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)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
"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
"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
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
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."
"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!
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!
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