Two sacred sites not on a usual tour

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  Jerusalem, Israel
Friday, February 29, 2008

Dear Friends and Family,
We have not written in a few days as we had to get ready to leave the apartment and go to Tiberias.  We are now in Tiberias at the Royal Plaza Hotel ( the same one that the group is coming to).
Our last week in Jerusalem was busy with saying goodbye to many people that we have come to know  (especially the man at our favorite bakery), and packing up the things we bought.  Monday we went to a few places we have been before. On Tuesday we attended a training given by a man who works for the U.N.  This seminar was part of the training that new volunteers in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program.  These volunteers are stationed at various border crossings to be a non-violent presence - to accompany children to schools and to remind the guards to treat those crossing as people.  The part of their training we saw was about the barriers that are up all across the West Bank.  We heard about the effects the barriers are having on the family and business life of the population in Palestine

Lutheran church at Beit Sahour

.  The barriers are not just surrounding the West Bank, but constructed so that movement is very difficult unless you live in one of the settlements.  The presentation was very factual without tying to justify or blame.  On Wednesday, we went to two sacred places that are not on the usual tour list.  We went to the school at Beit Sahour (right next to Bethlehem) and I spent time talking to the new pastor, who will be ordained this Sunday, of the small church that is part of the school.  Rev.Imad Haddad will be a great pastor.  He truly has a pastor's heart.  He told me about the structure of the church and what he is expected to do.  What I liked was that he gets to and is expected to visit in the homes of the members. He told me about the hopes and dreams of both him and the congregation.  They will be a Christian witness without trying to force Christianity on the non-Christians.  Their youth program is for church members and community members.  They talk about the Christian message, and if the youth do not accept it right away they do not exclude them from their fellowship.  They show hospitality to all.  It is a small congregation that is family oriented.  As he talked about church issues I felt he was talking about any church.  Being a local pastor in a church is truly universal.  I considered this a sacred place because here is a congregation that is in the birthplace of Jesus and it is living out Jesus' request of Peter to "love my people". The Church was started as a school and then a church building was built

Inside of the Church

.  The school is half Christian and half Muslim and yet Christian values of peace and love is taught to all without judgement.  As Imad and I prayed before I left him, I knew that I had found a Christian brother and fellow worker in the faith.  I plan to stay connected with him - hopefully as a prayer partner and to further learn how the church functions in Bethlehem. The second sacred site on Wednesday was at Musa's home.  Musa is a cab driver in Bethlehem.  He is Muslim by religion, Palestinian by nationality, and a multi-generational resident of Bethlehem.  He invited us to his home to meet his family (he and his wife have 6 children).  We were amazed at the hospitality we were shown.  His wife made us a meal of 4 courses.  We ate on his patio - it was about 60 degrees and sunny.  As Bethlehem is so hilly, he lives on a hill in a third floor home with a great view. The family was so gracious to us. They treated us not as strangers, but as neighbors. The children were inquisitive and delightful.  They each knew part of three languages.  We were so impressed by their kindness to us.  Their home was a sacred site, because in the midst of their very difficult life they took the time to celebrate our visiting them.  It is this kind of hospitality - given to strangers (us) that is in the best traditions of Christ's teaching.  We left Musa's home with very full stomachs and a full spirit. We ended Wednesday with saying goodbye to the friends that we made from the Lutheran church at the Lenten service and potluck supper

Student made mosaic at the Church

. On Thursday we spent time packing and pinicing together at a local park. We pulled 3 suitcases and a backpack over to the Olive Tree Hotel to be stored until our return.
And now, today, we are in Tiberias where it is very green and far less populated.  We will spend some days seeing this countryside and the landscape that Jesus was accustomed to seeing everyday. 
When you go to worship this Sunday, give thanks that the Word of God is still preached in the place where it began and know that same Word, that gave life to those 2000 years ago, is still giving life today. And celebrate that you are not alone in worship.  The church in Beit Sahour has about 45-60 in attendance.  When they or we worship - we worship together with all Christians around the world and across time.
Together in Christ's Love,
Michael and Jolene

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Rev. Imad Haddad	Beit Sahour School	Musa's Family	The Gracious Couple
Two Sisters	Two Brothers	Church of the Nativity

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