December Is A Busy Month Here Also

Jerusalem an Unexpected Journey

The roads lead to Jerusalem, especially when you pick up the bus # 21on the wrong side of the street.  In English I explained where I wanted to go in Bethlehem.  I heard and followed the Arabic, “Yella”.  It was a correct command, but bad advice if time and money is a consideration.  The bus did go to Bethlehem, but by way of Jerusalem.  It required me to catch a returning bus # 21 to Bethlehem including a second fee.  I rode for 1 hour and 15 minutes before heading down to Bethlehem on the other side of the road.  Travel time to enjoy the scenery,  contemplate and pray.

Kairos

On December 1-4, I had the privilege attending an International Conference to celebrate Kairos Palestine’s fifth anniversary of launching the document, “A Moment of Truth.”  The title of the conference was, Life with Dignity.  2 Corinthians 4:8 was the Bible emphasis,

 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not despairing”

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect with people from my prior assignments here and make new friends.  There were many Methodists in attendance.   

The last event of the conference was a Palestinian dinner with entertainment, a Palestinian Dance group.

Bethlehem Tree Lighting Festival Manger Square

While I seldom go out alone after dark, I felt the Christmas Tree lighting on Manger Square in Bethlehem should be an exception.

Bus to Bethlehem

I caught the bus to Bethlehem, this time from the correct side of the road.  The street scene on the way created a Christmas atmosphere..

Walk to Manger Square

I joined up with Pat from MI.  Some of you might remember she presented her Ecumenical Accompaniment Experience at Christ UMC’s Middle East Peace Lenten Series in 2012.  The 20 minute walk to Manger Square added to the festive atmosphere.  It was evident that the event was to be well attended.

The Celebration

The festival included music, the lighting of the tree and fireworks!  The sign across the stage, “All I want for Christmas is Justice” expressed everyone’s desire for this Christmas Season!

We returned the following day to get more pictures without so many people in the way.

Sunday at Christmas Church and Beyond

This past Sunday I worship at the Christmas Lutheran Church near Manger Square.

Grace

It gave me an opportunity to hear Grace, a United Methodist Global Mission Fellow, sing in the choir.  There were several Methodists in attendance and we enjoyed our lunch together on Manger Square.



Grace and I had also connected in Mafraq, Jorden where we both served with the Syrian Refugees.

The United Methodist Global Mission Fellows is a 2 year mission opportunity for young adults ages 20-30. Young adults are invited to engage with the local communities, connect the church in mission, and grow in personal and social holiness. This program allows for transformation and leadership development to take place while addressing roots of social injustices with other young people from around the world.

Global Mission Fellow has 2 tracks: US-2 and International. Both track offer candidates the opportunity to be part of a cohort of other Global Mission Fellows. You will train and regroup with the same young adults throughout your 2 years of service, always have a support group to walk with you through your journey!  Please let family and friends in this age range know about this mission ministry program.

One of the stain glass windows at the Christmas Lutheran Church portrayed the Holy Refugee Family. May we all remember those around the world this Christmas season who share the refugee status.

Lunch at Manger Square

It was an added pleasure to have lunch at Manger Square, Palestinian food is so VERY good.

Hope School Exam Week

This is exam week at Hope School.  The students take these exams very seriously.  There is a lot of studying going on.  Education is highly valued here.  I like to think of their striving as nonviolent resistance to the current inhuman conditions experienced from the occupation.  The students and teachers show their steadfastness to live above their circumstances in Hope!. .

Christmas Decorations at Hope Secondary School

The Cave

The cave under the Christmas tree with the holy family displayed is a traditional Christmas decoration in Beit Jala.. 

The Decorators at Hope School

I was glad to be able to take photos of the students who helped with the decorations.  

What a blessing to be surrounded  by such kind teenagers

I had the privilege of serving these students with with English enrichment classes.

A Christmas Option

8th Annual Bethlehem Prayer Service

WHEN: Sat, Dec 20th at 10 am

WHERE: Washington National Cathedral in D.C. and Live Streaming Nationwide

Prayers, readings and hymns alternate between the two far-removed locations via the Internet, bringing together people of different lands, languages and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

More information and live streaming at http://www.nationalcathedral.org/events/ChristmasBethlehem2014.shtml

Living the Christmas Message

As Christians we stand shoulder to shoulder with all humanity, facing the Light and Glory of God and hearing with the shepherds,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Luke 2:14.

Be the Peace!

Across the Jordan and Return

Bethlehem Bible College's Shepherd Society Outreach

I had a special blessing being allowed to travel with an Outreach team from The Shepherd Society, Advance Project # 3020439.

On the journey to and from Mafraq, Jordan, we saw many interesting sights.  

There is even a Mc Donald's in Northern Israel.

Mafraq continues to expand due to the continued influx of Syrian Refugees.  The church is also expanding to better serve the refugees. The third floor new sanctuary is under construction.

This view is from the soon to be 4th floor community center.

The congregation and many internationals are serving the extreme needs of the refugees.

A special blessing for me was joining in the prayer meeting at Haifa's house with the women of the congregation

I went with others on distributions.
Needed household goods are provided to the Syrian refugees who have none.    

I was blessed to visit homes. What a joy it was to see the families respond to the visits, how wonderful that all but two of the outreach team spoke the same language.  Even without knowing what was said, I could see the joy, hear the laughter and sense the comfort the visits gave the refugees.

An American Thanksgiving

I accepted an invitation from Rev Alex and Brenda Awad's church for an American Thanksgiving Dinner.

There were several people there experiencing Thanksgiving Dinner and all the trimmings for the first time.

A congregation member, sitting at the table with me,  told the history of the first Thanksgiving.  His family roots go back to the Mayflower.

Desert, my favorite part of the meal!

!

Staying Busy at Hope Secondary School

English enrichment lessons with four students was FUN.  The students really work hard to improve their English.

We have received an unusual amount of rain.  Water came into the building from a door near my room and then into my room.

With the help of Mohammed and Mahmoud, we discovered that the drain on the deck was plugged.  With their help, we remedied the situation and cleaned up the mess.

It is starting to look like Christmas at Hope School.  

Today I had the privileged representing  Hope School at the Christmas Market in Old Town Jerusalem at the Lutheran Church.  We sold various hand made items on behalf of the school.  It was fun seeing the children enjoying their traditional skinny Santa.

If you are thinking of an alternative Christmas giving, please consider Hope Secondary School.  It is an Advance Project (number 12018A) through the General Board of Global Ministries, www.umcmission.org. When donations are processed through this web site, 100% of the donation goes to the project and the donation is tax deductible.

Please Continue to Pray for a 

Just Peace in the Land of Christ's Birth!

Office, Classes and One on One Enrichment

Classes for 82 Secondary Students

It is a joy for me to serve at Hope Secondary School.  My days are very full.  Most days I serve in the development office, office work, my comfort zone.  

On some occasions I serve with students in the classrooms and as needed for special events.

At morning break time, the students rush out and go across the parking lot to the canteen.  They are served sandwiches and snacks daily.

It is still nice enough weather here for the students to sit in the garden enjoying their snacks.

After school each day, I am involved with students for individual English enrichment.

Olives Available Daily

A few weeks before I arrived, students were involved in the olive harvest on the campus.  I am enjoying all the olives available at meals and for nibbling.

Giving Tuesday

It was fun to watch this picture being taken.  Rev. Kristen Brown, the Methodist Liaison, took the photos of the Advance Projects and has posted them to the Methodist Liaison Facebook page.

Please consider a donation for the needs of these deserving students.  Donations can be sent to www.umcmission.org.   The donations are tax deductible and 100% goes to the project.  Use the project number 12018A.

Your Opportunity to Serve at Hope School

 Please Pray for a Just Peace in the Middle East

Grand Traverse District UMW Connects with Palestinians

Grand Traverse District UMW

To the right is the new leadership team of the Grand Traverse District United Methodist Women.  The photo was taken at the annual meeting in Cadillac, MI.  The annual meeting included an in-gathering of medical supplies and vitamins for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. 

After the meeting, the products were sorted and packed for their long trip. 

With the help of Rev. Kristen Brown, the suitcase filled with the products was delivered to the Shepherd Society at Bethlehem Bible College.

Check out how beautiful the flowers are in Palestine at the Bethlehem Bible College, even though it is November.







The Shepherd Society reaches out with humanitarian aid to the Palestinian communities suffering from the occupation of the West Bank and the military assault in Gaza.  They were delighted with the donations of needed humanitarian supplies.

The Shepherd Society is an Advance Project of the General Board of Global Ministries.  Tax free donations may be made through the web site, www.umcmisson.org.  Use the project number #3020439.  

Donations are needed and accepted any time.  

However, December 2 is designated as a special Giving Tuesday.

                               

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR A JUST PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Call to Action!

Settling In

With the help of Rev. Kristen Brown, Methodist Liaison from the Jerusalem Methodist Office, I am settling in at Hope Secondary School, Beit Jala, Palestine.  Please check out their web page at www.hopeschoolbeitjala.com.

Serving 

I will be serving in the office, my comfort zone, in the kitchen and doing some one on one English enrichment activities.  Going on field trips with the students was a lot of fun.

Hope Secondary School is one of the Advance Projects identified by the United Methodist missionaries in the Holy Lands.  There are 82 students currently, 22 are boarders.  None of these secondary students would be obtaining an education without Hope Secondary School.

Learning

God Blessed me with the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit at Bethlehem Bible College.  I learned from the speakers and Videos.  I know this was a gift from God, to equip me as I join the West Michigan Conference United Methodist Women leadership team as social action coordinator.

Garden Dedication

Through the help of the Quakers, a garden has been completed and was dedicated on November 1, 2014.  

This garden was in process when a VIM team was here to serve earlier this year.

It was fun to be part of the celebration, even if the program was in Arabic. 

Needs: Material and Spiritual

If any of your churches, UMW units, or families are considering alternative Christmas giving, please consider the extreme need here in the West Bank at Hope Secondary School Beit Jala, Palestine.  Donations may be directed through General Board of Global Ministries web site www.umcmission.org the Hope Secondary School Advance Project number is  12018A

Please let others know about this ministry that educates the disadvantaged youth from the West Bank. 

Prayers are needed!  All of the students need your prayers.  I am trying to learn their names this week, I need prayers too.  The 22 youth that I now live and eat with, have a special place in my heart and I hope in your prayers.

Prayer before Meals