My heart is again heavy.
Today was a tough day.
As per usual, I started my day at work at Bank of America. At first it was nothing spectacular. Then, 15 minutes prior to my allotted time to punch out Salam walked in. At first it was a routine account opening. Given her name and her broken English I could tell that she wasn't from here, and so I asked.
She was from Nablus, a town in the northern parts of the West Bank, known for brutal clashes between Palestinian and Israeli fighters. I told her how much I loved the Palestinian people and how I'd never been shown greater hospitality. "We are hospitable because we suffer much." My heart started to drop. I asked her how long ago she moved to America, and why the move? Do you miss it? Do you want to go back? I asked. Tears filled her eyes. "I cannot go back. They have taken everything from me, you see. I cannot love them (the Israeli's). We were in our house by ourselves. They came in and they killed my husband and my oldest son. We were not fighting. I will never go back."
I sat there in rage-filled, saddened silence. I took her deposit to the teller window so I could shed my own tears. I missed my class today because I sat with her for an hour.
This cycle will not end until the Gospel can take root once again in that oh so bloodied turf of dirt, but who will go for us?
The cycle of shame, honor, and vengeance only finds its interruption in the beautiful power of the Gospel message. Jesus has borne our shame, he is the one worthy of all the honor, power and glory. Vengeance is his, he will repay. Thus in obedience to him and at his command, forgiveness goes before us. Mercy is his vanguard and must be ours. Only grace and selfless compassion stops the cycle of hate. Mercy is available only in the Gospel! Jesus is the only hope for the region. We must pray. Who will go for us?
When I arrived at home, I checked my email as I routinely do. My mentor during my stay in Israel had emailed me informing me that she is having a difficult time renewing her visa, and is fairly confident that her time at the Bethlehem School is drawing to a close. She has given sweat, tears and blood to that school for close to a decade. Having been there, I know what this change in situation will mean. So, if you are reading this, give thought to the letter I have written which you can find below. And I ask you, who will go for us?
Blessings to you this Lenten Season,
I write to you in earnest conviction of my heart, trusting that you would prayerfully consider my words.
You most likely know already from our conversations over the last year how a piece of my soul was left in Jerusalem, and the greater regions of Israel proper and Palestine. You probably also know that the reason my heart was left there, for I gave of it heavily to the Palestinian children at the school I taught at. I write to you on behalf of that School; The Bethlehem School in Beit Jala.
Ms Linda, who has been teaching there for close to a decade and is now the principal, has given her life to that school. However, short of a miracle, the Israeli authorities are not going to be renewing her visa. My brothers and sisters, the school is already in desperate need for help. If Ms. Linda cannot return (and like I said most likely will not be returning) the school will be out of both their last English teacher, and their principal. This is not a door-closing event, but it's also not far from it either.
Our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ are already under duress because of their national situation, let alone pressure from their Muslim neighbors. This is one of the few Christian schools in the West Bank, and to my knowledge the only Evangelical School. If her doors close, Palestinian Christian children will have few to no options left to receive education from a Christian world view.
Principally, they need bodies there to share in the work of teaching. Realistically, they cannot afford to pay much so whoever goes will need to raise financial support. Some of us can fill that roll, but not all of us. Some of us need to go or find people who can/will go. I’m not asking you to consider giving your life to this project, not unless God specifically lays that on your heart. I am however, asking you to consider deeply the possibility of helping me recruit teachers or even teaching there for a year to three to buy them some time to re-stabilize. When the Lord lifts up those who will go for us, then the rest of us need to rally behind them. I am praying for a miracle. I believe that each of us are well networked enough to challenge these people. The question is, who will go for us? I am praying that we can find even five to go to fill the shoes of the one who will be leaving.
My prayers are with you all. I will connect you with Ms. Linda should you feel so led. If you do not feel so, maybe you can help me pass the word on and find a miracle for the school?
Shalom,
Aaron
On a lighter note. My wife is incredible. Each day we continue to meld and grow in laughter and happiness. I can be in the worst, bottom-est mood ever, and she can bring laughter to my lips, and life to my eyes. I am blessed among men.
As per usual, I started my day at work at Bank of America. At first it was nothing spectacular. Then, 15 minutes prior to my allotted time to punch out Salam walked in. At first it was a routine account opening. Given her name and her broken English I could tell that she wasn't from here, and so I asked.
She was from Nablus, a town in the northern parts of the West Bank, known for brutal clashes between Palestinian and Israeli fighters. I told her how much I loved the Palestinian people and how I'd never been shown greater hospitality. "We are hospitable because we suffer much." My heart started to drop. I asked her how long ago she moved to America, and why the move? Do you miss it? Do you want to go back? I asked. Tears filled her eyes. "I cannot go back. They have taken everything from me, you see. I cannot love them (the Israeli's). We were in our house by ourselves. They came in and they killed my husband and my oldest son. We were not fighting. I will never go back."
I sat there in rage-filled, saddened silence. I took her deposit to the teller window so I could shed my own tears. I missed my class today because I sat with her for an hour.
This cycle will not end until the Gospel can take root once again in that oh so bloodied turf of dirt, but who will go for us?
The cycle of shame, honor, and vengeance only finds its interruption in the beautiful power of the Gospel message. Jesus has borne our shame, he is the one worthy of all the honor, power and glory. Vengeance is his, he will repay. Thus in obedience to him and at his command, forgiveness goes before us. Mercy is his vanguard and must be ours. Only grace and selfless compassion stops the cycle of hate. Mercy is available only in the Gospel! Jesus is the only hope for the region. We must pray. Who will go for us?
When I arrived at home, I checked my email as I routinely do. My mentor during my stay in Israel had emailed me informing me that she is having a difficult time renewing her visa, and is fairly confident that her time at the Bethlehem School is drawing to a close. She has given sweat, tears and blood to that school for close to a decade. Having been there, I know what this change in situation will mean. So, if you are reading this, give thought to the letter I have written which you can find below. And I ask you, who will go for us?
Blessings to you this Lenten Season,
I write to you in earnest conviction of my heart, trusting that you would prayerfully consider my words.
You most likely know already from our conversations over the last year how a piece of my soul was left in Jerusalem, and the greater regions of Israel proper and Palestine. You probably also know that the reason my heart was left there, for I gave of it heavily to the Palestinian children at the school I taught at. I write to you on behalf of that School; The Bethlehem School in Beit Jala.
Ms Linda, who has been teaching there for close to a decade and is now the principal, has given her life to that school. However, short of a miracle, the Israeli authorities are not going to be renewing her visa. My brothers and sisters, the school is already in desperate need for help. If Ms. Linda cannot return (and like I said most likely will not be returning) the school will be out of both their last English teacher, and their principal. This is not a door-closing event, but it's also not far from it either.
Our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ are already under duress because of their national situation, let alone pressure from their Muslim neighbors. This is one of the few Christian schools in the West Bank, and to my knowledge the only Evangelical School. If her doors close, Palestinian Christian children will have few to no options left to receive education from a Christian world view.
Principally, they need bodies there to share in the work of teaching. Realistically, they cannot afford to pay much so whoever goes will need to raise financial support. Some of us can fill that roll, but not all of us. Some of us need to go or find people who can/will go. I’m not asking you to consider giving your life to this project, not unless God specifically lays that on your heart. I am however, asking you to consider deeply the possibility of helping me recruit teachers or even teaching there for a year to three to buy them some time to re-stabilize. When the Lord lifts up those who will go for us, then the rest of us need to rally behind them. I am praying for a miracle. I believe that each of us are well networked enough to challenge these people. The question is, who will go for us? I am praying that we can find even five to go to fill the shoes of the one who will be leaving.
My prayers are with you all. I will connect you with Ms. Linda should you feel so led. If you do not feel so, maybe you can help me pass the word on and find a miracle for the school?
Shalom,
Aaron
On a lighter note. My wife is incredible. Each day we continue to meld and grow in laughter and happiness. I can be in the worst, bottom-est mood ever, and she can bring laughter to my lips, and life to my eyes. I am blessed among men.
posted by A. Engler at 9:11 PM
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