Bethelehem

Greetings family,
Or should i say Salaam meelik...

Which means God's peace upon you..

WOW! It has been an amazing journey so far, and i am only nearing half way through my experience. Although i have not been able to get near a phone, to call Kendra, i have found internet access rather easily. It is amazing, in the midst of such abhorrent racism and oppression, the beauty of technology finds its way to allow people to communicate worldwide. I have hope, for these amazing people, that through media, through communications with the entire world that their stories will get out and justice will prevail.

Last night we stayed with a family at a refugee camp. Now this is not a refugee camp like we would expect. These people were forced here by the Israeli government. These beautiful people, who welcomed us into their home, fed us, cared for us, laughed with us, simply loved us, were forced to this way of living. Their homes demolished by a government that has, what i think, in mind to systematically eradicate these people from their homes. Many of you, reading this blog, may own your own home. Imagine, friends, if one day, by a simple whim, some soldiers showed up, demanded your home, and you have to give up or face death. After they demolish it; they bill you. And you are left wondering what to do. This happens with nearly 200 to 300 homes a year. It is apparent to me, as a westener that had no idea, that ignorance is not bliss. More than that, something must be done.

You see, sisters and brothers, we, as Americans, hold the key to the plight of the Palestinian people. We can push our government leaders to no longer stand aside while the Israeli government continues to violate basic human rights. It is not only illegal, but for us, as Christians, it is an abomination. We have to do something. And i think that is one of the reasons i am here. To help tell the story, so that something can be done. I believe, brothers and sisters, that you are just the people to ensure the story of these people be heard and that our government do something about it.

But there is so much more to say. I was so ignorant of the Gaza situation that i often believed the Israeli government had a right to defend itself, but that is not what's happening. In the stories from the people, the Israeli government is attacking children and women. This is the truth. I stand with these people and hear their stories. Loss after loss. And i know now that i will never again accept the news from our stations. They are lopsided and miss the mark on so much. Hamas, which we are told to believe is a terrorist organization, is no such thing. Hamas was part Israel's creation to balance the PLO. The weapons, the homemade ones, that are being sent on towns in Israel, are only there, with the permission of the Israeli government. How do i know?

The Israeli government has shut off all roads into Gaza. The people living there can't get basic water, they have to drink putrid, waste water to survive. Nothing gets into Gaza or out, without Israeli permission. They have it completely blocked. This is the story we do not hear, but now that i am being educated, and i hope to help open your eyes as well, we can do something. We must. These people need a voice, our voice, and i believe it is our calling, for such a time as this.

I carry you all with me, daily. I have many pictures, but i cannot load them up, my memory card, for my camera, doesn't fit any harddrives here. So i will have to wait to show them to you when i get back. Tonight we head back to Jerusalem and off to Hebron for some serious peacekeeping work. It is easy to see and believe that this is the Holy Land, because the people are so full of God, that this has to be where God resides, in the people.

Will we help them? I hope so. I miss you dearly, and i hope to blog again soon.

Shalom with much love,

jerry