http://www.annadwa.org/brightstars/stars.htm
These stained glass stars were made from broken glass collected after the 2002 Israeli invasion and bombing of Bethlehem. The stars are a reminder of what was for me the highlight of my recent trip -- a visit to the International Center of Bethlehem.
The Center is a Lutheran-based, ecumenically-oriented organization serving the entire Palestinian community with an emphasis on supporting children, youth, women and the elderly through programs that empower, and evoke creativity and self-expression through art and culture. It was founded by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Arab-Palestinian pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem.
In a recent interview, Rev. Mitri describes his work in Bethlehem. He says, “In Bethlehem we have focused on creating spaces where the young people of Palestine can acquire skills, where their gifts can be discovered and nurtured, and where we can train them in critical thinking. What we have done in our church is to encourage Palestinian youth to become active in society, especially in civil society. We encourage them to live for Palestine; not to die for Palestine and this is particularly important in the Palestinian context, because often what we see is youth who have no trouble believing that there will be life after death, but who have great difficulties believing that there can be a life before death.” This work is so important in the city of Bethlehem where close to 50% of the population is under the age of 19.
On our trip, we had the opportunity to speak with a young Palestinian woman who works at the Center, who waited after closing time in order to meet our bus that was late, who welcomed us warmly, and who shared stories from her own life, the life of her community, and the work they are doing. It was more than was clear that the power of the Israeli Separation Wall crumbles in the face of this community’s way of living into its vision of “God’s abundant life for all people”’!-- life and hope, laughter and joy is bubbling up despite ongoing and oppressive policy and tactics of the Israeli military and government.
This community is a living and thriving expression of Christ’s Presence in the world largely due to the amazing way that they have taken up God’s Ministry of Reconciliation!
I am so inspired by their work. It has me wonder how I … how UCoL … participates in this kind of ministry in Langley?!? How do we sing God’s Love Song of Reconciliation?!?