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!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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