EAPPI Standing in Solidarity with the

Christian Community in Palestine

It is my joy to continue to worship and stand in solidarity with Palestinian Christians. After receiving good directions from the pastor via email, I walked less than 25 minutes and found the Baraka Presbyterian Bible Church of Bethlehem.

I knew I would like this place when I saw their guard turtle yard decoration. I collect turtles and I too have a guard turtle at my house.

As we worshiped together, the singing was in Arabic, but an English-speaking person translated the sermon as I listened via an earpiece. I now understand the joy of hearing the Scripture in my “mother tongue.”

The congregation was welcoming. In a conversation, I discovered that the brother and sister in law of the pastor work at Hope College in Holland Michigan. It is a small world; God’s family is everywhere!

What a privileges God has allowed me to experience during my weeks here. Worshiping with many different congregations is a weekly highlight.

We have stood with others in hope as we celebrating mass, resisting the confiscation of church property taken in order to build the wall.

We end each busy week on Friday with a walk and prayer at the wall. The memory of the faithful walking and praying at the wall will always be with me.

Pray for a JUST peace in the Middle East!

Allowed to Serve

2016,2017 2018

The trinity of years since I updated this side bar has been filled with God given circumstances and opportunities for service.

Praise God with me for the action of God's Holy Spirit in our 24/7.

Hear my intention to post more often highlighting my intentions and realizations as we pray for each other. Our prayers that God's Love will redeem our fallen culture and society.

As Jesus followers we are reconciled with God. Our call is to be agents of reconciliation to people and the systems that are part of God's original commandment "rule and subdue."

Our hearts and the world will be returned to God's, "Very Good" through the Holy Spirit bringing the reign of God to our hearts so that all humanity will flourish into God's "Very Good."

2015

I am learning so much as I continued serving as Social Action Coordinator for United Methodist Women of West MI Conference. I thank God for the many classes and courses provided. It was fun to learn some Spanish during a conversational Spanish class at Christ UMC. I hope to use some words as I volunteer at Justice for our Neighbors. I continue to volunteer with United Methodist Kairos Response, as they work for justice for Palestinians. This year will be finished out, Lord willing, serving through GBGM Individual Volunteer in Missions as a Immigration Case Worker Assistant, with Church World Service.

2014

Praise God with me, I have the privilege of being involved with the United Methodists as an IVIM.

When I return to Michigan in June, I would like to visit you or your group to tell you about my experiences.

2013

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers(EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and reporthuman rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions. The views contained herein are personal tohh me and do not necessarily reflect those of EAPPI-US or the World Council of Churches. If you want to publish the content of this blog's posts April 14, 2013 to July 17, 2013 or email in a print or online publication, please first contact CWS at mailto:sweaver@churchworldservice.org