Joyful and Glad in Heart

Joyful and Glad in Heart Experiencing

I started my time home at my son's home for three days.  Sure is nice to experience the love of my son and his wife.  It was fun to get together with other good friends too.

Now home reconnecting with my neighbors, walking for exercise instead of transportation.  What a joy to have a home and friends to come back to.

Joyful and Glad in Heart Remembering

It has been a month already after arriving home June 2nd.  My home had been well cared for my my friends.  As you can see some of my bushes did not make the winter.  From what I am hearing, I am glad I did not experience this winter in Michigan.


I got busy right away getting ready to make presentations about what I saw and did during the five months I was in Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Deciding how to put five months into a thirty minute talk, with pictures allowed me to review my notes, pictures and memory bring back the wonderful experiences I had with so many!

Thank God for the opportunity to speak at my home church

Joyful and Glad in Heart Hearing

One of Pastor's sermon was about what Christians refer to as Pentecost.  According to our faith tradition, it was the initial receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Act 2:12 records the thoughts of those who were experiencing God. "Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?"

Joyful and Glad in Heart Planning

Daily information comes about opportunities to minister, scheduling presentations and future service options.  Maybe we can minister together.

I had the privileged of attending the United Methodist, West Michigan Annual Conference.  How pleased I was that the group voted to take positive steps toward a Just Peace in the Middle East.

Our Good News

The struggle continues for people in the Jordan, Israel and Palestine where I served.  The struggles here also continue.  Praise God with me that we have the Good News.  We have the privilege and responsibility of reaching out with the Good News of Jesus' Love

  

Worship, Celebration, Service, Tear Gas, Hospitality, Friendship and a Cooking Class

What do all the words in the title have in common?  I experienced them all this past week.

Worship at St Andrews Scot's Memorial Church

Rev. Kristen Brown is an ecumenical partner at St Andrews.  Kristen is with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.  She is the Methodist liaison to Palestine Israel.

 After worship Helen, a member at St Andrews who is also Kristen's neigbor, and I had lunch together.   We celebrated Kristen's birthday later at Kristen's apartment.

Acts of Service 

Two days a week, while I have been here and as schedules allowed, I spent doing office work at the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem, see Methodist Liaison on facebook.

 Kristen has been a kind "boss", as she facilitated my time here.  We both put energy into the Advance Projects.  For more information about the advance go to the following site,  www.umcmission.org/advance.  You will hear more about the Middle East Advance Projects upon my return to the US.  

If you are in Jerusalem, visit the office.  Better yet, come back on a service mission and fill this seat.

It was a joy to do service at Bethlehem Bible College, www.bethbc.org

I am comfortable doing office work, and because of my love for books, helping at the library was a joy.

Last year I met an artist who serves God here in many ways.  She is manager at the guesthouse where I am staying.  I thank God for her friendship and knowledge.  She was at the library this past week putting the final touches on a "story wall" for the children's section at the college's library.

This week I gave morning devotions at House of Hope.   The lesson was a story Jesus told so his listeners could understand the Kingdom of Heaven.  The residents celebrated the joy of those who were ready, knowing that God loves the world and provided the way to be ready.

I am so glad that Rev. Dianne Doten-Morrison has an all ages Sunday at Crist UMC, my home church.  I used some of her ideas from one of those services in my presentation.  See the joy as we sang Hosanna to the King of Kings!

The story was completed after lunch when the wedding cake was served.

Another place I had the joy of serving was the Al Malath Center.  This is a day center where special needs young adults receive the services they need.  Previously I had done some office work, this week I spent time with everyone.  Physical therapy, speech therapy, cooking together, learning activities of daily living and enjoying music and dance.

 My heart goes out to all this dedicated staff!

Lunch included stuffed grapr leaves.  They had picked them.  from vines in their garden and the chef  had helped them make them the day before.

 Music and dance, fun for everyone.

A Visit to Wadi Foquin

Community Development Project

Wadi Fukin is a small Muslim agriculture village located along "the green line," Israeli's 1948 border, and a huge illegal settlement.

This community is one of the Advance Projects through the General Board of Global Ministries.  United Methodists have been involved in the renovation of a community center.

Donations for this center are tax exempt and may be made at www.umcmission.org search for project # 3021565.  Many projects are underway at the center including training women in business management and assisting in the development of income generating products.

Rev. Kristen Brown and I enjoyed seeing the wonderful park the villagers built for their children.

Video About Wadi Foquin

There is more than one spelling of the name of this village.  Link to the video for more information www.friendsofwadifoquin.com.

Prayers Needed

Please pray for the residents as they face many issues related to the occupation and loss of their farm lands.

April 27th -May 9th

Holy Sites and Holy People

I have had the joy of joining a United Methodist tour of the Holy Land coordinated through Grace Tours, www.grace-tours.com.  Traveling in both Israel and Palestine gave this group a chance to see old stones, be on pilgrimage, do acts of service in Jesus' name and gain an understanding of the history and life in today's culture. 

Consider the Call Come and See

Rev. Kristen Brown, of the Methodist Liaison Office, has more trips in the works.  When the fliers are finalized, I will post the information.  

Let me know if you are thinking of a visit to the Holy Land.  I would love to host a group facilitated by Grace Tours, sharing some of what I have learned.  Kristen had me take the training so I am an United Methodist approved team leader.

Mixing "Work" and Pleasure

Praise God with me for my joy in being able to experience this Holy Land with these Holy People!   During their reflections God was praised for all that was seen and done.   They left energized to serve our God of love and justice.

So much more, check out the Methodist Liaison's facebook page.

I Celebrated Easter with Villagers in Galilee

Iqrit

The day after my celebration of Easter in Jerusalem, I traveled through Galilee to the location where the Palestinian Christian village if Iqrit was located before villagers were forced out in 1948.  All that remains of the village is the graveyard and the church.

1n 1948 villagers were forced to find alternative places to live.  Those who resettled close by were internally displaced refugees, but became Israeli citizens  with the formation of the State of Israel.  A legal victory in Israeli courts gave villagers the right of return. However, before they could exercise their legal right, Israeli military destroyed their village.  They are still being denied their right.  They are only being allowed to hold funerals in the church, bury their dead in the cemetary and celebrate mass each month.

Celebrating Easter Mass

As villagers returned to celebrate the resurrection of their Lord Jesus Christ, they are prayig to God as Jesus taught, " Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  Praying for justice, including the resurrection of their village.

Notice the crecent and cross design in the top of the wall.  Muslim neighbors from a near by village assisted when the church was refurbished.   Their town has since been replaced, is a place they are no longer welcomed.

Celebrating Community

We enjoyed conversations, food and entertainment with about 300 others, families and friends of Iqrit.   Since the loss of their personal property, it has been used by others for animal husbandry and military purposes, drone base.

Growing Old but Hoping for their Right of Return

Let's join our prayers with theirs for a just solution as villagers exercise their right of return through creative, nonviolent actions.