Three Lutheran Schools
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
19
33
Trip End
Mar 18, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sometimes in life we are given opportunities that become life changing for us. These opportunities may influence how we think or feel. They may bring about changes in people's perceptions of each other. Or they may simply fill us with such gratefulness to have people or events enter our lives. All of this is how I felt this past week as I traveled to three Lutheran schools. Dr. Charles Haddad (the Director of the ELCJHL schools) and Sister Sylvia Countess (the Asst. Dir.) proposed that I visit the three schools - to observe the school social workers, find commonalities and differences, and offer suggestions. On Wednesday, I traveled by public bus with Sister Sylvia and an English volunteer to Bethlehem to see the Dar al-Kalima school. Bethlehem is not far from Jerusalem, but is seems so far removed because it is behind the containment wall. (If some of my wording sounds extreme, it is because the situation is extreme - not necessarily for Americans or tourists, but for the people that live behind that wall and have their freedom of movement restricted and in many cases taken away.) At the checkpoint with our passports in hand, we went through gates, observed many soldiers, passed through a wide open area, and then followed a long "chute" down to the street. That was simple compared to the numerous men who were lined up waiting to show their ID's, pass their hands under a fingerprint machine, and show their written permission to leave Bethlehem to go to work. This process can take hours or minutes - the Israeli's show their control at will. This is such a foreign sight for us Americans. We went through the same checkpoint the following day when I went to visit the school in Beit Sahour (neighboring city to Bethlehem). There was a different type of checkpoint on Saturday when I traveled to Hope School in Ramallah (on the West Bank).
As for the schools, there were so many familiar sights - children in classrooms, behavior at recess, concerned and busy teachers, principals that are working hard for their schools, adolescents mingling with each other. I couldn't understand the Arabic, but facial expressions and actions speak the same language. The schools are K-12, (Kindergarten being 3 yrs.) and the enrollment is about 2100 students. They attend school Monday - Thursday and on Saturday. Friday is a Muslim holy day and Sunday is for the Christians. The differences are stark - they have nowhere near the resources that are available in our schools - from computers, books, no cafeterias, no large gyms, teachers who prepare lessons for up to four different grade levels, and no heat (so everyone just wears a coat). But, I met with three incredible school social workers who each bring a uniqueness of character to the school where they work. They gave me such a genuine welcome - sat with me the entire day struggling with communication in English - shared their frustrations and joys of their jobs and students they work with - and openly talked about their personal feelings of sadness, anger, and hopelessness over the complicated political/cultural/religious struggle that is part of their daily lives. I find it so interesting that one of the goals of the schools is to "mold and reinforce Palestinian and Christian identity". Who they are and how they have to live is ever present.
I will have more to share about the schools and the people that have welcomed me into their thoughts and feelings when we come home. As for pictures, well - I carelessly left our camera in the school in Ramallah, so I'll post some of them after I get it back.
We have thought of you all this Sunday as we again worshiped at Resurrection Lutheran Church. We're worshiping at different times and in different places, but we are worshiping our Lord.
"What is This!?" ---- it is twin towers of sweet Paprika and it is a delicious part of our meals. Many of the spice sellers build similar constructions - quite appealing!
In Christ's love,
Jolene and Michael
