A Busy Month

Hi Everyone,

I have been home a month.  Time seems to be going as fast here as it did during the three months I was in Occupied Palestine Terriority and Israel. 

Last Weekend in July

The last weekend in July, I met my sister, Donna, who lives in Florida, at Pittsburgh, PA for a conference by Christians for Biblical Equality (www.cbeinternational.org.)  I made the trip by Greyhound bus, an adventure in itself.  Arriving at the bus station at 4:30 AM and then finding my way to the hotel 23 miles away was another stretch. 

I am praising God for all those who gave me directions.  It was only a few blocks’ walk to the underground, and there were a few other people making the walk before 6 AM.  The conference and the things I learned left my heart praising God for the Holy Spirit’s gifting for ministry. 

A United Methodist volunteer, Tina Whitehead, whom I met in Jerusalem, was home in the states.  Her home was within an hour drive of my conference site, so she visited for coffee and conversation.  I have learned and still am learning so much from her.  Tina has served in the Holy Land for several years.

Donna and Lessons on Zionism

Being home and having Donna staying here is wonderful.  Some of you remember that I invited you all to lessons on Zionism.  Donna has put together scripture and lesson outlines.  Those who responded to the invitation, from this blog, have learned a lot.  If you want copies of the lessons, let me know.

A Wonderful Variety of Activities 

Family

My brother and sister-in-law came up from Lawton in southern Michigan.  We enjoyed dinner and a concert of Irish music.  Donna, Janet and Jim did the tourist things around Traverse City, while I got ready for my pending advocacy talks.

Sunrise in Michigan

  It almost looks like the "burning Bush/tree"!  

 But it is God gifting me with another beautiful sunrise.

I am a morning person it is my joy to see the beauty of sunrises from my deck.

 

More Training

I now have completed the West Michigan Conference Leadership Training for United Methodist Volunteers in Missions.  Lorna Jost of the North Central Jurisdictional Office offered this training.  Maybe someday we can go on a Holy Land tour together.

Friends and Even a Yard Sale

My subdivision decided to have a yard sale, so some of my friends brought their tables and stuff and we had a fun day!

Advocating for Just Peace in Palestine and Israel

On Saturday, August 17, it was my privilege to tell about my EAPPI experiences to the local chapter of Michigan Veterans for Peace.  In addition, on Sunday August 18, I spoke to my church family at Christ United Methodist Church. 

I was glad to have these opportunities to tell what I saw and learned in the Occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. I am convinced that if Jesus were here in person, he would be a Peace and Justice activist.  Jesus would be advocating for a JUST peace in all areas of conflict in the world.  

Let’s take the challenge to be the hands of Jesus in the world!

Christ United Methodist Church

This year I have worshiped with many congregations, some even in English.  God’s Spirit made Jesus known to the hearts in each worship setting, but there is something VERY special to me about worshiping with my local church family. 

After the service we had a wonderful time at the lake

Action Shot: The Stick Is Still In the Air

Good Parents Ever Watchful

Methodist Tradition, Good Food

Somors

After the service we had a wonderful time at the lake.

Prayers Still Needed

As I discern God’s plans for my next mission, I am counting on your continued prayers.  Please call me, 2313 929 7808 if your church or group would like a presentation about what I saw and did during my three months in Bethlehem with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program Palestine Israel (www.eappi-us.org).

PRAY FOR A JUST PEACE 

IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

Mint Tea, Mint Lemonade and Palestinian Thyme Bread

Palestinian Thyme Bread:

George and Sylvia my neighbors in Palestine, taught me how to make Palestinian Thyme Bread.

 Even though Sylvia has a oven in the house, she prefers to use the traditional one on the patio.

Back in the states 

My friend Nancy and I got busy with Phyllis's recipe.

 

Brunch at Christ United Methodist Church July 21, 2013

The ones we made were not as nice as George and Sylvia's, but off to church they went.

New menu items on Sunday's brunch, pita bread, humus and Palestinian thyme bread.

Palestinian Mint Tea and/or Mint Lemonade

In Palestine I learned to love tea with a sprig of fresh mint and mint lemonade.  In the states, on my first attempt to buy mint I was not successful. Quality mint was not available.  If  I wanted to continue drinking mint tea and mint lemonade I decided I would have to grow it myself.

My friend Nancy and I went to the farmer's market to buy mint plants.    

With Nancy's help we prepared the ground and planted the mint.  Our task was completed successfully.

As Nancy planted each plant she would say,

"Grow for the Glory of God  and the enjoyment of all of us."

She said she remembers planting with her grandfather and he would say that same thing as he planted his garden.  

What a win/win.  She got to remember happy thoughts of her grandfather and I got the mint planted.  When the work was done, together we enjoyed mint Lemonade.

As I look out my window the mint growing there will be my call to prayer for the people of Palestine.

Consider this your invitation to come over for Palestinian Thyme Bread, Mint Tea and Mint Lemonade.

We Will Pray for a JUST Peace in the Middle East

Home - Debriefing In Washington DC

Upon my return from Palestine/Israel I attended meetings at the Methodist Building.  This is the only non-government building on Capitol Hill.

I had appointments with my elected officials.  

Actually,  with their staff person who handles their Middle East issues.  

Who would expect an elected official from northern Michigan to be in Washington D.C. in July?

Below is the document I used as talking points.  Perhaps you would be interested in doing some research by checking out these web sites.

Systemic Human Right Violations:

The violations of human rights are systemic and pervasive.  Travel restrictions, permit system requirements, denial of access to worship, denial of access to health care, denial of access to family, denial of access to a safe place to live because of demolitions (http://www.icahd.org), denial of right of return (BADIL www.badil.org), and military tactics, www.breakingthesilence.org, confiscation of private land and water resources (see http://mondoweiss.net) names a few.  Of particular concern is the arrest and detention of children (http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2013/04/15/al-khalil-hebron-israeli-soldiers-arrest-boy).

This week a five year old was arrested.  Photos are available on each issue upon request (randie.clawson@gmail.com).

International Law

The average American does not know that our tax dollars support illegal actions.  Information from the United Nations verifying conditions and violations is available at these sites.  See www.ohchr.org, www.unochaopt.org, and www.unrwa.org.  We finance violence. 

Settlement Expansion and Settler Violence Continues

Settlements, illegal under International Law, and violence from Settlers are a constant threat to Palestinians.  Settler’s actions would be felonies if committed in the United States.

Changes Needed From My Government.

Legislative action is needed to end the occupation.  It is needed so US funds through our aid to Israel is not allowed to “buy” injustice.  Please implement policies so Americans know what Israel receives from our tax dollars and are able to monitor how Israel is spending the funds.  It is in our best interest to stop funding violence via our aid. 

Legislative action is needed so that our government is not “blind” to the violations of international law.  The United States must influence Israel to stop the injustices in the occupied Palestinian territories.  We should take the lead in obtaining a JUST peace based on nonviolence and international law; our security depends on a JUST peace.

Diplomacy regarding visas needs to be conducted.  Volunteers from the Christian faith communities are being denied access to Israel and Palestine.  In other situations, severe restrictions are being placed on the people of faith who want to come and serve in faith based NGO’s (http://www.cpt.org/taxonomy/term/5).

Library of Congress

In front of the Library of Congress was wonderful statuary including my favorite creature.  

Praise God with me for our freedom to advocate on behalf of our Palestinian Christian Brothers and Sisters!

Pray for a JUST peace in the Middle East

Saint Peter

Although I am home, I discovered this blog draft that never was posted.  While at the Sea of Galilee, I stayed at the Casa Nova.  It was a wonderful bed and breakfast run by the staff of St Peter's church.

The small old church there was ornate and gave me a nice place to ponder all that I was seeing and experiencing here in this part of the Holy Land at the Sea of Galilee.











The grounds of the church had a lot of history and symbolism.  Wish I had the knowledge to explain it all to you.  Maybe some of you that are history buffs can help by adding comments.




I took closeups of  the center left and right sides so some of the symbols showed.

Once inside the history lesson continued.  What a blessing it was to refresh my understanding of Saint Peter and his experiences at the Sea of Galilee.

I am not sure of the symbolism on this display between these two stained glass windows or the Key below it.  There was no one to ask at the time of my pondering.  

Although not the original meaning, this key caused me to think about the 800,000 Palestinians who were forced to leave their homes, villages and even country in 1948 when Israel was established.  Many of them still hold the keys to their homes even though the homes were either destroyed, or given to others.

International law gives the right of return to refugees, but Palestinian refugees have been denied that right for the past 65 years.

Pray for a JUST peace in the Middle East based on International Law and Non-Violence

Go Fishing

At and On the Sea of Galilee

Being at the Sea of Galilee brought back the memories of the stories of Jesus at this very place.  When I saw the  boats on shore, I knew I wanted to be on the sea not just at the sea. 

It was wonderful to finally get on a boat and push off from shore. 

As I looked across, I wondered how much was the same as when Jesus looked at this shore.

I asked myself, if I, like Peter, would have stepped out on this water.

I saw a boat coming from the horizon.  

As it got closer, I realized it was a fishing boat.  

What a special treat to see the net up in the air as I took the photos.  

As the net landed, I remembered the story of Peter, casting the net in the daytime at Jesus’ command. 

 

As the boat sailed on, I thanked God for allowing me to "go fishing" on the Sea of Galilee.

Peter learned the lesson that obeying Jesus brought unimaginable blessings and a new assignment.  

My heart was praising God as I enjoyed my day on the Sea of Galilee,  I pondered what my next assignment might be.