Connections in Christ

What touched me the most today was our visit to the Palestinian Village, At Tuwani.  It was humbling, but also eye opening to the extent of the violence and oppression that Palestinians are experiencing from the Israeli occupation.  Their homes were built in the desert along the hillside that were incomplete and in poor condition.  Within the past year, they just received electricity and they have been living there since the early 90's.  They experienced the Israeli's poisoning their livestock.  Now a new Israeli settlement is being built near their village and the military is telling them where they can and cannot graze their livestock. 

The people of At Tuwani were so kind and hospitable to us.  We sat with them and had tea and bread that they prepared for us.  I met one barefooted little girl that pulled on my heart strings.  She saw in my book bag that I had shiny lip gloss.  She pointed to it and her lips so I knew what she wanted.  I gave it to her and she knew exactly what to do with it.  I made her day and she also made my day with her loving hug!

This village had a peace making team there helping the Palestinians to have a voice by documenting their experiences with photos and videos.  They have documented the poisoning of their livestock, cutting down of their olive trees, moving fences closer in on their village as well as abuse and arrests of their children. 

While we were there, we shopped in their little village shop of handmade things made by the women.  It felt so good to be there to hear their story, see how they are being forced to live, to support them financially in their shop, and hopefully giving them a voice by educating ourselves to share with others and especially our US leaders of the injustice that is taking place. 

Another example of injustice and persecution was in Hebron.  The Palestinian Christians there are also experiencing abduction of their kids with arrests, not allowing access to their home because it fronts on Shuhada Road that the Palestinians are not allowed to walk on.  If they do, they are arrested.  So from the roof top of the Christian Peacemaking Team's office, they showed us how these families have to go down an alley way and climb ladders to get into their homes.

Susan, with the Christian Peacemaker Team that led us around became an instant friend.  Our souls connected in the name and service of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I am looking forward to staying in contact with my new friend and sister in Christ.  She is from the Philippians and had a family that she has been away from for nearly a year fulfilling her calling to serve the Lord.  I admire her faith, service and love for the Lord and the Palestinian people.  It was truly beautiful meeting her and the Palestinian families today.