Friday, July 17, 2009

Memories

This weekend I'll have another opportunity to share about my trip. I love these opportunities, because it causes me to stop and reflect on my trip and go back through pictures and journal entries and remember the people we met, the stories we heard. I love to relive these memories. Visiting families and peace organizations in Jerusalem and the West Bank was such a gift! I will treasure it forever.

Just tonight, looking through pictures, I am saddened once again by the images of soldiers carrying guns, often pointed carelessly in the direction of civilians (in the case of the protest we attended, Palestinian mothers, fathers, and children - all committed to nonviolence, taking a stand against the Separation Barrier that Israel is building in the midst of their community, on their land).

My heart breaks for these young men and women in the "service" of their country - that is, promoting Israel's political agenda and oppressive control over the Occupied Palestinian Territories. I know that not all of them would choose to be where they are, doing what they're doing. I pray for them - that they will be made free. Free from blind prejudices that are instilled in them from a young age. Free from attitudes of hatred toward fellow humans. Free from the weight of the guns they carry, the responsibility they hold over the lives - or deaths - of innocent people. Free to choose not to participate in the military. Free to choose lives of working for peace instead... true peace, not the illusion of peace that comes when the threat of violence keeps everyone in check.

Maybe they will see hope for such freedom when they talk with visiting peace activists, including Christians, Muslims and Jews. Maybe they will see it when they feel frustrated and empty at the end of an IDF day's work. Surely they'll see it in the nonviolence of the Palestinian people they encounter day after day?











Monday, June 15, 2009

A statement that all three religions should be able to embrace

"In times of war, you often hear leaders - Christian, Jewish, and Muslim - saying, 'God is on our side.' But that isn't true. In war, God is on the side of refugees, widows, and orphans." - Greg Mortenson ("Three Cups of Tea")

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Presentations...

Tonight I had my 5th speaking opportunity so far, sharing about my trip with the "Wesley Cell" group at my church (mostly retired folks - they host anyone who has gone on any kind of trip!). It was very encouraging. In all my presentations, I keep waiting for people to challenge/argue with me. But it always seems that people are very receptive. One gentleman came up afterward and told me, "I'm a conscientious objector. I'm a Mennonite... well, I was a Mennonite." And we had a good conversation about peacemaking and evangelism (how sometimes one is neglected for the sake of the other), and about his experiences during the war (he worked in a mental health hospital). He is very sweet, and it's kind of sad because he and his wife are having their 60th anniversary this year, but she has alzheimers. It was just a neat opportunity to get to know someone in my church, and really everyone in the room was affirming to me. Several people made mention of me going back again... and although I don't know yet, it's nice to know that people are supportive of me if I do go.
Well, one more scheduled presentation to go, and a couple yet to be scheduled... I'm so thankful for each chance I get to share, and for every person who listens and cares about what they hear.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Hope for what will be

In any part of the world right now, there is evidence of injustice, evil and destruction. Though it is painful to see it, knowing that this is not the way God intended Creation to be, we must face the truth of it, including our own guilt in it.
But that is not all. We must not get stuck in the pain and guilt. We must also look forward with hope, and put the efforts of our lives toward what should be, what will be. Righting wrongs, forgiving offenses, admitting when we are wrong, seeking forgiveness where we have offended... Healing wounds, helping the poor, giving back what has been taken, giving up our own "rights" for the good of others, rebuilding what has been torn down... These are the ways of the kingdom of God. And His kingdom is coming.

My heart echoes the prayer of this song:

Let your kingdom come and liberate
Every prisoner of greed and hate
Let it fill our hearts
With love for you
For our neighbors and
For our enemies too

Let your kingdom come and end all war
And the pain and grief of the oppressed and poor
Let all violence be finally put away
Let the streets find safety so the children can play

Let your kingdom come and let cool streams flow
Let your fields flourish clean wind blow
Let your children save instead of destroy
Let every creature thrive free in health and joy.

Let your kingdom come and every knee bow
To the king who was, will be and is now
And let justice roll, as the rivers run
And let death give way to resurrection!

(Brian McClaren and Tracy Howe)

Sunday, May 3, 2009

More info related to BDS

www.whoprofits.org

"The Israel Boycott is Biting" -- Good!

Some interesting news from the Jewish Peace News blog, speaking of the BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) movement:

"The US protests are part of a growing global movement that has taken international law into its own hands because governments have not. And, especially since the attacks on Gaza, the boycotts have been biting. There are three reasons why."

The three reasons are:
1. "Ordinary citizens" -- people like you and me -- can get involved and actually make a difference.
2. Jewish groups are also participating, which shows that boycotting Israel is not necessarily anti-Semitic. (Remember, Israel is a nation, with a governement that is obligated to follow international law as any other government is, so taking a stand against Israel is not the same as being anti-Jewish.)
3. This movement has its roots in the leadership of Palestinian people themselves:
"In 2005, over 170 Palestinian civil society coalitions, organizations, and unions, from the occupied territories,within Israel, and in exile issued a formal call for an international campaign of boycott, divestment, and sanctions(BDS) until Israel abides by international law."

For the rest of the article, or the JPN abstract, see http://jewishpeacenews.blogspot.com/2009/05/nadia-hijab-israel-boycott-is-biting.html

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Photo albums

Here are some of my photo albums on facebook with a select few (out of many, many) pictures from the delegation.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20967&id=1013829573&l=50ca19596a

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20971&id=1013829573&l=2387624bfb

Sunday, April 19, 2009

You're Invited

A presentation on my experiences in Jerusalem and the West Bank:

Thursday, April 30
7:00 pm
College Church of the Nazarene, Room 100
200 University Ave, Bourbonnais IL

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Hearing Israeli Perspectives

While we didn't meet with very many Israeli groups on our trip, our team recognizes the importance of listening to both "sides". My team member Karen, who stayed a few days after the delegation (and visited the village of Sderot in Israel), was able to speak with some Israeli citizens. She shares what she heard from them:

"I spoke with quite a few people, from a moderate point of view to a very religious point of view. All were fascinating and honest. This is a little of what I heard. To respect their privacy, I am referring to each as person 1, 2 etc.

Person 1: Person 1 explained to me that Israel was God's land, promised to His people, the Jews. This land was prayed for day and night to be returned to them, and now that is has been returned, it is theirs to care for. Person 1 was very honest in saying that they did not really recognize Palestine, because it was only 100 or so years old. Israel, as a land, has belonged to the Jews for thousands of years, and they have been displaced time and time again. Person 1 also did not recognize the terms "settlements," or "outposts," viewing them more as neighborhoods that rightfully belong to the Jewish people. In Person One's eyes, Palestinians are tribes that have come together, have worked the land for centuries, but are not part of the promised people, so, in turn, are not part of what God has promised to the Jewish people. Person 1 very much respected the Palestinians work of the land, but at the same time pointed out to me that in the Jewish tradition, life is held at the highest level-it is revered and it is most holy. What Person 1 struggles with and the view coming from the Palestinians, is that a suicide bomber or any Palestinian who commits an act of violence against an Israeli, and is supported by their people, does not hold life with such high value. This seemed to be one of the most important aspects to Person 1 and their view. When referring to the security wall, Person 1 actually found it to be a good thing in terms of protection, but also understood that it has caused great suffering among many Palestinians and was thoughtful in the sense of that realization.

Person 2: On the more, "moderate" view, Person 2 called the settlers in Hebron, "Crazy," and although Person 2 knows that most settlers are not extreme in their views, Person 2 understands that many have an ideological mind set that is detrimental to the religion of Judaism. This was also made clear to me when I met a man from the UK who was working with the organization called Sabeel and he told me that his Jewish friends were touring Hebron and the settlers in Hebron were calling his friends, "Nazi Jews." Yes, the settlers who are Jewish are calling their fellow Jews, "Nazis." There is much more to this, but in general, you can get the sense from this that again, some settlements have radical people, and some don't. Person 2 also believed that Israel was the promised land, but greatly disagreed with many things that the Israeli govt does to the Palestinians. Person 2 feels that the Palestinians have a right to the land, but Person 2 also questioned a lot of what the people, such as Arafat, have done for their people. Person 2 questioned about all the money given to Arafat and why that didn't go to the people, as well as why Arafat walked away from a peace deal that gave him 90% of what he was asking for. Person 2 does not agree nor like that Palestinians are made to drive on different roads than Israelis, however, agreed that the security wall was working since suicide bombings have dropped dramatically since the wall went up."

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

March 25, 4p.m. (9a.m. CST)

This morning after breakfast and team worship time, we went upstairs (from the CPT apartment) to where Zleeka (a long time friend of CPT Hebron) has a kindergarten. She told us about how she started her work:

During the second Intifada, when curfew was imposed about 3 or 4 out of every five days (which means the Palestinian residents could not leave their homes), the children could no longer go to school. But they could go up on the rooftops (which are mostly flat, and often connect from house to house), and Zleeka, who had been a teacher, would gather with them and try to organize and teach them and give them useful things to do. For example, she had them bring old refridgerators up onto the roofs, and fill them with soil to make gardens. She encouraged each child to plant a tomato plant or something, and water it and take care of it... in order to have hope and imagine that things would be different someday, that things would get better. (I am telling this as closely as possible to the way she told it.)

Then some of the parents asked her to start a kindergarten, which she currently runs for about 35 children (approximately 5 of whom come for free because their parents cannot afford it). They are ages 3 to 5 1/2, and learn basics like the English and Arabic alphabets, to prepare them for school. The goal of her school is not only for the children's education, but also for their social well-being - encouraging them not to be afraid of the soldiers, and doing social-work with them and their families to help overcome the problems of daily life under the Occupation. Zleeka also hopes to encourage families to stay and live in the Old City of Hebron, which they are much more willing to do if their children can safely attend school within the Old City (living here is difficult because of the nearby Israeli settlements and, therefore, the extra military presence and checkpoints).

We also met today with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, which is doing amazing work at restoring old buildings in the Old City. (The building which houses their office is considered "new" - it is only 200 years old.) This really is a beautiful area. (You may be able to find pictures on the HRC website? www.hebronrc.org) This afternoon we had free time to walk around and shop. Sarah and Cat and I visited various little shops, and had falafil, fresh-squeezed pomegranate and grapefruit juice, dessert and tea... all for 10 shekels or less per person.

Everyone is so hospitable here... when we bought tea at the Freedom Coffee Shop, the man brought out fruit for us to eat (and later, little cups of coffee), and sat and talked with us (his English was fairly good, and also Sarah was able to use her Arabic). One of the shops we visited sold items made by the area women's cooperative. Another was full of silver jewelry handmade in Hebron, as well as other jewelry made by Bedouin people. We are glad to be able to shop here and support the local economy - which has struggled much since the military closed over 500 shops in the area, and the main market street, Shuhada street, is entirely closed to Palestinians. And I can't get over how cheap food is - when David and I had to shop and cook dinner for the team yesterday, we spent less than $1 per person for a great meal of vegetables, lentils, bread and hummus.

Tonight the team is split into two groups to go spend the night with families in nearby villages. Tomorrow we will head back to Bethlehem.

Salaam!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Delegates Visit Villages and More... March 24,9 p.m. ( 2p.m. CST)

For the past two days, delegates from the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) delegation in Israel/Palestine visited the village of At-Tuwani, where CPT has a permanent delegation. There, delegation members learned first hand from villagers how the people made their village completely non-violent and how they exemplify this way of life every day. This means that when villagers are attacked from nearby Jewish Settlers, they respond with non-violence and resist fighting back. Non-violence is also practiced when crops are damaged or stolen, and live stalk is threatened as well.

CPT members also witnessed the conditions of Palestinian school children by participating in school patrol, as well as going out with the shepherds as their sheep graze. This is to discourage any kind of violence perpetrated by the Jewish Settlers on the children and shepherds, (which has occurred in the past). Time was also spent learning about the village Co-op, which sells various artisan's crafts, clothing and accessories from local women in the village, as well as from women from the surrounding villages.

Six delegation members also had the amazing opportunity to go to two different villages near At-Tuwani, called Tuba and Magher Alabeed, where the villagers live in cave houses. After walking for more than an hour over beautiful terrain, members arrived at their camps. Besides sharing a meal, delegation members also shared about their lives and learned about the lives of the villagers. It can be easily said that members had a once in a lifetime chance to learn and grow from these intriguing families. One delegation member, who went to Tuba, says of the experience, "It was amazing to see the mother of the family that we stayed with baking fresh bread in the morning, the children milking goats, and sharing time with the family. The cave was cozy, warm and dark, and I felt like a hibernating bear...it was hard to wake up in the morning."

Members arrived back in Hebron on Tuesday, visited a hospital in the city, and tomorrow head to the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee in the morning. They will also have some free time to shop, and then will head to two different villages to spend the night with two families in surrounding villages. On Thursday, members head back to Bethlehem for two nights, and then to Jerusalem for the last leg of their trip.

Members have truly gained an experience they soon will not forget and have many plans to bring the information home to share in many different ways to help people understand the situation here on the ground.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Update from Chicago Office

Twelve members of the Israel/Palestine Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation arrived safely in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 18, meeting with several organizations as well as participating in an action outside of Bethlehem against the impending building of the apartheid wall. Their first few nights were spent in Beit Sahour, just outside Bethlehem, at a Greek Melkite Orthodox Pilgrim Guest House.

The team's first stop on Thursday was at Wi'am, then off to Holy Land Trust. At both of these organizations, the delegation learned about the many efforts on the ground to end the occupation. Both Wi'am and Holy Land Trust have very strong programs including a youth program where they teach non-violent reaction and techniques to thwart the ongoing conflict. On Thursday afternoon, the team traveled to Deheishe Refugee Camp. There, they toured the camp, ate dinner and heard stories of refugees raised in the camp. They also spent the night in the camp to get a better perspective of what it is like for the people who live there, many since the partition in 1947.

On Friday, the team visited the Reproachment Center, as well as took part in a march against the impending wall with several people, including many women. Palestinian Women were honored with red roses at the march, in front of Israeli soldiers at the blockade, because Mother's Day in Palestine is Saturday, March 21. The march was very short, and the team witnessed the frustration of the Palestinians first hand. The team felt very happy about the action, especially because there were no incidents of violence. The day ended with some free time, dinner, worship and the life stories of two delegation members.

Saturday, the team visited the school connected with Pilgrim House, and then drove to the apartment in Hebron. After settling in, the team had an amazing tour of the city of Hebron, seeing and learning first hand about the division between Palestinians and Israeli settlers. The town is literally divided, with walls, fences and checkpoints. To the delight of delegation members, they also visited Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as Tomb of the Patriarchs, where Abraham, Sarah and Joseph are all buried in a cave underneath the mosque. This mosque is also used as a synagogue and is a source of great contention among the people of Hebron. The delegation finished their day with a homemade dinner made by long time friend and neighbor of CPT, Zleekha.

It seems the most important aspect of the experience so far is hearing the personal stories of Palestinians, and the unending racism and oppression they face on a daily basis. The team heads to the other CPT place of peacemaking work on Sunday, in At Tuwani, a small village outside Hebron where members conduct school patrol and accompany the shepherds in the fields for protection. They will also visit the Bedouin who live in the area, and spend the night with village families.

Claire Evans
Delegation Coordinator
Christian Peacemaker Teams

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Saturday, March 21, 12:30 pm (5:30am CST)

Today we visited the school (Greek Orthodox, grades K-12) next door to the guest house where we stayed. They were having a Mother's Day celebration. While some kids were performing for the audience, there were a bunch of young ones (6-9 years), mostly boys, who kept wandering off and playing... well, and a lot of play fighting. It was kind of astonishing to watch how aggressive they could be. I spoke with one of the teachers from the school, and she said it is a serious problem that the teachers cannot handle in the classroom. All they have learned - from TV and from what's hapening around them - is violence. Another trauma that these little children are growing up with. However, the kids were also really sweet - I tried to convince some of them to go sit with their moms, but they said "no" and starting talking with me (all of the kids here tend to say three things: "hello!' "how are you!" "what's your name!"), and next thing I knew I was surrounded by about 10 little boys all demanding my attention at once. The celebration was neat... puts me to shame, since all I usually do is give my mom a card for mother's day. It is interesting to me that in this culture, amidst so much oppression and struggle, the people maintain such a strong and important emphasis on celebration. It must be essential for enduring life. Oh, and we also met the (Orthodox) Bishop of the Jerusalem diocese. I tell you - we internationals are pretty popular just about everywhere we go! The people really appreciate our presence, such as at the march yesterday.

Now we are in Hebron at the CPT apartment. We had a tour of Hebron - the divided city - including Old Hebron (which is where the apartment is)... it is amazing, with a very dramatic history. We went to the Il-Ibrahimi mosque and saw the tombs of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, etc... and bullet marks on the wall from the 1994 (I think) massacre of 29 Muslims. We saw a few (Israeli) settlers, and had some interactions with a few IDF soldiers (including the 3 checkpoints we had to go through in order to enter the mosque).
CPT is very beloved here in Hebron. A similar organization (but they do more documentation-type stuff) here is TIPH - Temporary Internatonal Presence in Hebron, and we saw them driving and walking around a bit today.

Tomorrow we head to Tuwani!

Friday, March 20, 2009

March 20, 4p.m. (9am CST)

We are staying at a wonderful Greek Melkite guest house in Beit Sahour - the Shepherds'Field (supposedly where the angels announced Jesus'birth to the shepherds), outside of Bethlehem. We spent last night in Deheisha refugee camp, and have learned a lot about what life is like for the Palestinian people there, as well as in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. (Bethlehem is surrounded by 22 illegal Israeli settlements). I love Bethlehem, it is beautiful in addition to being so historic. And I love all the people we have met so far! (Especially the precious little children!)

Today we participated in a march to protest the "security"wall (according to Israelis - but all the Palestinians refer to it as the apartheid wall). There are protests every Friday, but this one was organized especially by and for women - Palestinians celebrate Mothers Day tomorrow. As one man explained to us, "The woman is the first to suffer under the Occupation: The woman is the wife of the martyr; she is the mother of the man in the Israeli prison; she is the mother of everyone [who suffers]."
I had the opportunity to speak with a man and his family - he is a neurosurgeon, studying in France to become a psychiatrist, because of the great need for psychiatric healing: so many of the people, especially children, are suffering because of the many traumas they experience here.
This was our first "action"component so far, and at first we were a little nervous. As we walked up to the site of the protest, I looked up and saw a couple IDF (Israeli) soldiers on the hill above us, keeping watch; honestly, it was kind of scary to feel their presence and see their guns. However, by the time we left, they were looking tired and bored, and I felt totally relaxed in their presence. Some of our CPT group (and a couple other internationals who were there) talked to some of the soldiers. Mostly they seemed annoyed, and even a little mocking - one asked us our names and where we were from, but wouldn't tell us his name or where he was from (he was obviously from the States); however, after a while of talking with us, it occurred to me that his interest in conversing (while some of the others were like, "Everything is over, just leave") might indicate that he is actually homesick. He was speaking with some folks from Colorado about snowboarding in the Rockies. Now, yesterday at the refugee camp there were a few moments that brought me near tears, but I had not allowed myself to cry yet. But as we walked away from this young soldier - no older than myself I'm sure, thinking of him made me cry. As Char reminded us this morning - all Israelis must serve in the IDF for 3 years (2 for women - and there was one female soldier at the protest today), and many of them are unhappy with the work they are forced to do. They are trained to think that the Palestinian people are sub-human and always out to kill them. Char thinks that, like many of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, "they've been duped."

Tomorrow morning we head to Hebron, and I honestly don't remember much more about our schedule (which is constantly subject to change) - but we will be spending a couple of days in At-Tuwani, where we will have another action opportunity.

Please continue to pray for our team (I love our team, by the way!), that we will be open for everything that we are experiencing, able to process it, and available to do whatever we can to help the dear people living and struggling to live in this holy land.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Peacemaker Delegation Arrives in Bethlehem

Wednesday, March 18 -- Twelve members of a delegation sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) arrived in Bethlehem this evening. During the next several days the delegates will speak with representatives of Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights organizations. They will then travel to the city of Al Khalil (Hebron) and the outlying Hebron district of the West Bank, where CPT's long-term Palestine team is based. They will visit Palestinian farmers and shepherds whose land and livelihoods have been threatened by expanding Israeli settlements.

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is an initiative of the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Quakers) with support and membership from a range of Catholic and Protestant denominations. CPT has had a continuing presence in the West Bank since 1995.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Heading out

Well, I'll be leaving home in a little while and flying out of O'Hare at 5:00 this evening. Thanks, everyone, for the interest and support you have shown. Thanks for the many blessings that have been given me to bring to those I will meet on this trip. My prayer is that I really will be an instrument of His peace.

Hopefully there will be at least a couple updates from our team during the next two weeks, which Jake will post here.

Thanks for reading, and bye for now!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The time is quickly approaching...

We heard from Char that we will be spending the first two nights in Bethlehem. O Little Town, here I come - I can hardly believe it!
Today the local newspaper called to set up an interview with me on Monday, the day before I leave... hopefully it will be good and result in a good article!
All but the last $70-120 or so of my trip has been covered - thanks to everyone's generosity!
As I finish up preparations for my trip and say some goodbyes, I am continually encouraged by many friends, co-workers, etc. who are wishing me well and supporting me with love, kind words, and prayers. The awareness of such a great amount of love and goodwill in my life really makes me want to share it... so hopefully I will be able to share a lot with the people I meet on the trip!

Monday, March 9, 2009

The Team Thing

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting Cat, one of my fellow delegation members. It was great to get to know her a little, and to talk with her about our preparations and expectations. Being with another person on my team for the first time sparked a new level of excitement in me about the trip! This is interesting, as far as team-oriented trips go, because most of us will not have met each other until the day we all arrive. I believe we will be a fairly diverse group, which will be wonderful but probably challenging. Not to mention that the nature of what we will be doing is challenging in itself. We will have two weeks to not only get to know each other, but also be functioning as a team! I'm eager to see how it goes. Really I am just excited to see how everything about the whole trip goes... only about a week to wait!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

At-Tuwani Update

Here is an excerpt from the monthly update sent out by the full-time team in Palestine. To read the details, go to http://cpt.org/node/7567.

January 2009
Summary:
In and around at-Tuwani, the Israeli military remarkably intensified its daily interceptions of Palestinian migrant laborers trying to leave the West Bank, sometimes applying lethal force. (For background, see http://cpt.org/cptnet/2009/02/12/tuwani-soldiers-kill-palestinian-migrant-worker-increase-harassment-villagers-sout) The army also continued failing to reliably accompany the schoolchildren on the complete route to and from school, leaving them vulnerable to settler attacks. Palestinian shepherds continued challenging Israeli military prohibitions against their grazing of flocks on their own land.

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A note about the military escort of children (also taken from CPTnet):

The Israeli army has escorted these Palestinian children to and from school since September 2004 following a series of Israeli settler attacks upon them and their international accompaniers. This obligation was endorsed by the Israeli Knesset Committee on the Rights of the Child in November 2004.These attacks have been a problem for years, and the implementation of an Israeli military escort has not solved it. In the 2007-08 academic year, settlers attacked the children a total of fourteen times, as documented in the report A Dangerous Journey: Settler Violence against Palestinian schoolchildren under Israeli Military Escort [http://cpt.org/files/Palestine-School-Accompaniment-Report-2006-2008-Dangerous-Journey.pdf]

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Going the Second Mile

One of the books I'm reading right now is Engaging the Powers, by Walter Wink. In a chapter titled "Jesus' Third Way: Nonviolent Engagement" he takes a look at Matthew 5:38-42. He explains some of the background and implications of Jesus' instructions to turn the other cheek, give up the last garment, and go the second mile. All of these, he argues, are ways of nonviolent resistance (not nonresistance, as it may seem) against systems of oppression. I find especially interesting the explanation he offers for the third part: "if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile."
As you may know, this refers to the practice of Roman soldiers utilizing any common citizens to carry their packs. By law, they were allowed to do this, but they were limited (and, according to Wink, often disregarded the laws and regulations) - according to some records, the most a soldier could force someone to go was one mile. Jesus is teaching his followers to willingly go more than the required distance, when they are already being forcefully oppressed. And here's the part that caught my attention:

"But why carry his pack a second mile? Is this not to rebound to the opposite extreme of aiding and abetting the enemy? Not at all. The question here, as in the two previous instances, is how the oppressed can recover the initiative and assert their human dignity in a situation that cannot for the time being be changed. The rules are Caesar's, but how one responds to the rules is God's, and Caesar has no power over that.
"Imagine then the solider's surprise when, at the next mile marker, he reluctantly reaches to assume his pack, and the civilian says, 'Oh no, let me carry it another mile.' Why would he want to do that? What is he up to? Normally, soldiers have to coerce people to carry their packs, but this Jew does so cheerfully, and will not stop! Is this a provocation? Is he insulting the legionnaire's strength? Being kind? Trying to get him disciplined for seeming to violate the rules of impressment? Will this civilian file a complaint? Create trouble?
"From a situation of servile impressment, the oppressed have suddenly seized the initiative. They have taken back the power of choice. The soldier is thrown off balance by being deprived of the predictability of his victim's response. He has never dealt with such a problem before. Now he has been forced into making a decision for which nothing in his previous experience has prepared him. If he has enjoyed feeling superior to the vanquished, he will not enjoy it today. Imagine the situation of a Roman infantryman pleading with a Jew to give back his pack! The humor of this scene may have escaped us, but it could scarcely have been lost on Jesus' hearers, who must have ben regaled at the prospect of thus discomfiting their oppressors.
"Jesus does not encourage Jews to walk a second mile in order to build up merit in heaven, or to exercise a supererogatory piety, or to kill the soldier with kindness. He is helping an oppressed people find a way to protest and neutralize an onerous practice despised throughout the empire. He is not giving a non-political message of spiritual world-transcendence. He is formulating a worldly spirituality in which the people at the bottom of society or under the thumb of imperial power learn to receover their humanity." (Engaging the Powers, p. 182)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Palestinian Art

One of my delegation team members shared this, and I thought it is definitely worth sharing here. Hopefully I'm not violating any copyright laws.

All are from by ISMAIL SHAMMOUT, 1930-2006 - considered to be Palestine's Greatest Artist.

# 1 Title : Tel' El Zaatar 1976, in Shelter Material : Water-colors , 76X 102 cm Year : 1976 The Artist's collection, Amman

# 2 Title : RootsMaterial : Oil on canvas , 76 X 102 cmYear : 1993Mr. M. Milhem collection, Amman

#3 Title : Palestinian Rhapsody Material : Oil on canvas , 70 X 100 cm Year : 1970 Mr. O. Al-Aqqad collection, Riyad












Tuesday, February 3, 2009

It's Coming!

Someone told me that the reality of my trip would really sink in when I have my plane ticket in my hand. Well, I did get the reservation slip - and it did hit pretty hard - but lots of things have been gradually adding to the sense of "Oh wow, I'm actually going there!"

Lately I have also had a growing sense of gratefulness for the generosity of those who are contributing to the cost of my trip. A couple of times a check came in the mail, bringing me nearly to tears. I think it's so amazing, because I believe God is the one inspiring the hearts of people to give toward His work, and it's exciting to see people living in obedience to His lead.

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Sunday in Chicago, Jake and I had lunch with some of his co-workers from World Relief, including a Palestinian man who grew up in Jordan. He told about his experiences of traveling from Jordan to Hebron every summer, and how a relatively short (by distance) journey would take from 3 a.m. until late at night - on a good day. He described the vehicles, roads, checkpoints, and Israeli authorities they had to deal with at every point along the way. He gave me some general information about the areas where I'll be going, as well as some commentary on Israeli politics, and even offered to give me phone numbers of people he knows in Hebron in case I need anything while I'm there - awesome!

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You can pray for...
  • Me as I read through my orientation packet and extra readings this week
  • Char, our delegation leader, as she organizes our team and prepares for our trip

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Coming soon...

I will be posting about my preparations for my upcoming trip, as well as updates during(if possible) and after the trip. I will try to include relevant information about the current conflicts in Israel & Palestine, work CPT and others are doing, and different ways you can pray. Thanks for your support!