by Susan Mozena

Jesus raising Lazarus, in the Church of St Lazarus, Bethany, West Bank

Our days have been very full, trying to use our time wisely so that we might come back home with new information, and a new or renewed commitment to add the Palestinian narrative to our local conversations, and beyond. I write this from Bethlehem, the birth place of the Prince of Peace, and I am grateful every time a conversation with yet another wonderful, peace-loving person gives me hope that the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit is at work in this troubled place.

These wonderful people, our conversation partners, have had a number of things in common, including the fact that it appears that their faith is very important in their lives, a source of their strength, a source of their hope. I reflected on that today when we visited Bethany, famous in scripture in more than one way, but touchingly so as the town so well known to Jesus as the home of his dear friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The lovely church there is an oasis of calm in the West Bank, its garden filled with beauty and peace. A plaque outside the door caught my eye. The text from Luke came first: “One thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part.” (Luke 10:42) Mary put aside the mundane concerns of preparing and serving the meal, and took the time to listen to Jesus. The plaque adds, “Today as in the past, the love of Jesus seeks a refuge, where he is lovingly expected and where he can rest. He finds our hearts are filled with distractions—people, work, our own interests—He longs for us to empty our hearts to lovingly receive him.”

Inside the church, which was uncrowded and quiet, the beautiful mosaics above the altar and each transept drew me in. I focused on the one in the middle, with Jesus’ words from John’s gospel: “I am the resurrection and the life…” (John 11:25) Like Mary, may we take the time to pause from the very real concerns of the every day, even to retreat for a moment from the chaos that needs our serious attention, to sit with Jesus and listen again to his message of peace, hope, love and joy. We did that today for a few minutes, and it was a gift.

By Jane Fox and Janet Fasel

Susan, Duncan, Daoud and Usama at the Tent of Nations Camp

How can you run and maintain a farm without water, electricity and a building permit? Daoud (David) Nassar and his family have struggled for 24 years in the Israeli court system and spent $176,000 so far in legal fees to fight for the 100 acres bought by his grandfather during the Ottoman period. The land was properly registered and documents were kept. The family has continued to live on and farm the land for three generations.

The road to the Tent of Nations Camp, as they call the farm, is strewn with garbage, potholes and large boulders in an effort to separate the family from their inherited land located in Area C of the West Bank. They have been threatened with guns; road construction has been halted; 250 olive trees have been destroyed. In May 2014, three bulldozers destroyed all their fruit trees with only a singular fig tree remaining as the “steadfast witness”.

David said they could react in three ways: with violence, sitting and crying, or running away and leaving. He and his family chose another path… nonviolent and peaceful. They refuse to be victims. They refuse to hate. They believe in justice. “We refuse to be enemies.” Faith is their core issue. They invest their frustrations positively. While continuing their legal battle, they open the farm for people to “Come and See” and “Go and Tell”. They are committed to building a bridge between land and people.

Since 2009 they have utilized solar energy, collected 200,000 gallons of rainwater to use each year, practiced recycling and still continue to farm the land. Future plans include installing wind turbines and making bio-gas out of compost. As David said, “We need to invest our hope in ourselves.” In an effort to make the farm self-sustainable, they will plant 3,000 grape vines in the fall of 2015. Planned activities include summer camp for children, harvest camps, and projects empowering women which include teaching classes in English, computer and art.

David indicated that international presence has given them hope. The circle of volunteers and visitors is widening. International student groups, Christian pilgrims, European Jews for a Just Peace in Palestine, American Jews for Nonviolence, rabbis from the Encounter Group, to name a few, have all received David’s invitation to “Come and See” and “Go and Tell”.

Janet, Amal, and Jane at the Tent of Nations Camp

David’s sister Amal Nassar, a pediatric physical therapist who also works with the local women’s groups, is one of 300 world leaders invited to speak at the June 2015 Sojourners Summit in Washington, DC. She exemplifies the Tent of Nations’ vision to “plan big, but walk in small steps.” Faith, love, and hope are the foundations.

by Jane Braymer

“Out of the Ivory Tower into a world of woe”… so goes an old hymn. That describes our experience today… from walking in Jesus’ steps yesterday to walking through a protest demonstration by young Palestinian boys as we entered the Wi’am Center for lunch. They were throwing rocks at the nearby Israeli guard tower and wall, demonstrating on what is called Israeli Independence Day. Wea ring black t shirts with 1948 on the back, they were expressing what we have heard many times… Palestinians are not free… they lost in 1948… 1967… 2002. I was not afraid as one of the boys greeted me and offered his Palestinian flag.

Inside Wi’am, the Palestinian Conflict Resolution/Transformation Center, we learned of using ‘compassionate listening’ as a tool in working to resolve conflict on many levels.

Zoughbi Zoughbi describes compassionate listening

In touring Aida Refugee Camp we learned of the difficult life yet saw a bright ray of hope at the Al Rowwad Center for Culture and Arts… ‘beautiful resistance’ through dance, theater, photography, video production… empowering children and women to believe that they can make a difference and create change through self-expression.

From reality to inspiration… our visit to Shepherd’s Field. As the cool breeze blew through the trees we gazed over the field of Ruth and Boaz.

Shepherd’s Field, Beit Sahour

In the distance we saw a shepherd and his flock just as those Shepherds 2000 years ago tended their sheep. After climbing through caves where people sought shelter we visited the cave where ancient Shepherds could house more than 25 sheep. As we prepared to enter the church where the Angels foretold the birth of the Christ Child, we heard singing inside… in Korean… it was The First Noel… as we filtered in we began to sing with them… a blending of voices… to the same Lord… with the same love… there is Hope!