Tomorrow my brother turns 21. Here are some pictures to show my love for him yeah! ;)
his first day at home
at a beach last year near his college in Mass.Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Passages...
Sometimes, God puts certains songs, passages, or quotations in my path continually to remind me of truth or encourage my steps. Here is a sampling of a few that have given me smiles and helped me through this semesters.
"Roam", B-52's
Fly the great big sky
See the great big sea
Kick through continents
Bustin' boundaries
"Big Country," Big Country
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in a desert
But I can live and breathe and see the sun in wintertime
"Compassion," Henri Nouwen - this is an excerpt from a book I've been reading in the West Bank - seriously one of my favorites of all time!
"In our time, so full of cruel persecution, it is understandable that we ask ourselves if we would be able to undergo the severe suffering we read and hear about. We wonder how to prepare ourselves for it and often concern ourselves with a future into which we project many horrors and tragedies. But if our primary concern were to listen carefully to God in our lives and to discern his will for us here and now, these worries would prove to be unjustified and distracting. Much of our inner restlessness, nervousness, and tension is connected with our worries about the unknown future. Sometimes we try to alleviate these worries by far-reaching plans. But our work for the future should not be based on anxiety, but on a vision of something worthwhile in the present. When our schemes for a new world are only an expression of our unhappiness with the present, we risk engaging in what Thomas Merton called "organized despair."
Obedience is listening to a voice that speaks to us today and allowing ourselves to feel the loving care of God in our present lives. Obedience is giving full attention to what the Father says to us in this very moment and responding lovingly to what we perceive, because God is our loving Father in whom nothing that is not love can be found. Apprehension, fear, and anxiety cannot sustain themselves in his presence. Fear always creates distance and divisions. But in the presence of God fear melts away. 'In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love' (1 John 4:18)
Thus, when we pay careful attention to the loving presence of God, the suffering to which we might be led will never darken our hearts or paralyze our movements. We will find that we will never be asked to suffer more than we can bear and never be tested beyond our strength. When we are led by love instead of driven by fear, we can enter the places of greatest darkness and pain and experience in a unique way the power of God's care. Jesus' final words to Peter are the strongest affirmation of this truth. After having asked Peter three times, 'Do you love me?' and after having been assured three times by Peter of his love, Jesus said, 'When you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt around you and take you where you would rather not go' (John 21:18). Although Peter did not desire it, he was led to the cross as Jesus was. But because it was love and not fear that led him there, the cross was no longer a sign of defeat, but a sign of victory."
1 Thessalonans 1:3 - I studied 1 Thessalonians this semester
"...your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
- these words, written by Paul, describe the lives of the Thessalonians who he loves dearly and desires to encourage through this letter. This passage encouraged me especially at the beginning of the semester when I greatly needed perspective.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Pictures from Egypt
on the outskirts of Cairo...
Chris, Jan, Elias, and Geir
the classic shot
On the dinner cruise!
inside the Hanging Church
near the site where Christ, Mary, and Joseph fled
On top of Mt. Sinai (Geir, Elias, me, Chris, and Jan)
St. Catharine's Monastary
gazing out onto the Red SeaChristmas in Bethlehem... almost
Yesterday - the Norwegians and Chris and I went to Bethlehem for a brunch hosted by the Palestinian Bible Society for all the staff workers in their family. A couple weeks ago we attended a similar meeting, however, this festive lunch was to celebrate Christmas. It included people who work in Nablus, Birzeit, other regions of the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza team - who have relocated to Bethlehem because of the dangerous situation.
After finishing lunch, we ventured to the Nativity Church which was only a couple of blocks away. We had planned to spend a period of time there praying and quiet reflection. Upon entering the church, we heard a liturgy taking place, and luckily, there were little to no tourists - almost a miracle, considering what time of year this is. This was clearly the highlight of the day.
Later, we called Samer, Hosam, and Tony - 3 students we have met at the Living Stones Center to hang out. Their identity as Christians in Bethlehem means the world to them. As they have witnessed two Intifadas and multiple Christians emigrating from Bethlehem, they have pledged themselves to remain and fight as they can for the good of their city (of course, that means peacefully). We went to Shepherd's Field (the supposed location where the shepherd's received the message of Christ's birth) and then to a restaurant called The Cave to smoke hergilah (hubbly-bubbly) and eat dinner - who can say they've smoked hergilah on Shepherd's Field??
Then we went to Manger Square (right by the Nativity Church) and walked through the old quarter of Bethlehem, lit by Christmas lights. As we drove to Manger Square, a Santa was stopping cars on the street handing out chocolate - Chris shouted out the window... "Ana betalam Arabi!" (which means, "I'm learning Arabic"). I'm still laughing at that....!
After finishing lunch, we ventured to the Nativity Church which was only a couple of blocks away. We had planned to spend a period of time there praying and quiet reflection. Upon entering the church, we heard a liturgy taking place, and luckily, there were little to no tourists - almost a miracle, considering what time of year this is. This was clearly the highlight of the day.
Later, we called Samer, Hosam, and Tony - 3 students we have met at the Living Stones Center to hang out. Their identity as Christians in Bethlehem means the world to them. As they have witnessed two Intifadas and multiple Christians emigrating from Bethlehem, they have pledged themselves to remain and fight as they can for the good of their city (of course, that means peacefully). We went to Shepherd's Field (the supposed location where the shepherd's received the message of Christ's birth) and then to a restaurant called The Cave to smoke hergilah (hubbly-bubbly) and eat dinner - who can say they've smoked hergilah on Shepherd's Field??
Then we went to Manger Square (right by the Nativity Church) and walked through the old quarter of Bethlehem, lit by Christmas lights. As we drove to Manger Square, a Santa was stopping cars on the street handing out chocolate - Chris shouted out the window... "Ana betalam Arabi!" (which means, "I'm learning Arabic"). I'm still laughing at that....!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Egypt!!!
Craziness reigns in Egypt. As soon as we met people working at the border control we could tell the major challenge which lay before us would be avoiding manipulation and bribery from almost everyone from the taxi drivers to our tour guide. Of course, not all Egyptians we met were like this. In fact, our tour guide at the Hanging Church, in the Coptic Quarter of old Cairo, was a young lady who is learning Spanish so she can go to Spain to preach the Gospel because she’s realized, as she’s shared her faith with tourists at the church, that the Spaniards she’s met do not know much about Christianity. So, besides the multiple instances of corruption we encountered, our time there will go down as one of my most prized memories.
We left to drive south towards Elat in Israel with George, Nash’s brother, late Thursday morning. He dropped us off at the border crossing around 4 or 5 where we encountered our first “adventure” – acquiring a visa and getting a taxi to drive us to Cairo. We ended up having to pay a high fee for a visa because, not knowing that we needed one beforehand, we had to get the visa on the spot. A “friend” of one of the guys who made us fill out border crossing forms performed the deed for us. I sensed an incredible shadiness about the deal, especially as they tried to get us to purchase a taxi ride as part of the deal that we HADN’T agreed to. We were exhausted.
Once we finally got through that ordeal, we met a couple of men standing around taxis in the dark, dressed in robes I’d seen Muslim men wear in South Africa. After negotiating a price, we began our night trek to Cairo. Upon entering the city, I felt like I was in New York City – all of the bustling, traffic, and people living on top of one another – minus the skyline and some of the flashiness. We could see the outlines of many of the beautiful mosques. People walked through the street between the cars like they were weaving through a crowd of people – barely grazing the fast, honking vehicles.
After meeting George, our guide at the Canadian Hostel who helped us plan our time there (thank you Chris for the Canadian “in”), we passed out. Morning came soon for us. The rest of the day, a pre-arranged taxi drove us around the city to see the pyramids, a papyrus museum, and a Nile dinner cruise at night. I about flipped out when I saw the pyramids rising above the city skyline – what a contrast!!
The highlight was getting to ride camels around the pyramids. Now I can say I’ve fulfilled the stereotypical “thing-to-do” in Cairo. It was still out of this world. And yes, the pyramids are huge.
The dinner cruise gave us much laughter because of the entertainment on board. We could not help laughing at the Egyptian man on the boat who sang “Hero,” by Enrique Iglesias. Later that night, Geir, Elias, and I made our way to the Hard Rock Café – YES!!!
The next day, we wasted time sleeping in and trying to find a bus schedule from a bus station – however in the afternoon, we visited the area of Cairo where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fled. The Hanging Church was a highlight, as I mentioned earlier, not only because of our guide, but also because of the magnificent Orthodox artwork that was there. I wished my dad could have seen it (in his retirement, my father paints Orthodox icons). There are tremendous amounts of symbolism in Orthodox art and architecture. For instance, the roof of the church is constructed like a boat, after Noah’s ark. Noah and his family represent passing from death to life, since they were the only humans that survived the flood.
After rushing around the Coptic quarter, we began the next phase of our journey – traveling to St. Catherine’s to hike the mountain in time to watch the sunrise. Little did I realize how arduous this journey would be. However, after riding at least 4hrs in a taxi and climbing four more hours to the top of the mountain – there is nothing in the world that can compare with watching the sunrise at the supposed spot where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It was Sunday morning, so as soon as the sun peeked out over the horizon, the atmosphere split with the sound of church bells. Oh, the final resurrection cannot come soon enough!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Egypt and am grateful for the opportunity to have gone!
We left to drive south towards Elat in Israel with George, Nash’s brother, late Thursday morning. He dropped us off at the border crossing around 4 or 5 where we encountered our first “adventure” – acquiring a visa and getting a taxi to drive us to Cairo. We ended up having to pay a high fee for a visa because, not knowing that we needed one beforehand, we had to get the visa on the spot. A “friend” of one of the guys who made us fill out border crossing forms performed the deed for us. I sensed an incredible shadiness about the deal, especially as they tried to get us to purchase a taxi ride as part of the deal that we HADN’T agreed to. We were exhausted.
Once we finally got through that ordeal, we met a couple of men standing around taxis in the dark, dressed in robes I’d seen Muslim men wear in South Africa. After negotiating a price, we began our night trek to Cairo. Upon entering the city, I felt like I was in New York City – all of the bustling, traffic, and people living on top of one another – minus the skyline and some of the flashiness. We could see the outlines of many of the beautiful mosques. People walked through the street between the cars like they were weaving through a crowd of people – barely grazing the fast, honking vehicles.
After meeting George, our guide at the Canadian Hostel who helped us plan our time there (thank you Chris for the Canadian “in”), we passed out. Morning came soon for us. The rest of the day, a pre-arranged taxi drove us around the city to see the pyramids, a papyrus museum, and a Nile dinner cruise at night. I about flipped out when I saw the pyramids rising above the city skyline – what a contrast!!
The highlight was getting to ride camels around the pyramids. Now I can say I’ve fulfilled the stereotypical “thing-to-do” in Cairo. It was still out of this world. And yes, the pyramids are huge.
The dinner cruise gave us much laughter because of the entertainment on board. We could not help laughing at the Egyptian man on the boat who sang “Hero,” by Enrique Iglesias. Later that night, Geir, Elias, and I made our way to the Hard Rock Café – YES!!!
The next day, we wasted time sleeping in and trying to find a bus schedule from a bus station – however in the afternoon, we visited the area of Cairo where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fled. The Hanging Church was a highlight, as I mentioned earlier, not only because of our guide, but also because of the magnificent Orthodox artwork that was there. I wished my dad could have seen it (in his retirement, my father paints Orthodox icons). There are tremendous amounts of symbolism in Orthodox art and architecture. For instance, the roof of the church is constructed like a boat, after Noah’s ark. Noah and his family represent passing from death to life, since they were the only humans that survived the flood.
After rushing around the Coptic quarter, we began the next phase of our journey – traveling to St. Catherine’s to hike the mountain in time to watch the sunrise. Little did I realize how arduous this journey would be. However, after riding at least 4hrs in a taxi and climbing four more hours to the top of the mountain – there is nothing in the world that can compare with watching the sunrise at the supposed spot where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It was Sunday morning, so as soon as the sun peeked out over the horizon, the atmosphere split with the sound of church bells. Oh, the final resurrection cannot come soon enough!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Egypt and am grateful for the opportunity to have gone!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Greatest Day in Palestine
Though it was close to a month ago, I still look back on this day with incredible fondness. It started the night before when Laila asked if she could spend the night at our apartment because she was having some problems with a roommate. Of course I was delighted. She overstayed her welcome a bit – but the week that she spent at our apartment was a great opportunity for us to get to know one another.
That first night she spent with us, she attended our weekly “get-together” – Chris, me, and the Norwegians meeting for prayer and fellowship. I gave a small devotion based on Philippians 2 and also an excerpt from “Compassion,” by Henri Nouwen.
The next day, Laila and I toured downtown Ramallah. Our first stop was her favorite dress shop. We thought it’d be funny if we told them I was looking for an engagement dress because I was getting married to a Palestinian! Unfortunately, they did not let me try on the dress that Laila wanted me to wear, so we moved on to some other shops – where she bought me a fake “engagement” ring, and I got some earrings. Then we pretended to be models in her favorite clothing store. A little while later, we met up with the Norwegians who were buying a birthday present for Mary, a girl in their team who is in Tel Aviv. We then went out to ice cream. After buying some vegetables that night at the crazy food market, we headed home and Laila and I set about making dinner. After a delicious dinner, we played cards for hours, listening to my favorite Coldplay CD (Live 2003). I think Laila felt very loved and it made all the difference.
That first night she spent with us, she attended our weekly “get-together” – Chris, me, and the Norwegians meeting for prayer and fellowship. I gave a small devotion based on Philippians 2 and also an excerpt from “Compassion,” by Henri Nouwen.
The next day, Laila and I toured downtown Ramallah. Our first stop was her favorite dress shop. We thought it’d be funny if we told them I was looking for an engagement dress because I was getting married to a Palestinian! Unfortunately, they did not let me try on the dress that Laila wanted me to wear, so we moved on to some other shops – where she bought me a fake “engagement” ring, and I got some earrings. Then we pretended to be models in her favorite clothing store. A little while later, we met up with the Norwegians who were buying a birthday present for Mary, a girl in their team who is in Tel Aviv. We then went out to ice cream. After buying some vegetables that night at the crazy food market, we headed home and Laila and I set about making dinner. After a delicious dinner, we played cards for hours, listening to my favorite Coldplay CD (Live 2003). I think Laila felt very loved and it made all the difference.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
News Article
Hey everyone, this is great article I found concerning the four issues that are barriers to the peace deal.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20071126bcmideastpeace_attn_national_foreign_editors_ytop
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20071126bcmideastpeace_attn_national_foreign_editors_ytop
Monday, December 3, 2007
DONE with Graduate school!!
As of approximately 2 min ago, I sent in my final assignment for graduate school. Can I believe that it's over? Hardly. It's funny to think that only a little over 15 months ago, I hadn't even heard of this program. What began as a gasp looking at an advertisement for this program in a South African magazine has culminated now in a semester in the West Bank - complete with hearing gunshots this morning celebrating the release of 429 Palestinian prisoners. Whew.
Some of the highlights of the program include (but are not limited to) the following:
- meeting FDB (Dr. Bronkema) and Sharlene with my mom at the Donut Building last year, early December (American Baptist headquarters - nicknamed "donut" b/c of the unusual shape of the building)
- getting to live at home
- the "characters" in my cohort (need I say more? :) )
- deciding to come to the West Bank (after prolonged conversations and "nagging" by Nash - haha)
- Being here in the West Bank
- Dr. Stapleford's class - i laughed everyday (esp. his graph depicted proximity to Canada related to need for grace)
- Mwamba - NOT!
PRAISE HIM!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Retreat to Bethlehem
A few weeks ago, Chris and I went with a group of 25 students associated with the Living Stones Center from Birzeit University to Bethlehem for an overnight retreat. The purpose was to bring these students together to hear lectures on self-awareness (with regards to personalities) and communication skills.
I am currently writing a paper in which I have researched some of the major issues facing Palestinian university students. As products of the First and Second Intifadas (uprisings) in 1987 and 2000, these students grew up under tremendous amounts of violence, trauma, and pressure. As part of the ministry of the Living Stones Center, it seeks through retreats such as this to provide seminars for personal development, to bring students together over common issues, and to create a semblance of an escape from the issues they face everyday as students under occupation.
This retreat also was an incredible way to get to know these students. I sat with them for hours discussing religion, listening to them play music, and also got to walk around Old Bethlehem with them. Overall, it was a very successful retreat and I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity to get to know these students better.
Selma, Laila, and me in front of the entrance to the Church of the Nativity
The inside of the church
Walking to the retreat center (also functions as a school for kids), called "Talitha Kumi" - what Jesus said in Aramaic to the little girl when He raised her from the dead - Mark 5:41.
Seminar
Having fun at night - at a restaurant in Bethlehem - Baha'a, Maj'd, Renad, Aboud, Tariq
I am currently writing a paper in which I have researched some of the major issues facing Palestinian university students. As products of the First and Second Intifadas (uprisings) in 1987 and 2000, these students grew up under tremendous amounts of violence, trauma, and pressure. As part of the ministry of the Living Stones Center, it seeks through retreats such as this to provide seminars for personal development, to bring students together over common issues, and to create a semblance of an escape from the issues they face everyday as students under occupation.
This retreat also was an incredible way to get to know these students. I sat with them for hours discussing religion, listening to them play music, and also got to walk around Old Bethlehem with them. Overall, it was a very successful retreat and I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity to get to know these students better.
Selma, Laila, and me in front of the entrance to the Church of the Nativity
The inside of the church
Walking to the retreat center (also functions as a school for kids), called "Talitha Kumi" - what Jesus said in Aramaic to the little girl when He raised her from the dead - Mark 5:41.
Seminar
Having fun at night - at a restaurant in Bethlehem - Baha'a, Maj'd, Renad, Aboud, Tariq
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Daily Life
Some of the kids from the Catholic school coming out of school for the day. We teach English/Phys Ed classes here 4 days a week.
Playing foozeball - a Living Stones Center staple for the university students who come by (clockwise from left: Samer, Hossan, Ahmed, and Tony)
At one of the schools that we teach - in Surda (a community outside of Ramallah)
Hanging out!
Cooking with Laila!favorite pics from jerusalem
This picture is actually in Birzeit. The day we went to Jerusalem was November 11th - marking the 3 year anniversary of Yasir Arafat's death. Posters of him went up everywhere throughout town.
At the wall going into Israel, Chris got left behind... just kidding
In the Old City, Jerusalem
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (built at the site where Christ was crucified and buried)
Armenian Orthodox priests
We turned a corner and... whoa!!! There's Al-Aqsa Mosque! (built on the site where Abraham offered up Isaac)
At the Wailing Wall! (a dream come true)
Can you believe these t-shirts?!? Of course my eye caught the Philadelphia Eagles t-shirt
Jaffa St.Jerusalem
On Sunday, Ahmed took Chris, Geir, Elias and me to Jerusalem because he could finally enter Israel. A few weeks ago the Israeli government denied him a permit – but now that he has one, we celebrated by visiting some sites.
Getting into Israel proved to be very interesting. After taking the taxi from Ramallah (where we witnessed a growing fanfare of memorandum for Yassir Arafat who died 3 years ago today), we had to get off at the Wall and walk through 2 security “points.” The first seemed rather pointless, and the second felt like airport security (with a conveyer belt that stopped working when our turn came through to use it).
We took the bus/taxi to the Garden Tomb area and then walked straight into the Old City. It was really weird – like entering into this almost underground territory – no cars – only narrow, old, stone streets – with shops on certain alleys, and people walking around. Oftentimes we ran into little boys’ soccer games.
We headed into a small lunch shop and ate hummus and ful (which has beans) with pita bread. A couple bends around some corners and we arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also called the Church of the Resurrection. There were tourist groups from everywhere. We didn’t really know where to start – but just walked around the inside circumference of the church and witnessed a unique procession of Armenian orthodox priests around the supposed “tomb.”
We tried to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock next, but the soldiers seemed to have a problem with Ahmed’s permit, and it was soon closing anyway. The Wailing Wall definitely took my breath away. I went to the womens’ section, and an elderly woman seemed to motion for me to use her chair to pray. A little later I peeked through the wall and saw Chris, Geir, and Elias with the Kippot on.
The next “site” included Jaffa street, where, Ahmed told us, the Abbas government had planned attacks before on Israelis, “…but don’t worry!” Haha! We ate delicious ice cream (the kind famous in Israel – mixing all kinds of frozen fruit with yogurt)… and then eventually headed back to Ramallah, and then Birzeit.
Getting into Israel proved to be very interesting. After taking the taxi from Ramallah (where we witnessed a growing fanfare of memorandum for Yassir Arafat who died 3 years ago today), we had to get off at the Wall and walk through 2 security “points.” The first seemed rather pointless, and the second felt like airport security (with a conveyer belt that stopped working when our turn came through to use it).
We took the bus/taxi to the Garden Tomb area and then walked straight into the Old City. It was really weird – like entering into this almost underground territory – no cars – only narrow, old, stone streets – with shops on certain alleys, and people walking around. Oftentimes we ran into little boys’ soccer games.
We headed into a small lunch shop and ate hummus and ful (which has beans) with pita bread. A couple bends around some corners and we arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also called the Church of the Resurrection. There were tourist groups from everywhere. We didn’t really know where to start – but just walked around the inside circumference of the church and witnessed a unique procession of Armenian orthodox priests around the supposed “tomb.”
We tried to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock next, but the soldiers seemed to have a problem with Ahmed’s permit, and it was soon closing anyway. The Wailing Wall definitely took my breath away. I went to the womens’ section, and an elderly woman seemed to motion for me to use her chair to pray. A little later I peeked through the wall and saw Chris, Geir, and Elias with the Kippot on.
The next “site” included Jaffa street, where, Ahmed told us, the Abbas government had planned attacks before on Israelis, “…but don’t worry!” Haha! We ate delicious ice cream (the kind famous in Israel – mixing all kinds of frozen fruit with yogurt)… and then eventually headed back to Ramallah, and then Birzeit.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Pictures from Elat
This article talks about the Sudanese refugee situation in Elat, and specifically about the Kibbutz we visited.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3413031,00.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3413031,00.html
This link talks about the OPCY program that we went to Elat with
Journal Entries
10-31-07
As we climbed the hills into Jerusalem and into the West Bank, I had a sinking feeling of homesickness and yet found myself mustering up a firm resolve to continue onward in this task before me. I prayed. I honestly don’t look forward to teaching English. I don’t look forward to hearing more and more stories of the intifadas or of the many restrictions which complicate and frustrate the daily lives of Palestinians. Nor do I look forward to more conversations that I can’t partake in because I don’t know the language…
Moving through dusty, rumble-filled streets, we reached our apartment building and finally unpacked. It was nice in Elat to not have much of a schedule, to get a lot of sun, to see beautiful fish underwater, and most of all to visit the Sudanese refugee camp that the OPCY group performed in front of. But the week begins tomorrow as we sleep in, use the internet at the student center, and then perhaps teach English to seventh grade boys (and maybe some girls) at one of the surrounding villages. Three young guys from Norway recently joined Chris and I as volunteers out of the Living Stones, so we are looking forward to their fellowship and their assistance. Perhaps there will be even more laughter from the kids as they meet 3 fellows so different from themselves.
Tonight though, was great. Within the hour that we arrived back at the apartment, Ahmed called and said there was a concert in Ramallah centered around support for Palestine and its people. We packed two taxis with students from the Living Stones Center, walked through Ramallah center, and arrived at a cleared out, dusty parking lot where people gathered to listen to traditional Palestinian music and then some local rap artists. Unfortunately, I could not understand much of the lyrics of the rap songs, but with help from Mary, one of the students, and my limited Arabic, I could gather the song’s purpose, describing the plight of the Palestinians.
11/7/08
We read a book in Advocacy class that really changed my perspective on this – or more like answered some burning, unresolved questions in my mind. When the problems of the world are pressing down, when the issues seem too incredibly complex to unravel, when you don’t know where to begin to “witness,” it is enough to live faithfully to the Lord each day – and trust Him that as you boldly live your life for Christ, even a small change toward anything God-ward in a person you are trusting to impact for Christ is a victory. How comforting. This is not some wacked-out theology professor’s theory, but one that repeats itself quietly over and over again in Scripture. To trust God is to trust His timing and His work with the words you speak and the actions you demonstrate.
I’m hoping to grow deeper in my trust, wiser in my decisions, and more loving in my actions.
After Sana and Renad came over to cook food for us this afternoon, we went to hang out with Sana, Baha, and Ibrahim at a place where you can smoke hagila (hubbly-bubbly). But I just had some Nes-café. I really like Sana. She suggested we play a kind of truth-or-dare game in a get-to-know-you kind of format. We spun a coke bottle on a coffee table – whoever the spout of coke bottle pointed to, they were asked a question (or a dare) by the person seated at the other end of the coke bottle. Some of the greatest questions were, “What do you most like and dislike about yourself?” “Where would you most like to live?” and “What do you want to do most before you die?”
It’s not easy to live in a place of constant tension and uncertainty, but I guess this is the place God has chosen to conform me into His Son. I must rest in that. I love the people. I love the music. And I love that God has fulfilled yet another dream of mine in a way most unexpected and much more stupendous than I ever could have planned – to LIVE in the Holy Land, and not just Israel, but Palestine… What a Planner.
As we climbed the hills into Jerusalem and into the West Bank, I had a sinking feeling of homesickness and yet found myself mustering up a firm resolve to continue onward in this task before me. I prayed. I honestly don’t look forward to teaching English. I don’t look forward to hearing more and more stories of the intifadas or of the many restrictions which complicate and frustrate the daily lives of Palestinians. Nor do I look forward to more conversations that I can’t partake in because I don’t know the language…
Moving through dusty, rumble-filled streets, we reached our apartment building and finally unpacked. It was nice in Elat to not have much of a schedule, to get a lot of sun, to see beautiful fish underwater, and most of all to visit the Sudanese refugee camp that the OPCY group performed in front of. But the week begins tomorrow as we sleep in, use the internet at the student center, and then perhaps teach English to seventh grade boys (and maybe some girls) at one of the surrounding villages. Three young guys from Norway recently joined Chris and I as volunteers out of the Living Stones, so we are looking forward to their fellowship and their assistance. Perhaps there will be even more laughter from the kids as they meet 3 fellows so different from themselves.
Tonight though, was great. Within the hour that we arrived back at the apartment, Ahmed called and said there was a concert in Ramallah centered around support for Palestine and its people. We packed two taxis with students from the Living Stones Center, walked through Ramallah center, and arrived at a cleared out, dusty parking lot where people gathered to listen to traditional Palestinian music and then some local rap artists. Unfortunately, I could not understand much of the lyrics of the rap songs, but with help from Mary, one of the students, and my limited Arabic, I could gather the song’s purpose, describing the plight of the Palestinians.
11/7/08We read a book in Advocacy class that really changed my perspective on this – or more like answered some burning, unresolved questions in my mind. When the problems of the world are pressing down, when the issues seem too incredibly complex to unravel, when you don’t know where to begin to “witness,” it is enough to live faithfully to the Lord each day – and trust Him that as you boldly live your life for Christ, even a small change toward anything God-ward in a person you are trusting to impact for Christ is a victory. How comforting. This is not some wacked-out theology professor’s theory, but one that repeats itself quietly over and over again in Scripture. To trust God is to trust His timing and His work with the words you speak and the actions you demonstrate.
I’m hoping to grow deeper in my trust, wiser in my decisions, and more loving in my actions.
After Sana and Renad came over to cook food for us this afternoon, we went to hang out with Sana, Baha, and Ibrahim at a place where you can smoke hagila (hubbly-bubbly). But I just had some Nes-café. I really like Sana. She suggested we play a kind of truth-or-dare game in a get-to-know-you kind of format. We spun a coke bottle on a coffee table – whoever the spout of coke bottle pointed to, they were asked a question (or a dare) by the person seated at the other end of the coke bottle. Some of the greatest questions were, “What do you most like and dislike about yourself?” “Where would you most like to live?” and “What do you want to do most before you die?”
It’s not easy to live in a place of constant tension and uncertainty, but I guess this is the place God has chosen to conform me into His Son. I must rest in that. I love the people. I love the music. And I love that God has fulfilled yet another dream of mine in a way most unexpected and much more stupendous than I ever could have planned – to LIVE in the Holy Land, and not just Israel, but Palestine… What a Planner.
(Sana and Renad)(Me and Renad)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
This week
Tomorrow morning, Chris and I will leave with a few Norweigan volunteers who arrived here to Elat, which is in the southern tip of Israel, at the Gulf of Aqaba. We are going with some members of the Bible Society who work with children to a Sudanese refugee camp.
On Friday, we will go with a bunch of students from the Living Stones Center to Jericho.
On a more funny note, Chris and I had the unfortunate experience of having a mouse in our apartment. Below is the video that Chris shot of the encounter!
www.cjlewis.wordpress.com
Besides catching mice, Chris and I have spent a substantial amount of time teaching English to students in the surrounding villages - mostly boys between the ages of 10 and 12. They come to the schools as kind of an after-school class. We teach about 15-20 at a time, 2 hours each class, four times a week. In addition, we're volunteering at the Catholic school in town, four classes a week - integrating english into a phys ed class for 5th and 6th graders. About two times a week, we teach an english class with university students from the University of Birzeit who come to the Living Stones Center. We've been forming substantial relationships with these students - trusting God with the fruit of these labors!
On Friday, we will go with a bunch of students from the Living Stones Center to Jericho.
On a more funny note, Chris and I had the unfortunate experience of having a mouse in our apartment. Below is the video that Chris shot of the encounter!
www.cjlewis.wordpress.com
Besides catching mice, Chris and I have spent a substantial amount of time teaching English to students in the surrounding villages - mostly boys between the ages of 10 and 12. They come to the schools as kind of an after-school class. We teach about 15-20 at a time, 2 hours each class, four times a week. In addition, we're volunteering at the Catholic school in town, four classes a week - integrating english into a phys ed class for 5th and 6th graders. About two times a week, we teach an english class with university students from the University of Birzeit who come to the Living Stones Center. We've been forming substantial relationships with these students - trusting God with the fruit of these labors!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
A Passage
The following is a passage out of Henri Nouwen's book, "Creative Ministry." This book has been very helpful to me, as he encourages ministers (basically every Christian) to not shun thinking deeply about the state of this world, and the power of Christ to deeply and mysteriously transform the suffering and shallowness that surrounds us. He challenges us to be real agents of change - wherever we are - to not separate change of the soul from change that also takes action. These are things I still continually seek to work through...
"For Christians are only Christians when they unceasingly ask critical questions of the society in which they live and continuously stress the necessity for conversion, not only of the individual but also of the world.
"We are only Christian when we refuse to allow ourselves or anyone else to settle into a comfortable rest. We must remain dissatisfied with the status quo. And we believe that we have an essential role to play in the realization of the new world to come - even if we cannot say how that world will come about.
"We are only Christian when we keep saying to everyone we meet that the Good News of the Reign of God has to be proclaimed to the whole world and witnessed to all nations (Matthew 24:13). As long as we are alive, we must keep searching for a new order without divisions between people, for a new structure that allows every person to shake hands with every other person, and for a new life in which there will be everlasting unity and peace.
"We must not allow our neighbors to stop moving, to lose courage, or to escape into small, everyday pleasures to which they cling.
"We must be irritated by satisfaction and self-contentment in ourselves as well as in others, since we know with an unshakable certainty that something great is coming of which we have already seen the first rays of light.
"We must believe that this world not only passes but has to pass in order to let the new world be born.
"We must believe that there will never be a moment in this life in which we can rest in the supposition that there is nothing left to do.
"But we will not despair when we do not see the result we have wanted to see. For in the midst of all this work, we keep hearing the words of the One sitting on the throne: 'I am making the whole of creation new' (Revelation 21:5).
"For Christians are only Christians when they unceasingly ask critical questions of the society in which they live and continuously stress the necessity for conversion, not only of the individual but also of the world.
"We are only Christian when we refuse to allow ourselves or anyone else to settle into a comfortable rest. We must remain dissatisfied with the status quo. And we believe that we have an essential role to play in the realization of the new world to come - even if we cannot say how that world will come about.
"We are only Christian when we keep saying to everyone we meet that the Good News of the Reign of God has to be proclaimed to the whole world and witnessed to all nations (Matthew 24:13). As long as we are alive, we must keep searching for a new order without divisions between people, for a new structure that allows every person to shake hands with every other person, and for a new life in which there will be everlasting unity and peace.
"We must not allow our neighbors to stop moving, to lose courage, or to escape into small, everyday pleasures to which they cling.
"We must be irritated by satisfaction and self-contentment in ourselves as well as in others, since we know with an unshakable certainty that something great is coming of which we have already seen the first rays of light.
"We must believe that this world not only passes but has to pass in order to let the new world be born.
"We must believe that there will never be a moment in this life in which we can rest in the supposition that there is nothing left to do.
"But we will not despair when we do not see the result we have wanted to see. For in the midst of all this work, we keep hearing the words of the One sitting on the throne: 'I am making the whole of creation new' (Revelation 21:5).
Mar haba
That means "hello"!
Two days ago Chris and I started our English teaching. Neither of us had ever taught English before. I was seriously nervous, but of course it was more fun than we thought.
We began with a 5th grade phys ed class at the Catholic school in town - incorporating games with English learning. Simon Says was the most successful game - this was after trying to teach them a version of Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot using animals - the kids just started acting like crazy animals all over the room - it was hilarious! After we reviewed some of the vocab with the kids at the end of the class period (like numbers, body parts, and animals), the kids started singing "We will, we will, ROCK YOU!!" - complete with hand clapping. Did they even know what they were saying? It was a sight that will keep me laughing for months.
Later that night, Chris and I began our English classes with the university students that come by the Living Stones center from BirZeit University. We broke up into separate groups of about 6 each. The enthusiasm of the students to learn new vocab and have better pronounciation really encouraged me! After telling them a bit about myself (complete with a map of the US on the board), we worked through an article I printed out from the Philadelphia Inquirer about China's stance on the crisis in Burma and how it might affect their ability to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. It could have sounded like I was teaching them about political insurrection - introducing them to words such as "protest," "campaign," and "advocacy" - but that's ok I guess :)
After our class, a couple of the students invited Chris and I out to a "club" down the street - it's actually what looks like an abandoned house that two guys sell hagila (hubbly bubbly) and drinks out of. We chilled outside in the courtyard around some tables - laughing and talking. I think the English speaking really helped us bridge some gaps with one another - it was a lot of fun. These are some of our friends we hung out with: Hassan, Renad, and Samuel.
Well, I must get back to some paper writing - Chris and I are trying to psych ourselves up by listening to a Jurassic Park soundtrack... Maresalam (good-bye).
Two days ago Chris and I started our English teaching. Neither of us had ever taught English before. I was seriously nervous, but of course it was more fun than we thought.
We began with a 5th grade phys ed class at the Catholic school in town - incorporating games with English learning. Simon Says was the most successful game - this was after trying to teach them a version of Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot using animals - the kids just started acting like crazy animals all over the room - it was hilarious! After we reviewed some of the vocab with the kids at the end of the class period (like numbers, body parts, and animals), the kids started singing "We will, we will, ROCK YOU!!" - complete with hand clapping. Did they even know what they were saying? It was a sight that will keep me laughing for months.
Later that night, Chris and I began our English classes with the university students that come by the Living Stones center from BirZeit University. We broke up into separate groups of about 6 each. The enthusiasm of the students to learn new vocab and have better pronounciation really encouraged me! After telling them a bit about myself (complete with a map of the US on the board), we worked through an article I printed out from the Philadelphia Inquirer about China's stance on the crisis in Burma and how it might affect their ability to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. It could have sounded like I was teaching them about political insurrection - introducing them to words such as "protest," "campaign," and "advocacy" - but that's ok I guess :)
After our class, a couple of the students invited Chris and I out to a "club" down the street - it's actually what looks like an abandoned house that two guys sell hagila (hubbly bubbly) and drinks out of. We chilled outside in the courtyard around some tables - laughing and talking. I think the English speaking really helped us bridge some gaps with one another - it was a lot of fun. These are some of our friends we hung out with: Hassan, Renad, and Samuel.
Well, I must get back to some paper writing - Chris and I are trying to psych ourselves up by listening to a Jurassic Park soundtrack... Maresalam (good-bye).
Sunday, October 14, 2007
God's Timing
"If the desire for silence, for moments of contemplation and meditation, is not born out of our concerns for this world, we will soon become bored, not understanding why we have to be subjected to so many pious exercises."
The passage before this in Henri Nouwen's book, "Creative Ministry," talks about the interconnectedness of prayer and ministry. I have had a lot of time for contemplation lately.
Two days ago, Chris and I took a walk around town. We saw some interesting things. For one, little kids, all over the place, played with toy guns - like M16 looking guns. Is there nothing else to play with? What have these children seen that causes this to be their main source of recreational activity? Secondly, I'm trying to understand the politics. Where does the "terror" of Hamas come from? What is going on in Gaza and how are people coping with the uncertainty of the next few months as the "peace" talks procede? Thirdly, where is my life going? Well, i guess that's typical thoughts of a 25 year old.. :)
This weekend, Chris and I went with Nash, Nisreen, and their daughter Nourel to Nazareth. We drove through the ancient sea coast town of Caesarea which Herod built up around 30 B.C. It was my first view of the Mediterranean Sea and my first view of Roman ruins. Seriously, one of the coolest sites I'd ever seen. After watching the movie "Taxi" with Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah almost twice on the Jordanian movie channel from the apartment we were staying in, in Nazareth, we set off on Sunday for a day FILLED with sites (or maybe it just seemed like it b/c there was so much to take in).
From the window in the apartment, Nash showed me the view of Mt. Tabor - where the Transfiguration took place (where Jesus went up on the mountain and met with Elijah and Moses - and Peter said "we should stay up here!" I could see why he would say that - it surely is a cool mountain/hill that commands an impressive view). We went to the Church of the Annunciation (where Catholics believe the angel Gabriel came to announce Christ's birth to Mary).. then to the Church of St. Gabriel where Eastern Orthodox christians believe Gabriel came to Mary. Whether the other is "correct" or not, both had ancient ruins. It was out of this world.
We drove through Haifa and then down the Mediterranean coast line. I have to say that the way the sun shone on the shoreline was perhaps one of my favorite things about the trip. It was like California, but more mystical.
Then, probably my second favorite site - driving through Jerusalem at night. It's a mixture of the old with the new - and the way the spotlights light up the old wall of Jerusalem is unbelievable...
Finally, as the peace talks loom on the horizon, sparking much uncertainity, fear, and resentment among people here. Chris and I were supposed to go to a peaece concert later this week in Jericho with students from Birzeit University. That concert was canceled b/c of security threats. - I will close this entry with words from another book I finished a little while ago - "The Church was the only hope for the Middle East, not because she had a better programme or more political insight. She didn't...Surely there were those who realized the bankruptcy of a peace process that had brought no peace for fifty years. For those who were willing, they could see the answer - Palestinians and Jews meeting at the foot of the cross."
The passage before this in Henri Nouwen's book, "Creative Ministry," talks about the interconnectedness of prayer and ministry. I have had a lot of time for contemplation lately.
Two days ago, Chris and I took a walk around town. We saw some interesting things. For one, little kids, all over the place, played with toy guns - like M16 looking guns. Is there nothing else to play with? What have these children seen that causes this to be their main source of recreational activity? Secondly, I'm trying to understand the politics. Where does the "terror" of Hamas come from? What is going on in Gaza and how are people coping with the uncertainty of the next few months as the "peace" talks procede? Thirdly, where is my life going? Well, i guess that's typical thoughts of a 25 year old.. :)
This weekend, Chris and I went with Nash, Nisreen, and their daughter Nourel to Nazareth. We drove through the ancient sea coast town of Caesarea which Herod built up around 30 B.C. It was my first view of the Mediterranean Sea and my first view of Roman ruins. Seriously, one of the coolest sites I'd ever seen. After watching the movie "Taxi" with Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah almost twice on the Jordanian movie channel from the apartment we were staying in, in Nazareth, we set off on Sunday for a day FILLED with sites (or maybe it just seemed like it b/c there was so much to take in).
From the window in the apartment, Nash showed me the view of Mt. Tabor - where the Transfiguration took place (where Jesus went up on the mountain and met with Elijah and Moses - and Peter said "we should stay up here!" I could see why he would say that - it surely is a cool mountain/hill that commands an impressive view). We went to the Church of the Annunciation (where Catholics believe the angel Gabriel came to announce Christ's birth to Mary).. then to the Church of St. Gabriel where Eastern Orthodox christians believe Gabriel came to Mary. Whether the other is "correct" or not, both had ancient ruins. It was out of this world.
We drove through Haifa and then down the Mediterranean coast line. I have to say that the way the sun shone on the shoreline was perhaps one of my favorite things about the trip. It was like California, but more mystical.
Then, probably my second favorite site - driving through Jerusalem at night. It's a mixture of the old with the new - and the way the spotlights light up the old wall of Jerusalem is unbelievable...
Finally, as the peace talks loom on the horizon, sparking much uncertainity, fear, and resentment among people here. Chris and I were supposed to go to a peaece concert later this week in Jericho with students from Birzeit University. That concert was canceled b/c of security threats. - I will close this entry with words from another book I finished a little while ago - "The Church was the only hope for the Middle East, not because she had a better programme or more political insight. She didn't...Surely there were those who realized the bankruptcy of a peace process that had brought no peace for fifty years. For those who were willing, they could see the answer - Palestinians and Jews meeting at the foot of the cross."
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Some recent pics
The center round-about in Birzeit
In the center of Ramallah
Above is the entrance to the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) headquarters
Ramallah
With Imad (one of the directors of Living Stones), his wife, and son
Chris and I were running a little low on food...So he made a hot dog, cheese, and turkey slices omelette.. it was delicious!
At our nextdoor neighbors for dinner!
Sandra - their youngest daughter - SWEETIE!
And finally - the Living Stones center - where we hang out with students from Birzeit University, and where Chris and I will teach english and CV-writing courses. In Arabic - Bet'el Hadja
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