Holy Land Tour - Post from Bethlehem, Thursday, June 9

I learned a new word today -- an Arabic word -- Dar means "home" and we learned about multiple homes under one umbrella. We learned the Arabic word "diyar" which is plural for dar. We were guests of the International Center of Bethlehem, which has grown out of Christmas Lutheran Church and is a consortium which provides services to over 2000 people.

The congregation at Christmas Lutheran is small, only a bit over 200 members, and they live under very stressful conditions, Yet as our guide told us the first thing, the Congregation, and the people they serve have chosen not to be victims. They are living life abundantly, as abundantly as their circumstances allow. The church was established by the Germans in the mid-1800s, and its first mission was education for girls. That school presently houses church offices. Now, both boys and girls, Christians and Muslim attend school still sponsored by the church, but in another location.

At the end of the day we had an opportunity to listen to the Pastor of the church, the Rev. Mitri Raheb. talk about this amazing congregation and the things they are doing. His emphasis is that Christ has done the work of redemption, and that leaves us free from having to earn that. It is now up to us to carry on that part of the mission which Christ was doing when he was walking this very area: teaching, preaching and healing. Pr. Raheb grew up in this area. When he returned from theological trainingin Germany, he told us how he puzzled over what his ministry in this context should be. After seven years of prayer and thought, the emphasis was placed on thriving, not surviving. In order to do that he said, one had to take action. And action is what this church is about.

They sponsor several programs of which they are very proud. One is a wellness center. With the stress and frustration so common in Palestinian lives they need a place to unwind and just live -- so courses are offered in ballet, Palestinian folk dancing, swimming, yoga, theatre and intergenerational discussion. They also have the first program in Palestine for seniors, and have over 700 people participating in those programs.

In addition to visiting the wellness center,we also toured a brand new building for their college which focuses on the arts. They have music students, film and documentary students, potters, jewelry makers, and are working out partnerships to provide faculty and exchanges which will benefit not only their students, but colleges abroad. The facility is beautiful and students are carefully selected via interview, and testing. The college is fully accredited at the Associate Degree level, and the Dean is very hopeful that within the next few years, they will receive accreditation for the BA and MA degrees. We also saw the bulding which will become the future home of a sports program for Women, and visited a K-12 co-ed school for Muslim and Christian children operated by the international Center of Bethlehem.

It is difficult to explain the energy that has gone into the planning and developing of these programs, and an example might give you an idea of why it is so dynamic. Continuing education courses are available, and computer courses are very popular -- who takes them? Our answer was anyone from a 15 year old young techie to an 86 year old grandmother who wanted to be able to email her grandchildren. I'd say that is living life abundantly!

We learned a lot -- and we heard about the wall divind Israel and the West Bank, the land grabs, but I shall never forget a young woman who is not allowed to travel 5 miles to see her grandmother who lives in Jerusalem saying, "I choose not to be a victim. I choose to live life abundantly." How can we not support such work with our prayers!

Kathryn Koob '60