaza goes way beyond moral comprehension. Many of the Palestinian causalities have been civilians, including women and children (a recent U.N. report shows that only 12% of Palestinian victims were actually involved in fighting(http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Gaza_Situation_Report_2008_02_30_Final2.pdf).

We just returned to the office from a meeting at the bank. We stopped at the post office and upon our return we noticed all the shops closing and a group of young men pushing two large garbage containers across the street to block it. As we got into our vehicle, we noticed young men running around with rocks. We left in time to see riot soldiers on horses coming down the street. These demonstrations are occurring all over the West Bank and East Jerusalem in response to the situation in Gaza. Early in the afternoon, we spoke to our partners in Gaza and two of them said they are currently okay, although shelling has occurred close to their homes. They reported damage to windows and structure cracks to their dwellings. Later in the day, we spoke to Majeda, a business administrator of the third organization, CFTA, who sadly reported that the Director of CFTA, Miram (also a Summer Peace Building Institute participant at EMU), lost her nephew to the shelling in the area. Her nephew was a trained paramedic helping someone in need when he was killed. In addition to this loss, a worker at the health clinic of CFTA lost her husband to the shelling. CFTA is a partner in the Global Family Program, MCC helps fund their before-and-after-school programming. You can learn more about them through the website at http://mcc.org/globalfamily/projects/middleeast/palestine/shoroq.html .
Our partners wanted to know if medical aid can get into Gaza to help--this is the priority at this time. We will begin to investigate ways MCC can help.

Over the weekend, we heard from a personal contact who assists in the hospitals and clinics in Gaza. The writer describes the Israeli offensive as "organized destruction". The following is a brief excerpt from that letter: "Over the previous 48 hours, 35 killed and around 75 injured. Last night to now in one hospital in Jabbalayeh, a further 28 killed including 3 women and 10 under 16, the youngest being one week old. Less than 10% would be classed as ‘fighters’ the majority are civilians with varying injuries... Again most of the injured are from within houses demolished by the missiles. One man has lost both lower limbs with an injury to one shoulder whilst feeding his goats. His father requests his photograph is sent to US as the chances, when he is ready for getting out for appropriate prosthetic limb fitting, are slim to nil at present and getting any kind of prosthesis in, let alone fitted, is costly. He is 20 years old with a new wife and baby on the way. Whilst he may well become mobile again on prostheses the way ahead for him will be long and difficult to regain any degree of independence in any society let alone one that is being systematically destroyed. He is one of many just in these last few days."

Gaza's hospitals and emergency workers are stretched beyond their capabilities and on the verge of collapse. Today, Egypt allowed approximately 200 patients to be transferred to Egypt. As a result of the death toll and violence in Gaza, Palestinian President Abbas has cut off talks with Israel.

Please pray for the situation here, the leaders, and if willing contact your congressman or senators. Remind them that violence only begets violence and that the seige of Gaza and the collective punishment of innocent civilians must end.

Ryan and Heather

Second Snow Storm of the Season

2008-02-19T11:11:00.010+01:00

The wind is blowing on the Mount of Olives and we are gearing up for our second snow storm of the season. Snow is an unusual sight in Jerusalem, but when in falls twice in one season it is particularly extraordinary! Someone said to me earlier today, "tomorrow we will have nice weather." I said, "but I thought it was supposed to snow." "Yes, that is why it will be nice--we don't get very much snow!" was their response. I wish I could share their appreciation, but I was satisfied after the first snowfall. Of course the girls are looking forward to more time off school and building a snowman under our palm tree.

We returned last evening from a four-day trip to the North. Thursday morning we traveled to Haifa where we visited the Stella Maris Lighthouse, Church and Carmelite Monastery. It was founded in the 12th century by a group of religious hermits who lived in the caves of the Carmel district and tried to imitate the life of the prophet Elijah. Within the church there is a cave which is believed to have been inhabited by the prophet. Of course we took pictures of our little Elijah in the cave. Despite the rainy weather, the view of the Mediterranean was spectacular from this location. From there we traveled along the rim of Mount Carmel passing through two Druze villages. The Druze are an Arabic-speaking people who are not Muslim but draw heavily on the Bible and hold Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, in high regard. The winding mountain road brought us to Muhraka, which means sacrifice, and is the place of the famous contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The view from this point is supposed to be incredible, but unfortunately the fog was so thick we could barely see each other.

We went to Nazareth later that afternoon and settled into our rooms in old Arab mansion named after its owner, Fauzi Azar. Its handpainted ceilings and large windows that overlook the city give it lots of character. We met a friend there who helped us settle in and then showed us around the old city and introduced us to a great little pita pizza place. The rainy weather continued throughout the day. Later that night we went out for dinner with a few of the volunteers from Nazareth Village and a couple who volunteers at one of the local hospitals.

Friday morning we toured Nazareth Village and learned about life in Nazareth during Jesus' time. Around noon we stopped back at the pizza place for lunch and then travelled to the Galilee area. Along the way we passed through Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle, before reaching Tiberius. We stopped at several towns along the sea, Tabgha, where Jesus multiplied the bread and fish, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum. By the end of the day, the girls were tired of looking at a "bunch of old churches" so we found a fish restaurant where we tried the local specialty, St. Peter's Fish. After dinner we walked along the promenade in Tiberius before returning to our hotel in Nazareth.

Saturday morning we left the Fauzi Azar and travelled to the Golan Heights. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive. Not far from Mt. Hermon and the borders of Lebanon and Syria, we discovered Nimrod's Castle. The girls and Elijah really enjoyed hiking through the winding paths and tunnels that make up the fortress. We returned to Tiberius from the opposite side of the Galilee and walked along the promenade again before eating supper. As we walked along the shore we noticed hundreds of dead or dying fish. Apparently someone poisoned the water the previous day. At supper, we opted for bean soup instead of the local fish.

Sunday we looked out our hotel balcony to find a beautiful view of the snow-capped Mt. Hermon. It was not clear enough to notice on Friday or Saturday, but Sunday it was very clear. My mom pointed out to us the Daily Bread devotional that morning referred to Psalm 89:12 which talks about Mt. Hermon and Mt. Tabor giving praise to God. What a gift it was to see both as we read our devotions together as a family. Before traveling back to Jerusalem we stopped along the Jordan and enjoyed a little time there by ourselves before all the tour buses arrived.

Although we did experience some car trouble and Elijah brought a virus back as a souvenir (he's been running a fever since yesterday morning), it was great to see all the places we've imagined for most of our lives. The last month and a half were spent collecting, editing and filing reports so getting out of the office was a welcomed change of pace.

Today Ryan was able to find someone to test us for our driver's license. We are hoping to complete this process before my mom leaves. This whole situation has been going very smoothly so far. Initially we were told we needed to take 5-6 lesson, but more recently learned we don't need any before testing. Still, we've opted for 2-3 lessons since our chances of passing increase when they know you've taken lessons.

Ryan continues to work on aid for Gaza. Originally, MCC had talked about sending material resources through the two organizations, one who would take the shipment to Gaza, and another who would distribute the items within Gaza. By suggestion of our co-worker, we opted not to work with these organizations out of fear that the supplies might not reach the intended recipients. We learned yesterday that Hamas intercepted a delivery between these organizations this week which made us all the more relieved that we went decided on another option. Thank God. Continue to pray with us over the coming weeks that the shipment that has left the Material Resource Center will be accepted at a local port and permitted into Gaza through a local contractor. Another problem has arisen making it difficult to wire funding to our partners in Gaza. We'll continue to seek ways to work around this issue.

Zochrot Tour in West Jerusalem

2008-01-01T07:45:00.000+01:00

We spent this past Friday afternoon with a partner organization, Zochrot. Zochrot is an Israeli organization that raises awareness of the 1948 "Nakba", an Arabic term that means catastrophe. For most Israeli Jews, May 15, 1948, means Independence Day and is a part of a story of freedom, liberty, and success in overcoming great difficulties. For Palestinians, the events between 1947-1949 are remembered as a time when Israeli military forces destroyed over 500 Palestinian villages and expelled between 700,000 and 900,000 Palestinians from their lands (about 85% of the population of the time). These refugees have lived exiled from their land since then.

On this day we gathered with about 100 others (Israelis and Palestinians) to tour a previous Palestinian village called Malha which is located in West Jerusalem. Many of the Palestinians who took part in the tour were refugees of Al-Malha who came from the neighboring community of Sharfat, a village they moved to after the expulsion in July 1948. The refugees told us about life in the village before the occupation and we learned about the fighting that took place in the area during the war of 1948. We passed through the village's alleys and the refugees pointed out the names of owners of still existing houses. We overlooked the area standing on the hill-top "Al-Ras", nearby the mosque and the cemetery. Before 1948 the villagers overlooked their olive groves and flock from here. Today, in addition to the houses of the new Jewish neighborhood, "Teddy" soccer stadium, Malha shopping-mall, the Technologic Campus and other new buildings are seen from here.We posted a sign marking the Palestinian cemetery, part of which lies underneath the current "Ort-Minkoff" high-school. Another sign, bearing the inscription "Al-Malha village - 1948", was posted at the entrance of the village in the beginning of the tour, however, someone from the community removed before the tour came to an end. Reactions of current members of the community were mixed. Many came outside to find out why we were walking through the neighborhood. Most were unaware of the history that went before them. One woman who drove by said that she had lived in the area for 25 years, but had never noticed the remaining tombs of the cemetery before. Others were more defensive. "I built this school with my own hands," said one man, "there is no cemetery beneath it. This is a lie." Yet, the tombs that we saw contradict his arguments. Interestingly this man lives in a building which was once a mosque. Other community members were very friendly and wanted to learn more.

Zochrot handed out booklets "Remembering Al-Malha" which were produced for the event. It is the 23rd booklet in a series of booklets produced by Zochrot, commemorating the villages and towns existing before the Nakba. This tour was the very first held within Jerusalem. Zochrot believes in telling the history of Palestinians as a way of presenting the complete story and strengthening the future for all people.

Desert Encounter

2007-12-21T00:16:00.000+01:00

Since we arrived in Jerusalem four months ago, we've had some amazing experiences, but this week has been the most remarkable. It all began last Wednesday when we received an email from our new friend Ann (also a fellow Pennsylvanian from State College area) who has been leading trainings on non-violence and conflict resolution in Hebron and the surrounding areas. Earlier she had the opportunity to visit several Bedouin living in the southeastern part of the West Bank as well as a few groups of Palestinians living in caves along the southern most border of the West Bank. "I was stunned by the poverty, malnutrition, lack of water, shoes, clothing, or basic comforts," wrote Ann. "Do you have any ideas for who I might call for basic commodities (milk powder, rice, flour)?" We decided we would go and meet these people for ourselves and see if there was anything MCC could do. So on Sunday we picked up Ann and drove to Hebron where we met Mr. Hashlamoun who directs the Al-Watan Center for conflict mediation and non-violence and is also a Reuters photographer. It was Mr. Hashlamoun who introduced Ann to the various groups she told us about.

Along the way, we stopped at a Hebron glass factory where Mr. Hashlamoun took some photos (some of us looking like tourists shopping for glass and ceramics) for a story to be written about the industry and the region. Mr. Hashlamoun hosted us at his home while he edited and then sent the pictures to Reuters. We met his family and enjoyed a great meal prepared by his wife and daughters. Incidentally, Mr. Hashlamoun's house is located on the site of the Oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18). This was really nice...but not the remarkable part.

Around 3:00 we left for the desert (we were supposed to leave around 11:00 a.m.--but this is Arab culture). Along the way we were picked up by a tribal Sheikh, Mr. Khamees, who took us to several bedoiun tent dwellings. We were really out in the middle of the desert driving for several miles over rocky terrain and dried up river beds. After a few visits we quickly came to the same conclusion as Ann: people here are living on the edge of extinction. We witnessed severe poverty--perhaps like we've never seen in our lives. Most of the people showed signs of malnutrition. Despite the cold temps (45 degrees) and rocky terrain, few wore shoes or jackets. Although these people are visited by healthcare workers periodically, their supplies of water and food were extremely limited. As darkness set in, the Sheikh dropped us off at our vehicle and we headed toward the homes of cave dwellers along the southern border of the West Bank.

Unlike the Bedouin who do not own their own land but rent, these people actually own the land they live on, but much of it has been taken by the Israeli Settlers. Droughts in the region over the past few years have left these Shepherds with too little water for their own consumption, let alone what is needed to raise and care for their sheep. Of course water shortages have a chain effect and affect food supplies. No one here has had access to any kind of healthcare. We walked around to several of the cave homes meeting many of the village families. Afterwards we sat together in the tent which serves as the town hall. Within clear view we could see the settlements which have taken their land and are afforded electricity and water (some even have swimming pools) by the State of Israel. Israel also restricts movement for these people making it extremely difficult to find work. These villagers are not permitted to use the road we drove in on--it is an Israeli-only road. Over small cups of thick Arabic coffee, we talked about their lives, frustrations, needs, and hopes for the future. Some only wanted relief assistance, "We are hungry, we are thirsty, we are cold." But one young man spoke up and even confronted some of the elderly leaders when he expressed his desire to see help come in the form of a project that offered more long term solutions to their situation. Tayllor and Ellena asked the children what they wanted. Aside from warm clothes and shoes and glasses for those who needed them, one young boy wanted transportation to school. Currently the villages' thirty children walk for two hours each way every day to attend the closest school.

I stand in awe of the strength and determination of the people we visited. Their lives are very hard. In the email I sent out that evening to several family members and friends we asked, "where do we go from here?" The needs are so great and we weren't sure where to begin. We knew we wanted to write a request for immediate relief and"inshallah," it would be granted, but what about next month, and the month after and the month after that... how can these people support themselves for months and years to come and still maintain their culture (these people have lived here for centuries)? How can we encourage and support them in a way that brings dignity and self-respect. The political situation here leaves much out of their control, but what are some viable solutions? Its easy to talk about the answers to questions like these in comfortable offices with warm cups of coffee in our hands, but as we sat on cold concrete floors and stared into the eyes of desperate, hungry people, Ryan and I realized finding real solutions isn't that simple. We asked for prayer from others--for wisdom and direction for these people and for ourselves and we prayed too.

The pictures from our own camera are of the Bedouin (our first stop of the day). The elderly woman pictured here is 90+ years old, the same age of Sarah when she conceived and gave birth to Isaac. Abraham and Sarah where also Bedouin and this was the very land where they lived. The little girl pictured here appears to be about 4 or 5 but she is actually 13. She suffers from a growth disorder and lives with joint pain. She has been seen by doctors and receives cortisone injections. Her mother and brothers and sisters are in the pictures that follow.

This mother has no milk to feed her nine month old twin sons, so she cooks these small beans to provide them with some source of protein. On the way home Sunday evening, Mr. Hashlamoun asked if we could provide anything by Wednesday. The largest feast of the year would be celebrated and he knew how much it would mean to receive help before the holiday. Not wanting to raise false hopes, we had to tell him there was no way we could get help in one day. The next day, Ryan went to the office and spoke with a few friends who work for the Lutheran World Federation. He told them about our experiences from the previous day and the needs of these people. They responded by offering 180 MCC blankets, 2 boxes of soap and 70 school kits, which they had in storage left over from a previous project. We also received a note from our home church, Kaufman Mennonite, stating that they had given us $575 which was raised during the fall mission drive. The blankets were badly needed, but we hated to go back without any food. The money we received allowed us to buy some basic staples, including rice and powdered milk. Meanwhile, Ann put out a request on the listserve in Ramallah requesting used clothing. The response was immediate and she soon had four bags of clothing and shoes for women and children. The girls and I also went through our own closets and pulled out some extras. By Monday evening we had a mini-van stuffed full of supplies and the trunk of our VW Golf was loaded. We called Mr. Hashlamoun and Mr. Khamees and asked if they could help us deliver the items the following day.

Tuesday we took the girls out of school (what could be more educational?) and we spent the day delivering the items. It was an amazing day! I have to confess that there were moments that were very difficult. At times it was uncomfortable to luxuriously stand on the giving side and know we had done nothing to deserve our position of privilege, just as they had done nothing to deserve their lot in life. At other moments I was overcome by the miraculous way all of the supplies we were passing out had materialized over the past day. To be a part of this day along with many others--to see God offer relief and hope to the poor and oppressed was a gift. At our last stop, we revisited the elderly woman and her family. After we gave them blankets and other items, we sat around their fire and drank tea. Ryan told them that items they received were given in love from Christians in the U.S. and Canada including members of our own church. I couldn't help but think of the ladies sewing circle who meets regularly to put together blankets like the ones we gave. Since the amount we could give each family really was not much in the end, Ryan explained that in the future we would try to get them more help. We also asked them to think about a long term development project. The tribal Sheikh spoke for the family and responded by saying that it was not the size of the gift that mattered, it was the timing. Because we came back so quickly, he knew that we were sincerely concerned, but even more than that, he knew that the gifts were from God. This gave him hope for the future.

So this year, in the most unexpected place, far from decorated trees, stockings, candles, choirs, family and churches, in the midst of poverty and oppression, Christ came to us. Later in the week I read something that better expressed this paradox: “[Christ] comes to us, not to shield us from the harshness of the world, but to give us the courage and strength to bear it; not to snatch us away by some miracle from the conflict of life, but to give us peace—His peace—in our hearts, by which we may be calmly steadfast while the conflict rages, and be able to bring to the torn world the healing that is peace.” We don't know what the future holds for these people or for our work with them, but we move forward with a renewed hope in the Prince of Peace.

Noele!

Last week, Mr. Hashlamoun sent these pictures of the cave dwellers to Reuters and Palestine Today. These are the actual people we met and the very caves we sat in. I think he does an amazing job of showing the beauty of the people and their culture: http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?collectionId=1389&galleryName=All%20Collections
http://www.palestinetoday.org/gallery/cave-dwellers-in-palestine

Nahalin Village Ribbon Cutting

2007-12-07T13:42:00.000+01:00

On Thursday, December 6, 2007, MCC was invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony in the West Bank village of Nahalin, which is southwest of Bethlehem. This ceremony celebrated the completion of a wastewater treatment plant for the village developed by a long-time partner, Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ). While MCC provided the majority of funding for the almost 250K project, it was a collaborative effort also made possible through the Canadian International Development Agency and the Swiss Agency for Development.

Almost 6,600 residents of the village of Nahalin will directly benefit from more efficient sewage removal and approximately 35 farmers will enjoy the creation of an irrigation system that pumps the treated wastewater to improve crop production and olive tree and fruit tree harvests. It will also irrigate a portion of a nearby mountain in hopes of creating a park for the village.

The wastewater management practices in the village prior to the treatment plant contributed to a number of environmental and health problems. The absence of a wastewater collection network for the village made it expensive to pump wastewater out of the area. In addition, the confiscation of land and ground water aquifers by the Betar Illit settlement (27,000 residents) complicated the situation. The deterioration of water quality also impacted the health of villagers, resulting in severe nausea, diarrhea, and fever. For more information about the the village of Nahalin and the wastewater treatment plants including maps and photos see: http://www.mcc.org/acp/2007/09_10/aCP_SeptOct_2007.pdf

After the ribbon cutting, we were given a tour of the wastewater treatment plant as ARIJ engineer, Elias, explained some of the details in treating the water. It was very informative as each part of the water treatment phases was numbered on or near the 50 cubic meter tank that treats the water. This was done to teach the village and students more about the treatment process. The purchase of a vacuum tanker to collect the wastewater from village cesspits was also part of the project.

We (Trey and I) then proceed to a small hall where we met with the village council and the people of the village. The people were very appreciative of the support they receive from MCC. I spoke to the group about our willingness to support and stand with them even under the Occupation. The village council was made up of members from the Fatah party and the Hamas political party. In spite of what you hear on the news regarding radicalism and divisions between the parties, this diverse group worked together to raise funds to build a guard shack outside of the wastewater treatment plant. We were given a plaque in appreciation of our support of the village by the Nahalin council.

Before we left for a surprise lunch prepared for us by the village, I met, Mustafa, an older gentlemen that remembers when MCC supported Nahalin in 1979 by putting in water pipes. Mustafa said that he appreciated all that MCC had done in the past and all that it is doing with the new project. In his broken English, Mustafa, told me how each village household was responsible for digging at least 20 meters for the water pipes to be installed by MCC in 1979. To each of you, your support of MCC is making a difference in the lives of those who are oppressed and poor. This event is just one small example on how lives our being improved through the work of MCC (Thanks, Trey for the great pictures!!).

Trip to GAZA

2007-10-19T20:54:00.000+02:00

It is hard for me to communicate what I experienced and saw in Gaza. We entered Gaza on Thursday morning from the Erez Crossing and were taken by a partner to Gaza City. From there we moved on to Khan Younis. As we were traveling, we came upon a road closure with rocks covering the road. We asked someone who was walking along the road what was happening and they told us that Hamas was fighting with a family aligned with Fatah, the ousted political party. We proceeded to take a different route. Later on in the day, we learned that four had been killed and twenty wounded in that location. This was my introduction to Gaza.

Since the takeover by Hamas in mid-June, Gaza has become a virtual prison where people, goods and services, imports or exports are not allowed to enter or exit. During our visit I saw the effects: extreme poverty, violence, joblessness, and a lack of basic staples. It was apparent that the people are losing faith in Hamas' ability to provide a stable government. This was evidenced by the presence of more and more yellow Fatah flags instead of the green Hamas flags. Given the situation, it is hard not to feel the frustration felt by most of the people that I spoke with in Gaza. It was heartwrenching to hear Taarik, a young man talk about having nothing to live for. With no job and no prospects for further education (this fall Israel stopped over 500 college bound students who were admitted to universities around the world from exiting Gaza), he feels he has little to do but sit around and worry about the future. I also spoke to a young man, who lives close to military headquarters. He showed me pictures of his family's 24 hour ordeal of living in the bathroom during the Hamas takeover. All essentials were moved into the bathroom, which became a shelter to keep everyone safe during the shootings. Blankets were stuffed around the comode to provide beds for the children. The refrigerator was positioned between the sink and toilet. The bath tub contained toys to distract the attention of his three year old twins. He also showed me pictures of the bullet holes in his home and car. It all seemed like something from a movie. There were times I found myself asking, "Where is God in the midst of all of this?"

In contrast, I also saw people eating in restaurants, driving here and there, working, going to school, and even smiling. I saw many people working to maintain a healthy sense of normalcy in such an abnormal environment. As we met with our partners, who helped make sure we stayed out of harms way, I was inspired by stories of hope and perseverance. At The Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA) we were greeted by a host of employees who had been awaiting our arrival. We discussed our projects and learned more about Shoroq wa-Amal (Sunrise and Hope) Children's Club, the facility where children and youth programs are offered. Against the backdrop of chaos and violence, CFTA continues to provide a safe harbor for children and families through a variety of social development programs and relief assistance. For example, this year the CFTA Summer Camp offered safe structured holiday activities that revitalized an interest in Palestinian heritage and culture and provided self-exploratory opportunities for children and youth ages 6 to 18 to overcome the effects of trauma. Throughout the week-long event, over 700 participants engaged in a variety of activities such as art, dance, music, sports, and cooking. Throughout the year the organization provides many community members with experiences that are not otherwise available on the war torn streets of Gaza. Maran, a seven year old who attended this past year’s camp spoke for many of the campers when she said, “I like to come to CFTA to study and play… there are no other places like this here.” The center is located around several of the refugee camps and serves as one of the few recreational facilities in the area.

On another stop, we visited Mimaly, the director and founder of Amira Society. Named after Mimaly's daughter who struggles with the challenges of a physical disability, Amira Society provides social programs to women and children. Because of the success of the organization, dedicated employees, and Mimaly's hard work and love for others, the center has expanded to four locations, each site maintains a different focus: Administration, Job Creation, Women and Children's Health Center, and the Disability Center. MCC's grant to the
Amira Society provides for the distribution of daily meals to 1500 malnourished children in kindergartens and schools in the poorest communities of the Gaza Strip. For some children, this is the only meal they will receive all day. We were impressed by the fact that blood tests conducted before and after this past year’s project showed that the health of these children has improved by 70%. Several of the children's teachers report that concentration during lessons has improved and activity levels have increased during recess. This year MCC funding also allowed Amira Society to buy kitchen equipment so that food could be prepared in bulk. As you can see she prepared quite a spread for us that we really enjoyed!

I was also impressed by the beauty of the Gaza shoreline. Bassem and I stayed overnight at an international hotel in Gaza City. I think we were the only two guests in the five story hotel. The front desk clerk was also the cook for breakfast and I think he was the maid as well. The open air restaurant on the fifth floor offered a great view of the Mediterranean Sea. Here is a picture from the restaurant.

As we drove by one section of the Sea, I noticed the foul smell of sewage. I was told that because they have run out of chemicals used at the the sewage plant, they are now forced to pump raw sewage into the Mediterranean. Fortunately, the area around our hotel was not affected by this smell, but I'm sure there are other signs of pollution. Incidentally, the boats pictured here are only allowed out 1.5 Km or they risk being fired upon by Israeli boats. Still, I observed many people fishing and putting out their nets into the Sea as this next picture shows.

We visited a few other partners during our time in Gaza and each one continued to impress us with their resilency and their willingness to help others in spite of difficult circumstances. It would be easy for them to want to focus on self at this time, but instead they choose to empower those who are in need. The work of partner organizations like these, remind me that God is working even in a place like Gaza.

Thank you for your continued support through prayer!! --Ryan

2007-10-18T14:06:00.000+02:00

Aside from celebrating our daughters' birthdays, the highlight of last week was a trip to the Aida Refugee Camp located in a suburb of Bethlehem. While in the camp we visited Lajee Children's Center, an MCC partner organization which provides a library, computer lab, summer camps and weekly activities for children and teens of the camp. Following our visit to the center, we walked around the camp with the program director. One of the sights that struck us was the significant number of children who were playing with toy guns. The children in the camp are regularly exposed to the violence associated with the occupation . For example, we were confronted by the hostility of this neighborhood as we passed the windows of the camp's United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school which have been sealed over with cinder blocks for the protection of the students from gunfire. A brief stop at a home where several teens were arrested last week for throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers also reinforced this picture of hostility and aggression. It is understandable that the play of the children often reflects this reality. As we walked on, we came to appreciate the healthier alternatives the camp offers. The organization is currently renting several rooms which are spread out over several buildings, but are considering the purchase of another facility where they could more conveniently run almost all their programs and activities under one roof.

While in the camp, we also had the opportunity to revisit the man that Ryan met a few weeks ago who participated in the YMCA Rehabilitation Training Program and recently opened his own convenience store with a small business loan from the organization. He added a few more products since Ryan was last there and cleaned things up a bit more. Customers came in and out of the store during our visit buying drinks, snacks, or the basic staples. It seems he has a good business sense and has some innovative ideas. It has been exciting for us to watch his hard work turn into success. We walked away feeling very positive about MCC's partnerships with these organizations.

This week I had the incredible opportunity to tour Hebron and At Tuwani. We did not have to spend much time in Hebron to recognize the dysfunctional relationships that still exist between the descendants of Abraham's family. Hebron is one of the largest cities in the West Bank with a population of 120,000, the majority of whom are Palestinian Arabs, but some 500 Israeli settlers have also made their homes in the heart of the city. The situation in the town of Hebron is unique because the settlements are situated right in the middle of town, often within just a few feet of existing Palestinian shops or homes. Many shops that are located near the small minority of settlers have been closed and doors welded shut by the IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) for "security reasons." The owners of these shops have been forced to relocate or find another line of work. Shopkeepers that have been permitted to keep their stores open have draped wire and tarps overhead in order to protect themselves and consumers from abuse by the Israeli settlers. Although our day was free of harrassment, the broken glass, human feces, and rocks suspended overhead gave evidence to the abuse the Palestinians have been forced to endure. Before we left the city, our guide reminded us that for many years prior to the 1920s Arabs and Jews lived at peace with each other in this town. They danced at each other's weddings and grieved at one another's funerals. They lived in peace and harmony with one another. It wasn't until the Zionist immigration of the early 20th century that significant conflicts began to errupt. By the way, look closely at the above picture of the street blockade...Palestinian children have put up a soccer net. A closed off street can also make a great soccer field! This was one of the most beautiful sites I saw all day, because it gave me hope that the next generation will seek to replace these walls and constraints with objects of life and vitality. I thank God for the images he plants along our path to give us hope!

One of the last stops of the day was the ancient village of At Tuwani which is located southeast of Hebron near an Israeli settlement. During our visit we heard from the director of the recently established women's cooperative which produces traditional Palestinian embroidered hand crafts. Although the women initially faced opposition from the men of the community, the additional incomes helped ease financial burdens for many families. Eventually the women earned the respect of their husbands and gained a new sense of confidence and self-empowerment.

The primary source of income for most residents of this area comes from farming. When the settlers scattered poison around the area several years ago, most of the sheep died. Those who survived were no longer suitable for milk production or butchering. This village has also faced other hardships at the hands of settlers. School children have endured harassment and assaults by adult settlers. Not wanting to respond with violence, the village residents called on the international community for help. Today Christian Peacemakers Team and Operation Dove escort the school children to and from school, serve as local and international advocates for the villagers, and support the villagers' right to possess their land. I was most impressed however, by the strength of the local people in their pursuit of peace. When asked how they can continue to persevere in the face of such oppression, one man responded, "If we retaliate the world will see us as terrorists. We must respond through non-violent resistance so that our actions can reflect the truth of the situation here. All we want is what anyone wants...to provide a good life for our families and to live in peace. Please give this message to your families back home." Although it stands in direct contrast to the voice presented by the American media, this is the message we hear repeatedly from many Palestinians both in Gaza and the West Bank. As we close this blog, we ask that you pray for peace, justice, and mercy for all of the people of Palestine. --Heather

Visit to Qalqiliya and Jayuus

2007-10-04T22:44:00.000+02:00

October 2, 2007
We took a trip up to the northern part of the West Bank on this day. It was to the area of Qalqiliya and Jayuus. We visited with one of our partners, the Palestinian Hydrology Group, and they gave us a tour of the area which is almost completely surrounded by the Wall. The PHG is working with farmers to rehabilitate wells that are used for agricultural irrigation; however, the path of the Wall has isolated approximately 75% of the Palestinian agricultural land due to the Wall. The restrictions to access the land are seen by the locals as a way to continue to expand settlements and take land along with the six best wells in the area. These wells are the same wells that the PHG will be fixing and updating through our partnership. Prior to going out onto the field, we met at the local municipality with the mayor. The mayor reported that the Wall has had a severe economic impact on the area. Because of the travel restrictions, the area almost exclusively relies on agriculture (80%) as a means of income. Also, the mayor reported that the Israeli government charges about four times more for the cost of electricity than we pay in the US. He said that our cost is about 4 cents per kilowatt, the Israelies pay about 5 cents, and the Palestinians have to pay about 40 cents. This is adding to their economic burdens. I spoke with a farmer, Mr. Sharif Halid, who happened to be at the municipality when we were meeting with the mayor. He was denied another permit to get to his land which he has not been able to access since June 23, 2007. Mr. Halid is not alone as permits have only been given to about 150 out of the town of 4,000 from Jayuus. This a devastating given such a reliance on farming as a way to survive given the restrictions on travel. In speaking to some farmers that have permits, Mr. Halid learned that his newly planted trees have died. Mr. Halid said that he has lost the 200 peach and apple trees he planted because he cannot return to take care of his land. Mr. Halid continued that he has "failed". The mayor also added that they have lost about 20,000 olive, fruit, etc. trees due to the wall. The Israeli government uses whatever laws they can find to their advantage. Specifically, they go back to the British mandate laws prior to 1967 which give them a right to take land on these conditions: 1)water or sewer rights, 2)roads, 3)not suitable for agriculture-50% or more of rocky soil, 4)any person not planting for 3 years they have the right to take land. The last is one of the reasons why they issue permits and deny many of the land owners permits. If the farmers aren't planting or working the land, it will be taken in the future for settlement expansion. To help you get a better understanding, I have posted a picture below from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This data was taken from February 2007 and you can see the impact of the Wall on the area. Pay particular attention to the area of Qalqiliya which you can see is almost completely surrounded by the Wall. It is a bottle shaped prison that restricts movement in or out. Also, pay attention to the illegal settlement that was built-ZUFIN. It is in this area that we had to go through checkpoints to see the Wells that PHG will be renovating. We went through above Jayuus at the green restricted access symbol.

Picture provided by UNOCHA-February 2007

Once inside the checkpoint as a result of our American passports, we drove to one of the wells that MCC has supported in the past. This is a picture of the well station with Trey and Jessica, who work with us. They are assigned to the Bethlehem area as project coordinators. We then moved on to see another well in the area that is in desperate need of repairs. This is the engine that needs replaced along with the gears in the well pump. They will also install new irrigation piping to the areas of need. Through MCC's support they can afford to fix this well station.
This is the end result of helping the farmers in Jayuus with the needed equipment to properly irrigate their land, and in some cases greenhouses.

2007-09-17T22:40:00.000+02:00

I spoke with my mom on the webcam the other day and noticed the leaves changing on the tree in the background. If I close my eyes I can picture the frosty mornings, feel the crisp air, and smell the earthy scent of fall in PA. I miss it, but at the same time I'm glad I get to enjoy summer a little longer here in Jerusalem as temps are still in the 80s and 90s.

Over the past week we've had the opportunity to gain even more insight into this culture by learning about holiday customs as both Jews and Muslims have been celebrating special days simultaneously. For Jews, it has been Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, which is marked by a two day observance followed by Shabbat (Sabbath) so it really turns into three day celebration. Many of the foods eaten during this time are sweet (honey, raisens, sweet rolls, nuts, etc) in hopes of a "sweet" new year. Yom Kippur or "Day of Atonement," probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year, will be celebrated Saturday. Many will give up luxuries and fast for 25 hours during this time. I have been told that driving is discouraged and many streets will be closed. The following week the harvest will be celebrated with Succoth. Succoth is a remembrance of the period during which Hebrews wandered in the wilderness on route to Canaan . During their journey they lived in temporary shelters or booths. Today, modern Jewish communities continue the traditions of building booths or sukkot (plural) and holding thanksgiving festivities inside them. Succoth is often referred to as the Feast of Tabernacle or Festival of Booths. It is referenced in Leviticus 23:42-43, "You shall live in booths seven days in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. (Leviticus 23:42-43). The girls will be off school for a week and a half during this time.

Muslims have begun Ramadan which is a month long holiday season marked by daylight fasting and prayer. Lights have been put up all over East Jerusalem; it reminds me a little of Christmas. It is a very sacred time for the Muslims. Ramadan did not start until the new moon was officially sighted last Thursday evening. As we live among many muslims, we try to show our respect by not eating or drinking in the streets during daylight. I've had to remind the girls on several occasions, "don't take that outside to eat!" or "you'll have to come in for a drink, you shouldn't take that bottle with you." Yesterday Tayllor went down to the store on the hospital grounds and bought a drink. The storekeeper usually opens it for her, but did not yesterday. At first she didn't understand, but as she was telling me, it hit her, "he didn't want me to drink it then, right?." "Right!" I said.

We turned the clocks back over the weekend to mark the end of daylight savings time. The time change is scheduled to coincide with Ramadan and Yom Kippur so it occurs much earlier than in the U.S. I was surprised to find out that Daylight Savings Time is instituted in this part of the world.

Tensions between the two religious and ethnic groups are exacerbated at this time of year. Israelis are fearful of protesting and uprisings, so last Friday only men above the age of 45 and women above the age of 35, who had also obtained special permits, were allowed to enter Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque - the third holiest shrine of Islam. Israel also imposed a blanket closure on the West Bank during Rosh Hashanah, barring many Palestinians from entering Israel. We felt the effects of this action while trying to go to a local grocery store. While the store is less than a mile away, it is close to the line between Israeli and Palestinian sections. We drove three extra miles past five checkpoints (no kidding) to get to the store. It was frustrating for us and all we were trying to do was get bread and milk. I can't imagine what it was like for many of the Palestinians who had more important business. The restrictions are imposed to prevent possible attacks by Palestinian militants, but it seems more logical that such actions only increase anger and the likelihood that violence will occur.

Our week is full. We have language classes two nights per week. We are thankful that we have found a teacher and are anxious to learn. Although conversational Arabic is certainly our main goal, we are also learning to read the Arabic script. While it is taking lots of discipline, we are motivated by the desire to read labels and street signs. I know that literacy will open up a whole new world for us. Another highlight of the week includes the arrival of the peace development workers. We are making preparations for them and looking forward to spending time together as a team. We will also travel to visit a partner later in the week and then work at writing our first report. Last, but not least, we will also visit the office which will (hopefully) approve our work visas. Peace be with you all. Heather

Partner visits

2007-09-09T14:51:00.000+02:00

Recently I have been going to visit our many partners with Bassem. Bassem is the office director who helps to keep all the books and everything in order-this also includes keeping the Lehmans in order. He has done a great job helping us get acclimated to the area. We are able to get around and know how to get back home. Bassem has also been accompanying us to see the various partners. A few experiences on recent visits include:

not being able to pass the checkpoint to get into Bethlehem,
meeting a Palestinian who had been involved in the Oslo negotiations and who was shot in 1982,
being accused of not supporting a previous partner due to MCC getting away from the peace stance (NOT!),
saying a few words in front of 50 farmers who appreciate MCC support,
visiting a grassroots campaign for Stop the Wall in Ramallah and hearing of the oppression and sorrow involved in the Apartheid Wall,
visiting a trauma counseling center and a rehabilitation program to improve independence for those with disabilities (right up my ally) all done by the YMCA.

A highlight from these visits was to see a beneficiary who received rehabilitation training from the YMCA now successfully running a small convenience store in the AIDA refugee camp. This beneficiary has rheumatoid arthritis and suffers from the effects it has had on his ability to walk. After just 2 months in business he has saved enough to buy a cooler to put drinks in and he has developed a relationship with a larger grocer in the area where he can put things on credit and pay off his bills as he earns income from the store. The YMCA is making a real difference in the lives of its clients and it is exciting to know that MCC is part of that effort to help others in need. I am always reminded of God's goodness through these partners. They are so thankful for everything that is being done to support them and improve their lives. The needs are many, but the blessings are rich! I thank God that I can be a part of this wonderful place and experience his wonderful people, all made in his image whether Jew, Muslim, or Christian. We continue to learn and to live knowing that HE is in control.

2007-09-04T07:55:00.000+02:00

We spent Labor Day weekend exploring. Saturday we visited the Lutheran Church of the Ascension. It is one of several churches built on the Mount of Olives that claim to be located on the site of Christ's ascension. The Lutheran church, which is almost 100 years old, is less popular than the others, but it is literally in our back yard so we wanted to check it out. Later in the day, we visited The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. A tour guide gave us some history as we walked through the church. Of course the highlight was visiting the supposed site of Christ's birth. The guide ended our tour in a gift shop where we were served juice and bought a few small souvenirs. The many closed souvenir and gift shops we passed on the way to the church are evidence of just how hard the tourism industry has been hit in Bethlehem in recent years, so we were glad to help out a little.

Sunday we worshipped again at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, stopped at a shwarma shop for lunch, and then drove to the Dead Sea. As we descended from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea region, the girls commented on the pressure in their ears. We all enjoyed the scenery; the desert is a beautiful place. Still as we passed many bedouin tents I was amazed that anyone could survive in such a harsh climate. I was thankful for our reliable vehicle, too. Ellena was thrilled to see her first camel along the way. We drove to Ein Gedi (where David hid from King Saul) since it is the only free beach. We were all amazed at how we floated in the water, but the girls didn't stay in long as the salt burned their skin. Ryan tried his best to touch the bottom where he was floating but was unable, he was just too buoyant! Tayllor also commented on how you could see the dissolved salt swirling in the water. As it was very hot, we decided we would go back another day in the fall when it is a bit cooler. We put a little salt and a few stones in a tupperware container for souvenirs and then headed back home.

Along the way we saw what appeared to be a lonely camel so we stopped to take picture, but before I could snap one, a man jumped out of nowhere and said we could take a picture of the girls on the camel for 10 nis (about $2.50). That sounded fair enough, but before we knew it we were all taking rides and had spent quite a bit more (naive tourists!). It was worth it though as the girls talked the whole way home about how much they loved the camel rides. We took some great pictures as well.

Monday evening we attended a performance called Jerusalem stories that focuses on the stories of several individuals (both Israeli and Palestinian) living in Jerusalem during the recent years of conflict. The goal of the performance is to strengthen understanding and mutual recognition between the two groups and to promote dialogue. The performance was given in Arabic on the night we attended and was to be given in Hebrew the following night. One of the performers was Palestinian and one was Israeli. I spoke with an Israeli woman after the performance who said it was very healing for her to hear the Palestinian actress portray a Jewish woman who had lost her son to a suicide bomber. She acknowledged the need for "more of this type of thing."

On Tuesday we went to Tel-Aviv to visit an Israeli group, Zochrot (Remembering). Their goal is to raise awareness among the Israeli people of what is referred to by the Palestinians as the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948. They give learning tours of destroyed Palestinian villages, collect oral history, and are currently working at an educational packet for school teachers that explores the history of the Palestinian people. MCC helped this group get started and continues to support several of their projects. We hope to attend one of their tours in the near future.

I continue to spend a little time each week with a group of Muslim women at the hospital who sit in the garden of the hospital grounds each evening. They are cancer patients who are receiving radiation therapy. Many are from Gaza and have been given special permission to come to the hospital. Their families are not permitted visitation passes so they rely on each other for support. They enjoy Elijah and are trying to help him take his first steps. We often share cookies together. They help me with my Arabic and I help them with a little English, but we use a lot of sign language. I am encouraged by their quiet strength and hope for the future despite their difficult circumstances. They continue to remind me through an oft used phrase "Insh'allah" (God willing) that God is sovereign and we must place our trust in Him.

At mid-week, we attended the weekly worship and communion service at Sabeel which is an ecumenical group working toward justice and peace in the area. It was uplifting to read the scriptures, pray, and spend time with believers. Afterwards they shared a meal with us.

We want to thank you again for your prayers and support. This week we have had several opportunities to meet and begin relationships with a variety of people from diverse backgrounds. In an area where so many are polarized by race, ethnicity, religion, and gender, we know we must intentionally work at appreciating a variety of perspectives if we are to work at peace, justice, and reconciliation in an effective way. Yet, this attitude does not come naturally for anyone. It is easier said than done. We are so thankful for God's grace in providing us with experiences that are helping us connect with people and not sides.

2007-08-30T08:55:00.000+02:00

"I just can't believe we're here where Jesus was," whispered Ellena to the rest of us as we stood at the entrance to the tomb of Christ at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. She expressed what we had all been feeling as we walked through the Old City of Jerusalem last Sunday visiting several sites of significance. It was our first chance to really do any sightseeing since we arrived a week earlier.

Our first two days were spent moving furniture and emptying suitcases. The girls each claimed a room for themselves and went about putting clothing away, decorating, and finding sheets and comforters from closets to fit their beds. A makeshift crib was set up for Elijah using a blanket and an empty suitcase--it worked for the first few days until we could find a pack and play. Ryan and I were thrilled to find a study in the house complete with a library full of resources.

We tried to stay awake during daylight and avoid napping in order to get adjusted to the time change, but the kids just couldn't make it without naps. Consequently, we were up several times a night during the first week until we all began to adjust.

With the help of Bassem, our co-worker, we also found our way to the grocery store, butcher, and produce supplier. He introduced us to the store owners so that they would know we were not tourists and give us better prices. Shopping is a challenge as we cannot read either Arabic or Hebrew and are not as familiar with the metric system. How much is a kilo or a gram and how do you ask that in Arabic? Hand gestures go a long way and really most people are very gracious and try to be as helpful as possible.

Ding...Ding...Ding. An electronic bell goes off every time we get in the van and doesn't stop until we put on our seat belts. Israelis are very strict about using the seat belt and for good reason: driving in town is crazy. Horns honking, cars, buses, scooters, and even pedestrians darting in and out from all directions, it's all a bit unnerving. Still, I am determined to learn how get around and maintain a certain sense of independence. I can identify several main landmarks around town and looking for them helps me find my way. Even if I don't know exactly where I am, I am generally aware of the direction I need to go.

We registered the girls for school last Wednesday and they began their first day on Monday. They were both rather anxious, but have made friends quickly. Tayllor was greeted by a few girls who asked what grade she was in. When she replied that she was in fifth, they enthusiastically answered, "Yessss!" What a great welcome! Ellena met two girls from her class not long after we arrived, but began crying once the bell rang for school to start. One little girl who was there last year told her she would help her and her teacher noticed what was happening and gave her a little pep talk. It was tough to leave, but I felt she was in good hands. The school is very nice and the teachers seem to be very sensitive to the needs of third culture kids. When I picked Ellena up at the end of the day, she was smiling from ear to ear and talked about what a great day she had. The resiliency of children... we are amazed as we watch our children adjust to so many new situations.

Ryan has begun to visit some of the local partner organizations and learn about the work in more detail. He has also spent time reading through files and learning about the job. I have been reading about MCC's history in the area and educating myself on the work of the partners through the literature he brings home. We have enjoyed working at a relaxed pace, but Bassem reminds us to enjoy it as it will soon get very busy.

On Wednesday I was able to join Ryan on a visit to Bethlehem and for the past few days I have been grieving the loss of my own idealized picture of the place where the Hope of the World was born. The song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" replayed over and over in my head as we drove into town and I thought about all the times I had sung it and pictured a quiet peaceful little town. The real Bethlehem is quite different. While there is evidence of the occupation where we live in Jerusalem, I was not prepared for what I would see in the West Bank. As in many situations, reading only goes so far in preparing you for reality. Seeing the walls and check points was difficult. At some point during the last day I stopped at the line in the song, "yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light" and I was reminded that He is at work even today, even amidst the darkness. Many of the partners we are getting to know who are based in this city are evidence of His presence and light. I have been clinging to that knowledge as I continue to come to grips with the situation here.

Palestine Here we Come!!

2007-06-27T05:07:00.000+02:00

We have received our first taste of being part of MCC during our time in Akron. While it was somewhat overwhelming, we got a handle on our position as MCC Reps for Jerusalem. During our orientation, we met some fantastic people who were from and will be going all over the world. One evening we all ate dinner with an Amish family. As we sat around a large farm table and sang several hymns, I felt I was able to experience a taste of what heaven will be like when "all nations will come and worship before [Him]." The kids made great friends and did not want to leave Akron. We will be busy the next few weeks, but time with friends and family will be our focus prior to leaving at the beginning of August.