EAPPI Standing in Solidarity
with
the Village of Al Khadr
Summer Day Camps
Special summer activities for children occur across
Palestine. The camp we attended provides
special activities for over 120 children from Al Khadr. These activities were held in a stadium built
in 2007 with money from the Palestinian Authority.
The face painting so popular at festivals in
US, was popular here too.
It was fun
seeing the little ones enjoy running on the artificial grass of the stadium.
A Good Use of Stones
My teammate Aaron was invited to share his juggling skills
at this summer camp in Al Khadr.
Of course,
the military showed up with their guns in hand at the edge of the parking lot.
Why would the military need to be in the parking lot of a stadium filled with 120 children?
How many assault rifles should a child have to walk past in a day?
Needing things to juggle with, we went with
the staff to pick up stones at the edge of the parking lot too. Aaron used his Hebrew language skills to explain to
the soldiers why we were gathering stones. They seemed OK with this new use for stones.
Parading with Purpose
The final activity of the day for the children was a
parade.
The parade was to remember those
who are in Israeli jails. Being in jail without
being charged is common. The legal
system is in need of much reform to be a just system.
Some of the participants had made handmade
signs that told about the prisoner issues. Others held pictures of prisoners.
There was marching, singing and many flags waving. There were special performances once the parade arrived at the center
of town.
Palestinian Hospitality
After the parade, we were treated to a wonderful lunch with
the teachers from the day school. Then
we had coffee at one of their homes. I
was able to hold a very young Palestinian, ten days old.
So much potential, so much to hope for!
Solidarity with Palestinian Farmers
Everything Legal in Hebrew
Later in the afternoon, we met with one of our local
contacts and a farmer. This farmer has
been denied access to his land. He has
taken the issue to court and has legal paperwork. Of course, all legal paperwork is in
Hebrew. Fortunately, a teammate knows
Hebrew and so did the local contact in this village.
Together with the local contact, we went to access this
farmers land via a settlement that the farmland is near. Although we did not successfully reach the farmer's land, an important
step was taken toward getting the farmer back on his land. The farmer now has the number to call and
will be doing the required follow up.
A Walk, a Climb, a Jump and a Fall
On the way back from the settlement, we walked down into a
valley and then up to some trees.
As I climbed up to the trees, I thought of the quote I had
read earlier, “It is the bumps in the paths of life that allow us to climb the mountain;
a smooth mountain cannot be climbed.”
The outcropping of stone allowed me places to step into and grab as I
climbed.
Fruits and nuts were gathered and consumed. I wish you could all have experienced the eating of fresh treats off the trees of Palestine.
Coming down Aaron gave me a
hand, yet my decision to jump the last three feet resulted in my second fall in
Palestine. When a 70-year-old falls in the fields of Palestine, angels are on duty protecting their bones.
I praise God for the privilege of being in Palestine/Israel,
involved in the pursuit of peace and justice for those who continue to
experience violation of their rights.
Pray and Take Action for a Just Peace in the Middle East!