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CONTENTS

Cover TitlePage CopyrightPage IntroductionbyJohanCompanjen

Part1 StrengthenWhatRemains1. TheHorror2. NotaMindlessTerrorist3. WhereWastheChurch?

Part2 Lebanon:SeekingPeaceinanUncivilWar

4. WeepingforLebanon5. GodHasForsakenLebanon6. TheNeedforWisdomwithZeal7. APlanforPeace8. It’sJustaMess9. BeingwithUsIstheGreatestEncouragement

10. IHaveNoPower11. MeetingwithanAyatollah12. SeetheSonofRighteousnessRise

Part3WestBankandGaza:WhoReachestheTerrorists?

13. AWell-AimedStone

14. IWanttoSeeLivingStones15. WhatAreWeSupposedtoDo?16. BringingtheTwoSidesTogether17. WhatWillThisSufferingAccomplish?18. EveryTentIsaMosque19. TheFamiliesofHamas20. AMealwithTerrorists21. HowFarDoIGo?22. WhatISawTodayAreGodSeekers23. InaSmallWayWe’reMakingaDifference24. WhatKindofPeopleDoestheBookProduce?25. HamasWouldLikeaCease-Fire26. CalledtoaHigherStatecraft27. TheTeacher’sBookshop28. DidYouTrytoPray?

Part4 TheSecondIntifada:AReligiousUprising

29. ThrowingtheJesusStone30. ItIsNotSuicide—ItIsReligious31. EscapefromBethlehem32. MiracleinHolland33. WhatDoYouPreachWhenThereIsShelling?34. TheLightIsaLittleBrighter35. ADonkeyCriesforGaza36. SneakingintoBethlehem37. ADangerousGame38. AModelOthersCanFollow39. NowWhat?

Organizations Notes SelectedBibliography

AbouttheAuthor

BackAds

INTRODUCTION

JohanCompanjen,PresidentofOpenDoors

Thebookyouareholdingwillbeconsideredbysomeascontroversial.ThatiseventruewithinOpenDoors,theministryfoundedbyBrotherAndrewin1955whenhetraveledtoPolandandsawthestrugglesoftheChurchunderCommunism.

ForthoseofyouwhoarenotfamiliarwithOpenDoors,weexisttostrengthenandequiptheChurchlivingunderorfacingrestrictionandpersecutionbecauseoftheirfaithinJesusChrist.Todothat,weprovideBiblesandotherliteratureforpersecutedChristianswhootherwisecouldnotobtainthem.In2003wedeliverednearlyfourmillionBibles,children’sBibles,studyBibles,andotherscripturalbookstochurchesinAsia,LatinAmerica,Africa,andthroughouttheMuslimworld.Inaddition,wetrainedtwenty-twothousandpastorsandchurchleadersinhowtoleadtheircongregationsandstandstrongintheirfaithinthemidstofpersecutionanddiscrimination.

Inthelate1960s,whenthevisibilityofBrotherAndrew’sbest-sellingbookGod’sSmugglerpreventedhimfrompersonallyreturningtotheSovietUnionandEasternEurope,oneoftheplaceshefeltledtovisitwastheMiddleEast.Whathesawtroubledhim.MoreandmorehebegantospeakoutabouttheregionandparticularlyabouttheriseofMuslimfanaticism,whichhashadadramaticimpactontheChurchintheregion.HefeltitwascriticaltodowhateverhecouldtohelpstrengthentheChurchsoitcouldbealightinthemidstoftheunendingconflict.

Moreradically,BrotherAndrewalsosetouttoreachIsrael’senemieswiththegospelofJesusChrist.Sometimeshedidthiswithwords,sometimesbyshowingChristianloveandcompassion.Intheprocess,hechallengedthethinkingofthelocalChurch.

WhenIwasappointedpresidentofOpenDoorsin1995,itfreedBrotherAndrewtoconcentrateonthisregion.Thisbookdescribeshispilgrimage.Itdoesnotseektobepoliticalortakesides,eventhoughalotofattentionisgiventothesufferingofthedwindlingcommunityofChristiansamongthePalestinianpopulation.

ItisimportanttonotethatcommittedChristiansdisagreeonmanytheologicalissues,suchasspeakingintonguesoreternalsecurityorprophecy.TheissuesofIsraelandthelandcanbeamongthemostdivisive.We’vewrestledwiththiswithinOpenDoors,andwehavestaffmemberswhostandonbothsidesoftheissues.Still,weloveeachotherandworktogetherbecauseweshareahighercalltotheChurchofJesusChrist.

ItismyprayerthatthisbookwillstirthebodyofChristaroundtheworldtomorecompassionandprayerforthisdifficultpartoftheworld.ThecloserwecometothereturnofJesusChrist,themoreweneedtostandunited.BothJewishbelieversintheMessiahandtheirArabandPalestinianbrothersandsisterslivinginthelandneedourprayersandsupport.MaythisbookshowthewaytowhatIbelieveistheonlyhopeforpeaceintheMiddleEast—shiningthelightofJesusChristintothedarknessofthisterribleconflict.

PART1STRENGTHENWHATREMAINS

Atwisted,blackenedskeletonofsteelsmoldersinthemiddleofaJerusalemstreet.Sirensscream.Onlookersweep.Theannouncerreportsthatasuicidebomberhasstruckagaininacrowdedbus.

Howmanytimeshaveweseensuchimagesofterror?Havewebecomeimmunetosuchnews?Ithasbeengoingonforyears,andyetweknowit’snotover.Therewillberetaliation.Peoplewilldie.Therewillbeanotherattack.Morepeoplewilldie.

Willthiscycleofviolenceneverend?Andwhatdoesthismeanforus?

1THEHORROR

Jerusalem,September4,1997

KarenAlanhadfinishedhererrandsandwasreturningtoworkatthesecond-floorofficeofabuildingonBenYehudaStreet.Thepedestrianmallwaslinedwithcafesandshops.LocalJerusalemresidentsandtouristsstrolledalongthecobblestonestreetandsatatoutdoortablesenjoyingcoffeeandthepeopleshow.ForforeignvisitorsthiswasafavoritedestinationafterseeingtheOldCity,lessthanamileeastonJaffaRoad.Heretouristsshoppedformenorahs,mezuzahs,andembroideredyarmulkesor,formorediscerningtastes,originalJewishjewelry,art,andpottery.

WithinthisvibrantsectionofWestJerusalemsatKingofKingsCollege.[1]Justonemonthbefore,Karenhadstartedworkingthereasaneditorandtranslator.Shehurriedupthestairsafterlunch,eagertogetbacktowork.

AsKarenenteredtheofficeandsetherpurseonherdesk,anexplosionnearlyknockedheroffherfeet.Shegrabbedherdesktosteadyherself.Almostinstantlytherewasasecondexplosion,thenathirdevenmorepowerfulblastrockedthebuilding.

ForamomentKaren’searsrang.Shebracedherselfforanotherblast.Thensheheardofficematesyelling.Oh,myGod,thiscan’tbehappening,shethought.Sheturnedandhurriedwithseveralothersintoanofficewithawindowoverlookingthestreet.Asshepeeredouttoseewhathadhappened,shecouldhearshoutsandscreamsrisingfromthepavement.Thesightwashorrifying.Bodies,bothconsciousandunconscious,everyonecoveredwithblood,layinthestreetandonthesidewalks.Oneofthevictimsstruggledtohisfeetandstaggered

blindly,bloodflowingoverhiseyesfromagashinhishead.Afewwitnessesstoodfrozen.Otherswererunningfrantically.

Karen’smindcouldbarelyprocessallthesensoryinformation.Hereyesmovedtowardonespotwhereshecouldseethebloodylegsofoneofthebombers.Historsohadbeenblownapartintheblast.Shebecameawareofsounds.Carandstorealarmsscreamed.Acellphonerang,unanswered.Ambulanceandpolicesirensannouncedtheirarrival.Dustalongwiththesmellofexplosivesandburnedfleshchafedhernasalpassagesandcausedhereyestowater.Thefirstparamedicsdidtriageuntiladditionalhelparrived.Orderswereshouted.Policebegancorrallingthecrowd.

Suddenly,KarenrememberedherfriendShiri,whoshouldhavebeenreturningtoherofficenextdoor.Wherewasshe?Shewalkedbacktoherdeskanddialedherfriend’scellnumber,buttherewasnoanswer.Impulsivelyshehurrieddownthestairsandmovedthroughhorrifiedspectatorsinthelobbytothemainentrance,butapolicemanstoppedher.Abodylayrightoutsidethedoor.“Noonecanleave,”saidtheofficer.

InadazeKarenclimbedbackupthestairstoheroffice.Againshedialedherfriend’snumber,buttherewasnoanswer.Fearnearlychokedherasshetriedtothink.Allshecouldmanagewasaprayer,askingforherfriend’ssafety.Lord,mayShirinotbeoneofthosebodieslyinginthestreet.

Everyoneintheofficehadcongregatedatthewindowstowatchthemacabrescene.Severalright-wingactivistshadarrivedfromsomewhereandwerejustoutsidethepoliceline,chanting,“DeathtotheArabs!”Shenoticedthatallofthewindowssurroundingthemallwereshattered,exceptforthoseinheroffice.Howmanypeople,shewondered,hadbeenhurtbyflyingglass?

Karenbecameawarethatshewasshivering.Obviouslyshecouldn’twork,butsheneededtodosomething.Everyfewminutesshecalledherfriend’scellphonenumber.Eachtimetherewasnoanswer.Wherearethenearesthospitals?Shegrabbedaphonebookandstarteddialinghospitals.Noneofthemhadarecordofherfriendhavingbeenadmitted.Lookingagainoutthewindow,shebeganthinkingtheworst:WhatwillIdoifoneofthosescorchedbodiesishers?AmIreadyfortheworstkindofnews?Noway!Shefeltpanicrisingwithinher.Withallherwill,shepusheditdown.

Harderwijk,TheNetherlands

Afterwatchingtheeveningnews,Ipacedmyoffice,prayingforthevictimsofyetanotherterroristattackinIsrael.Iremindedmyselfthatforeverypersonwho

yetanotherterroristattackinIsrael.Iremindedmyselfthatforeverypersonwhodied,therewereparents,siblings,andfriendsinmourning.Foreveryinjuredperson,therewasafamilygatheredaroundahospitalbedweepingandpraying.Forthewitnesses,therewerenightmaresandthefearthatneverseemstogoaway.ThepeopleofIsraelwerereelingfromthehorrorsthathavestruckthemoverthelastseveralyears.

ForyearsI’dbeentravelingtotheMiddleEast,visitingchurchesinLebanon,Israel,WestBank,andGaza.WheneverIheardaboutanotherattack,Iwonderedifanybelieverswerecaughtinit.Christiansarenotimmunefromsuchhorrors,ofcourse.TheChurchcannotavoidthedangersofthesocietyinwhichitexists,butIwonderedhowChristianswerecopingwiththephysicalandemotionaltrauma.

IrecalledanotherterrifyingincidentinAugust1968,whenCzechoslovakiawasinvadedbytheSovietarmy.IwonderedhowtheinvasionwouldaffecttheChurch,soIloadedmyCitroenstationwagonwithRussianBiblesandChristianliteratureanddrovealldayfromHollandtotheCzechborder.ThereImetalongstreamofcarsleavingthecountry.ThousandsofpeoplewerefleeingtheSovietarmy.IwastheonlypersongoingintoCzechoslovakia.EventhoughIdidn’thaveavisa,theborderguardadmittedmeintothecountry,andthatnextSundayIpreachedinPrague.[2]

Iwasabouttoturnseventyyearsold.PeopleweresuggestingthatIshouldretire.Travelingintocombatzoneswasforyoungpeople.ButhowcouldIretirewhenmybrothersandsisterswerehurtingandtherewasachancethatIcouldhelp?ManywantedtorunawayfromtheconflictinIsrael.Iwantedtoruntoit.

Jerusalem

ItwasafterdarkwhenKarenreachedhomeandburiedherselfinherparents’arms.Televisionnewswasoninthelivingroom.Forafewminutesshewatchedthereports,unabletobelievethatshehadbeenthereandhadnarrowlyescapedwithherlife.Thefactshammeredthemselvesintoherconsciousness.ThreebombshadexplodedinthecrowdedpedestrianmallinWestJerusalem.Atleast7peopleweredeadand192injured,mostlyduetothousandsofnailspackedintheexplosives.Reportersagreedthatthishadbeenaparticularlyviciousattack.

Afewminuteslaterthephonerang.Herfatheranswered,thenhandedherthereceiver.“It’sShiri!”

“ThankGod!”wasallKarencouldsayforamoment.Throughhertears,shefinallysaid,“Iwassoafraidyouwereoutthere...”

“Iwasatthepostoffice,justafewhundredyardsaway,”Shiriexplained.“I

“Iwasatthepostoffice,justafewhundredyardsaway,”Shiriexplained.“Ididn’ttrytogobacktotheoffice;Ijustcamehome.”

Itwasashortconversation.Whatareliefandjoytoknowthatherfriendwassafe!ButthenKarenfeltweak.Sheturnedoffthetelevisionandslumpedintoanoverstuffedchair.HowcanIrejoicewhensomanyothersaremourning?Theinitialshockofthehorrorwaswearingoff,andnowthefeelingsandquestionsbegantoerupt.Shespokesomeofherthoughtsaloudtoherparents:“Howcouldthesemenbedrivenbysuchhate?Andwhy?”Shelookedintohermother’seyes.“JusttwominutesearlierandIwouldhavebeeninthatmall.WhydidGodspareme?”

Shebarelysleptthatnight.Tryingtoforcethehorribleimagesfromhermind,shemadeherselffocusonanyBibleversesshecouldrecall.FromEphesians6:12,sherecited,“Forourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood.”Todayshehadseenrealflesh-and-bloodcasualtiesintheseeminglynever-endingwarbetweenPalestiniansandIsraelis.Withrealbodieslyingonstonepavement,itwashardtothinkthatthiswasforemostaspiritualbattle.Butherfaithtoldherthiswasawarshecouldn’tfightphysically.ShehadtoallowGodtofightit.Herpartwastoprayandloveandembraceeveryone,justasGoddidher.Didshebelievethat?

Karenthoughtabouthowmuchshelovedhercountry.BornandraisedinJerusalem,shefeltprivilegedtoliveinIsraelandcompletelyathomewithinJewishsociety.WhatmadeherdifferentfrommostcitizenswasthatherfamilywasChristian.MostpeoplearoundherwereculturallyJewishandreligiouslysecular.

Herparentshadtaughthertobeacceptingofeveryone,andthoughshelivedinIsrael,shehadoftencrossedintoBethlehemandinteractedwithPalestinians.ThathadmotivatedhertotakeArabiccoursesinhighschool,followedbyayearstudyingthelanguageinJordan.Thenaboutsixmonthsago,shehadparticipatedinadesertencounterdesignedtobuildbridgesbetweenMessianicbelievers[3]andPalestinianChristians.ItwassponsoredbyMusalaha,anorganizationthatpromotesbiblicalreconciliation.KarenhadenjoyedtheopportunitytouseherArabicanddevelopnewrelationshipswithPalestinians.Clearly,notallofthemwerefilledwithhate;herArabfriendswerecompassionateandopentothe“otherside.”Today’seventscouldnotbeallowedtoundermineherfaithorherrelationships.Shewouldnotallowit!

Againsheasked,“Why,Lord,didYouspareme?”Shetriedtostillhermind,buttheprayercontinued:“WoulditnothavebeenbetterforYoutotakemeinplaceofsomeonewhodidnotknowYou?”Intheearlymorninghours,tearsflowedfreely.Karenknewtherewerenoanswerstoherquestions.“Lord,pleaseallowmetoseethissituationwithYoureyes.”SomehowsheandtheChristians

allowmetoseethissituationwithYoureyes.”SomehowsheandtheChristiansaroundheratchurchandtheBibleCollegehadtobelivingexamplesofGod’sgracetowardhumankind.Thatwouldn’tbeeasy,but,really,wasthereanyotherchoice?

Harderwijk,TheNetherlands

Onequestionparticularlytroubledmeaftereachsuicidebombing,oneI’dbeenaskingforyears:DidanyonepresentJesustothatyoungpersonwhoblewhimselfup?Whowasgoingtotheterrorists?Wasanyonepreparedtoconfrontthemandgivethemareasontolivethatwasgreaterthantheirmotivationtodie?HowcantheyknowaboutthePrinceofPeaceifnoonegoesandtellsthem?

ButareMuslimfundamentalistswhoarecommittedtothedestructionofIsraelreallywillingtolistentothegospel?

Howcanweknowifwedon’tgo,ifwedon’ttry?

2NOTAMINDLESSTERRORIST

Gaza,June9,2001

GazaCitywasadrearyplace.Ineverydirection,onecouldseegraycinderblockbuildings,mostwithoutanyarchitecturalembellishments.Halfamillionpeoplewerecrammedintoapartments,andtheonlywayformostfamiliestoexpandwastobuildup,byaddinganotherfloor.Butextremepoverty,causedbynearly70percentunemployment,showedintheskeletonsofunfinishedfloorsatopmanyhomes.

Apartfromthemainthoroughfares,manyofthestreetsconsistedofpackeddirt.Donkeycartsandspeedingtaxiskickedupafilmofdustthatcoveredpeople’sshoeswherevertheywalked.Therewerevirtuallynoparks,fewtrees,andnoplaygrounds.Kids,barefootorwearingworn-outsneakers,playedinthestreets.Occasionallytherewasasmall,rustyFerriswheelonasideroad.Usuallyanolderbrotheroruncleturneditbyhandastwoandsometimesmorechildrenfilledeachofthethreewoodenseatsonthericketystructure.

Foryears,manyresidentshavecalledtheGazaStriptheworld’slargestprison.Sincethestartofthesecondintifada[1]inSeptember2000,virtuallynoonehasbeenallowedtoleave.

TheMarnaHouse,anoldstatelymansion,providedarefreshingretreatfromtheubiquitousdust,aswellasfromthepovertyandbitternessofthepopulation.AgentleeveningbreezeblewofftheMediterraneanSea,justafewblockstothewest,rustlingthebranchesofpalmtreesinsidethewalledcompound.Narrowdirtpathswoundthroughagardenfilledwithbloomingflowers.Awoodpeckertappedloudlynearthetopofoneofthetrees,thenflewoveruswithanutinits

mouth.Besidesourlittleteam,therewasonlyoneothergroupstayingatthestatelyhotel—acrewfromBritishBroadcastingCorporation.Theirarmor-platedjeep,paintedinblueandwhiteandclearlyidentifyingitselfasbelongingtothepress,wasparkedinthedriveway.

Ahuge,ancientlocusttreeprovidedshadeoverthepatiowherewewaitedtomeetwithAbdul,arepresentativeofIslamicJihad.Hearrivedpreciselyat7:00andwalkedbrisklyupthebrickwalkway,wearingaplainwhitecaftanandsandalswithnosocks.Hisgrayhairwasthinningontop.Muchofhisbristlybeardwaswhite.Deepwrinklesframedhisdarkeyes.Asweshookhands,thoseeyesstaredintentlyintomineasthoughtryingtopeerintomysoul.Iintroducedhimtomyfriends—Al,awriterfromAmerica,andapastorfromBethlehem,whoservedasourinterpreter.

“Thankyouforcoming,”Isaidaswesatontheplasticpatiochairs.AbdulnoddedtoindicateIshouldquicklystatemyintentions.“Iwanttoarrangeameetingwithyourboss,”Isaid,referringtoSheikhAbdullahShami,theleaderofIslamicJihadinGaza.ImentionedamutualfriendwhohadconnectionswithHamas.“IhavegottentoknowseveraloftheleadersofHamas,andwehavetalkedopenlyaboutIslamandChristianity.IwashopingthatImightestablishasimilardialoguewithIslamicJihad.”

“WhodoyouknowinHamas?”Abdulasked.“IhavemetwithSheikhYassin[thefounderandspiritualleaderofHamas],

Dr.AbdulazizRantisi,MahmoudZahar,andmanyothers.”“Whatdoyouwishtodiscuss?”Hispiercinggazewasunrelenting.“IrepresentChristiansinHollandandtheWest.Iwanttohaveanexchangeof

perspectivesonfaith—IslamandChristianity.IwouldalsoliketoknowhisthoughtsaboutthePalestiniansituationandaboutthefutureforpeace.”

Abdulthoughtforamoment,thenreachedintohiscaftanandpulledoutacellphone.Hespeeddialedanumberandtalkedforacoupleofminutes.

Whilewewaited,IthoughtabouttherisksinvolvedinmeetingwithSheikhal-Shami.IrealizedthatIslamicJihad,likeHamas,wasaswornenemyofIsrael.Iwaswellawareoftheterribleactsforwhichtheyclaimedresponsibility.MorethanonceI’dbeenaccusedofbeinganti-IsraelbecauseIhadbefriendedherterroristenemies.Mydefensewassimple:“ThebestwayIcanhelpIsraelisbyleadingherenemiestoJesusChrist.”MypurposewastointroducethemtothePrinceofPeace,theonlyOnewhocouldcuretherageintheirhearts.

HowcouldtheypossiblymeetJesusChristifsomeoneinwhomHedwellsdidn’tgotothem?PerhapsthroughmyactionsIcould,insomesmallway,bridgethegapingchasmbetweenIsraelandthePalestiniansandbetween

bridgethegapingchasmbetweenIsraelandthePalestiniansandbetweenChristiansandMuslims.

SowouldtheleaderofIslamicJihadmeetwithme?Abdulflippedhisphoneshutandannounced,“Hewillseeyoutomorrowafternoon.Iwillpickyouupat3:00.”

“Thankyou.Maymytwofriendscomeaswell?”“Ofcourse.”Abdulseemedtorelax,hisofficialdutiesfulfilled.Heleanedback,

pulledoutapackofcigarettes,removedone,andtappeditonthetablebetweenusashesaid,“NowIwouldliketoaskyousomequestions.”

“Whatsortofquestions?”Iasked.“AboutChristianityandtheBible,”hereplied.“Ihavespentnineteenyearsin

prison.Iwasfirstarrestedin1971.Iwasfreedin1985aspartofaprisonerexchange.Iwasarrestedagainin1988andseveralmoretimessince.Whenyouspendthatmuchtimeinprison,youhavealotoftimetothink.”

IwonderedifAbdulhadbeenimprisonedforterroristactivities.Orwashekeptinadministrativedetention,asIknewthousandsofPalestinianswere?Regardless,prisonershadlittlephysicalactivity,which,unlesstheydeterminedtousetheirtimeproductively,providedopportunityfortheirhatredtofesterandgrow.

Abdulleanedforwardtosay,“Youtalkaboutthefutureofpeace.ThesolutionisIslam!Ireachedthatconclusioninprison.”Heleanedback,lithiscigarette,andadded,“IreadtheBibleinprison.IalsoreadtheQuranandthat’swhenIdecidedtobecomeaMuslim.”

“YouwerenotaMuslimalready?”“Culturally,IwasaMuslim.Notintellectually.However,Ihavequestions

abouttheBibleandChristianity,andmaybeyoucananswerthem.”Iopenedmyhandsonthetable,invitinghimtoaskwhateverhewished.Hedidn’taskanythingatfirstbutratherlaunchedintoapassionatespeech.

“Mostpeopledon’tunderstandIslamicJihad.We’renotatallhowthemediarepresentus.Whatwe’redealingwithisalotlikewhatJesusfaced.”Imusthaveregisteredsurprisebecausehequicklyadded.“That’sright.WerevereJesus.Hewasagreatprophet.ButtheJewsdidn’tlistentoHim.Jesussymbolizedforusourstruggles.WhenIreadtheInjil,[2]IidentifiedwithJesus.MyproblemiswiththeOldTestament.Forexample,inthebookofJoshua,howcouldGodordertheJewstogointoJerichoandkilleverylivingperson,includingwomenandchildrenandalltheanimals?Andyetwearecondemnedifoneofourpeople,fightingforourlandthatwastakenfromus,killsafewcivilians.Canyouexplaintomethedifference?”

MyfriendsandIweresurprisedbytheintensityofAbdul’swords.MorecalmlythanIfelt,Itriedtoanswerhisquestion.“Youhavetounderstandthecontext,”Iexplained,choosingmywordscarefully.“Thepeoplelivinginthelandthenwereidolworshiperswhopracticedchildsacrificeamongtheirmanywickedacts.Godgavethemfourhundredyearstochangetheirways.Whentheydidn’t,beingGod,HehadtherighttowipethemoutandreplacethemwiththepeopleofHischoosing.”

“Butthatisnotthesituationtoday,”Abdulsaid.“Wearenotpagans.”“Youarecorrectthatthisisnotthesamesituation.TheordersGodgave

Joshuawereunique.”Abdulcrushedtheremainderofhiscigaretteandlitanother.“Maybeyoucan

explainthistome.WhydotheChristianZionistssupportIsraelsostrongly?Iwouldliketounderstand.”

“Youaskmehardquestions!”IlaughedandforthefirsttimeAbdulsmiledforaninstant.“LetmefirstsaythatnotallChristiansareZionists.TherearetwofactorsatworkformanyChristians.Oneisguilt.”HereIbrieflyexplainedhow,forthemostpart,theChurchintheWestdidn’triseupandprotestthekillingofJewsduringtheHolocaust.“Afterthewar,manyChristiansbelievedthatitwasnecessarytogivetheJewsaplaceoftheirownsothattheywouldnolongerbeatthemercyofaruthlesstyrantlikeHitler.

“Thesecondfactorconcernstheology.TherearemanyChristianswhobelievethatGodispreparingtheworldfortheendtimesandthatthenationofIsraelisthefulfillmentofmanyprophecies.Theyconcludethatiftheydon’tsupportIsrael,theyareresistingGod’splans.”

“IhaveheardthatinthebookofZechariahthelasttwochaptersarebeingfulfilledtoday.Doyoubelievethat?”

ObviouslyAbdulhadreadtheMinorProphets.“NowyouaskmetoexplainoneofthetoughestpassagesintheBible.Thosechaptersareindeedaboutthelastdays.WebelievethatJesuswillruleoveralltheearth,asitsaysinZechariah14:9.Idon’tneedtoremindyouthatMuslimsbelievethisaswell.ButwhetherthepresentstateofIsraelisreferencedintheseverses,well,Christiansdonotagreeonthat.”

Abdulconsideredmywords.Foramoment,IalmostfeltthatIwasinaBiblestudywithaneagerandseriousuniversitystudent.Thisman’sinterestintheBibleseemedgenuine.Finally,hesaid,“IdonotbelievetheprophetistalkingaboutthisIsrael.”Thenheaddedatwist.“IfIbelievedtheOldTestament,thenI’dbeasettler.”Iwassurprisedbythepassionofhisstatement—similartothe

fervorIfoundinmanyJewishsettlersinWestBankandGaza.Abdulstood,preparingtoleave.“Youknowallwewantispeace!”

Istoodwithhimandasked,“DoyoureallybelievethewaysofIslamicJihadwillproducepeace?”

Abdulshrugged.“Inshallah.WithhelpfromAllah.”ItwasatypicalArabresponse,invokingthenameofGodwhenhedidn’treallywanttoanswerthequestion.

Iletitpass,saying,“Ihaveagiftforyou.”Ipulledabookoutofmysatchel.“Idobelievethereishopeforrealpeace,butitisnotfoundinterroristmethods.RealpeaceisfoundthroughthepersonofJesuswhomyousoadmire.I’dlikeyoutohavethis.”IhandedhimacopyofmybookGod’sSmugglerinArabic,saying,“ThiswilltellyoumoreaboutmeandwhatIdo.ItmayalsohelpyoubetterunderstandChristianity.”

Heacceptedthebookwithacurtnod,saying,“Iwillreadit.”Thenhequicklywalkedaway.

AlandthePalestinianpastorsatinstunnedsilence.Finally,Alcommentedthathewasamazedattheman’sopenness.

“Why?”Iasked.“He’sathinker.Heseemstobegenuinelysearching.”“Youaresurprisedthatheisahumanbeinglikeyouandme?Perhapsitis

easiertothinkofhimasamindlessterrorist.ThatwilldonothingtohelpsolvetheproblemsoftheMiddleEast.”[3]

LaterasIlayonmybed,aceilingfantryinglistlesslytomovethehot,humidairinmystuffyroom,IthoughtabouthowAl’sresponsewastypicalofmanyWesternChristians.ThenewsmediararelyputafaceonIslamicfundamentalistgroupsinGazaandWestBank.Thereforefewpeoplestoppedtothinkthatthesemen,likepeopleeverywhere,hadfamilies,dreams,andfears.Abdulwasmarried,andhe’dtoldusthathehadsevenyoungchildren.Icouldimaginehimathome,sittingonhissofawithatoddlersnuggleduptohimoneachside.Thiswasn’thowmostofuschosetothinkofaseniormemberofIslamicJihad.Iwonderedhowmanyofhiscolleagueswerealsostrugglingtofigureoutthemeaningoflife.Formany,theironlysourceofenlightenmentwasIslam.

Ithoughtaboutmycallinginlife,howGodhadreachedoutandtouchedmeasanangry,frustratedyoungsoldierlaidupinahospital.HowhadIreachedthispointofinteractingwithsomeofthemostfearedIslamicorganizationsintheworld?Itcertainlyhadbeenastrangeandunexpectedjourney.Unabletosleep,myminddriftedbackmorethanthirtyyearstomyfirsttriptotheHolyLand.

3WHEREWASTHECHURCH?

Jerusalem,1968

Thiswassupposedtobeavacation.DuringthepasttwelvemonthsIhadbeenbusypromotingmyfirstbook,God’sSmuggler,whichsurprisedmebybecomingabest-seller.ThebooktoldaboutmyworktakingBiblesbehindtheIronCurtain.ThemessageandhighprofileofthatbookpreventedmefromreturningtoEasternEuropeandtheSovietUnionbecauseIcouldnotriskendangeringmyfriendsthere.However,theOpenDoorsteamskeptbusypackingvansandtrucks,transportingBiblesandotherdesperatelyneededresourcestoCzechoslovakia,Poland,Romania,andtheSovietUnion.Becauseofmybook,theministryhaddramaticallyincreased,leavingmeexhausted.Familyandfriendsurgedmetogetawayforarest.IchoseasmydestinationIsrael,wheremyLordwasbornandlivedanddiedforme.

Thusfarthetriphadinvigoratedmyspirit.Ihaddrivenupanddownthecountry,stayingatkibbutzim,[1]walkingthebeachalongtheMediterranean,andenjoyingtheruggedbeautyandsilenceoftheNegevdesert.OccasionallyIsawburned-outtrucks,evidenceofthewarayearearlierwhenSyria,Jordan,andEgyptattackedIsrael.BrieflyIhadconsideredvolunteeringfortheIsraeliarmytohelpdefendthisland—inanoncombatantrole,suchasadriver—butthewarhadendedinjustsixremarkabledays.Whenthedusthadsettled,IsraelhadconqueredtheGolanHeights,WestBank,EastJerusalem,andGaza.Iwasfascinatedbytheresourcefulnessandresilienceofthistwenty-year-oldnation.Trulyitsexistencewasamiracle.

Now,withmytripnearingitsconclusion,IvisitedYadVashem,theHolocaustmuseuminJerusalem.Strollingthroughthedarkhalls,Istudiedartifactsand

museuminJerusalem.Strollingthroughthedarkhalls,Istudiedartifactsandlargeblack-and-whitephotographsdocumentingthesystematicdestructionofsixmillionJews.Theimageswerehaunting,particularlythoseofchildren.Oneshowedaboy,abouteightyearsold,intheWarsawghetto.Hewaswearingshorts,overcoat,andasnap-brimcap,andhehadhishandsraisedbecauseaNazisoldierbehindhimwaspointingagunathim.Anotherimageshowedhalfadozenchildren,includingalittlegirlwringingherhands,hersadeyesglancingawayfromthecamera.ThecaptionreportedtheywerebeingtransportedtothegaschambersatAuschwitz.

Ifoughtbacktears.Wehadtoremember.Wehadtolearnthelessonsofhistory.InthelatefiftiesIhadseenAuschwitz,Buchenwald,andDachau,wheremanyDutchJewsandresistersweresent.IhadvisitedAuschwitzwithmyfriendandmentorSidneyWilson—he’dbeenimprisonedforfivelongyearsinanearbydetentioncampwithotherforeignmissionarieswhohadservedinWesternEuropeuntiltheoutbreakofwar.AswewereleavingAuschwitz,wewereaskedtosignaguestbook.Sidneywroteinit,“ThisshowshowfarmancangoifheliveswithoutGodinthisworld.”

Hadwelearnedthatcruciallessonofthetwentiethcentury,thatlifewithoutGodleadsonlytounspeakableevil?

AsIleftthemuseum,IstoppedattheHallofRemembrance,acavernousstoneroomwhere,imbeddedinthefloor,werethenamesoftwenty-twoconcentrationcamps.Aneternalflamecastaneerielightoverthenames.“Sothatwemayneverforget,”saidthewordsonthewallabovetheflame.Icouldn’thelpbutthinkofanotherdeclaration:“Thelightshinesinthedarkness,butthedarknesshasnotunderstoodit”(John1:5).

MymindchurnedasIwalkedfromthedarknessofthemuseumintothebrightsunshine.IstrolledtowardagroveofolivetreesthatmadeuptheAvenueoftheRighteousamongtheNations.AtthebaseofeverytreewasasmallplaquebearingthenameofaGentilewhosavedJews,oftenatthecostofhisorherownlife.IfoundthetreededicatedtoCorrietenBoom—plantedearlierthatyear—andbreathedaprayerofthanksformydearfriend,whowithherfamilyhadhiddenmanyJewsintheirfour-storyhomeinHaarlem.Herfatherhaddiedinprisonshortlyaftertheywerearrested.Corrieandhersister,Betsie,weresenttoRavensbruck,wheretheyboldlycomfortedtheirfellowinmateswithwordsfromaBibletheymanagedtosmugglepasttheguards.Betsiediedinthecamp,butCorriesurvivedandwastellingherstoryaroundtheworld.ThetenBoomfamilyhadcertainlybeenalightinthemidstofthedarkness.

ButthetenBooms’lightseemedsolittle!Thereweretoofewcandlesforsogreatadarkness.Ifoundabenchandsattoreflect.ThesetreesrepresentedmanyChristians,buttheywereonlyafewhundredamongthemillionsofChristiansthroughoutGermanyandEurope.Whydidn’ttheChurchriseupinprotest?Didn’titknowwhatwashappening?

Ofcourseitknew!IthoughtofPastorPaulSchneider.In1938he’dbeenarrestedandsenttoBuchenwald,wherehecausedaconstantdisturbancewithhisboldpreachingandverbalattacksagainsttheNaziregime.Hewasplacedinanisolation/torturecellbecausehewouldn’tkeepquiet.OnEasterSunday,hismightyvoicethunderedthroughhiscellbars,“ThusspeakstheLord:Iamtheresurrectionandthelife!”Thousandsofpeoplestandingoutdoorsinlongrowsthoughttheyhadheardavoicefromanotherworld,likethatoftheprophetJohntheBaptist.ThevoicewassilencedwhenS.S.guardsstormedintohiscellandbeathimtodeath.Whentheycarriedhisbodyout,therewasnotaboneunbroken.OneCommunistprisonercommented,“Wewouldn’tneedsocialismandwewouldn’tneedCommunismifwehadmorepeoplelikePaulSchneider.”

HundredsofpastorsattendedSchneider’sfuneral.[2]ThestoryofhisboldnesswasashoutthroughouttheChurch.ButclearlyithadnotbeenenoughtorousemanyChristians—notenoughofthemprotestedwhatwashappeningtotheJews;notenoughJewsweresaved.Duringtheseyears,darknessoverwhelmedthelight.

Ordidit?Candarknesseverdefeatlight?Thelightcangrowdimandevenbesnuffedoutbutneverbydarkness.Lightalwaysconquersdarkness.Butifthereisnolight...ThatwasthestruggleIsensedinmyspirit.Allovertheworldtherewereconflicts,andintheirmidstchurchesexisted—somewerebarelysurviving,butothersweretryingtolightcandlestoconquerthedarknessaroundthem.

IthoughtofthedramaticdayinWarsawwhenthousandsofyoungCommunistshadmarchedpasttheparkwhereIsat.IopenedmyBibletothesamepassagethathadcapturedmyheartin1955,Revelation3:2:“Wakeup!Strengthenwhatremainsandisabouttodie.”InPolandIknewthatGodwasspeakingtome,butIhadnomoneyandnoideaabouthowtoproceed.Miraculously,soonafterthatexperience,Imadeanothertrip,thistimetoCzechoslovakia.Livingbyfaithforallofmyresources,IspentthenexttwelveyearsvisitingchurchesintheCommunistworld.InmostCommunistcountries,theChurchwasoppressedbecauseitwasperceivedasathreattotheevilpowersthatdominatedthosecountries.IlearnedtheChurch’sneedsanddidwhateverIcouldtohelpstrengthenhermemberssothattheChurchcouldbewhatGodintendedhertobe—alightinthemidstoftheCommunistdarkness.

intendedhertobe—alightinthemidstoftheCommunistdarkness.IhadassumedthispartoftheworldwouldbewhereIwouldworkfortherest

ofmylife,butnowin1968thedoorwasclosedformetoreturntothosecountries.SowhatshouldIdo?IlookedagainatthepassageinRevelation.ItwasChrist’smessagetothechurchinSardis,oneofsevenmessagestosevenchurchesinchapters2and3.

Ireadthroughallsevenmessages.Twopointsjumpedoutatme—theywereinallsevenofGod’smessagestothechurches.Thefirstwas“Hewhohasanear,lethimhearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches.”DidGodhaveourears,orwasiteasiertogiveonlyourheartstoJesus?Thiswasimportant.GodhadamessageforeachofthesevenchurchesinAsiaMinor.DidHealsohaveamessageforchurchestoday?Ifso,whatwasHesayingtotheChurchinIsraelandtheMiddleEast?

Thesecondstatementsentashiverdownmyspine.“Tohimwhoovercomes...”Icouldn’thelpwondering,Whataboutthechurchthatdoesn’tovercome?Clearlytheimplicationwasthatindividualchurchescoulddie.InfactmostofthesevenchurchesaddressedinRevelationnolongerexisted.

SowhatwasGodsayingtome?Therewasworkformetodohere,butwhatwasthatwork?IwasexcitedaboutIsrael,hermiraculousexistence,herdramaticvictoryintheSixDayWar.Butherenemiesremained;hersecuritywasnotassured.Andinhermidst,therewasaChurch—thebodyofChrist,whomHecalledHisBride.Whatwashercondition?Whatrolewasshetoplayinthisyoungnation?

Duringthisvacation,I’dseennumerousoldchurchesbuiltoverlocationswhereJesussupposedlywasborn,lived,died,androseagain.Touristsflockedtothesehistoricsites—theseancientbuildingsbuiltofstone.Butmyconcernwaswiththelivingstones.WasthereavibrantChristiancommunityinIsrael?WhatabouttherestoftheMiddleEast?IknewthenthatmymissionwastoseekoutthelivingChurchintheMiddleEast,learnaboutherconditionandneeds,anddowhateverIcouldtostrengthenher.

Gaza,June10,2001

Itwaspastmidnight.Theceilingfanturnedlazilyaboveme,throwingsoftpatternsonthestonewallsfromthelightcomingthroughmywindow.Thirty-threeyearshadpassedsincethatdayatYadVashem,andtodaytheconflictintheMiddleEastseemedmoreintensethanever.Theunendingconflictsickenedme,butwhathurtevenmorewasknowingthatmybrothersandsisterswere

caughtinthemidstofthefighting.BelieversinJesusChristlivedinIsrael,theWestBank,andGaza.TheywereMessianicJews,Arab-Israelicitizens,andPalestinians,andmostofthemhadstrongthoughtsabouttheconflict.Besidespoliticalopinions,thereweretheologicaldifferences.ManyJewishbelieversinYeshuafeltallofthelandwasrightfullytheirs.PalestinianChristians,particularlythosefromwhomZionistsettlershadtakenland,oftencomplainedaboutinjustices.ManyJewsfeltthattheywereGod’schosenpeoplewithspecialprivilegesavailabletonoothergroup.ManyPalestiniansfelttheyweresecond-classcitizensinIsrael;andworse,withnorightsatallintheWestBankandGaza.

MycallwastostrengthentheChurchintheMiddleEast.CouldIdoitwithoutgettingcaughtinthecrossfireofdeeplyheldconvictions?Wasitpossibleforbelieverstoriseabovetheirdifferencesandexperienceunitytostandagainsttheevildarkness?Thiswasn’taninsignificantissue.LikemostChristians,IhadreadthebookofRevelation.Iknewallaboutthevariousinterpretationsandend-timestheories,mostoftheminvolvingthispieceofland.Therehadbeenmanybooksonprophecy,mostrecentlythebest-sellingLeftBehindseries.ManypeoplewantedtointerpretnewseventsfromtheMiddleEastinlightofthepropheciesoftheBible.

Ididmybesttostayoutofthesecontroversies,becausetherewasoneveryimportantpointthatwasoftenmissedaboutthelastbookoftheBible.ThisbookwaswrittentoaChurchinconflictaboutaChurchcaughtinconflict.ThereweremartyrsinheavencryingouttoGod,“Howlong?”(Rev.6:9–10).Therecouldn’tbemartyrswithoutaChurch.TherewasadescriptionofthosewhoovercamebythebloodoftheLamb(12:11).ThatwastheChurch!Therewasthewomandrunkwiththebloodofthesaints—andsaintsmakeuptheChurch(17:6).AndtheangeltoldJohnthattherewouldbeonefinalwaragainsttheLamb.ThiswarwouldbeagainsttheChurch,thebodyofChrist(v.14).

WhileGodsetthetimeofHisSon’sreturn,IwasconvincedthatthepropheciesofRevelationcouldneverbefulfilledwithoutaChurchintheMiddleEast.ThatwaswhyIworkedsohardhere.TherewasaChurch,butitwasweakandatthepointofdeath.

Ididn’tfeelitwasmyresponsibilitytosolvetheproblemsintheMiddleEast,andbesidesitwasludicroustothinkIcoulddoso,butIwasconvincedthattherewasacontributionthattheChristiancommunitycouldmake.Perhapsitwasonlytobelight.IfIcouldhelptheChurchintheMiddleEastrecognizethistruthandencourageChristianstobefaithfuleventhoughitwashard,thatwouldbe

success.Unfortunately,manyChristians,giventhechance,werefleeingthearea.Itwashardtofaultthem,andyetiftheyallleft,wherewouldbethelightinthemidstofthedarkness?

IthadtakenmemanyyearstolearnhowtoencouragemybrothersandsistersintheMiddleEast.ManyoftheselessonswerelearnedinLebanon,tothenorthofIsrael.ForfifteenyearstheMiddleEastconflictwasfocusedthere,andtheChurchwascaughtinthemiddle.IwastoldthatArabnewspaperswrotedefiantly:“Wehavekilled100,000ChristiansinLebanonandnooneraisedafinger;nochurchintervened.”

EveniffewChristianstriedtobringtheirfaithtobearinLebanonduringthosefifteenyearsofcivilwar,IhadfeltIhadtogetinvolved.

PART2LEBANON

SeekingPeaceinanUncivilWar

Christiansarenotimmunetotheimpactofconflict.Whenbulletsflyandbombsexplode,churchescanbedamagedordestroyed,andbelieversinJesusChristcanbeinjuredorkilled.Inthissense,theChurchreflectsthecommunityinwhichitexists.

However,theChurchisalsosupposedtobealightinthedarkness,butit’shardtofulfillyourmissionwhenyouarefightingforyourverysurvival.ManyChristiansdespairandeventuallyfleetoaplacewhereit’seasiertolive.Butthosewhostay,whowanttobepartofthesolution,fightdespair.Astheystruggle,theyneedencouragement.Theyneedtoknowthattheirbrothersandsistersaroundtheworldareconcernedforthemandarepraying.

MymissionhasbeentostrengthentheChurchwhereitstrugglesforitssurvival.I’mnotinterestedinsimplyphysicalsurvival—thatisadefeatistattitude.Instead,IwanttohelpChristiansescapetheirvictimmentality.Iwanttoseethemtrained,readytoadvanceandgetonwiththejobofwinningpeopletoJesus.

Buthowdoesonegoaboutthat?Ibeginwiththeleaders.Theyaretheoneswhomustbestrongfortheirflock,topreachthesermonsthatwillequiptheircongregations,topraywiththosewhoarefrightened,andtocomfortthefamiliesastheyburythosekilledintheconflict.Butthesepastorsandministryleadersarealsosufferingfromthetraumaoflivinginawarzone.Howcantheyministertoothersiftheirownneedsarenotmet?

That’swhyIwenttoLebanonduringthecivilwarthatragedfrom1975to

That’swhyIwenttoLebanonduringthecivilwarthatragedfrom1975to1990—toministertothosewhominister.Iwenttoencouragebutalsotolistenandlearn.OneyoungmanImet,NajiAbi-Hashem,trainedforthepastorateasthebombsraineddownonBeirut.

4WEEPINGFORLEBANON

Mansouriyeh,Lebanon,1979

NajiAbi-HashemweptashegazedatBeirutfromtheroofoftheclassroombuildingatArabBaptistTheologicalSeminaryinthemountaintownofMansouriyeh.Fromthewoodsbehindhim,hecouldhearandfeeltherumblingconcussionsofcannonsfiredbytheSyrianarmy.Afewhundredmetersbelowhim,EastBeirutwasshroudedinblacksmokefromfourdaysofunrelentingbombardment.Theseminarywasclosedbecauseofthefighting,butNaji,withahandfulofstrandedprofessorsandstudents,wastrapped,unabletotraveltohisparents’homeinAleyortohissister’sapartmentinBeirut.Hisnerveswerefrayedandhecouldn’tcontroltheflowoftearsashethoughtofthepeopledyinginthecitybelowhim.

Theskinnytwenty-six-year-oldseminarystudentthoughtabouthowthefightinghaddestroyedhisbelovedcountryandalteredthecourseofhisandsomanyotherlives.NajihadgrownupinAley,theeconomiccenteroftheShouf,themountainsthatrisemajesticallyaboveBeirutandtheMediterranean.AlongwithBhamdoun,Aleylayattheheartofanareawheresummerresorts,hotels,andrestaurantsattractedallsortsoftourists,includingwealthysheikhsfromcountrieslikeQatar,SaudiArabia,andKuwait.Thewealthiestvacationershadbuiltmansionsandtheirownprivatemosque,whichwasopenonlyduringthesummermonths.Servingthis“SwitzerlandoftheMiddleEast”wasapopulationthatmodeledculturalintegrationandreligiouscooperation.Naji’sfamilywasdevoutEasternOrthodox,buthehadattendedaMaroniteCatholicschool,wheretwo-thirdsofthestudentswereDruze,asectofIslamlocatedmostlyin

Lebanon.HisfriendsincludedDruze,Muslims,andJews.Butnowthosegroupswerefightingoneanother.Najiwasconvincedthiswasduetooutsideinterferenceandpoliticalmanipulation.

NajihadlefthomeattheageoffifteentoattendaboardingschoolinBeirut,wherehestudiedelectronics.Aftersixyearsoftraining,he’dobtainedajobatthehospitaloftheAmericanUniversityinBeirutasamedicaltechnician.Thatmadehimthemajorproviderforhisfamily,andhismotherandseveralsiblingshadmovedfromAleytolivewithhiminanapartmentinBeirut.Soonthereafterthefightingstarted,andtheirEastBeirutapartmentwasdestroyed,forcingthefamilytomoveseveraltimes.SincethehospitalwasinWestBeirut,Najioftenlivedatthehospitalforweeksonendbecauseitwasimpossibletocrossoverthegreenlinethatdividedthe“Christian”Eastfromthe“Muslim”West.Thegreenlinewasano-man’szonethatgaineditsnamefromthewildshrubsandtreesthathadovergrowntheabandonedstripduringthewar.

Ashesoughttosurviveandpursuehisdreams,Najialsowrestledwithtoughspiritualissues.Throughtheinfluenceofhisgodlygrandmother,sixyearswiththeBoyScouts,andanevangelicalmissioninBhamdoun,NajihadtotallycommittedhislifetoJesusChrist.Nowhismindworkedovertimetoprocessmanyquestions:WherewasGod’splaninthemidstofsuchviolence?HowandwhenwouldGodinterveneandtransformthesetragediesintogood?Besidesthephysicalwoundsandmassivepropertydestruction,howdeepweretheemotionalscarsontheLebanesepopulation?WhatshouldChristiansdotoprovidelightinthisdarkness?Najiwantedanswersfirstforhistormentedmindandachingsoul,knowingthatthenhemightbeabletoprovidecomforttoothers.HereadextensivelyintheBibleandmanyothersourcesbutfoundithardtoconcentrate.

HeconcludedthatheneededtoescapeforaperiodfromthewarzoneofBeirutandstudyattheseminaryinMansouriyeh,buthowwouldheprovideforhisfamily?Thequestionwasansweredprovidentiallywhenhewasofferedthejobofdirectorofprogrammingatarecordingstudio,whichwassituatedontheseminarycampus.

Butfornow,therewerenoclassesattheseminary.AterribleachecoursedthroughNajiashewatchedBeirutburn.Hewonderediftherewouldbeanycityleftforhimtoministerinwhenhegraduatedfromseminary.Neverhadhefeltsohelpless.Inagony,heprayed,“Lord,won’tYousaveLebanon?Usemeinsomewaytohelpbringhealingtothisnation.”

PressureinLebanonhadbuiltforyears,buttheexplosionoffightingwasstill

PressureinLebanonhadbuiltforyears,buttheexplosionoffightingwasstillashock.Theproblemsdatedbacktothebirthofthenationin1943,whentheFrenchgranteditsindependenceandsetupagovernmentstructurebasedonreligiousdemographics.ThemajorityMaronites,aCatholicsectthatworshipedusinganEasternriteliturgy,werepromisedthepresidencyandthemostseatsinthelegislature.In1948Palestinianrefugees,mostofthemSunniMuslims,pouredintothecountryfromIsrael,upsettingthedelicatebalanceofpower.MorePalestiniansarrivedin1970,whenJordanexpelledmilitants(thePalestineLiberationOrganizationorPLO)followinganassassinationattemptonKingHusseinandviolentclashesbetweentheJordanianarmyandPalestinianforcesduringwhatbecameknownasBlackSeptember.Since1969thePalestinianshadusedsouthernLebanonastheirbaseforlaunchingraidsintoIsrael,whichnaturallyledtoretaliation.TheLebanesevillagers,caughtinthecrossfire,sufferedterriblybutdidnothavethemusclepowertostopthePalestinianprovocations.

MeanwhileinthePalestinianrefugeecampsofBeirut,YasserArafatsetupPLOheadquarters,effectivelyformingaministatewithinLebanon.Tensionssmoldered,aggravatedbythefactthatsomeLebaneseMuslims,seeinganopportunitytograbsomeofthepoliticalpowerheldbytheMaronites,alignedwiththePalestinians.

Openwarfareeruptedin1975betweenthePalestiniansandagroupknownasthePhalangists,consistingofMaroniteChristians,andquicklyexpandedtoincludeotherfactions.AttherequestofLebanon’spresident,Syriaenteredin1976inanattempttoendtheconflict.Meanwhile,IsraelthreatenedtoinvadeandwipeoutthePLO.TheconflictwashardforaWesternertofollow,butsomehowmostlocalsseemedtoknowwhowasfightingwhom.[1]Whatbrokemyheartwashowthemajorityofordinarypeoplesuffered.WorkingprimarilythroughtheBibleSociety,Istartedgoingonceortwiceayeartovisitpastors,preachinchurchesandevangelisticcampaigns,andgenerallytoencourageanyandallbelieversinChristtobestronginthemidstoftheconflict.

SouthernLebanon,1980

Matousha,asmalltownjustafewmilesfromtheIsraeliborder,feltdeserted.Emptyhousesandapartmentbuildings,manywithgapingholesinroofandwalls,guardedsecretsofthefamilieswhohadfledfortheirlives.Wheremanychildrenshouldhaveplayedfootballinanopenlot,asingleboylistlesslykickedrocks.Halfadozensoldiersloungedatthecentralintersection,curiouslyeyeingmeandmyplasticshoppingbag.Iwasn’tsureiftheywerePLOorfromamixed

meandmyplasticshoppingbag.Iwasn’tsureiftheywerePLOorfromamixedLebanesemilitia.

“DoesanyonespeakEnglish?”Iaskedthegroup,morecheerfullythanIfelt.Themenjabberedamongthemselvesandlaughed,almostcertainlyatthis

strange-lookingDutchman’sexpense.Onesaid,“NospeakEnglish.”Thenhepointedatmybag.

IpulledoutArabicBiblesandNewTestamentsandstartedhandingthemtothesoldiers.OneofthemenlookedataBibleandhandeditback,“Wedon’twanttheIsraelbook.WewanttheJesusbook.”

IputtheBiblebackinmybagandgavehimaNewTestament.“ThisisInjil,”Isaid,usingtheArabicwordforgospel.IthenhandedoutArabictracts,whichthemeneagerlyaccepted.Theylookedbored,readyforsomethingtoreadandperhapsdiscussinthoseearlymorninghoursduringthetenselullsinfightingwhenasoldier’sfearsaboutlifeanddeathambushhisconsciousness.

ForyearsPalestinianshadshelledIsraelicommunitiesacrosstheborder.Naturally,Israelhadrespondedwithpowerfulcounterattacks,andtheLebanesepeoplecaughtinthemiddlewerethevictims.Thosecivilianswhocouldfledtothenorth.

Iknewthatatonetimetherehadbeenanevangelicalchurchhere,andIwonderedifIcouldfindit.Anoldcoupleshufflingupthestreetcaughtmyattention.Thewomanworeagraywoolskirt,ablacksweater,andascarfaroundherhead.Themanwasdressedinashabbybrownsuitandabrightredflannelshirt.Withawarmgreeting,Iapproachedthem.ThemanspokesomeEnglish,soIasked,“Isthereachurchhere?”

“Come.Iwillshowyou,”hesaid.Threeblocksoffthemainstreetwestoppedinfrontofaruinedbuilding.“Thisisthechurchthatdoesn’tworkanymore,”saidtheman.

TherooflookedlikeSwisscheese.Gapingholesinthewallsallowedmetoseethroughtothehillontheotherside.“Whatasadbuilding,”Isaid.

“Yes,sad.Tragedy,”themanagreed.“Whenwasthisdestroyed?”Themanshrugged.“Someyearsago.”“Sowheredothepeoplemeet?”“Nomeet.AlltheChristiansgone.”Ilookedatthecoupleandwonderedhowoldtheywere.Everywrinkleseemed

torepresentanuntoldstoryofpain.“Youarestillhere.Shouldn’tyouleave?It’snotsafe.”

“Thereisnoplacetogo,”themansaid,shrugginghisshouldersagain.“Thisis

“Thereisnoplacetogo,”themansaid,shrugginghisshouldersagain.“Thisisourhome.”

Asthemanandhiswifewalkedaway,Isteppedoverstonesandbrokenconcreteintothesanctuaryandgazedupthroughtheroof.Limbsoftreeshadpushedtheirwaythroughthewalls.Thefloorwascoveredwithrubble.Thepewsweregone—perhapsremovedforfirewood.Carefully,soasnottotwistanankleontheunevenrubble,Imademywaytotheremainsoftheplatform.Iwonderedaboutthecongregation.Howmanyhadworshipedhere?Wherehadtheygone?PerhapssomehadsoughtrefugeinBeirut.OthersmayhavehadrelativesintheWest,andsotheyhadfledtosafetyinEuropeortheAmericas.Iknewmanyfamilieshadbeenforcedtosplitupandscatterindifferentdirections.Hadanydiedhereintheconflict?Whataboutthepastor—wherewashenow?Washepreachingsomewhere,orhadhegivenuphopeandabandonedtheministry?

Adeepsadnessfelloverme.IopenedmyBibletoPsalm74.“Turnyourstepstowardtheseeverlastingruins.”Ireadthewordsoutloudtotheemptybuilding.“Allthisdestructiontheenemyhasbroughtonthesanctuary.Yourfoesroaredintheplacewhereyoumetwithus.”IrecalledhowDietrichBonhoefferhadwrittenbesidethispsalminhisBible,“Kristallnacht,”referringtothenightofterrorin1938whentheNazisdestroyedJewishbusinessesandsynagogues.Theworldhadn’tresponded,andtheresultwastheHolocaust.WouldtheworldrespondanydifferentlytodaytothedestructionofchurchesinLebanon?Didtheworldevenknoworcare?

MyeyeswateredandIcouldn’treadfurther.Certainly,therehadbeenaroaringinthisbuilding.Thesheepinthisflockwerescattered.Sowherewasthehopeinthisvillage?Sunlightshonethroughtheholesintheroof,butthelightofthischurchhadbeensnuffedout.HowmanymorelightshadgoneoutinLebanon?Ifeltanurgencyinmyspirit—IhadtokeepseekingthelivingChurch.

Just150yardsdownthestreetfromtheevangelicalchurchwasaMaroniteCatholicchurch.Ifoundthepriestthere.ThoughhisEnglishwasbroken,hewasabletoexplainthathistinycongregationofsixmetinasmallroomtothesideofthesanctuary.OutsidethechurchIlookedupatthespire,toppedbyacross.AbovethecrossflewthetatteredgreenflagofoneoftheIslamicmilitiagroups.Itwasastatement:Allahisgreater.Translated,thatmeantIslamwasgreaterthanChristianity.Ipointedtotheflagandsaidtothepriest,“IlongforthedaywhenthecrossrisesabovetheMuslimflag.”

Inmyspirit,thosewordsbecameaprayer.

Beirut,1980

Thepressureaffectedpeopleindifferentways.InonehomewhereIoftenstayed,thehusband,apastor,couldn’tkeepupthefacadeofthegracioushost.Peterwasn’thomewhenIarrivedoneafternoon.Hiswife,Anna,andanotherwomanwereworkinginthekitchen.Iaskedforaglassofyogurtandwenttotakeanap.TwentyminuteslaterIwasawakenedbyloudvoicescomingfromthekitchen.WhenIwenttoinvestigate,IfoundPeterandhiswifeinaheateddiscussion.“Whyareyousoexcited?”Iasked.

“He’snervous,”Annaanswered.“He’salwaysnervouswhenthereisfighting.”Whileshefixedmeanotherglassofyogurt,Petertookmetothewindowto

showmethesourceofhisagitation.Pointingtothehouseacrosstheroad,heshowedmehowthepeoplewereclimbingdownfromthebalconyinsteadofusingthestairsinside.“Whyisthataproblem?”Iasked.

“Itattractstheshooters,”hesaid.“Weneedtostayoutofsight.”“Butyouwerejustoutside...”“Notontheroof,notoutintheopen.”“Sowhatcanyoudoaboutit?”“Notmuch,”hemumbled.Thenthinkingofthecorrect“spiritual”answer,he

added,“IsupposeIcanpray.”“Yes,let’spray.Thenmaybeyouwon’tfeelthatyouneedtoshout.”Annabroughtmyglassofyogurt.“He’salwaysshouting,”shesaid.Thenshe

suggestedImightwanttogobacktomyroom,whichIwaseagertodo.Wehadawonderfuldinnerthatevening—friedpotatoesandalargedishfull

offriedchicken.ButPetercomplainedthatitwasnotgood.Hiswiferolledhereyes:“Healwayscomplains.Eveninheavenhewillcomplain.IsincerelyhopethatIwillgetavillafarawayfromhiswhenIgetthere.”Wealllaughed,evenPeter.

Oneoftheirsonsthenaskedmewhetherwewouldhaveourownvillasinheaven.Isuggested,“Ourhouseovertherewillbebuiltfromthematerialwesentoverduringourlifetimehereonearth.”

Petershookhishead.“I’mafraidthematerialsinmylifearen’tverygood.”Iputmyhandonhisarmandassuredhim:“It’snottoolatetostartcollecting

therightmaterials.Youcanstartnow.”

RasBeirutBaptistChurchneededayoungleader.Theseniorpastorwasold

andtired,sothechurchcouncilapproachedtheArabBaptistTheologicalSeminaryandrecruitedNajiAbi-Hashem,theonlygraduatethatyear.Najirespectedtheseniorpastorandaskedtoworkwithhimasanassistant.Buttheelderlymanwasweary,readytoturnoverleadershiptoayoungermanwithmoreenergy.SotheeldersissuedacalltoNaji.

Thechurchprovidedthenewpastorwithanapartmentonthelowerlevelofthebuildingnexttothechurch.Giventhenumberofmissilesflyingthroughtheair,apartmentsonthelowerfloors,whensurroundedbyhigh-risesonallsides,weregenerallysafer.

Naji’sfamily’sapartmentwasnearthegreenline,andfightingtherehadintensified,forcingpeopletoevacuatethearea,leavingalloftheirbelongingsbehind.Hismotherandbrotherhadfoundtemporaryresidenceelsewhere,untilthingssettleddown.

Najiwaspreparingtomovetothechurchbuilding,locatedinWestBeirut,butheandhisfamilyneededthingsthatwereleftintheirabandonedapartment.EarlyoneafternoonNajiandhisbrotherdecidedtoriskvisitingtheapartmenttoretrievesomeoftheirbelongings.Withoutmentioningtheirplantoanyone,theysetoutontheirdangerouserrand.TheyhadtowalkthroughanopenfieldtoamainthoroughfarewherethemostprominentlandmarkwasaMaronitecathedral.Oneofthemilitiashadcommandeeredthebuildinganduseditssteepleasasniper’snesttocontrolthebusystreet.Largeearthbermshadbeenbuiltinfrontofvariousbuildingstoprotectpedestriansfromthebullets.

ItwasquietasNajiandhisbrotherapproachedoneoftheberms.“Weshouldbeokay,”Najisaidastheypreparedtocrossthestreet.Butsuddenlytherewereseveralshots,andtheycouldhearbulletswhistlingovertheirheads.Huggingthedirt,theyprayedandwaited.

“Shouldwekeepgoingorturnback?”hisbrotherasked.“Weneedtheclothesfromtheapartment.Ithinkwe’llbeokayifwegonow.

Let’sjustwalknormallyacrossthestreet.Thentheywillseewearen’tathreat.Let’sgo.”

Najisteppedforwardwithmoreconfidencethanhefelt,andhisbrotherfollowedclosebehind.Theystrolledacrossthestreet,duckedbehindanotherdirtpile,thenmadetheirwaytotheapartmentbuilding.Walkingupsixflightsofstairs,theyemergedintoopenair—aportionofthewallhadbeenblownaway.Theapartmenthadobviouslybeenlooted,butfortunatelymostoftheirclotheswerestillthere.

Witharmsfull,theymadetheirwaybackhome.Theirtripwasuneventful,untiltheywalkedintotheapartment.Thentheirmotherbeganshouting

untiltheywalkedintotheapartment.Thentheirmotherbeganshoutinghysterically:“Howcouldyougooutinsuchdanger?Theycouldhavekilledyou!Theycould’veshotyouandyoudiecheaply.Howfoolishofyou!Inearlyhadaheartattack.Lordhavemercy.”

5GODHASFORSAKENLEBANON

Beirut,1981

ThecrunchofbrokenbricksandglassmingledwithmythoughtsasIapproachedthegreenlineinBeirut.The“JeweloftheMediterranean”wasashellofitsformerglory.Icouldrememberhowbefore1975Ihadenjoyedleavingthecold,rainywintersofHollandtovisitmyfriendFatherAndy,whoranaschoolfordeafchildreninBeirut.OftenI’dvisitedtheCorniche,thestreetalongtheMediterraneanwherejoggersranearlyinthemorning,cityleadersconductedtheirbusinesslunches,andcouplesstrolledhandinhandastheywatchedthesunset.Lebanon’sfinesthotelsandrestaurantswerelinedupalongthisbrightbeachfront.

Nowitlayinruins.Oncetheeconomic,educational,andentertainmentcapitaloftheMiddleEast,Beirutnowwrithedfromtheunendingcombatofvariousmilitias,eachstakingclaimtoaportionoftheruinsandseekingtoimposeitsagenda.Still,someshopswereopen.Ifeltforthebaginsidethepocketofmywindbreaker—initwasaprettygoldpinIhadjustpurchasedformywife’sbirthday,whichwastwodaysafterIwasscheduledtoreturnhome.

Thiscitywasamassofcontradictions.YetIwasamazedattheresiliencyandsurvivalskillsoftheLebanese.Onehadtostandinlonglinestobuybread,ifitwasavailable.Butyoucouldgetthelatestelectronicequipmentorbrand-nameclothingatbargain-basementprices.Duringarecenttrip,IhadboughtaqualitytaperecorderforhalfofwhatIwouldhavepaidinHolland.Aftercompletingthesale,theshopownerhadsaid,“MisterAndrew,Godhasforsakenus.HehasleftLebanon.”

ThiscitycertainlylookedGod-forsaken.OnthesideofthestreetwhereI

ThiscitycertainlylookedGod-forsaken.OnthesideofthestreetwhereIwalkedstoodtheghostlyformofaoncemajestichotel,nowhometoagentleMediterraneanbreezedriftingthroughgapingholesinitswalls.Oppositeit,acrossthestreet,stoodascorchedapartmentbuilding.Nearby,twofilthychildrenwereplayingbyafenceofcorrugatedmetalthatlookedlikeitwouldtopplefromtheconcussionofthenextbombblast.Perhapsthechildrenlivedinoneoftheapartmentswithawallblastedawayandwereprotectedfromtheweatheronlybyasheetofplasticflappinginthewind.

Thepoverty,thefilth,theundernourishedchildrenallleftmedepressed.Achild,probablyonlythreeyearsold,wascryingonabalcony.Ismiledathimandsaid,“InJesus’name,becomforted.”Foramomenthewasstill,butasIcontinuedwalking,hecriedagain.IimaginedcominghereandinJesus’namelayinghandsonthepeopleandseeingthemhealed.IwantedtocryasIcontinueddownthebusystreets.

ThehumanpopulationthinneddramaticallyasIapproachedthegreenline,whichdividedEast,theso-calledChristiansectorwhereIwasstaying,fromWest,thepredominantlyMuslimarea.Topassthrough,IhadtostopatthesandbaggedChristiancheckpointwhereasoldierexaminedmypassport.“WhyareyougoingintotheMuslimsector?”heasked.

“Tovisitfriends,”Ianswered.Helookedatmewithamixtureofsuspicionandsurprise.Thenwithawaveof

annoyance,hesignaledmethrough.AtleastthistimeIhadmypassport.OnceIhadforgottenitandhadquippedatacheckpoint,“IjustcamefromchurchandallIhaveismyBible.”Verysternly,thesoldierhadsaid,“InthiscountryyoumusthavewithyouyourBibleandyourpassport.”SoInowcarriedbothinapocketofmywindbreaker.

SeveralLebanesepeopleweremovingineitherdirectionthroughthisno-man’s-land.Iwonderedwhatbusinesscarriedthembetweenthetwosides.IwalkedrapidlyacouplehundredyardstotheMuslimcheckpointwhereanotherguardasked,“Whydoyouwanttoenterthissector?”

“Tovisitfriends,”Ianswered,ashestaredatmyDutchpassport.Hetoowavedmeon.

ItwasonlypartiallytruethatthiswastheMuslimsector.Thedivisionwasarbitrary,createdin1975whenthePalestinians,crammedintotherefugeecamps,openlyrebelledagainsttheChristiangroupcalledPhalangists.OneresultwasthatMuslimsandChristiansgenerallyseparatedinto“theirsides”—Christiansontheeast,Muslimsonthewest.Supposedlyitwassaferthatway.However,dozensofchurchesremainedsprinkledamongthemanymosqueson

However,dozensofchurchesremainedsprinkledamongthemanymosquesonthewestside.ManyChristianshadfledtheareabutnotall.

WestBeirutwasbustlingwithactivity.Itseemedsurprisingtoseesomanycarsonthestreets,barelymovingthroughajammedintersectionwithatrafficsignalthathadn’tworkedforyears.Agirl,sevenoreightyearsold,wipedwindshieldswithadirtyrag,hopingtoreceiveafewcoins.Ateenagegirlsatonthecurb,herheadrestinginherhands,tootiredandhaggardtobeg.Icouldn’thelpbutwonderifanyofthecombatantseversawthesevictimsofwarandthoughtabouttheirwelfare.

“WantaCoca-Cola?”Thevoicestartledme,andIlookeddowntoseesquattingonhishaunchesabald,heavysetmanwhohadsetupanimpromptuenterpriseonthesidewalk.Arowofsoftdrinksstoodnexttoacardboardboxholdingaone-burnerstove,wherethemanwascookingmeatballsinabitofoil.Hehadonecustomerinabrownsuit.

WhenIsawasmallcrossaroundtheman’sneck,Ismiledandsatononeoftheorangecratesthatservedasthechairsforhiscafe.“Yes,Coca-Cola!”Ianswered.

“Whereareyoufrom?”themanaskedinlaboredEnglishasheopenedawarmbottleandplaceditonthecardboardtableinfrontofme.

“Holland.”“WhydoyoucometoBeirut?”“IamaChristian,andI’vecometovisitmybrothers.”Immediately,bothmencrossedthemselves,andtheproprietorsatdownona

crateoppositeme,eagertotalk.“Lifehardnow,”hesaid.“ChristianandMuslim,boom,boom,boom.”Heusedhisforefingersasguns,pointingateachother.“Whatisyourname?”heasked.

“Andrew.”“Andsurname?”“BrotherAndrew.”Asmilegrewonhisface.“BiblestoRussiaandChina!”Nowhewantedto

removethemeatballsfromhisburnerandmakemesomeArabiccoffee.IstooduptolethimknowthatIhadtogo.ItwasearlyafternoonandIknewthefightingoftenstartedaround3:00or4:00.IneededtovisitfriendsquicklysoIcouldgetbackacrossthegreenlinebeforetheshellingstarted.

WhenIpulledoutmoneytopayformyCoke,mynewfriendstoodandputuphishandstostopme.Themaninthebrownsuitalsostoodandpressedaonethousandpoundnoteintomyhand.“Foryourwork!”hesaid.

TherewasnowaytoresisttheirkindnessandIstruggledwithmyemotions.ThevalueoftheLebanesepoundhadplummetedsince1975andathousand

ThevalueoftheLebanesepoundhadplummetedsince1975andathousandpoundswasnowworthonlyacoupleofAmericandollars.Still,asIwalkedupthestreetfromthem,IrecalledhowoftenIhadlivedoffsuchgiftswhiletravelinginCommunistcountries.NowitseemedthatIshouldbegivingtothesepeoplewhowerescratchingtoearnalivingduringthefewhourswhengunsweren’troaring.

MyfirstscheduledstopwastovisitHannahinasmallbookshop,butthedoorsandwindowswereboardedup.“Sheisnothome,”saidtheproprietoroftheadjoiningrecordshop.

“WillyoupleasetellherthatBrotherAndrewstoppedbytoseeher?”Iasked.“Shewillbesorry,”heanswered,shakinghishead.“Sheneedsmuch

encouragement.”Iwalkedtoanapartmentbuilding,pockmarkedaswereallthebuildingsby

shrapnelandbullets.Theelevatorwasn’tworking—electricitywasscarceandalmostnoelevatorsran—soIwalkedupthreefloors,searchedthedarkhallfortherightapartment,andknocked.Therewasnoresponse,soIknockedagainalittleharder.Therewasthesoundofmetalscrapingasapeepholeslidopen.Thenthedoorswungwideopen.

“BrotherAndrew,youhavecome!”Philipopenedhisarmswideandembracedme,kissedmeonbothcheeks,thenusheredmeintohislivingroom.Hiswife,Alison,peeredaroundthecornerandlitupwithasmileofrecognition.

Thecouplewereintheirearlythirtiesbutlookedmucholder.Thestrainoflivinginawarzoneshowedintheworrylinesontheirfacesandtheprematuregrayintheirhair.AsAlisonwenttothekitchentopreparecoffee,Iaskedmyfriendhowhischurchwasdoing.Beforethecivilwar,fourhundredpeopleroutinelyattendedservices.

Heshookhisheadsadlyashesaid,“Mycongregationisonlyfortynow.”Thenheloweredhisheadtoconcealthetears.“Actually,lastSundayitwasthirty-nine.Aseventeen-year-oldgirlwaskilled...”

BeforeIcouldsayanything,anexplosioncausedmetojump.TheshellingfromEastBeiruthadstartedearly,andIcouldhearthethumpsofnearbyartillery.“It’slikethiseveryday,”Philipsaid,lookingupatme.“Noonegoesoutanymore.”Heloweredhisvoiceashesaid,“Todayismywife’sbirthday,andIhaven’tevengottenherapresent.”

IfeltmypocketwhereI’dputmysmallpackage.“Philip,Ihaveasurpriseforyou,”Iwhispered.“Butthismustbeoursecret.”

you,”Iwhispered.“Butthismustbeoursecret.”Ihandedthepresenttomyfriend,whowasspeechlessforamomentashe

staredatit.WhenAlisonbroughtthetraywiththreetinycupsofcoffee,Iannounced,“I

hearthisisaspecialday,”andstartedtosing“HappyBirthday.”Philipjoinedmeinsinging,asambulancesirensaccompaniedusfromdownthestreet.

ThenPhilipgavehiswifethepresent.Alisongaspedinsurprisewhensheunwrappedthepackage,thenproudlyattachedthepintohersweater.Forthebriefestmoment,sheglancedatme,asiftosaysheknewthesecretbutwouldneverleton.

InjustafewminutesIwouldhavetoleave.IopenedmyBibleandreadfromHebrews2:“[Christ]toosharedintheirhumanitysothatbyhisdeathhemightdestroyhimwhoholdsthepowerofdeath—thatis,thedevil—andfreethosewhoalltheirliveswereheldinslaverybytheirfearofdeath.”ThenIsaid,“Ihavealittleacrosticforyou:F-e-a-r.Fearis‘falseevidenceappearingreal.’Fearofdeathkeepsusfrombeingboldinthisdangerousworld.It’sasthoughwe’renotfullyconvincedthatwegotoheavenwhenwedie.Iknow,withthebombsexplodingallaroundyou,fearisanaturalresponse,butIwanttoencourageyoutorememberthatourLordhasconquereddeath,andsowearereleasedfromthepoweroffear!”

Philipnoddedhishead,whilehiswifedabbedathertearswithahandkerchief.Afteratimeofprayertogether,theirarmsnowaroundeachother,Philipand

Alisonsawmeoff.AsIhurrieddownthestairs,Ithoughthowlittleittooktoencouragethispastorandhiswife.Justvisit,sing,pray,andshareGod’sWord.Inthemidstoftheirsufferingandsorrow,wehadlookedatourLordandexperiencedalittlejoy.IfonlyIcoulddothatwitheverysinglepastorinBeirut.

ThestreetswereemptyasIhurriedtowardthecheckpoint.Iwashalfwayacrossthegreenlinewhenbiggunseruptedandmingledwithloudmachine-gunfire.AssoonasIwasacross,Itookshelterinthedoorwayofanabandonedofficebuildingandcaughtmybreath.Ifeltnourgencyaboutgettingbackonthestreets.Iwouldwaitforalullbeforecontinuing.

IthoughtoftheshellofthechurchinMatousha.Howmanyabandonedchurcheswerethereinthiscountry?Couldanythingbedonetopreventfurtherdestructionofchurches?

IthoughtofPeterandPhilip.Ifleaderswerefearfulandfrazzled,howcouldtheyhelptheircongregations?Andwhatabouttheirsheep?Believerscouldn’tbepartofthesolutioninLebanoniftheywerehuddledinfearorseekingtoescape.WasthereanywayIcouldencouragethemtoreachoutandbealight?

CertainlyIrealizedtherewereChristiansparticipatinginthefighting.Formanypeople,Christianswerejustanotherreligiousgroupfightingtomaintainorgainpower.Butthatwasn’trealChristianity!Thiscouldn’tbewhatJesusChristintendedwhenHesaid,“Blessedarethepeacemakers.”Somehowthisnationneededtoknowtherewasanalternative.

AndthenIthoughtofPalestinians.Theyhadnothingtolose—theywerewithoutahomelandanddevoidofpower.Iwonderedwhatmyfaithhadtosaytothem.

6THENEEDFORWISDOMWITHZEAL

Beirut,spring1982

Afilmcrewwasfollowingmearoundonthistrip,preparingadocumentarythatwouldairinHolland.Ispokeinmanychurches,encouragingtheChristianstostandfirm.OnaSundaynight,afterameetinginapackedArmenianchurch,askinnyyoungmanapproachedmeandextendedhishand,saying,“MynameisNaji.IreadyourbookinArabicandIwasimpressedbyit.Ireallylikeditverymuch.”

“I’mgladyoulikedit.”“IamthenewpastorofachurchinWestBeirut.Ifyouneedaplacetostay,I

wouldbehonoredtohostyouinmyapartment.”Thatwouldbeperfect!Ithought.IwantedtostayforafewdaysinWestBeirut

tohavebetteraccesstotherefugeecampsthereandperhapstrytomakecontactwithPLOleadership.“Thankyou!Iamlookingforaplace,butIhaveacrewtravelingwithme.”

“Howlarge?”“Five.We’regoingtotheShatillacamptofilmavideo.Theteamwillbewith

meforthreemoredaysandthentheywillreturntoHollandwhileIstay.”“Theyareallwelcometoo.Therearetwoapartmentsnexttothechurch.You

maystaywithmeaslongasyouwish.”

Therewasnoelectricityatthechurchbuilding.“Icanrunthegeneratoronlyafewhoursaday,”Najisaid,apologizingfortheinconvenienceasIsettledintomy

room.“Andweusegasbottlestoheatthewater.Thereisn’tenoughtoprovidehotshowerseveryday.”

“Pleasedon’tworry,”Isaid.“Thesearetheconditionsyouliveinconstantly.Weareheretobewithyou.Wedon’tneedthecomfortsofahotel.”

ThenextdaytheteamwentwithmetofilmattheShatillacamp.Thedegradationandpovertyweresickening,worsethananythingIhadeverseen.Peoplewerecrammedintotinyshacksofcorrugatedmetal.Childrenranbarefootthroughnarrowmuddyalleyways,dodgingpoolsofrawsewage.Clothingwashungtodryonthewalls.Thesmellofurineandrottingfoodassaultedmynostrils.

Thepeopleseemedgladtoseemebutnotthecameracrew.“Please,nocamera,”saidoneman,emphaticallyplacinghishandinfrontofthelens.

“Wemeannoharm,”Isaidnaively.“Weonlywanttoshowtheworldhowyouaresuffering,soyoucangethelp.”

“Nocamera!”themanrepeated.LaterIaskedthecampcommander,whospokedecentEnglish,whythepeople

weresoafraidofthecamera.“Ithasabug,”saidthecommander.“Abug?Whatdoyoumean?”“Ithasabug,soIsraelcanguidetheirbombshere.”IfIhadn’tknownbetter,Iwouldhavethoughtmaybethesepeoplehadbeen

readingspynovels.Itriedtounderstandtheirfear.RumorswereflyingthatIsraelwasabouttoinvadeLebanontoputanendtothePLO.Thepeoplewereonedgeandangry.

IassumedthecommandantwasamemberofthePLO,soIaskedhim,“WoulditbepossibletomeetoneoftheleadersofthePLO?”Ifiguredhewouldknowwhomtocontact.

“Noproblem.Iwillcheckforyou.”Inoneofthenarrowalleys,asIhandedoutNewTestaments,achildtugged

onmysleeveandpulledmetowardoneoftheshacks.Insidewasanoldcouple.Themanwasinbed,apparentlyquitesick.Hiswife,wearingawhitescarf,satattheendofthebed.ReverentlyshecrossedherselfasIlaidmyhandontheman’sshoulderandprayedforhishealing.Aftershesaid“Amin”tomy“Amen,”Ileanedoverandkissedtheoldmanonhisforehead.Itwasaholymoment—IwantedtobelievethatChristhadbroughtalittlelightintothisdarkhome.

ThroughaninterpreterIaskedthewoman,“Howoldareyou,mother?”“Morethanseventy,”sheanswered.Shedidn’tknowexactly.“Howlonghaveyoulivedhere?”“Wecameherein1948—fromJaffa,byboat.”

“Wecameherein1948—fromJaffa,byboat.”“Doyouhaveanyhopethatyouwillgetoutofthisplace?”Sheshookherhead.“IwanttogobacktoJaffa.”Thereweretearsinhereyes.Outsidetheshackmenandboysstoodaround.Theylookedboredandscared.

OfoneteenageboywhospokealittleEnglish,Iasked,“Doyouseeanyhopeforthefuture?”

Helookedatme.“Nohope,”hesaid,hiseyeslistless.“Thereisnohope.”ThesewerejustafewindividualsamongfourhundredthousandPalestinians

livinginthemostterriblecircumstances.Theyhadnocountry.TheywerenotwelcomeinLebanon,buttheyhadnootherplacetogo.Theirheartswereinthecountryfromwhichtheyhadfled,buttheyhadnorealhopetheywouldseetheirhomesagain.ThesewerepeopleforwhomJesusChristhaddied.I’dpassedoutafewArabicNewTestaments,butmuchmorewasneeded.

AlmosteverybuildinginBeirutwasprotectedbyastrong,imposingirongate,usuallyblack.Eachwaslikeanuglyscarbutwasanecessaryprecaution,evenforachurch.Oneneverknewwhenamilitiagroupmightattempttoenter,perhapstostealmoneyorintimidateoccupantsorhidefromthefightingorsometimestakecontrolofthebuildingasatemporaryheadquartersor,evenworse,asasnipernest.

BeyondthegateatRasBeirutBaptistChurchwasasmallcourtyard,thentwomoredoorstopassthroughbeforereachingthechurchfoyer.

Oneafternoon,thebellatthefrontgaterang.WhenNajirosefromhisdeskandlookedoutthewindow,hesawagroupofroughlookingmenstandingatthegate.Twomen,brandishingautomaticrifles,keptwatchdownbothsidesofthestreet.Anotherrangthebellagain.Najifrozeforamoment,butheknewhehadtoact.Ifhedidn’t,thesemenmightshootuphisbuilding.Bettertofindoutwhattheywantedandtrytomaneuverthesituationpeacefully.WithcautionNajiapproachedthemen.Withoutopeningthegate,hesaid,“Marhaba.MayIhelpyougentlemen?”[1]

“WeareheretoseeMr.Andrew,”theleaderanswered.QuicklyNajiunlockedthegateandescortedthegroupintothechurchfoyer.

Hedidn’twantanyonetoseethathischurchwasentertainingamilitiagroup.Thelastthingheneededwasforsomerivalmilitiatothinkhehadchosensidesinthisruthlesscombatzone.Theleadersmiledandintroducedhimself.Najimissedthenamebutcaughttwoimportantfacts.ThismanwasamajorandhewasanassistanttoYasserArafat.

wasanassistanttoYasserArafat.SothiswasthePLO.TheywerethereasonforIsrael’spendinginvasion.“Iam

honoredtomeetyou,sir,”Najirespondedwhilehismindracedandhisheartprayedforwisdom.“IamverysorryBrotherAndrewisnothereatthemoment.Itrulyapologize.”

“Hesaidhewouldmeetushereat3:00.”“Perhapshe’sheldupintrafficoratacheckpoint,ortheroadsareclosed.I

willcertainlytellhimthatyoucametoseehimattheappointedtime.”Severalofthemenwerenosingaroundthefacility.Hospitalityrequiredthat

Najiofferthemcoffee,butbeforehecould,thebellrangagain.Najirantotheglassdoorandpeeredoutside.AtthegatestoodBrotherAndrew.

ItalkedwiththemajorformorethananhourandlearnedmoreaboutthePLO,itsgoals,anditsaimsfortheMiddleEast.

Afterthedelegationdeparted,Najicautiouslyapproachedme:“BrotherAndrew,Iwanttotalkwithyou,please.It’sveryimportant.”Myfriendseemedtroubledaswesatdowninhislivingroom.Heleanedforwardandlookedintenselyintomyeyes.“BrotherAndrew,IwanttolearnfromyouaboutyourinterestinthePLO.Whatareyourobjectives?Couldyousharewithme,please?”

“Ofcourse,Naji.Butyoulookworried.Istheresomethingwrong?”“Thisisveryimportanttomeaspastorofthischurch.I’mworriedthatthose

mencomingheretothisverybuildinghasputthechurchinextremejeopardy.”Now,Iwasconcerned,becausethelastthingIwantedtodowastoendanger

theworkofanychurch.“Naji,I’msorry.Ithoughtthiswouldbeasafeplacetomeet.”

Myfriendshifteduncomfortably,staringatthefloor.“Promisemeyouwon’tbringanyoneelsehereortellthemaboutcomingtomeetyouhere.Youcanmeetsomewhereelse.Icanguideyou,takeyoutoarestaurantorsomepublicplace.Ifyouwanttomeetwiththemintheirheadquarters,that’sfine.ButnotinaChristianagency.”Hemetmygazeandexplained,“WearetryingextremelyhardtoremainneutralandfriendlysowemayresumeourworshipandwitnesstoourLordwithoutbeingdraggedintotheawfulpoliticsofthisdivisivewar.”

“Iunderstand,Naji.I’msorry.”“YoumaythinkIdon’thaveastrongfaithorwon’ttakerisks.Thisistoo

complicatedtoexplain.ButIlivehere.Mypeoplelivehere.You’reonlyhereforafewdaysandthenyou’regone,butwewillreaptheconsequencesofonesinglemisinterpretationforalongtime.SoIhopeyouwillrespectthat.”

“Somymeetingthisafternoon,thatputyouindanger?”Najinodded.“HereIcan’taffiliatewithanypoliticalormilitialeaderbecause

thatwillreflectonmeandthechurchandwearealreadyinaverydifficultposition.Mostofthesegroupslookatusaspro-WesternbecausemostofourmissionariesarefromtheWestandfromAmerica.TheyseeAmericaaspro-Israelandsotheylookatusaspro-Israeltoo.WewalkafinelinetoprovethatweareauthenticLebaneseandMiddleEasternChristians,andwewanttokeepourmessageandactivitiespurelyspiritual.Weprayforeveryone,butwedon’twanttoaffiliateourselveswithanyone.Besides,eachgroupmaycauseusmuchtrouble,demandservices,andmakeourlivesmiserable.”

“Pleaseforgiveme,Naji.Iwillnotdothatagain.”Instantlytheyoungpastorseemedtorelax.“HowaboutsomeLebaneseherb

tea?Ihaveyansoun[driedanise],myfavorite.”Aswedrankourtea,Najismiledandasked,“So,whyareyougoingtothe

PLO,anyway?”“Ifpossible,I’dliketomeetallsides.I’mcuriousaboutwhattheyarethinking,

whattheywant,whattheyarefeeling.Iwanttoknowwhattheythinkthesolutionisfortheconflict.Iwanttoknowwhattheirspiritualfaithis,ifany.I’mlookingforcommongroundsothatIcantellthemaboutmyLordandSaviorJesusChrist.”

“Youhaveagreatdealofzeal!Ihopeyouwillputwisdomwiththatzealandconsultasmanyaspossible.Youdon’tneedtoconsultme;I’mayoungerbrother.Butthisiscrucialbusiness,andyoudon’twanttoinadvertentlycausemoreproblemsthanwealreadyhave.”

“Thatiswisecounsel,”Iagreed.BeforeIwenttomyroom,westoodandexchangedawarmhug.NajiandI

haddevelopedabeautifulritual.Sometimeduringtheday,oftenfirstthinginthemorning,webothopenedourarmsandsang,“Giveustodayourdailyhug!”Itwasapreciousroutinethatwewouldcontinueeverytimewemetinsubsequentyears.

MyconversationwithNajiwasawarningtobecarefulaboutinvolvingthelocalbelieverstooquicklyinsomeoftheworkIfeltledtodo.IbelievedmyworkwastostrengthenthelocalChurchsoitcouldbealightinthemidstofdarkness.Buthowdoesonegoaboutthat?Icouldpreach,andIdidseveraltimeseachweek.Icouldencouragepastorsandministryleaders.Icouldvisitbelieverswho

weresuffering.AndIcouldprovideBiblesandotherresourcestheyneededfortheirwork.

ButjusthowdoestheChurchshineitslightinawarzone?Thatwasatrickierquestion.IcouldsaythattheChurchoughttobeanagentforpeace,butjustwhatdidthatmean?AndhowcouldtheChurchdothatwhenChristianswereliterallytryingtostayoutofthelineoffire?IthoughtIcouldhelpthelocalbelieversanswerthesequestions,buttodothat,Ineededtounderstandalotmore—thepressuresChristianswereunderandthethinkingofthefactionsfightingaroundthem.

Najihadakeenmind,makinghimanexcellentsoundingboardforquestionsthatIhadaboutLebanonandtheMiddleEast.“Sowhatdoyouthinkistheanswer?”Iaskedhimoneeveningwhenwewereeatingdinneratalocalrestaurant.“IfweasChristiansarepeacemakers,howdowefulfillourcall?”

“It’scomplex,”Najianswered.“ThecurrentsituationintheMiddleEasthasmanydynamicsandtherearedisputesonmanylevels.OnethingIwouldencouragehereinLebanonisfortheoutsiderstoleaveusaloneandletussolveourproblems.”

“YoumeanSyriaandIsrael...”“AndthePalestinians,Libya,Iran,andtheUnitedStates.Therewouldbeno

warnowifalltheoutsiders,andparticularlythesuperpowers,wouldleaveusalone.”

Ihadheardthatseveraltimes.LebanesehadcorrectedmewhenImentionedthe“civilwar,”fortheydidnotwanttoacknowledgethattheconflictswereprimarilyamongLebanesepeople.Icountered:“Naji,ifyoucan’tsolveyourproblems,thenyoushouldn’tbesurprisedthatotherscomeinandtrytobringpeace.”

“Buttheyforgetthatwehaveahistoryofcooperation.IgrewupinacommunitywithDruze,Muslims,Jews,andChristians,andweallgotalongwell.Sowhynowanendlesswar?Ibelievethetriggersarefromoutsideinterference.Ithinkwecanworkthingsoutifwe’reallowedtodoso.”

“Iwouldliketothinkyouareright.ButIdon’tseemuchcooperationrightnow.”

“IntheMiddleEast,youwillhaveperiodsofcalmandperiodsofconflict.Idon’tknowiftherewilleverbepermanentpeace.”

“ThenhowcanyoublametheWestforyourproblems?”Najitriedtoexplainwhathadgonewronginthisbeautifulcountry.“It’seasy

tocreateanethnic,religious,orpoliticalconflicttoservethepoliticalinterestsofmorepowerfulnations.Beingsoopenandfree,Lebanonattractedradicalgroups

morepowerfulnations.Beingsoopenandfree,Lebanonattractedradicalgroupsofallsortsfromneighboringcountries,which,alongwiththePLO,createdaconsortiumofmilitias.TheywanttoturnLebanonintoaPalestinian-Muslimnation.TheythinkthatwouldeventuallysolvetheMiddleEastcrisisbyprovidinganalternatehomeforthePalestinianpeopleandbymakingLebanonamoderatelyIslamicstate,whichcouldjointherestoftheArabic-Muslimworld.TheneverypartyintheMiddleEastwouldbesatisfied,includingtheJewishstateofIsrael.”

“Thatisquiteanexplanation.YouaresayingthatthisconflictcanbeunderstoodonlyinthecontextofthewholeMiddleEastcrisis.Butyouhaven’texplainedwhytheWestistheproblem.”

“TherearemanygroupsthatareangrywiththeWestingeneralandtheUnitedStatesgovernmentinparticular.TheyresenttheWestforitsculturalinvasion,economicexploitation,politicalmanipulation,militarysuperiorityandintimidation,andimperialisticgreed.AndtheyarespecificallyangryattheUnitedStatesgovernmentforitsunconditionalsupportandovertbiastowardIsrael,whichispoisedrightnowtoinvadeLebanon,becausetheUnitedStatesgovernmentallowsit.IsraelisviewedasanambitiousnationthatwouldliketobethesuperpowerintheMiddleEast,dominatingitspolitics,resources,andaffairs.ThesesentimentsaffectusandourministrybecausemanyequateourversionofChristianitywiththeWest.”

Iknewmanyofmyfriendswouldbeoffendedbythesewords,butIneededtolistenandprobesothatIcouldunderstandwhatmybrotherwasthinkingandfeeling.“ChristianitygrewuprighthereintheMiddleEast,”Iprotested.“YouyourselfgrewupinanEasternOrthodoxtradition.”

“That’sdifferentfromWesternChristianity.ManyhereintheEastassumethatProtestantsandevangelicalsarefollowingaChristianitythatwasimportedfromAmerica.Also,communityandreligiousleadersaswellasregularGod-fearingpeopleresenttheproducts,movies,magazines,lifestyles,music,advertisements,andTVshowsthattheWestexports.TheyconnectthemtothecultureoftheChristianWest.”

Najispokewithpassionandinsight,butIwantedtoknowwhatweshoulddo.“Ithinkyouranalysisisinsightful.Butisthereasolution?WhatcantheChurchhereinLebanondo?”

Myfriendsighedandanswered,“Peaceissuchaprofoundandbeautifulconcept.InArabicthewordweuseissalaam.Weuseitasaholisticgreeting,awishforwell-beingandhealth.Itismorethantheabsenceofconflictorwar.Itisthebiblicalconceptofshalom.”

“Idon’tseemuchsalaamorshalomrightnow.”“No,thetermpeacehasbeenratherabused.It’sbeenmixedupwithhidden

agendasandhaslostitsculturalmeaningandspiritualdepth.Dependingonwhoisdoingthetalkingandwhoislistening,thewordissoeasytoutterbutsodifficulttodefine,andmoreimportantly,sodifficulttoconstruct.”

“Iagree.That’swhyIthinkweshouldputforwardadistinctlyChristianpeaceplan.Ifweremainsilent,thenwehavenochanceofmakinganydifferenceatall.”

Najigavemeasadsmile.“Isupposeweshouldtry.Idon’tknowifwecandomuch,butweshouldtry.Remember,thereisatimetospeakandatimetobesilent.InthisseasonthoseofuswhoareunderseverepressurefromallsidesmustholdourgroundandremainfaithfultoGod.Intimeslikethese,steadfastnessisagreatvirtueandagreatwitnessbyitself.Thesedayswearecalledtosimplymaintainapresence.WedorepresentChristandcarryHisnameinthisseasonofdeeptrouble.”

Aswerosetoleavetherestaurant,IpulledoutseveralthousandLebanesepoundstopaythebill.Afterleavingageneroustip,thedinnerhadstillcostmeslightlymorethantwoAmericandollars.

“Ihaveanidea,”Isaidaswesteppedoutside.“Whydon’tyouandIorganizeanevangelisticcampaignhereinWestBeirut?We’llrentalargehallandopenthemeetingtoeveryone.We’llinviteallthosemilitialeaders.”

Najiremainedcourteoustothisenthusiasticpreacherashesaid,“I’mnotsureaboutanevangelisticcampaignrightnow.Maybelater.Let’stalkaboutitduringyournextvisit.Okay?”

“Okay.Butsoon!”

7APLANFORPEACE

Harderwijk,TheNetherlands,1986

EversincehostilitieshaderuptedinLebanonin1975,Ihadreflectedalotonthesubjectofpeace.MytalkswithNajiwereimportantforgaininginsightintothecountry’scomplexproblems.Likeme,hehadwrestledwithhowtohelpbepartofthesolution.Hefeltfrustratedwithhowlittlehecouldactuallydo.Listeningpolitelytomyideaofalargeevangelisticcampaign,hehadtriedpatientlytoexplainwhythatwouldn’twork.Bringingallofthemilitiastogetherinalargemeetingwasinvitinganexplosion.Thegospelhadtobespreadinsomeotherway.

WithsadnessandsympathyIthoughtaboutourlastdiscussioninLebanonin1983whenNajihadtoldmeabouthisopportunitytocontinuegraduatestudiesintheUnitedStates.“WhenIacceptedthecalltoRasBeirutBaptistChurch,Iexpectedtopastorhereallofmylife,”hesaidandthenconfidedthatsomeproblemshewashavingwithinthecongregationhadcausedhimtoreevaluate.“Thischurchdoesn’tneedmeasmuchnow.Theseniorpastorhasrestedforawhileandiswillingtoresumemoreofthework,andmyassistantiseagertotakeonmoreresponsibilities.Soit’sagoodtimeformetophaseout.Besides,Iwanttofurthermyeducationintheareasofcounselingandpsychology,whicharegreatneedsforthepeopleofLebanon.However,IwanttostudythesesubjectsfromaChristianandtheologicalperspective.”

“YouarecomingbacktoLebanon,aren’tyou?”Iasked.“Ofcourse.AndwhileIamintheStates,IwillbeanambassadorfortheEast.”“Yes.”Ismiled.“YouwillbeamissionaryfromLebanontotheWest.”

IprayedthatmyfriendwouldindeedreturntoLebanonaftercompletinghisdoctoralstudies.[1]InfactnowasIconsideredmynexttriptoBeirut,Iwantedtotalkwithhim.ForsometimeIhadfeltagrowingneedtopresentsomesortofformalpeaceplanforchurchleaders.

AsaforeignerinLebanon,Icouldmoveeasilythroughmostofthenumerouscheckpoints,whilemanyofmyfriendswereconfinedtoalimitedarea.Myheartwentouttothesoldierscheckingcarsandpapers.Iwouldsmileatthem,crackajoke,andhandthemanArabictract,saying,“Youshouldreadthis.Ithastherealsolutionforpeace.”Myfriendswhodrovemearoundstartedreferringtotheseencountersas“checkpointevangelism.”Thosewerelightmomentsamidgreatsuffering,buttheyweren’tpartofaseriouspeaceplan.

MeanwhiletensofthousandsofChristianshadfledthecountry.Fewforeignworkersremained.Mostpeopleleftbecauseitwasimpossibletosupportorprotecttheirfamilies.Multitudesmorewishedtheycouldmigratebutlackedthemeans.Howcouldanyoneblamethem?Amongthosewhoremained,someweresimplyculturalChristians—they’dgrownupinthechurchandthatwashowtheyidentifiedthemselves.

However,amongallthevariousreligiousdenominationsinLebanonweretruebelieverswhodetestedthebloodyconflictandendlesspowerstruggles.Iknewtheyfelthelpless.Attimestheywereaccusedofnotbeingnationalisticorpatriotic.Theytriedtoserveandbeablessing,buttheywerehavingtoendurethesamesufferingastherestofthepopulation.Inspiteoftheirsmallnumber,couldthesepeoplebecomeanactive,positiveforceforpeace?Ibelievedtheycould—ifsomeonewouldprovidethemwithaplan.

Itookoutapadofpaperandbeganwriting.

Beirut,1986

Thishadtobeoneofthemostunusualpeaceconferenceseverconvened.Therewerenoheadsofstateinattendance,noambassadorsornegotiators.Weweren’thagglingovertheshapeofthetablewithinaluxuriousmansion.RatherwewereseatedinfoldingchairsinanondescriptmeetingroominthebasementofaBeirutofficebuilding.Outside,variousmilitiasaimedtheirgunsatoneanother.Inside,afoolishDutchmissionarymetwithmenlikeGhassan,apastorandpresidentofArabBaptistSeminary,andLucien,presidentoftheBibleSocietyinLebanon,plusafewbravemissionariesandabouttwodozenlocalpastors,includingPeterandPhilip.

AsIthoughtaboutthetragedyofLebanon,itwaseasytofeelhelpless.We

AsIthoughtaboutthetragedyofLebanon,itwaseasytofeelhelpless.Wecouldn’tstopthesoldiersfromfighting—wehadnomilitarymight.Wecouldn’tstopothercountriesfrominvading.Infactthestrongestmilitaryforcesintheworldhadnotbeenabletochangethissituation.Meanwhile,militantleadersbelievedtheycoulddefeattheworld’sgreatestmilitarybecausetheirwillwasgreaterthanthatoftheWest.Afterall,theyhaddriventheUnitedStatesoutwithjustacoupleofwell-placedbombs.

DidIreallythinkthatthissmallgroupofchurchleaderscouldmakeanydifferenceinaconflictthathadragedaroundthemformorethanelevenyears?Powersfargreaterthanusweredeterminedtoimposetheirwill—didIreallythinkwecouldstopthem?Ontheotherhand,howcouldwesitaroundanddonothing?Forbetterorworse,theChurchwashowGodchosetoshineHislightintothedarkness.

ThispeaceplanwascarefullycraftedfromScripture.IhadconsultedwiththeleadershipofOpenDoors,andtheywereinHollandprayingformerightthen.Afteroneofthelocalpastorsofferedaprayerforourmeeting,Ilaunchedrightin.“IwouldliketobeginbymakingsomeobservationsaboutthisunendingconflicthereinLebanon.Manypeopleexpectsolutionstocomefromtheoutside.Theywillnotcome.Manypeoplewaitforotherstotaketheinitiative.Butwemusttaketheinitiative.ManyotherstowhomIhavealreadyspokenexpressthedesireforpeaceatanyprice.Thisisverydangerousandirresponsibleandindicatesthatnoonehasyetseriouslypursuedaplanforpeace.”

Ispokewithpassion,butinsideIwasn’tatallsurethiswasgoingtowork.Themenintheroomlistened,buttheirfacesrevealednoemotion.Weretheysimplybeingpolite?Didtheybelievetheycoulddosomethingpracticalabouttheconflictaroundthem?

“Iwouldliketoaddressthreequestions,”Icontinued.“Thefirstquestionis,Whatisourobjective?Theanswerissimple:Wewantpeace.Wealreadyknowthat.Sowegoontothesecondquestion:Whatmethoddowechoose?Wemustbeginwhereweare.Andasithappens,GodhasplacedushereinLebanon.Thereasonisbecauseweseethisconflictasaspiritualbattle.Allotherdefinitionsfail,andthat’swhysolutionsaresoelusive.Sowewhoareheremustproclaimpeace.FirstCorinthians1:21saysGod‘waspleasedthroughthefoolishnessofwhatwaspreachedtosavethosewhobelieve.’Thisbecomesaverypersonalthing,becauseGod’splanforachangingworldisalwaystochangepeople.Noonecanbepartofthesolutionifheisstillpartoftheproblem.”

IthenreferredtothreeversesinEphesians2.First,Jesusisourpeace;Hehasbrokendownthedividingwallofhostility.Second,Hemadepeacebyreconciling

ustoGodthroughthecross,therebybringingthehostilitytoanend.Third,Jesuscameandpreachedpeace.“Thereissomethingcreativeintheveryactofproclaiming,becauseitexpressesfaith,andGodhonorsfaith.Tothosewhosaythatthissoundstoospiritualforsuchapracticalproblem,Iask,HaveweevergivenJesusachance?IsHeorisHenotGod?”

Asthemenshiftedintheirchairs,Itookadeepbreathandcontinued.“Thisproblemofpeacebreaksdownintothreeparts.First,peaceinourheart.Godcanneverbringpeacetotheworldthroughpeoplewhodonothavepeaceintheirownhearts.Second,peaceinourownhome.Throughthesheerdeterminationpledgedbyeveryindividualmember,wesay,‘Weshallnotfight!’Thatmeansnotfightingoneanotherinthehome,notfightingourneighbor,notfightingourfriends,notfightingourcolleagues,fellowstudents,oranyone.TheverybasisofourlifeandactionsisthepeacethatGodhasgiven,andfromthatpeace,weact.Ourhomes,therefore,becomehomesofpeace.Andthenumberof‘homesofpeace’willdeterminehowcloseLebanonistopeace.

“Letmeemphasizethispoint.Weneedtocreateamovement.Every‘homeofpeace’shouldberecognizable.Thatimpliesthatthisisahavenwhereeveryoneiswelcometofindrefuge.Itcouldbedonewithastickerorasymbolonthefrontdoororwhateverwehavecouragefor.Every‘homeofpeace’couldhavesomeliterature,whichtheBibleSocietywillproduce,onthethemeofpeace,andOpenDoorswillfinancethat.Thethirdpartispeaceinourcommunity,inourchurches,inourspheresofinfluence.ItissaidthattheywillknowweareChristiansbyourlove.Thispeacemovementwilldemonstrateloveeverywherewego.

“Finally,thethirdquestion,Whatareourresources?Ourresourcesarepeople.Thatis,allthosewhosay,‘Enoughisenough,’allthosewhoarediscouraged,allthosewhoexpectGodtodoamiracle,allthosewhosaythere’snohumansolution,nopoliticalsolution,nomilitarysolution.Allofthesepeople,andthatincludesusinthisroom,areourresources.

“Inconclusion,IsaythatthisissimplyonemethodtobringaboutpeaceinLebanon.Ithasnotbeentriedyet.WemustgiveGodachance,andit’sopenforallthosewholoveJesusChristandwhothroughthatveryfactalonehaveenoughmotivationtomakesacrificesandtorisksomethinginordertogetpeace.MayGodblessyouasyouprayerfullyponderthispeaceplan,andletmeknowwhatGodistellingyou.”

Isatdownandwaited.Therewassilenceforafewmoments.Thenonepastorcommentedhaltingly,“BrotherAndrew,Iwouldliketothinkthatwecandosomething.Theconditions,asyouknow,arehorrible.Butwearesofew.Lookat

something.Theconditions,asyouknow,arehorrible.Butwearesofew.Lookatthisroom.Therearetwenty-five,maybethirtyofus.”

“That’swhyIputresourceslast,”Isaid.“Ifwestartwithresources,wewillmakeourgoalstoosmall.ButifourvisionisGod’sheart,Hecanmultiplyourresources.”

ThenPeterasked,“BrotherAndrew,couldyoutellusalittlemoreaboutwhatyouarethinkingwiththe‘homeofpeace’concept?”

Iwaspleasedthatmyfriendrealizedtheimportanceofthis.“IamproposingthateveryChristianhomebecomeahomeofrefuge.Ifyoutalkaboutpeaceinaconferencebutyourhomeisnotinvolved,itmeansyourheartisnotinvolved,soyouwillgetnowhere.Thisisthewholeprincipleofanychange—tocatchtheheart,theimagination.”

“Sohowdowebegin?”askedPhilip.“Ithinkwebeginwithourowncongregations.Wepreachfromthepulpit—

wecouldbeginwiththepassageinEphesians2—andweencourageeachfamilyinourchurchtomaketheirhomeahomeofpeace.Ifthisistowork,itmustbecomeamovement.Ifenoughfamiliesmaketheirhomesahomeofrefuge,theideacanspread.”

Iofferedtoprovidepublicity.“Thisisnecessary,ifonlytohelpyounotfeelalone.TheChurchintheWestneedstoprayforthiseffort.Wewillneedtoraisefunds,andtherearealotofLebaneseinAmericawhoarepotentialdonors.RememberthattheworldseestheLebaneseasfightersandtroublemakers.IwanttoletthemknowthatthereisaChristianpeacemovementthatisnot—andIemphasizenot—politicallymotivated.ThisisnotjustonemorepartyamongmanyinLebanon.ThereforeallChristiansaroundtheworldcanidentifywithus.”

Thediscussioncontinuedthroughthemorning,butthenthemenstartedtorisetogotoothercommitments.“Wethankyouforpresentingthis,”saidoneofthepastors.

“Yes,”anothersaid,“youhavegivenusmuchtothinkabout.”Noonesaid,“Let’smeetagain.Let’smakeacommitmenttofollowthroughon

this.”Themenscatteredtotheirindividualcongregations.Lord,willthiseffortbearanyfruit?Iprayed.Orwasthisjustanaiveand

ultimatelyfutileexercise?

8IT’SJUSTAMESS

Beirut,August1989

Theshootingstartedbeforesundownthatevening.Lucienhustledhisfamilydownstairstothebasement.IntheirbunkertheychoseamovietopopintotheVCR.Electricitywasstillon,butageneratorwasstandingby,readyfortheinevitableinterruptionofpower.“Tonightlet’swatchTheHidingPlace,”saidHuguette,Lucien’swife.

“Aratherapttitle,givenoursituation,”saidMartin,theirson.“Isanyonehungry?”Lucienasked.Huguettegavehiminstructions,andhe

headedupstairstothekitchenforfruit,flatbread,hummus,andasaladshehadpreparedearlierthatafternoon.Asheopenedtherefrigerator,thephonerang.Hecrossedthemarbleentrywaytothetablethatstoodbyapillarattheentrancetothespaciouslivingroom,whichalsodoubledasameetingplaceforthechurchLucienpastored.

“Hello.”Lucienneverheardwhocalled.Heneveractuallyheardtheblastthatknockedhimoffhisfeetandburiedhiminplasterandrubble.Hiswifeappearedasinasilentfilm,checkedhisvitalsigns,thennoticedsomethingthroughthedustandsmoke.Shesteppedoverhim,grabbedthegasheaterandheaveditoutthewindow.Onlythen,lookingpasther,didLucienseethatanartilleryshellhadtotallydestroyedtheirlivingroom.

Afterdustingthedebrisoffhim,Huguetteputacompressonhisheadtostopthebleeding.Lucien’ssonshelpedhimtohisfeet,andthethreeofthemdraggedhimtothebasementdoorandcarriedhimdownthestepstosafety.There,inthedarkroom,themovieTheHidingPlacewasplaying,butLuciencouldn’thearit.

Heturnedtohiswifeandsawherlipsmoving.Withhorror,herealizedthattheblasthadmadehimdeaf.

Larnaca,Cyprus,September1989

TheferryboatthatusuallytransportedmetoLebanonfloatedidlyatthedock.Therewasnoneoftheusualactivity,nobrightlights,nocarsdrivingonboard,nopassengersmillingaroundthedeck.Asignintheticketwindowindicatedtherewouldbenoferryserviceuntilfurthernotice.

AirtravelintoBeiruthadbeenextremelydangerousandunreliableforseveralyears.TheeasiestwayformetogettherewastoflytoLarnacaontheislandofCyprus,thentakeanovernightferryaboutonehundredmilestoLebanon.However,ferryservicepresenteditsownrisksafterIsraeldivertedoneboattoHaifain1984anddetainedsomeofitspassengers.[1]

Iknockedontheglassoftheticketwindowandcaughttheattentionofamanworkinginthebackroom.Hecametothewindowandopenedit,saying,“Thereisnoferrytonight.”

Ismiled.“Iunderstand.ButdoyouknowifthereissomeotherwayIcangettoBeirut?”

Hepointedbehindhim.“Tryoverafewboats.TheremaybeonetakingsomepeopletoJounieh.”ThatwasasmallharbornorthofBeirut,intheChristiansector.

Sureenough,threepiersovertherewasamantakingpassengersontoalargespeedboat.IpulledoutawadofAmericanmoneyandpaidthecaptain150dollarsbeforeboarding.Avariedgroupofaboutthirtypeoplewereseatedaroundthecabinofthebobbingboat.Therewasanervousbusinessmanwearingslacks,poloshirt,andwindbreaker,fidgetingwithhisbriefcase.ALebanesecouple,thewife’sheadcoveredbyascarf,nervouslyheldhands.Ayoungmaninjeansandasweatshirttossedhisbackpackintoacornerofthecabinandlookedeasttowardhisnextadventure.

Anhouraftersunsetthecaptainstartedtheengineandpulledoutoftheharbor.BehindmeIcouldseethelightsofLarnacafallingaway,replacedbytheloomingsilhouetteofCyprus.Aheadwasonlyinkyblackness.Theboatcutthroughfive-footswells,andIfeltthemistfromthewavessprayingoverthebow.Soonthebusinessmanhurriedtotheheadtoeasethenauseahefelt.

Wewereabouttenmilesfromourdestinationwhenthespeedboatcaptainshutofftherunninglights,leavingonlythesoftgreenglowofhisinstrumentpanel.ItwasthenthatIsawlightsflashinginthedistance.“Lookslikeastorm,”

panel.ItwasthenthatIsawlightsflashinginthedistance.“Lookslikeastorm,”thebusinessmanmuttered.

“Artillery,”saidthecaptain.“They’rereallygoingatittonight.”WewatchedinmorbidfascinationasflashesofartillerylituptheBeirut

skyline.Thecaptainspokeagain.“We’regoingtolandinJounieh.”Thatwasaoncesleepyfishingvillagethat,since1975,hadgrownintoacity,developedbyChristiansfleeingfromthefightinginBeirutjustafewmilestothesouth.“Makesureyougraballofyourbelongings.Ineedtoloaduppassengersandbeawayasquicklyaspossible.”Hedidn’thavetoaddthathefelthewasriskinghislifeeverytimehemadethistrip.

Theboatdidn’tbegintoslowuntiltheshadowofthedockwasvisibledirectlyahead.Thecaptaincuthismotorandsilentlydriftedupagainstthebumpershangingfromthepier.Assoonasthefirstropewasloopedoverapile,theyoungmaninjeansgrabbedhisbackpack,jumpedontothepier,andheadedonhisway.IlookedintotheshadowsandthoughtIrecognizedtheformofmyfriend.Iwaved,andhewavedback.Igrabbedmysuitcaseandjumpedofftherockingboat.Luciensteppedforwardandembracedmeinabighug.

Theconcussionfromanexplosionshookus.Itseemedonlyafewblocksawayandwasfollowedbytherapidpulseofmachine-gunfire.Revvingthemotor,thepowerboatcaptainyelled,andseveralpeoplejumpedonboardbeforehepulledawayfromthepier,madeasharpU-turn,androaredintothenight.

Lucienpulledonmyarm,hurryingmetohiscar,parkedatthetopofthequay.Histiresscreechedaswepulledontothenarrowstreetandheadednorth,awayfromthebattle.

WedrovethroughseveralnarrowbackstreetstooneoftheserpentineroadsthatclimbedMountLebanon.IheldmybreathasLuciendrove.Finally,IexhaledinasighofreliefaswepassedbeneaththegiantstatueoftheVirginMaryinHarissa.“We’retakingthelongwayhome,”LucienexplainedinhisFrenchaccent.“We’llavoidBeirutand,hopefully,allthefighting.”Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethewordhopefully.Lucienreachedoverandgrippedmyarm.“Don’tworry.Iknowtheseroadswell.We’llbefine.”

Threetimeswehadtostopatcheckpoints,butineachcase,afterabriefreviewofLucien’spapersandmypassport,wewerewavedthrough.Finally,Ispoke:“I’msuregladyoucame.Howdidyouknowwheretofindme?”

“I’veriddenonthatboatmyself,”heexplained.“Icheckedearliertodayandlearnedtheferrywasn’trunning,soIfiguredI’dfindyouinJounieh.”

Howmanypeoplewouldbraveartilleryandmachine-gunfiretopickmeup

Howmanypeoplewouldbraveartilleryandmachine-gunfiretopickmeupinthemiddleofthenight?Mydearfriendhadsufferedmuchbecauseofthewar.Hiswatchbusinesshadfailedafterhisshopwasdestroyedin1976.Lucienwasapastorwhohadsupportedhimselfwithhisbusiness.Hefelthehadtomovehiswifeandchildrentosafety,sohepackedupthefamilycaranddrovethroughSyria,Turkey,Greece,Yugoslavia,andNorthernItalytoSwitzerland.Butdespitetheofferofagoodjobandsafetyforhisfamily,heandhiswife,Huguette,didn’tfeelrightabouttheirescape.FourmonthslatertheyreturnedtoBeirut.That’swhenhewasaskedtoassumeleadershipoftheBibleSocietyinLebanon.

Sincetheoutbreakofthecivilwar,Lucienandhisfamilyhadmovedeighttimes.Fourtimesthey’dlosttheirhometobombsorrefugees.TheseweredesperatetimesandinsomepartsofBeirutifafamilylefttheirhomeforevenhalfaday,refugeeswouldoccupyit,andtherewasnothingtheownerscoulddo.Ononeoccasion,hislandlorddecidedtoemigratetoAustraliaandsoldthebuilding.Thenewlandlordpromptlyevictedallofthetenants.WhenLucienrefusedtoleave,thenewownerdemolishedthebuildingaroundhisapartment.

Finally,Lucienbuilthiscurrenthomeonfamilypropertyinthemountains,believingthatitwasoutsidetherangeofthefighting.Aftermovingintothemountains,Lucienstartedachurchthatmetinhislivingroom.Soontheconflictexpandedandsurroundedthenewhome.FivetimesLucien’shousehadbeenhitbyartilleryfire,thelasttimejustamonthearlier,whenhehadbeeninjured.

Givenallhe’dbeenthrough,IwasconcernedabouthowLucienwasholdingupunderthestrain.Atthetopofthemountain,justbeforewewouldhaveheadeddownintotheBekaaValley,weturnedsouth,passingbythecanyonsandgulliesthatdividedcommunitiesontheslopesbelowus.Thetensionofourgetawayhadsubsided,andIfeltfreetoaskLucienhowhewasrecoveringfromthelatestattackonhishouse.“Icouldn’thearanythingforaweek,”heanswered.“IthoughtIhadlostmyhearingpermanently,but,thankGod,that’sokaynow.However,it’sgettingwearisome.”Hepaused,sigheddeeply,thenadded,“Andrew,Idon’tthinkIcanputmyfamilythroughthisanymore.”

IsensedmyfriendneededtotalkandIencouragedhimbyasking,“Wherewouldyougo?”

“Wecouldtakethatboatyouwereontonight.ThehomeofficewantsustomovetheworktoCyprus.”HewasreferringtotheofficesoftheUnitedBibleSocietyinEngland.“TheyfeelCyprusissafer.Theycanprovideabetterfacility.AndtheLebanesepoundhascollapsedsoitwouldbebettereconomically.”

“Butyou’rehesitating?”“SomehowIfeeltheministrybelongshere,amongthepeoplewhomwe’re

“SomehowIfeeltheministrybelongshere,amongthepeoplewhomwe’rehelping.”

Therewasmore,andIprodded.“Whatelseistroublingyou?”Myfriendwasquietafewmomentsbeforesaying,“Itfeelslikethiswarwill

neverstop.It’sbeenfourteenyears.DoyouknowthatnearlyonehundredthousandChristianshavebeenkilledinthiswar?ButtheChurchintheWestissilent.Nooneseemstocare!Ofcourse,that’sjustanimpersonalnumber.What’shardestistheemotionaltollittakesonyouasapastor.ThisyearI’veburiedtwomenfromourcongregation.Onewasthemanwholaidthemarbletilesonthefloorofourhome.Theotherwasvaporizedinanexplosion.We‘buried’himinanemptycoffin.”

TearswelledupinmyeyesasIfeltsomeofLucien’spain.“Howisyourcongregationholdingup?”Iasked.

Afteranotherlongsigh,heanswered.“Whatchoicedowehave?Weneedeachother.Butmany,likeme,wonderwhytheyshouldstay.Ifthere’snohope...”Hisvoicetrailedoff.

“Isyourchurchstillmeetinginyourhome?”Heshookhishead.“Wecan’t.You’llsee.It’sjustamess.”Thenight’scombathadceasedbythetimewearrivedatLucien’shome.The

livingroomwasblockedoff,andIcouldn’tviewitinthedark.Itwasnearly3:00AMandI’dhadaverylongday.Still,asIlaydowninmyfriend’sguestroom,ittookmeawhiletofallasleep.IwasherespecificallytohelppeoplelikeLucien,menandwomenwhoministeredtoothersandledtheChurchinthemidstofthisconflict.Theywerenotsuperheroes.Theywereordinarypeopleconfrontingextraordinarilydifficultsituations.Theyhadfamiliestosupport.Itwasonlynaturalthattheyweariedoftheunendingfighting.WhentheopportunitycametoemigratetoEuropeorAustraliaorNorthAmerica,manycouldn’tresist.Iunderstoodthenaturaldesiretofleetosafety,butIalsobelievedthatavibrantChurch,thelivingbodyofChrist,hadtobepresentinthemidstofstrife.JesussaidHeisthelightoftheworldandthatHispeoplearethelightoftheworld.Bothstatementsaretrue.PeopleinwhomChristdwellsprovidehopeinthemidstofconflict.Buthowcantheybelightiftheylosehope?HowcouldtheybelightinLebanoniftheyfled,leavingonlydarknessbehind?

9BEINGWITHUSISTHEGREATESTENCOURAGEMENT

Beirut,1989

Themorningmistwasburningoffoverthecity.IstoodonLucien’sbalconybutdidn’ttouchthetwistedmetalrailingthatteeteredlooselyattheedge.TheMediterraneanSeawasn’tyetinview,butdownbelowIcouldseewispsofsmokefromtwobuildings,destroyedinlastnight’sfighting.BehindmeyawnedtheopeningtoLucien’shome.TheFrenchdoorshadbeenblownoffandapieceofplywood,whichI’dpushedtotheside,wasintheirplace.ThestonewallsofLucien’shomeandofallthesurroundingbuildingswerescarredandpockmarkedbyshrapnel.Nexttomestoodtheremainsofanorangeeasychairwithhugechunksofstuffingcarvedoutbyshrapnel.Iplacedmyhandonittoseeifitwassturdy.

Lucien’svoicestartledme.“It’ssafetositonit,ifyouwant.”Pointingintothehouse,Iasked,“Wherewereyoustandingwhenthebomb

exploded?”WithanodofhisheadheindicatedthatIshouldfollowhim.Thelivingroom

wasamess.Theworstoftherubbleanddusthadbeenclearedaway,butchunksofthemarblefloorweremissing,holesfromshrapnelmarkedthewalls,andsofasandeasychairslookedlikethey’dbeentornapartbycatswithrazor-sharpclaws.Damagedpaintingsandframedphotoswithcrackedglassleanedagainstthewall.Standingbythepillarattheothersideoftheroom,Luciensaid,“Iwasrightbehindthispillarandthatiswhatsavedmylife.”Thenheturnedmearound.“Alltheglasswasblownout.Andseethisgasspaceheater?”Hepointedtoaholeinthemetalheateratmyfeet.“Mywifesmelledgasandthrewitoutthe

window.”“I’mamazednooneelsewashurt.”“Thebasementissurroundedbyrock.Thehouseissetinwhatusedtobea

quarry.Sothebasementisquitesafe.Everyoneelsewasdownstairs,watchingTheHidingPlace.”

“SoCorrietenBoomsavedanotherfamily!”Luciensmiledattheirony.Iwalkedbacktowardthebalcony,myshoescrunchingontinypiecesofmarbleandplaster,andmyfriendfollowedme.ThefoghadnowburnedoffandtheintenseblueskyandthespectacularviewoftheMediterraneanSeaseemedtomockthedestructionaroundus.

Iputmyarmaroundmyfriend’sshouldersandsaid,“MayIprayforyou?”Henodded.QuietlyIaskedGodtogivemyfriendthestrengthtocarryoninthemidstofthiswar.Iprayedforresourcestorebuildhishome,forprotectionforhisfamily,andfortheongoingworkoftheBibleSociety.“Lord,YouknowtheonlyanswersareinYourWord.MaythisministrycontinuethroughYourfaithfulservant,Lucien.”

Hejoinedmeinsaying“Amen.”ThenIthoughtofawordpicture.“Doyouknowthelessonofthespiderandthecobweb?Whenthespider’swebisdamagedordestroyed,itimmediatelybeginstospinanewweb.Always.Ifanythingdestroysoursociety,ourlife,ourwork,wemustbeginatoncetorebuild,tomakeitasnew,asifwedonotexpectittobedestroyedagain.”Lucienletoutagaspofsurprise.“Andifitisattackedagain,Godwillgivethegracetodoitagain.”Andagainandagainandagain,Ithought,preachingtomyself.

“Youknow,whenthewarstarted,peoplestoppedcomingtoseeus,”Luciensaid,gazingtowardthehorizon.“Butyouhavecome.Yourbeingwithusisthegreatestencouragement.”

Thefightingresumedearlythatafternoon.Apartofmewantedtohustledowntothesafetyofthebasement,yetIlingered,watchingtwobigguns,belchingbluesmoke,firefromacamouflagedspotintheforestbelowus.Thenashelllandedintheforestaboutthreehundredmetersinfrontofus,andLuciensaidwe’dbettergodownstairs.Aswedid,hesaid,“DoyouknowwhatthefirstministerofdefenseinLebanonwascalled?HisEnglishwasratherpoor.Hecalledhimself‘theMinisterofBoomBoom.’”

“Ratherappropriate,”Isadlyagreedasweheardanothermuffledboomofartilleryfire.

Huguettewasworriedabouttheirseventeen-year-oldson,Martin,andhis

Huguettewasworriedabouttheirseventeen-year-oldson,Martin,andhisfriendMatthieuwhohadtakenthecartorunsomeerrandsandhadnotreturned.Severalneighborsjoinedusinthebasement,includinganArmeniancoupleandtheirtwodaughtersplustwosistersfromSriLanka.Welistenedtothethreeo’clocknewsandlearnedthatthepreviousday20hadbeenkilledand130wounded.TheotheritemofinterestwasthatGeneralAoun,oneoftheMaroniteleaders,wasofferingtomeetWalidJumblatt,leaderoftheDruze,todiscusstermsofagreementforafutureLebanon.

Wheneveritwasquietfortenminutesorso,weclimbedbackupstairstoassessthesituation.Lucienhelpedmedistinguishthesoundofoutgoingandincomingfire.Ofcourse,Iwasremindedthatthemostdangeroussoundwastheoneyouneverheard—therewasnowarningforthemissileheadeddirectlyatyou.

Lucien’sfacebrightenedwhenMartinreturnedhomesafely.Igreetedthesonwho’dgrownaninchintheyearsinceI’dlastvisited.Luciencalledoverthesecondboyandtoldme,“IwantyoutomeetMatthieu!”TheyoungmanshookmyhandandthenembracedLucienlikeafather.“BrotherAndrew,thisisalsomyson.”

Nearbyexplosionsurgedusbackintothebasement.Ifeltlikeayo-yo,goingupanddownthestairs,atthemercyofthemilitiasIcouldn’tsee.Mostofussatoncratesorchairs.MartinandMatthieusatonthefloor,leaningagainsttherockwall.IstaredatMatthieu.HelookedlikeabrothertoMartin.Hewasalankyteenager,armsfolded,eyesclosedasherested.Hisfacewashard,asthoughhehadsufferedfarmorethanhisageshouldpermit.

Lucienobservedmestaringattheboy.“Weadoptedhimfourmonthsago,”hesaid.“He’shadnofamily.Hewaspickedupoffthestreetandforcedtoserveinamilitiaattheageofeleven.”

InmyyearsofvisitingLebanon,Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethattheageofPalestinianandLebanesecombatantshaddropped.Itwasn’tunusualtoseeten-,eleven-,andtwelve-year-oldboys,theirshouldersslumpingundertheweightofM-16rifles,grenadeshangingfromtheirbelts,wieldingauthorityoveranyelderswhodaredencroachonterritoryoccupiedbytheirparticularmilitia.Icouldn’thelpbutwonderaboutthefutureofthesekidsandoftheirfracturednation.

“Hislifewasunbearable,”Lucienexplained,asthoughreadingmythoughts.“Butthekidsaretrapped.Theydarenotescapeoncethey’reintheclutchesofoneofthesemilitias.SowhenMatthieuabandonedhisunit,hewasarrestedfordesertionandimprisoned.Someoneinourchurchlearnedabouthim,andwebegantoprayforhim.Miraculously,hewasreleasedafterafewmonthsandwe

begantoprayforhim.Miraculously,hewasreleasedafterafewmonthsandwetookhimin.”Lucien’svoicechokedmomentarilyandIcouldseehewasproudofthisboy,ashewasproudofhisownfleshandblood.

Bysunsetthefightinghadbecomeconstant,andtenofusweretrappedinthequarry-turned-basement.Lucien,Martin,andMatthieubroughtoutguitars,andforanhourwesangchorusesandhymnsandprayedforLebanon.ThenLucienaskedifIwouldliketopreach.IrarelypassupanyopportunitytoexpoundontheScriptures.Thistinycongregation,huddledtogether,wasasprecioustomeasthatinanycathedralormegachurch.IopenedmyBibleandbreathedaprayer:Lord,givemeYourmessageforthesebravepeople.

IturnedtoJohn21.“ItistheLord!”Istarted,referringtoverse7ofthechapter.“Ithasbeenseveralweekssincethecrucifixionandresurrection.Thedisciplesarediscouraged.Theyfeelliketheyhavelosteverything.Theyhaven’tseenJesusformanydays.Theyhavenoroutineinlife.Theydon’tknowwhattodo.Jesushastoldthemtogointotheworld,butwhere?Andwhatistheirmessage?Whatistheirmandate?They’verunoutofmoneybecausetheirtreasurercommittedsuicide.SoPetersays,‘Let’sgofishing.’Unfortunately,theothersdidn’tsay,‘No,Peter,let’sprayaboutthefuture!’TheyallfollowedPeterandspentallnightinaseafilledwithfishandtheycaughtnothing.

“Whatatragicword!Theycaughtnothing.Allnight.Nothing.”Inoticedasmilefromthetwoteenageboys.“YoucanhaveallkindsofactivitiesoutsidethedirectionofChrist.Youcanbeado-gooder,bebusy,doamillionthings,butifyoudoyourownthinginsteadoffollowingChrist,yourtombstonewillsay:‘Allnight.Nothing.’

“Theturningpointforthefishermencamewhenasupposedstrangerappearedonthebeach.Hecalledtothem,‘Haveyoucaughtanyfish?’Theyshoutedback,‘No!’Theyweresochagrinedtheycouldn’tevenshout‘No,sir!’Theywerefedupwiththemselvesandeverything.

“Howgrumpywecanbecomewhenthingsdon’tgoourway!Thestrangersawthefishthedisciplescouldn’tsee.When,atHisdirection,theythrewtheirnetovertheotherside,therewasamiracle—Godpushedthefishin—morethanthenetcouldhold.ThenthedisciplewhomJesuslovedsaid,‘ItistheLord!’”

InthisinformalwayIspoketomylittleflockastheylistenedintently,identifyingwiththecircumstancesandstrugglesofthedisciples.“ThelordshipofChrist.It’sthecalltoaproductivelife.Whenthedisciplesarriveonland,they’recold,they’retired,they’rehungry,andthey’relonely.ButJesusistheLordoftheirneed.Thereisacharcoalfireandahotbreakfastwaitingforthem.Jesusgivesthemheat,rest,food,andHimself.It’stouchingthatthealmightyGodgotupearlythatmorningtocookbreakfastforHisdisgruntledfriends.He

GodgotupearlythatmorningtocookbreakfastforHisdisgruntledfriends.HewasLordoftheirneed.Thiswasagentleremindertothemandtous.HeistheLordofourneed.Exactlywhatyouneed,Jesusprovides.ThepeopleinLebanonhavetremendousneeds,butyoucanshowthemthattheLordwillmeetthoseneeds.”

Thenexttwodayswerebusy.LucienandIleftearlyinthemorningtovisitpastorsandencouragethem.Thethirddaydawnedagloriousmorning,thekindthatremindedmeagainofwhyLebanonwasthejeweloftheMediterranean.ItoldLucienandHuguettethatIwasgoingtotakeawalk.Withoutthinking,Igrabbedmycamera,hopingtogetapanoramicphotoofBeirutandtheMediterraneanSea.Iwalkedupthemountainroad,stayingasfartothesideaspossibletoavoidcarsheadingintoBeirut.Afteraboutaquartermile,Iturnedoffontoadirtroadandcontinuedmylittlehiketoanopeningwithamarvelousvista.IliftedmycameraandtookapictureofJounieh,beautifullyframedbytheboughsoftwotrees.

Iturnedmyattentionsouth.Thecoastlinewascrystalclear,andIcouldmakeouttheSeasideParkandAmericanUniversityofBeirut.Iraisedmycameratotakeanotherphotowhentwosoldierssuddenlydescendedonme.Oneofthemgrabbedthecamerawhiletheothergrippedmyarmandsaid,“Please,comewithus.”AsIwalkedupthedirtroadwiththem,Icouldmakeoutagunstationbeingusedbyamilitia.Thiswasnotgood.

Wewentintoalittlehut,andtheyorderedmetositonametalchairwhileoneofthesoldierssatoppositemeatametaldesk.Theothermanstoodguardatthedoor.Themanatthedeskglaredatmeasheheldthecamerainhishands.“Whyareyoutakingpictures?”hedemanded.

“Itisabeautifulmorning.IwastakingphotographsofBeirutandthesea.”“Itisnotpermitted,”hesaid,andwiththat,openedthecameraandremoved

thefilm.Thenhecontinuedtoholdthecameraashesaid,“Whatareyoudoinguphere?”

“I’mstayingwithfriends.”“Whoarethey?”“Lucien.Heandhisfamilylivejustdowntheroadfromhere.”“Howlonghaveyoubeenthere?”“Iarrivedfourdaysago.”“Fromwhere?”

“IliveinHolland.”ThetwosoldierstalkedforaminuteinArabic,thentheoneatthedesksaid,

“Comewithme.”WerodeinajeepdownthemountainintoBeiruttowhatappearedtobesome

kindofheadquarters.ThereIwashandedovertoanotherinterrogatorwhoaskedmewhereIwasstayingandwhatIwasdoinginLebanon.

“Iamvisitingchurchleaders.”Thequestionerlookedconfused.“Whatchurches?”“I’mworkingwiththeBibleSocietyofLebanon,whichworkswithmany

churches.”“WhereisthisBibleSociety?”Itoldhimwhereitwaslocated,andhethenconferredwithanotherassociate

inArabic.IbecameconcernedthatthismanmightwanttoknowallthepeopleI’dbeenmeetingwith.Iwasn’tsurewhichsidethesesoldierswereon.Lord,pleaseprotectme,Iprayed.MayIbeabletohonestlyanswereveryquestion,butmaytheyaskonlythequestionsthatIcananswerwithoutendangeringthepeopleIworkwith.Itwasn’tthemostarticulateprayer,butasenseofpeacecameoverme.

“Youhavebeenherebefore?”“Yes,IvisitLebanontwiceeachyear.”“OnlyinBeirut?”“No,sir.Itraveltoothertowns.IspeakatchurchesandvisitChristian

workers.AnywherethereareChristians,Igotoencouragethem.”“Tellmewhatplacesyouhavetraveledto.”ImentionedseveraltownsIhadvisitedonrecenttrips,includingHammana.

WhenImentionedHammana,theinterrogatorlookedupfromhisnotepadandstoppedwriting.

“WherewereyouinHammana?”heasked.“IvisitedHamlinHospital.”“Why?”“ThereisaDutchnursethere.”Imentionedhername,thensaid,“Iwantedto

bringhergreetingsfromHollandandencourageher.”“Iknowher!”saidtheman.“Whoelsedoyouknowatthehospital?”Imentionedadoctor.“Iknowhimtoo.”Heputhispendownandsatbackinthechair.“Iamfrom

Hammana.”Thenheyelledtoanassistantandorderedhimtobringuscoffee.AswedrankthethickArabiccoffee,Ibreathedasighofrelief.WhileInever

volunteeredinformation,Ihaddeterminednevertoliewhenaskeddirect

volunteeredinformation,Ihaddeterminednevertoliewhenaskeddirectquestions.Thiscircumstanceprovedthewisdomofthatpolicy.ButwhatpromptedmetomentionHammanaoutofalltheplacesI’dvisited?TheonlyanswerwasthatGodwasincharge!

Afterwefinishedourcoffee,theinterrogatorstoodandshookmyhandandsaidIwasfreetoleave.Heevenorderedoneofthesoldierstodrivemebackupthemountain.

ThenextmorningIsatonthebalconyinthepockmarkedorangechairandprayed,preparingtoleaveLucienandstaywithapastorinBeirut.Amutualfriendwasscheduledtopickmeupinaboutanhour.“Andrew,youhavetoseethis!”Lucienwasstandinginthedoorway,wavingaletterandacheck.“It’sthemostamazingthing,fromaJordanianbrother.Letmereadfromtheletter.‘TheLordspoketomethattheproceedsIjustreceivedfrommybusinessneedtogotomyfriendLucienforhishouse.’There’senoughtorepairmostifnotallofthedamage!”

Istoodandweembraced.“Thishasneverhappenedtomebefore,”hesaidaswesteppedbackintohishome.“Thefirsttimesomeoneeversendsmemoneyformyhomeisafteryoucome,whenI’dgivenuphope,andyoubelievedGodandprayedforme.HeisindeedtheLordofourneed!”

Lucien’sfamilyhadgatheredinthediningroomtocelebratetheansweredprayer.AsIlookedatthem,myfriendhadanotherencouragingwordforme:“Myson,Matthieu.Inpartit’sbecauseofyouthathe’swithus.”

Imusthavelookedathimwithastrangeexpression,becausehelaughed.“Don’tyouremember?Threeyearsagoyouchallengedthechurchleaderstocreatehomesofpeace.Well,that’swhatwedid.WhereelsewouldthisfineboyfindpeaceandChristianloveandhopeforareallife?”

AsIrodedownthemountainintothewarzonethatwasBeirut,IthoughtofallthesufferinginLebanonthathadtornatmyheart.Afterhearingthegut-wrenchingstoriesandseeingbombed-out,abandonedchurchbuildings,Icouldn’tsitbywithoutatleastmakingsomeattemptatasolution.IthoughtoffriendslikeNaji,Peter,andPhilip,pastorswhohadlaboredundersevereconditions.Theyhadmotivatedmetotrytobeacatalystforpeace.Perhapsmyeffortshadn’taccomplishedmuch,buttoday,seeingLucien’sandMatthieu’sjoymademeextremelygratefulthatIhadtried.

10IHAVENOPOWER

Beirut,1989

Lucien,whatwentwrong?”IaskedmyfriendinhisofficeattheBibleSocietyinBeirut.“Hasanyonebesidesyouactedonthepeaceplan?”

Leaningbackinhischair,helookedatmeoverthetopofhisreadingglasses.“Notmany,”headmitted.“Weprintedtheliterature,butmostofitissittinginourwarehouse.”

“Nooneseemstoreallycare.Whatisholdingusback?”Lucienremovedhisglassesandleanedforward,takingasipofcoffeebeforehe

spoke.“No,peopledocare.ButIthinktheproblemiswithus,withtheChurchinLebanon.Wedon’thavepeaceamongourselves,sohowcanwebealightforpeaceinthecountry?”Hesigheddeeplyandcontinued.“Evenamongoursmallgroupofevangelicals,thereisdivision.Onechurchteachesthatawomanwithoutaheadcoveringisn’t‘bornagain.’Inanother,charismaticsareinconflictwithnon-charismatics.Westruggletoholdourowncongregationtogetherbecauseofdifferencesinmusic.Theoldpeoplewanthymnsaccompaniedbypiano;theyoungpeoplewantchorusesaccompaniedbyguitarsanddrums.Theonlyreasonwehaven’tsplitoverthisisthatouryoungpeopleweremorematureandofferedtocutbackontheirloudmusic—forthegoodofthebody.”

IunderstoodtheproblemforI’dobserveditmanytimes.Shortlybeforepresentingthepeaceplan,IhadspokeninaBaptistchurchinatownnorthofBeirut.Twowomenenteredthemeetingwithoutheadcoverings.Oneoftheelderspointedthemouttomeandwhispered,“They’reprobablynotbornagain.”Onanotheroccasion,IspoketoalargemeetingofMaronitecharismaticsandbroughtsomeconservativeevangelicalfriendsalong—amiracleinitself.

andbroughtsomeconservativeevangelicalfriendsalong—amiracleinitself.Theyenjoyedthemeetingbutafterwardsaidtomesadly,“Greatservice.Toobadtheywerenotbornagain.”SocertainChristianshadtakenitonthemselvestojudgetheheartsofmenandwomen.Howcouldthesepeoplebeagentsforpeace?

ThenI’dmetwithaNazarenepastor.Hetoldmethathischurchhadbeendestroyedandthecongregationhadnoplacetomeet.“Whatcanwedo?”heasked.Isuggested,“Whynotsendthemtootherevangelicalchurches?”Helookedatmewithashockedexpression,asthoughithadneveroccurredtohim.“Youthinkweshoulddothat?”Icouldn’thelpbutthink,Arethedenominationalwallssohighthateveninthemostdireofcircumstanceswecan’thelponeanother?

“Whycan’twelayasideourtheologicaldifferencesforthegoodofthewholeChurch?”IaskedLucien.“Ifwedonothing,thenit’shopeless.”

“Iagreewithyourplan.YouknowIdo.I’vedonewhatIcan,buttherearen’ttoomanyfollowingus.”

Iclosedmyeyesandtriedtounderstandwhatthismeant.“Istrugglewiththisquestion:CanGoduseChristianstobringaboutpeacewithoutbeingpolitical?IbelieveHecan.Ifwedenythat,itmeanswearedefenselessinthehandsofanycruelmanipulator,behereligiousorpolitical.”Thatpromotedathought.“Lucien,maybewecandosomethingtoshowhowthisworks.OntheboatfromLarnaca,Ithoughtaboutthetwomilitiasnowfightingaroundyourhome.YousaidtheyareledbyChristians?”

“Yes,GeneralAounandDr.GeageaarebothMaronites.”“Thenweoughttoappealtothem,basedontheirmutualfaith.”Lucienchuckled.“Andrew,whatmakesyouthinktheirfaithisanythingmore

thancultural?”“Iknowthat.Butwhatcanwedo?TheMaronitepatriarch—doesn’thehave

anyauthority?Can’themakethosemenstopfightingeachother?”Myfriendwassmilingnow.“Iknowthepatriarch.I’llschedulean

appointmentforus.”

TherootsoftheMaroniteChurchgobacktothechurchinAntioch,wherebelieverswerefirstcalledChristians(Acts11:26).ApriestnamedMaron,whodiedin410A.D.,influencedonegroupoftheseChristians.ThefollowersofMaronwerepersecutedandfledtothemountainsofLebanon.Theycelebrated

anEasternOrthodoxliturgy,butsincethetimeoftheCrusades,theyhavebeenundertheauthorityoftheRomanCatholicChurch.

WiththeaidoftheFrench,Maroniteshadheldprimarypoliticalpowersince1920.UndertheNationalPactof1943,Maronitesalwaysfilledthepresidencyduetotheirsupposedpopulationmajority.Butbythe1970s,Muslimsoutnumberedthemanddemandedareformofthesystem.TheMaroniteswouldnothearofit,andthiswasonereasonforthecivilwar.Duringtheconflict,theyhadearnedareputationforbrutalitythatgavethetermChristianamostfoulconnotation.Someconsideredthiswaracaseof“theMaronitesagainsteveryoneelse.”[1]

NowMaroniteswerefightingagainsteachother.Iwondered:CouldIappealtotheleaderofthischurchtoforcethesetwocombatantstoreconcile?

ThepatriarchateoftheMaronitechurchwaslocatedatBkerkeinthefoothillsaboveJounieh,justbelowthefamousstatueofMaryinHarissa.Sofar,thiscompoundhadmanagedtoescapemuchdamagefromthefighting.Therewasaquietbustleaspriestsandsecretariesscurriedaround,conductingthebusinessofthechurch.HisBeatitudeMarNasrallahBoutrosSfeirgreetedLucienandmeattheentrancetothegreathall,abright,gold-coloredroom,witharedMiddleEasterncarpetcoveringthefloorandred-cushionedchairsalongthewalls.Threechandelierslittheroom,whichcouldeasilyaccommodateanaudienceofonehundredormore.Itfeltstrangetohaveasmallmeetinginsuchahugeroom.Wesatatthefarend,thepatriarchonhisthrone,beneathaportraitofPopeJohnPaulII,withLucienandmeonhisright.Atelevisioncrew,waitingforaninterviewwiththepatriarch,followedusintoobtainsomebackupfootage.

Thepatriarchwasashortman,bald,withasnow-whitebeard.Hewasdressedinablackcassockwithabrightredcincturearoundhiswaist.HespokedecentEnglish,sowedidn’trequireaninterpreter,buthisvoicewasverysoft,andIhadtostraintohearhim.

Iknewourtimewaslimited.Thismanseemedfriendlyenough,soIplungedahead,explainingwhoIwasandtheworkthatIhaddoneovertheyears,firstintheCommunistworldandthenintheMiddleEast.AfterpresentinghimwithanArabiccopyofGod’sSmuggler,Imadeanobservation,howonrecenttripsIhadnoticedmanyyoungpeopleontheferrytoCypruswhotoldmetheywereleavingLebanonforgood.“TheyallwanttogetoutofLebanon,”Isaid.“Itoldsomeofthemtheyshouldstayorcomeback,becausetheyneedtorebuildthecountry.Iwouldimaginethatconcernsyoutoo.IknowtensofthousandsfromtheMaroniteChurchhaveleftthecountry.”

PatriarchSfeirnoddedhisheadandsaid,“Iamofyouropinion.Asachurch

PatriarchSfeirnoddedhisheadandsaid,“Iamofyouropinion.Asachurchweareencouragingourpeopletostay.Butitisnotpossibletothembecausetheyhavetowork;theyhavetoeat.”Forthenextfewminuteswetalkedaboutthepoliticalsituation.Itwasobviousthatthismanwaspoliticallysavvy,referringtoUnitedNationsresolutionsandvariousgroupsthatwereinconflictwithinLebanon.ButherepeatedlinesI’dheardelsewhere,thattherealproblemwastheoutsiders—Syria,Israel,variousnationssupplyingarmstovariousmilitias.“Cutthearms,”hesaidtome,“anditwillbeallover.Withoutthearms,theywillstopfighting.”

Sincethiswasn’tthemainpurposeofmyvisit,Ichangeddirectionandsaid,“IamhereasafellowChristianwhoisconcernedthatChristiansarefightingoneanother.”Thepatriarchnoddedhisheadashelistened.“IhavechallengedthepastorsIknowtobeagentsforpeace.”Ipulledoutacopyofthepeaceplanandgaveittohim.“IbelievetherecanbeaChristianpeaceplanforLebanon.Iwouldlikeforyoutohavethis.Anumberofdenominations,churches,andChristianorganizations,liketheBibleSociety,wanttoproclaimthepeacethatJesusChristcametogive.Ithinkwemusttaketheinitiative.Butmyquestionforyouis,Howcananyonebepartofthesolutionifheisstillpartoftheproblem?Specifically,howcanChristiansbetakenseriouslyaspeacemakerswhensomecontinuetofighteachother?Letmegiveyouonespecificexample:GeneralAounandDr.Geagea.BothareMaronites,aretheynot?”

Thepatriarchsigheddeeplyandadmitted,“Yes,theyare.”“Myfriendhere,”IpointedtoLucien,“iscaughtinthemiddleoftheir

fighting.Notlongagohishomewashitbyoneoftheirbombsandnearlydestroyed.Many,manypeoplehavesufferedanddiedbecauseofthiswar.Can’twedosomethingtostopthis?”

Themanseemedgenuinelygrieved.“Iknow.Itisbad.Ihaveconsideredexcommunicatingthemboth,butIdon’tthinkitwoulddoanygood.”

Idecidedtopressmypoint:“Youaretheirbishop.Surely,youcouldsummonthembothtothisroom.Havethemkneelrighthereonthisredcarpet.Tellthemtorepentoftheirsinandstopfightingeachother.Surelyyouhavetheauthoritytodothat!”

Istoppedandwaited.Hesaidnothing,staringattheredrug.Thenhesighedagainandsaid,“Andrew,youdon’tunderstand.”Helookedatmewithsadeyes,raisedhispalmsupwardoffthearmrestsofhisthrone,andsaid,“Ihavenopowerinthismatter.ThereisnothingIcando.”

LucienandIdroveawayfromthepalacewithadeepsadness.HowtragicthatChristianscouldfighteachother,andtheleaderoftheirdenominationfeel

powerlesstostopthem.Thiscountryneededpeopletostickouttheirnecksanddosomething.Well,Iwasn’tgoingtoacceptthattherewasnothingwecoulddo.WithGod’shelp,IwoulddemonstratethatChristianswerenotpowerless.

11MEETINGWITHANAYATOLLAH

Beirut,1990

Sleepwasrarelydeeporrestfulforthemiddle-agedmanlyingonamattressinatinybasementcell.Asherolledover,hefeltthetugofthechainthatlinkedhisankletotheradiatorandpreventedhisfindingacomfortableposition.Heplacedahandonhisforehead.Itwasclammy.Theachesinhismusclesconvincedhimthathewasbattlingafever.

Trafficsoundsdriftedthroughthewalls,tellinghimthatanotherdaywasdawning,anotherdayofcaptivity,anotherdayinwhichthedriversandpedestriansoutsidewereunawarethatawell-publicizedhostagelanguishedsonearthem.

Therattleofakeyinthedoorjerkedhimoutofhislethargy.Helungedforhisblindfoldandquicklywrappeditaroundhiseyes.Overandoverhiscaptorshadremindedhim:“Youmustcoveryoureyeswhenwecomein.Otherwisewemustkillyou.”Hecouldseetheshoesofthejailerapproachinghim.“Areyouhungry?”avoiceasked.Withoutwaitingforananswer,aplateandcupwereplacednexttothemattress.Breakfastwasacupoflukewarmteaandapieceofday-oldpitabreadstuffedwithachunkofcheese.

Asthejailerlefttheroomandlockedthedoor,theprisonerwondered,HowlonghaveIenduredthisroutine?He’dlostcountofthedaysandweeks.Judgingbytheseasons,ithadbeenthreeyears.Andtherewasnoendinsight.Outofhabit,hebowedhisheadandprayed.“Lord,IthankYouforthisbreadandcheeseandtea.”Hestopped.Didhereallymeanthat?Washetrulythankfulforhisdailybread?Howcavalierlyhehadsaidgraceovertheyearswhenhehadan

abundance.Now,hecouldonlyrelyonthepityofhiscaptors.AndleanonthegraceofhisGod.

Hopehadvanishedmonthsago.Stillheprayed.Therewerenootheroptions;ifhedidn’tpray,hewouldgomad.[1]

ForalongtimeithadbeendangeroustotraveltoBeirut.Inthelateeighties,however,thewarningsfrommyfriendsbeforeeachtripincreased:“It’snotsafeforWesterners.Youcouldbethenexthostage.Youshouldwaituntilthingscalmdown.”Butthingshadn’tcalmeddownforyears.IignoredtheadviceandtraveledagainandagaintoLebanon.Itwasn’tthatIhadadeathwish.IbelievedGodhadcalledmetohelpmybrothersandsisterslivinginthemidstofwar,andoneofthebestwaystohelpwastobetherewiththem.

Thefirsthostagesweretakenin1984.MostoftheabductionshadoccurredinWestBeirut.Theusualscenariowasforseveralarmedmentoambushasingleforeignernearhishome.Thecaptureswereofteninbroaddaylight,fornoonedaredtointerferewiththekidnappers.TheidentityofthegroupsthatcaptureddozensofAmericans,British,andFrenchcitizenswasusuallymurky.OftencitedwasagroupcalledIslamicJihad,butnooneseemedtoknowwhotheyreallywere.Theytookacademics,journalists,businessmen,andclergy.

ThoughnoDutchmanhadyetbeencaptured,itwasnaivetothinkIcouldn’tbeatarget.Itookcarenottowalkaloneincertainareasofthecity.Usuallymyhostsdrovemetomyvariousappointmentsandspeakingengagements.

CertainlyIwishedtoavoidcapture,butIwasconcernedaboutwhatwashappeningandwonderedaboutthemotivesofthecaptors.Whatdidtheyexpecttoobtainforthesehostages?Money?Politicaladvantage?Anexchangeofprisoners?Manyofthehostageshadbeenconfinedforyears,butnooneknewwheretheywerekept.Ifthatwasn’ttroublingenough,therewasthefactthatevenmoreLebanesehadsufferedthesamefate.Shi’iteMuslimswerebeingheldprisonersbyIsraelinsouthernLebanon,butthemediararelyreportedonthem.Theyweresimplyconsideredcasualtiesoftheunendingcivilwar.

IbegantowonderifIshoulddosomething.ButwhatcouldIdo?Ididn’tknowanyhostagespersonally,butIknewpeoplewhoknewthemandithurttoseetheiranguish.Onepersontoldmeheprayedconstantlyforafriendwhohadbeenacaptiveformorethanthreeyears.“Wegetverylittlenews,”hesaid.“ButIhearheisnotwell.Idon’twanthimtodieinthatcellarorwhereveritisthattheyholdhim.”

LocalchurchleadersinBeirutfelthelpless.Iftheytriedtointervene,they

LocalchurchleadersinBeirutfelthelpless.Iftheytriedtointervene,theyriskedtheirlivesand,moreimportant,thesafetyoftheircongregations.ButIwonderedifitmightbedifferentforme.Iwasn’tlocal.Iwasn’tAmericanorBritish.MaybeIcouldshinealightonthesituation.Myfriend’sreportaboutthesufferingofanactualhostagetriggeredanidea.PerhapsIcouldarrangeforanexchange.Mychildrenweregrown,andmyaffairswereinorder,soIwaswillingtotakesomeone’splace.Itwouldn’tsolvetheplightofallthehostages,butitmightbeastart.ButtowhomwouldItakethisidea?

ThemosqueinthesouthernsuburbofBeirutwaspackedforFridayprayers.Itwasmostlyyoungmen,manywearingwhiteturbans,whosatcross-leggedontherugs.Afewblack-veiledwomenobservedfromabalcony.Fromanothersmallbalconyfacingthecrowdstoodadistinguishedmaninablackturban,asilverrobe,andablackcape.Aneatlygroomedsilverbeard,atleastsixincheslong,framedhisovalface.Hespokeintoamicrophone,quietlybutwithanauthoritythatcommandedthefullattentionofhisaudience.Belowthespeaker,halfadozenblack-beardedsecuritymen,dressedinlong-sleevedshirtsandWestern-stylejeansorslacks,stoodrespectfullyatattention.Withtheirbackstothespeaker,theireyesconstantlysearchedthecrowdtomakesuretherewasnooneintendingtohurttheirbelovedimam.Allrememberedtheattackafewyearsearlierwhengunmenhadsprayedtheimam’scarwithbullets.Whilehe’descapedunharmed,onebullethadlodgedinhisturban.

Formanyinthecrowd,thisservicewasthehighlightoftheirweek.Forthelastseveralyears,AyatollahSayyidMuhammadHusaynFadlallah[2]hadpreachedamessageofrevolutionaryIslam.TapesofhissermonsweresoldbythetensofthousandsonthestreetsofBeirut.HearticulatedthelongingofShi’ites,whoforyearshadlaggedpoliticallybehindtheMaronitesandSunnis.Inexpressinghisfrustrations,SheikhFadlallahprovidedtheinspirationforanewpoliticalandmilitaryforceinLebanon,theHezbollahor“partyofGod.”

ThispowerfulclericwasborninNajaf,themostholyShi’itecityinIraq,whereMuhammad’scousinandson-in-lawAliisburied.FromAlihademergedthebranchofIslamknownasShi’ism,andFadlallahhadthrivedinthiscenterofShi’itelearning.[3]Aftercompletinghiseducation,hechoseforhisplaceofministryoneofthepoorestPalestinianrefugeecampsinBeirut.Overtheyearshisinfluencehadgrownthroughacombinationofsocialwork—clinics,youthclubs,andaschoolofIslamicstudies—andhispowerfuloratoricalskills.He

capturedtheimaginationofyoung,frustratedmenandfilledthemwithavisionforIslam—afaiththattranscendedArabnationalismandrepositionedthePalestinianconflictwithIsraelasawarwithworldwideimplications.ForFadlallahandhisthousandsoffollowers,theconflictinwhichtheywereinvolvedwasawarbetweenIslamandinfidels.

Fadlallah’svisionforLebanonwasacountryfreeofforeigninfluence,withallreligiousgroupslivinginharmonyunderthedominanceofIslam.ItwastimeforIslamtoriseandregainthegreatnessitenjoyedcenturiesbefore.ThepooranddisenfranchisedthatmadeupmostoftheShi’itepopulationfeastedonhiswords.Inthemosquetheaudienceheardhiscalltoadeeppersonalfaithlivedindedicationtothecause:“Itistheindividualwhowillgraspthegun,whowillflytheplane.Tellme,byGod,howwilltheindividualadvancethisfatefulcause,unlesshepossessesprofoundfaithandmoralfortitude,sothathewillnotyieldtotemptation?”[4]

Tappingmytoenervously,IsatinthelobbyoftheGardenHotelinWestBeirut.Restingonmylap,wrappedinplainpaper,wasalarge,gildedArabicBible,whichI’dacquiredfrommyfriendsattheBibleSociety.Ihadprobedintothesourceofthehostage-takinganddiscoveredthatbehindthemurkygroupcalledIslamicJihadwasthewell-organizedmovementHezbollah,inspiredbythecharismaticIslamicpreacherAyatollahFadlallah.Ihadaskedtomeetwithhim,andthemanwhoarrangedthismeeting,ironicallynamedJihad,wasalsomyinterpreter.

WhatwouldstopHezbollahfromaddingmetotheircollectionofhostages?IhadthoughtandprayedaboutthatandconcludedthatIwasn’tafraidofjoiningtheircaptives,butIpreferredtodosoonmyownterms.

Suddenlyseveralmenwalkedintothelobby.Theclerkbehindthefrontdeskwatchedusintently,andtheotherloiterersinthelobbyleftquickly.Istoodupasthemanincharge,afterglancingaroundtheroom,approachedme.“AreyouAndrew?”

“Yes,IamBrotherAndrew.”“Doyouhaveacar?”“Yes,it’sparkedoutfront.”“Thenfollowus.”Oneofthemenheldopenthedoorandfourmen

surroundedmeasweleftthehotel.Rightinfrontwasavanthathadbeenconvertedintoacrudearmoredpersonnelcarrier.Icouldseegunbarrelspointingoutthewindows.Somecuriousonlookerswatchedfromacrossthe

pointingoutthewindows.Somecuriousonlookerswatchedfromacrossthestreetandwonderedifthiswereanotherkidnapping.

JihadandIclimbedintohiscarandstartedtofollowthevan.Infrontofitwasacarwithlightsandsirensblaring.Anothercar,filledwithtough-lookingmen,followedus.Theconvoyquicklyspedupoversixtymilesperhour.Theleadcarracedaheadtomakesureintersectionswerecleared.Sincenoonedaredtochallengeus,wedrovethrougheverystoplight(manyofwhichdidn’twork)unhindered.Icouldn’thelpbutlaughattheabsurdityofthesightastiressquealedthroughseveralnarrowstreets,andthenwemovedontothemainroadtowardtheairport.IfeltasifIwereinachasescenefromaJamesBondmovie.

The“chase”lastedaboutthirtyminutes.Thenwepassedthroughaheavilyprotectedcheckpointandstoppedinaparkinglot.Acordonofwell-armedsoldiersringedtheparkingarea.Oneofthemgrabbedmypackage,peeredunderthewrapping,andfeltaroundtheedgestomakesureitwasreallyabookandnotabomb.Ismiledatthemenandquipped,“ThisisalotofprotectionforanunarmedDutchman!”Acoupleofthemensmiledandnodded,probablynotunderstandingawordIsaid.

QuicklyIwasescortedtoasmallreceptionroomwhereamanwithacloselycroppedblackbeard,wearingawhitedressshirtandslacksbutnotie,welcomedme.“Thesheikhisexpectingyouandwillseeyouinafewminutes.Wouldyoulikesomecoffee?”Apartfromthesoldiersstandingidlyaround,thiscouldbeanyWesternoffice.Phoneswereringing.Ayoungmanwasusingaphotocopier.Theonlyaberrationwasthatnowomenworkedhere.Asoldier,arifleslungoverhisshoulder,servedmeatinycupofdeliciouscoffee.

AsIsippedmycoffee,Iprayed:Lord,givemeexactlythewordstosaytothisman.YougaveYourselfupformeonthecross.Iamnowwillingtogivemyselfupforoneofmybrothers.Maythisbealightinthedarkness.

Thephonerangandthereceptionistanswered,thennoddedtome,“Thesheikhwillnowseeyou.”Twosoldiersescortedmethroughasmallcobblestonecourtyard,intoanotherbuilding,andupaflightofstairs.Weenteredalargereceptionarea,wherechairslinedthewalls.

Oneofthesheikh’sassistantsmetme,shookmyhand,andheldupataperecorder.“Ihopeyoudon’tmindifwerecordthisconversation.Thesheikhwantsustorecordallofhismeetings.”

“OfcourseIdon’tmind,”Ianswered.“Thenweareready.”Asetofdoubledoorsopenedintoanotherroom,also

withchairsliningthewalls.Standinginfrontofhisseatagainstthefarwallwas

MuhammadHusaynFadlallah,dressedinalonggraycaftan,coveredbyablackcapelikerobe,andwearingablackturbanonhishead.

Iintroducedmyself,andweshookhands.“Ihavebroughtyouagift,”Isaid,whileunwrappingtheBibleandpresentingittohimwithbothhands.

Iheardacameraclickashereceivedthelargebookandsoftlyanswered,“Shukran.”[5]ThenheindicatedthatIshouldsittohisleft.JihadsattomyleftandtwoofFadlallah’sassistantssatoppositeme.

Afine,gray-patternedwallpapercoveredthewallsoftheroom;graycurtainsthatmatchedthesheikh’scaftandrapedthelargewindowtoFadlallah’sright.Therestofthechairsintheroomwereempty,butIcouldimaginethatoftenthisroomwasfilledwithMuslimclericsandpoliticalleaders.TheonlyartofanykindwasaframedphotoofAyatollahKhomeinigazingsternlydownonus.TheIranianclericandruler,thoughhehaddiedtheyearbefore,remainedthespiritualandpoliticalinspirationfortheradicalIslamicmovementthroughouttheArabworld.Frommyperspective,SheikhFadlallahwasthusdeclaringhisroots.

“Iappreciateyourwillingnesstoseeme,”Isaid,andimmediatelyJihadtranslatedintoArabic.“IhavebeencomingtoLebanonformanyyears.IamaChristianandIamhererepresentingJesusChrist,attemptingtodowhateverIcantohelpbringpeacetothiscountry.”

Thesheikhnodded.Hisrighthandplayedwithhisblackrobe;inhislefthandhefingeredastringofprayerbeads.

“ThatiswhyIwantyoutohaveacopyoftheBible.Idon’tknowwhattheQuransaysabouthostage-taking,butIknowwhattheBiblesays,andGodisagainstit.ThatiswhyIhopeyouwillreadthisbook.Thisismypresenttoyou.”

Hesmiledandansweredasanassistantcameinandofferedeachofusacupofstrongcoffee.“WearefriendswithChristians.Christiansareourbrothers.IfbothMuslimsandChristianswouldreadtheirholybooks,theywouldunderstandeachotherbetter.”

Itookasipofcoffeethenlaunchedintomymainreasonforcomingtomeethim.“Inthatspiritofcooperation,IbelievethatGodwantsyoutoreleasethehostages.Allofthem.”

Hedidn’trespondimmediately,andIheldmybreath.Thenwithhissoft,baritonevoice,hesaid,“Idon’tseehowIcanhelpyou.”

“YouaretheheadofHezbollah.Surelyyoucanorderthehostagesreleased.”Awrysmilecrossedhisface.“YoucanmeetwithHezbollahleaders,butIdo

notrepresentHezbollah.”I’msuremyfaceregisteredalookofsurprise.“Iwastoldthatyouwerethe

I’msuremyfaceregisteredalookofsurprise.“IwastoldthatyouwerethemanIneededtotalktoifIwantedtomakecontactwithHezbollah.”

“TheclaimthatIamtheleaderofHezbollahisuntrue.I’mnottheleaderofanyorganizationorparty.”

“SowhorepresentsHezbollah?”“Hezbollahhasitsleaders.Youcanmeetwiththemandtalkwiththem.”TheEnglishofmytranslatorwasawkwardandIwasn’tsureIwasbeing

understood.ButIwassureofthis—SheikhFadlallahwasthespiritualinspirationbehindthemovementofHezbollah.Hemightnotruntheorganizationonaday-to-daybasis,buthecertainlywieldedagreatdealofinfluenceoverit.Iftherewasamessagetheyneededtohear,certainlyFadlallahcoulddeliverit.

Sowhatwasmymessage?Therewasoneman,adevoutChristian,amongthehostages.He’dbeencapturedthreeyearsago,andI’dheardthathewasn’twell.“Ihavecomefullypreparedtostayhereandtaketheplaceofthisman,”Isaid,namingthehostage.

Thisproducedthefirstrealreactionfromtheayatollah.Heturnedtowardmewithalookofshockonhisface—alookthatimpliedAreyoumad?

“Thismanhassufferedenough,”Icontinued.“Lethimgobacktohiswifeandchildren.Ihaveputmyhouseinorder.Iwilltakehisplace.Chainmetotheradiator.Putmeinthedarkcellar.Butlethimgo.”

Foramoment,therewasnoresponse.Istaredathim,tryingtoreadhisfaceandbodylanguage.Butlikeachampionpokerplayer,herevealednothing.Thenhesaidquietly,“Howcanyousaythat?”

“ThisisthespiritofJesus,”Ianswered,havingpreparedmydefense.“Hediedonthecrosstoletusgofree.Hediedsowecouldlive.NowI’mreadytogivemyselfupsomyfriendcangofree.ThatiswhatChristianityisallabout.”

“IhaveneverheardaboutthiskindofChristianity,”Fadlallahsaid.Sothatiswhatwetalkedabout.Itoldhimthatmyroleasanevangelistwastopreachthegospel,thegoodnewsthatGodhaspaidthepriceforoursinsbythedeathofJesusonthecross.IknewthatMuslimsdidn’tbelieveJesushaddied,butthatJudastookHisplaceonthecrossandJesuswastakenupintoheaven.ButtheconsequenceofthatbeliefwasthattheMuslimsknewnothingaboutfreedom.AyatollahsFadlallahandKhomeiniknewallaboutlaw,butnothingaboutgrace.Thismessagewasnewstomyhost.

Quicklyourhourpassed.Oneoftheassistantsstoodtoremindthesheikhthatanothergroupwaswaitingtoseehimintheanteroom.Fadlallahstood,andaphotographersnappedsomephotosofus.Asthedoubledoorsopened,heturnedtomeandsaid,“Thankyouforcoming.IamsorrythatIcannotaccept

youroffer.Butplease,comebackandseemeanytimeyouareinLebanon.”DidIreallyexpectthatSheikhFadlallahwouldbrokeratrade,meforanother

hostage?Itwasasincereoffer,andIthinkheknewthatIwasgenuine.ButInowrealizedthathehadintentionallydistancedhimselffromtherankandfileofHezbollahthatwerefightingandtakingWesternershostage.Surelyhecouldhavecommunicatedmyofferandinfluencedtheirdecision.Butthenmaybethepurposeofthismeetingwasn’tforthehostages.Maybeitwasforthesouloftheayatollahhimself.

12SEETHESONOFRIGHTEOUSNESSRISE

Mansouriyeh,Lebanon,1990

Acoolbreezefromthewestsweptoverthecourtyard,wheresevenhundredchairsweresetupinfrontofastage,andthroughtheopenwindowoftheArabBaptistSeminarylibrary,whereIwasrelaxingbeforeIspokeatthefinalnightofafour-nightevangelisticoutreach.Morethanthreehundredhadattendedthefirstnight,andthecrowdhadincreasedbyanotherhundredeachsubsequentnight.Iwasencouragedbytheresponse.Manychurcheswererepresented,andpeoplehadbroughtfriendsandneighbors.

Ilookedoverthecourtyardandprayedforthepeoplewhowouldsoonstartfillingthoseseats.ThenIturnedbackintotheroom.HowmanytimesIhadvisitedthisschool!ItwasimportantbecauseitwasoneoftheveryfewArabic-speakingseminariesintheregionandstudentsattendedfrommanycountries.TostrengthentheChurchintheMiddleEast,Ibelievedthatsolidtrainingofpastorsandleaderswasimperative.SoIsupportedtheschoolinanywayIcould,andOpenDoorscontributedfinancially.Unfortunately,thecivilwarhadpreventedmanystudentsfromtravelinghere,butmyfriendandtheschool’spresident,GhassanKhalaf,hadworkedtirelesslytokeeptheschoolopen,sothatwhenthefightingended,itwouldbereadytoreceivestudentsfromseveralArabcountries.

Somepoppingsoundsinterruptedmythoughts.Thebreezebroughtmorethanrefreshingair;italsoborethesoundsofshootingfromthecityofBeirut.Ithoughtofeverypersonpullingatrigger,lettinggoofhisfrustrationandhatred.ThenIthoughtofthebulletshittingatarget,exploding,bringingfear,pain,wounds,anddeath.Iimaginedthepeoplescreamingandrunning,ambulances

wounds,anddeath.Iimaginedthepeoplescreamingandrunning,ambulancesracingwithsirenswailing.Willthereeverbeanendtothis?

Myeyesglancedoverawallofbooks,lookingforaparticularvolume.Ididn’tfindit,butIdidn’thaveto,foryearsbefore,thislittlebookhadchallengedmeasIpreparedtospeaktotheseminarystudentsatachapelservice.ThetitlewasWhatIfThisWasYourLastSermon?Itwasaquestionthateverypastorshouldask,andithadhauntedme.WhatifthisevangelisticservicewerethefinalmessageIwouldeverdeliver?WouldIchangewhatIwasplanningtosay?WhatwouldIprayifIknewthiswasmylastprayer?WherewouldIgoifIknewitwasmylastjourney?

IraisedmyhandstowardheavenandthankedGodfortheprivilegeofservingHimhereinLebanon.“Lord,mayIhaveYourmessagetonightforthislargegathering,”Iprayedoutloud.

Apraisebandbeganplayingaspeoplestreamedintothecourtyard.Youngpeopledominatedtheaudience,andthemusicwasmorelivelythanwhatwasheardinmanychurches—muchmoretotheirliking.ThoughitwasmorethananhouruntilIspoke,Imademywaytotheassembly,soakinguptheenthusiasticsinging.Ididn’tknowthewordstheysang,butIcouldsensetheirheartsoflovefortheLordtheypraised.

Ipickedaseatafewrowsfromthefrontandlookedaround.Myeyesweredrawntoayoungmaninhismidtwenties.HisnamewasGeorgeandtwonightsagohestoodupwhenIissuedachallengeandrededicatedhislifetoChrist.Bulletshadwoundedhimbadlyduringthewar,andhisleftsidewaspartlyparalyzed.Heturnedandsmiledatme.AsIgazedintohiseyes,Itriedtorememberwhichonewashisgoodeye.Asthenextpraisesongbegan,Inoticedtheyoungman’sshoes—high-topbasketballsneakers,withbluestripesandgreenblocks,andinbiglettersontheheel,thewordJUMP.Howironic!Georgewouldneverjumpagain.

Duringabreakbetweensongs,Georgehobbledovertomeandgavemeabighug.“BrotherAndrew,Ihavemissedyou.”

“Butit’sonlybeenonedaysinceIsawyou!”Iansweredwithalaugh.“ButyouknowImissedyoutoo!”

OnthisnightmymessagewasbasedontheshortbookofJonah.Itwasastoryeveryoneloved,anditgavemeameanstomakeseveralpoints.“Jonah’sproblemwasthathewasunwillingtodothewillofGod.Nineveh’sproblemwasthattheywerelost—totallylost.AndonlyJonahknewthewayout.Godalsohadaproblem.Hehadnoothermessengers.Unfortunately,JonahspentGod’smoneyonaMediterraneancruise.Jonahraninthewrongdirection.Hehid.Heslept.

onaMediterraneancruise.Jonahraninthewrongdirection.Hehid.Heslept.Hesnored!”Myinterpreterdidn’thavetotranslatemyloudsnoreintothemike.Thecrowdlaughedwithsurprise.

Theywereenjoyingthestory,butmypointwasn’ttoentertain.ItoldhowJonahvolunteeredtodietosavethesailorsinthestormandhowGodprovidedafishtorescueJonah.

“GodstilllovedNineveh,”Isaid.“Afterasubmarinetrip,Jonaharrived,proclaimedGod’smessage,andsawthegreatestrevivalever.Thinkofit—theentirecity,includingtheking,repented.ButwasJonahhappy?Hedidn’tlovethecitythatGodloved.Jonahsawthemastheenemyinsteadofpeoplewhowerelost.Hewantedtheirdamnation,whileGodwantedtheirsalvation.”

Iturnedandpointedtothecitybelowus.“IknowmanyofyouprobablyfeellikeJonah.Youseeandhearthefightingdayafterdayandyouwanttorunaway.Youfeelthatit’shopeless,thatthiscitycanneverbereachedforChrist.Ifyoufeelthatway,rememberthatJonahfailedhisLordthefirsttime,butGodgavehimasecondchance.AttimesweallhavelettheLorddown.WegetdepressedandmaybeevendenyHim,butGodgivesusasecondchance.‘ThewordoftheLORDcametoJonahasecondtime:“GotothegreatcityofNinevehandproclaimtoitthemessageIgiveyou.”’Goddidn’tsay,‘Jonah,youareauselessman.’HetoldJonahtogetupandstartagain.”

AsIhadeachevening,IgavetheopportunityforpeopletomeetJesusChrist,andseveralintheaudiencestood.ButIalsohadachallengeforbelievers.TherewasacityGodlovedrightbelowus.WhowouldbringtheGoodNewstoBeirut?Morepeoplestartedtostand,manywithtearsstreamingdowntheircheeks.Soonnearlytheentirecongregationwasontheirfeet,dedicatedtobeingGod’spersonalagentsforpeaceinacitythatdesperatelyneededhope.

IremindedthemthatJonahsatontheeastofNineveh.“Whyeast?BecausethenhecouldseethesungodownonNineveh.HereweareinthemountainsontheeastsideofBeirut,theChristianside.ThewestistheMuslimpartofthecity.Dowewanttoseethosepeopledestroyed?Wouldn’titbebettertositwestofthecityandwatchthesunrise?IsaythatbecausetheSonofRighteousnesswillriseovertheheathen,overtheworld,overthenations.Solet’snotsitontheeastsidetowatchthedownfallofthecity.Let’schangepositions.MovetothewestsideandseeGod’sSonofRighteousnessrise.Don’tgiveup!Don’tgiveintopessimism.”

Yes,thesepeoplecouldmakeadifference,iftheywouldallowGodtousethem,iftheyrefusedtobehavelikeJonah,whoturnedandran.IthoughtofmyfriendNajiandhowIhadbeggedhimtohelpmeconductanevangelisticcampaigninWestBeirut.Thathadnotbeenpossible,andIrealizednowthatI

campaigninWestBeirut.Thathadnotbeenpossible,andIrealizednowthatIprobablywouldneverseethatdreamfulfilled.Butinanotherrespect,thesemenandwomeninfrontofmecoulddomorewiththeirlivesthanIevercouldinasinglecampaign.TheyweretheLightForcecommissionedtoproclaimhopeandpeacetoBeirutandLebanon.

GhassanKhalafwasoneofthosefaithfulservantsofGodwhohadstayedputduringthewar,keepinghisacademicambitionsonhold—fortenyearshehaddonelittleworkonhisPh.D.dissertation—topastorachurchandprovidestabilitytotheArabBaptistSeminarynestledinthehillsaboveBeirut.Attheconclusionofthefinalnightoftheoutreach,heinvitedmetodinner.Heseemedpleasedwiththeresultsofthecampaign,withapproximatelysixhundredattendingthefinalmeeting.Buttherewasalsoawearylookinhisface.Fifteenyearsoflivingandministeringwithinwhathecalled“anopenhell”hadagedhim.

Theseminarywasbarelysurviving.Toillustrate,Ghassanplacedabookontheedgeofthetablewherewewereeating.“I’mlivingallthetimelikethis.Asyoucansee,thebookisabouttotoppletothefloor.IfIputtheleastpressureonit,itwillfall.Ifirstmetyouin1979,andOpenDoorswassupportingtheseminaryevenbeforethat.Youcanseewhyeverydollaryourministryprovidestotheschoolismuchappreciated.It’skeepingusalive.We’renotfalling.Askme,‘Ghassan,howisyourfaith?’Isay,‘Godisfaithful!’Myfaithhasgrownovertheseyears.”

Iaskedhimtotellmehowhischurchcongregationwasmanaging.Heclosedhiseyesforamoment,thentoldmeaboutoneincidentwherehewenttovisitayoungwomanwhohadlostherhusbandinarecentskirmish,leavingherwiththreelittlechildren.“Therewereseveralfriendsthere,tryingtocomforther.Whenshesawme,sheshouted,‘Idon’tbelieveinGod!Don’tspeaktomeaboutHim!Hedoesn’tcareforus!Heisjustwatchingusandlettingusdie!’Andrew,Ifeltawaveofcompassionforher.SheonlysaidwhatthousandsinLebanonarefeeling.”

“Sowhatdoyousaytothesepeople?”Iasked.“Aftershecalmeddown,Isaid,‘Dearlady,whatyouhavesaidaboutGod

wouldallbetrueifHehadnotbecomefleshanddiedonthecrosstoredeemus.ThatprovesthatGoddoescare.GodinChristwasinvolvedinoursituation.BecauseHehaspassedthroughsuffering,Heisabletohelpthosewhosuffer.Doyoubelievethat?’Shenodded.Iknowshebelievesthat,butitissohard.”

youbelievethat?’Shenodded.Iknowshebelievesthat,butitissohard.”“Youhavetoministertopeoplelikethiswoman,butyouaresufferingas

well.”Myfriendagreed.“Irememberoneblackperiodwhendayafterdaythesky

rainedmortarshellsandrockets.Noplacewassparedfromshrapnel.Everyonewasindangerofhavinghishouseburnedorlosinghismoney,hiscar,hispossessions,orevenhislife.Thosewereanxiousdays.Irememberdaysofconfusion,andIaskedGodforvictoryoverthefeelingsofanxiety.”

“AnddidHegiveyoupeace?”Hesmiledasheanswered.“Onenight,Idreamedthatmycarwasstolen.

Feelingsofresentmentattackedme.Astrugglebeganinmysoulbetweencomplaintandcontentment.AfteracruelstruggleIcompletelysurrenderedandacceptedtheloss.ThenIwokeup.Iwashappyitwasonlyadream.ButthenIthought:Itisbeautifultobevictoriousinadream,butitismoreglorioustobevictoriousoveranxietyinreallife,whileIamawake.”

“WhenGodgivesyouthatpeace,thenyouareabletopassitontoothers.”“Therehavebeensomepeople—wecallthem‘thewarrich’—whohave

profitedfromthewar.ButforGod’schildren,thishasbeenanopportunitytoprovethegenuinenessofourfaith.Wehavebecome‘warrich’onaspiritualplane.”

Iwasdeeplytouchedbythisman’shumbletestimonyofGod’sfaithfulness.Thenhesoberlyadded,“Youknow,overtheyearsalmostallforeignmissionariesandmissionaryagencieshaveleftthecountry.They’vegonetoCyprus,Athens,Istanbul,Amman.Whatremainsherearethelocalchurchesandthenationals.Wefeelforsaken.Wefeelcutofffromourbiggerfamily.NoevangelicalleaderfromtheWestcameheretoask,‘Howareyou?Whatareyoufeeling?Whatdoyouneed?’”

Hestartedlaughing.“Thenyoucame!DoyouknowwhatitmeanswhenBrotherAndrewcomestoLebanonandliveswithusamongtheshellingandbombinganddifficulties?Thatisthevalueofyourvisits.Everytimeyoucome,thereisaspiritofrevivalinmyheart.”

Harderwijk,October1991

Thewarwasover.Therehadbeenpromisesbefore,butthistimethepeaceseemedtobeholding.InOctoberof1989theLebaneseNationalAssemblyhadhammeredoutanagreementinTaif,SaudiArabia,thatdividedpowerequallybetweenMuslimsandMaroniteChristiansandcalledfordisbandingofmilitias.GeneralAounhadrejectedtheaccord,butmostoftheotherleaders,perhaps

GeneralAounhadrejectedtheaccord,butmostoftheotherleaders,perhapswearyofwar,hadsignedon.Changeshadbeenslow,butgradually,fightinggroundtoahalt.

AfterlisteningtoaBBCnewsreportontheTaifAccord,Iturnedoffthetelevisionandreflectedonwhatwasaccomplishedduringfifteenbloodyyearsofcivilwar.ThePLOwasdrivenoutbytheIsraelis.TheSyrianshadinvadedandstillclaimedapresenceinthecountry—therewasnoevidencetheyplannedtoleavesoon.IsraelmaintainedabufferzoneforsecurityinthesouthernpartofLebanon.AnewfundamentalistMuslimpowerhademergedunderthenameofHezbollah,thepartyofGod.Andthepoliticalstructureremainedbasicallyunchanged,thoughsupposedlymorerepresentativeofthepopulation.Onlytimewouldrevealifthiswasarealpeacethatwouldlast.

WhatabouttheChurchinLebanon?TherewasnodoubtthatthousandsofChristiansofalldenominationshaddied.Manymorehadfledandlikelywouldneverreturntotheirnativeland.And,tomyreckoning,theChurchhadalmostnoimpactonthepeaceprocess.TheChurchhadsimplysurvived,andIwasn’tsureifitwasstrongerorweaker.TherewerecertainlyanumberofGod’sfaithfulservantswhoperseveredandwereHisinstrumentsduringtheconflict.Plustherewereevangelisticmeetingswherepeople,hungryforpeaceintheirtroubledsouls,cametoknowthePrinceofPeace.God’spresenceremainedinLebanon,butwastheChurchallitshouldbe?

Andwhataboutmypersonalcontribution?IhadaveragedtwotripsperyearintoLebanonforthepastfifteenyears,tryingtoencouragechurchleaders.IhadhandedoutthousandsoftractsandBibles.IhadpreachedeverywhereIwasinvited.IhadtriedtochallengetheChurch,especiallyurgingittobeproactiveinthepeaceprocess.Ihadalsoforgedahead,tryingtodowhatperhapsthelocalChristianscouldnotdobyspeakingwithpolitical,military,andreligiousleaders—toPLO,Druze,Hezbollah,Maronites,andmore.ThereweremanythingsIcouldpointtothatIhaddone.Buttowhatend?

IlookedatahandwrittenletterIhadreceivedfrommyfriendandtranslatorJihad,afterourmeetingwithAyatollahFadlallah:“DearBrotherAndrew.IwillneverforgetwhenthemanwithgrayhairandblueeyescamefromtheFreeWesttothiscomplicatedMiddleEastinordertosecurethereleaseofhisbrothersandourbrothersatthesametimewhoareincaptivitybypresentinghimselfasthesacrifice.Iwillneverforgetyou,BrotherAndrew.Sincerelyyours,Jihad.”

SoherewasoneMuslimmanwhommylifehadtouched.Thatwasgood.ButmyprimaryworkwaswiththelocalChristiancommunity.WastheChurch

betteroffbecauseofmyefforts?WasitpreparedtobeGod’stoolinanewLebanon?Icouldn’treallyanswerthosequestions.IknewonlythatIcouldseelittleinthewayofresults.“Lord,isthereabetterway?”Isaidaloudinthelate-nightquietofmyoffice.“I’vebeenworkingintheMiddleEastnowformorethantwentyyears.IcanpointtomanypeopleI’vemetandactivitiesI’vedone.Butweretheytherightpeople,therightactivities?Iwanttodothosethingsthataresignificant.”

AboutonethingIwasabsolutelysure.TheremustbeavibrantChurchintheMiddleEast.IfweallowtheChurchtodisappear,thenwe’regettingridoftheChristiansjustaseffectivelyasanyMuslimfundamentalistsmighthopetoaccomplish.Thenwhatwouldbethehopefortheregion?Therewouldbenoendtothefighting.PerhapsChristianscouldn’tendthewarfare,butcertainlytheycouldbealightinthedarkness.

Mythoughtsdriftedsouth,toalandIloved,thecountryofIsrael.Ihadvisitedthereseveraltimessincemyfirsttripin1968.AsinLebanon,Ivisitedwithchurchleaders.LatelytheconflictbetweenPalestiniansandIsraelishadincreased,andthatwascausingproblemsfortheChristians.ItmightbequietinLebanon,buttherewasanintifadaintheHolyLand.Isenseditwastimetogivemoreattentiontothatregion.“Lord,showmewhattodonext,”Iprayed.

PART3WESTBANKANDGAZA

WhoReachestheTerrorists?

Jerusalem,late1970s

IhadalwaysenjoyedpreachinginIsrael.ThecongregationsrespondedenthusiasticallytostoriesoftheworkofOpenDoorsintheSovietUnionandEasternEurope.Someofthechurchesconsistedofforeignworkers,allowingmetopreachinEnglishwithoutaninterpreter.OccasionallyIpreachedtooneofthehalfdozencongregationsofMessianicbelieversandthoroughlyenjoyedtheirJewishstyleofworship.However,mostofmytimewasspentlearningandlistening.Itraveledalloverthecountry,visitingmissionsandkibbutzimandencouragingevangelisticoutreaches,suchasoneonthebeachesinEilat(populatedheavilybydrugaddicts).

SeveraltimesovertheyearsIvisitedNarkisStreetBaptistChurchinJerusalem.Theseniorpastor,RobertL.Lindsey,arenownedBiblescholar,hadinvitedmetopreachandtellmystoriesofthesufferingChurchintheSovietUnion.Afteroneofthoseservices,anintenseyoungwomancameforwardtogreetme.Shewouldnotreleasemyhandasshestaredintomyeyesandsaid,“I’mgladyouaretalkingaboutthesufferingChurchinEasternEurope.ButthereisalsoasufferingChurchrighthere!”

“Idon’tunderstand,”Isaid,tryingtoreleasemyselffromherfirmgrip.“NarkisStreetChurchisasufferingchurch?”

“No,notthisparticularchurch.”“YoumeantheMessianiccongregations?”IknewtherewereafewJewish

churchesinthecountry,andtheyoccasionallyfacedharassmentfromOrthodox

churchesinthecountry,andtheyoccasionallyfacedharassmentfromOrthodoxJews.

“No!I’maPalestinian,”sheannounced.“IlovetheLordJesusChrist.AndI’mnottheonlyone.Therearethousandsofus,andwearestrugglingforoursurvival.”Nowthatshehadmyattention,shereleasedmyhand.

“Pleaseexplain,”Isaid,encouraginghertogoon.“In1948maybe15percentofPalestinianswereChristians.Butalotofthem

fledwhenIsraelconqueredmanyofourtownsandvillages.[1]Manymorehaveleftbecauseitissohardtosurvivehere,tomakeadecentliving,andtopracticeourfaith.Nowweareonly3percentChristians,maybeless.”

“PleasetellmewhereIcanfindtheseChristians.”“ThereisasmallBaptistchurchinGaza,”sheexplained.“ThereareChristians

inNazareth.TherearecongregationsscatteredthroughoutIsraelandtheWestBank.ThebiggestchurchesareinBethlehemandthetwotownsoneitherside—BeitJalaandBeitSahour.”

ForseveralyearsI’dbeenseekingtounderstandtheburdenIhadfirstfeltatYadVashem.WhileIhadpreachedinchurchesandmetwithrabbisandotherreligiousleaders,IstillhadnoclearunderstandingofwhatIshouldbedoing.Thiswoman’sintensewordsseemedtopointmeinthedirectionIneededtolook.IhadnotseriouslythoughtaboutallpartsoftheChurchintheHolyLand.Myworkwastoseekmybrothersandsisters.IftherewasaChurchamongPalestinians,Ineededtolearnabouther,learnabouthercondition,andseeifIcouldhelpher.

HowwouldIbegin?First,Ineededtofindoutwherethesechurcheswere.WhyhadInotheardabouttheseChristians?Iknewaboutallthetouristsites,thebuildings—thedeadstones.IthoughtabouttheChristiantourgroupsthatvisitwithgreatinterestJerusalemandotherlocationsintheHolyLand,butonSundaystheyusuallyholdprivateworshipservicesintheirhotels.TheyrarelyattendalocalMessianiccongregation,letaloneanArabchurch.Itwastimeformetolaunchoutandseriouslylookformybrothersandsisters—thelivingstonesoftheHolyLand.[2]

Onemaninparticularwouldbecomemymentor.HisstorybeginsduringthefirstwarbetweenIsraelandtheArabnations,justafterIsraeldeclareditsstatehoodin1948.

13AWELL-AIMEDSTONE

Jerusalem,May1948

Fightinghadbeennonstopfornearlyaweek.Sometimesyoucouldhearitinthedistance;otherdaysitswirledaroundtheneighborhood.Todaythegunswereontheirstreet.

Thenine-year-oldboycrouchedinthecorner,awayfromthewindowofthelivingroom,andflinchedeverytimeheheardburstsofgunfire.Hisfour-month-oldsisterwascryinginthenextroom.Shoutscouldbeheardfromneighboringapartments.Althoughthesunwassetting,experiencetoldhimthatdarknesswouldbringnorelieffromtheterrifyingsounds.TheconstantconfusionwasmorethanBisharaAwadandhissixbrothersandsisterscouldstand.

Suddenlyapiercingscreamfilledthehouse.Bishara’smother,Huda,handoverhermouth,ranthroughtheroomandoutthefrontdoor,followedbyBishara’solderbrotherNicola.“Getbackinside!”themothershoutedasshereachedherhusband’sbodyinthestreet.Shegrabbedhisarmsanddraggedhimintothehouse.Assoonasshewasinsidethedoor,NicolaandBisharahelpedpullthebodytothediningroom.Togethertheylifteditontothetable.Bisharalookedatthefaceofhisfatherandknewinstantlythathewasdead.Alargeredspotonhisforeheadwasthesinglemarkleftbyabullet.EliasNicolaAwad,caughtinthecrossfirebetweentheJordanianarmyandsoldiersoftheHaganah(IsraeliparamilitaryforcepriortotheformationofthenationofIsraelin1948),wasthelatestcasualtyoftheArab-Israeliwar.

Thenextmorning,whenshootingtemporarilysubsided,neighborsgatheredinthesmallapartment.SeveralmenfromtheneighborhoodcameandconsultedwithBishara’smother.Nopriestsorpastorswereabletoreachthem,sothemen

withBishara’smother.Nopriestsorpastorswereabletoreachthem,sothemendugagraveinthecourtyardbehindtheapartmentbuilding.HudaAwadreadwordsofcomfortfromtheBible.Together,tearsstreamingdowntheirfaces,thechildrenjoinedtheirmotherinrecitingtheLord’sPrayer.Thenthemencarriedthebodytothemakeshiftgrave.

Fiercefightingresumedthatafternoonbutendedbeforedark.Atmidnighttherewasanominousknockonthedoor.ItwasaJordaniansoldier,whoorderedthefamilytoevacuate.“Goquickly.WeexpecttheIsraeliarmytoreturnatanymoment.Wewillletyouknowwhenitissafetoreturn.”

Ellen,Bishara’sseven-year-oldsister,putonsixdressesoverhernightgown.Therestofthefamily,withoutevenasuitcase,leftinwhateverclothestheyworeandjoinedtheprocessiontowardtheOldCityofJerusalem.Hudacarriedthebaby,Diana,tryingtokeephercalmastheywalkedthroughtheDamascusGate.Justinsidetheancientwall,aMuslimfamilytookthemin,providedblanketsandfood,andallowedtheeightrefugeestosleepinastorageroomcontainingcansofkerosene.

TheAwadfamilyneversawtheirhomeagain.

BeitJala,spring1974

BisharaAwadslippedoutofbedsoasnottoawakenhiswifeandwenttohisoffice.There,agitatedbythefrustrationthathadbeenbuildingforweeks,hepacedthefloor.AstheprincipaloftheHopeSchool,Bisharalovedhiswork,butheneededtoseeresults.Therewerenearlyonehundredboysunderhiscare,andeverytimehelookedatthem,itwaslikeseeinghimselfinamirror.Theirstoriesweresimilartohisownstory.

OftenBisharathoughtabouthisyouth.AftertheAwadfamilyhadlosttheirhomein1948,thefamilyremainedintheancientwalledcityofJerusalem.Bishara’smotherfoundajobasanursefortwenty-fivedollarsamonth,butitwasn’tenoughtofeedandprovideforsevenchildren.Toensurethatherchildrenwouldhaveaneducation,sheplacedallbuttheoldest,Nicola,inorphanages.ThegirlswereenrolledinDarAl-Tiflschool.Bishara,Alex,andMubarakwereplacedintheDarAl-AwladschoolandorphanageafewblocksoutsidetheOldCity.Itwasamiserableexistence.Manynightstheboyswenttosleephungry.Oncethebrothersinstigatedaprotestbecauseofthelackoffood.Asaresult,theprincipalagreedtoaddoneeggpermonthtoeachstudent’smeals,butthatpromisewaskeptforonlytwomonths.

Theboyswereallowedtovisithomeonceamonth.ForBishara,timeswithhismotherwereprecious.Itwasherfaiththatinfluencedhimandeachofhis

motherwereprecious.Itwasherfaiththatinfluencedhimandeachofhissiblings.“AlwaysshowtheLordtoeverybody,”shewouldsay.“Itisneverrighttotakerevenge.”Heneverforgotthat,evenaftergoingtotheUnitedStatestostudy.Hismother,ofcourse,couldn’taffordtosendhimtocollege,butshehadprayedand,miraculously,he’dobtainedafullscholarshiptoattendDakotaWesleyanUniversityinMitchell,SouthDakota.

Whilepursuingamaster’sdegreeineducation,wardisruptedhislifeagain.TheSixDayWarof1967allowedIsraeltogaincontrolofGaza,theWestBank,theGolanHeights,andEastJerusalem.Bydecree,thosePalestinianswhowerenotphysicallyhomeduringtheconquestwereprohibitedfromreturningtotheirland.ThusBisharawasseparatedfromhisfamilyandthelandofhisbirth.TheonlywayhecouldreturnwastobecomeanAmericancitizen.

Finally,withU.S.passportinhand,BisharareturnedtotheHolyLandundertheauspicesoftheMennoniteCentralCommittee,asprincipalofHopeSecondarySchoolforboys,locatedinBeitJala,atownadjacenttoBethlehem.[1]

Heandhismothertriedtovisithisboyhoodhome,butthebuildinghadbeendestroyedandaroadbuilt,sotheycouldn’tevenfindtheexactlocation.“Afterthe1967war,IwrotetothemayorofJerusalem,”Hudatoldherson.“Iaskedhimifwecouldmoveyourfather’sbones,butherefusedmepermission.”Sotherewasn’tevenagravestonetocommemoratehisfather’sexistence.

Onethingwasnotlost,however.HisfatherandhismotherhadprovidedastrongChristianinfluence,whichBisharawantedtoimparttohisstudents.WhathesawamongtheboysatHopeSchooldisturbedhimdeeply.TheconflictbetweenIsraelisandPalestinianswasleavingscarsonthesechildren.Manyhadlostoneorbothparents.Othershadbeenseparatedfromtheirparentsduringtheconfusionofthe’67waranddidn’tevenknowiftheyweredeadoralive.Manyoftheteenagerswettheirbedsatnight.Boththeboardersanddaystudentsdisplayedangerandviolentbehavior.

Asprincipal,Bisharatriedtoimparttothesetroubledkidsthemessageshismotherhadoftenpreached—toloveGod,loveyourneighbors,andloveyourenemies.Buttheseboysweren’tresponding.TheywouldsitinchapelsessionsandlistentoBishara’smessages,butnonehadturnedtheirownheartstoGod.Hecouldseetheirhatredontheplaygroundastheyrole-playedrevengeagainstJewishsoldiers.“Why,Lord?”Bisharaprayedoutloud.“Whyaretherenoresults?WhywouldYoubringmebacktomyhomelandandnotuseme?”

Thesilenceseemedtoaccusehim.Hewalkedthehalls,pasttheroomwheretheboysslept.Manyofthemtossed

andturnedfitfully,groaningortalkingintheirsleep.Hewonderedabouttheir

andturnedfitfully,groaningortalkingintheirsleep.Hewonderedabouttheirdreams,whichnodoubtreflectedtheirprivatepains.EachofthemhadexperiencedharassmentfromIsraelisoldiers.Itwasn’tunusualforthekidstobeorderedtoemptytheirschoolbags,havetheirbooksthrownontheground,andthenbeorderedtopickthemup.Feelinghumiliatedandpowerlesstodoanythingeffectively,manystudentshadthrownstonesatthesoldiersandcarriedtheirdefianceofauthorityovertotheteachersattheschool.

Bisharawalkedoutthebackdooroftheschoolbuildingandstoodunderthenightsky.Anear-fullmoonilluminatedElahValleybelow.Thiswasthelocationwhere,accordingtomanyBibleexperts,DavidhadfoughtanddefeatedGoliath.InhismindBisharacouldalmostseethearmies—thePhilistinescampedonthewesternhill,theIsraelitesontheeast—andthenine-footgiantadvancingtotauntthetroopsunderKingSaul’scommand.AndhecouldseelittleDavidboldlyconfrontinghim.

Unfortunately,Bishararealizedhewasonthewrongside.Ashe“heard”thetauntsofthegiant,herecognizedhisownvoice.ThePhilistineverbalizedtheemotionshe’drepressedforsolong.HatredwelledupinhimasGoliathcursedtheJews.BisharablamedtheIsraelisforthedeathofhisfatherandthelossofhishomein1948.Heblamedthemforthetwelveyearshe’dlivedinanorphanage,separatedfromhismother.HeblamedthemfortheyearsofexileintheUnitedStates.Forsolongthehatredhadfestered,mostlybelowhisconsciousness.Nowherecognizedthatsamehatredintheboysunderhiscare.Itwasdestroyingthem,andhewaspowerlesstohelpthemunlesshe,theirprincipal,conqueredhisownangerandbitterness.

Tearswelledupinhiseyes.Howcouldhe,amanwhohadgivenhislifetoJesusChristadozenyearsbefore,whowascommittedtobeaninstrumentofGodintheHolyLand,helptheseangryyoungboys?Therewasonlyoneanswer.Hisvoicebrokethesilenceofthenight:“Lord,IbegYou.ForgivemeforhatingtheJewsandforallowingthathatredtocontrolmylife.”

Witheveryounceofhisbeing,Bisharameantthatprayer.Lookingagainoverthevalley,hecouldimaginethebraveshepherdDavidchargingGoliath,swingingtheslingshot,andtopplingthegiantwithasingle,well-aimedstone.Bishara’sprayerwasanequallywell-placedstone.Italmostseemedtooeasyashefeltthegiantofhatredfallbeforehim.HesensedGod’spresenceenvelopinghim,andthefrustration,hopelessness,andhatredwerewashedaway,replacedwithlove.

14IWANTTOSEELIVINGSTONES

BeitJala,1981

WemetafterachurchmeetinginJerusalem.BisharaAwadhadakindfaceandawarmsmilethatinvitedtrust.HetoldmealittleabouthisworkattheHopeSchoolforboys,and,thinkingofthechallengefromthePalestinianlady,Iblurtedout,“Iwouldliketovisityou.”

TwodayslaterBishara’scarpulledupinfrontofthesmallYMCAinEastJerusalemwhereIwasstaying.ItwasashorttripfromJerusalemtotheoutskirtsofBeitJala,wheretheschoolwaslocated.Themainbuildingwasbuiltofstone.Ithadacurvedentry,cappedbyacrudecross,formedbytwosticks,ontheroofaboveasignwithadrawingofprayinghandsandthewords“HopeSchool”inbothArabicandEnglish.Toonesidewasasmall,dustysoccerfield.Beyondthatwasafarmbuilding.“Weraisechickens,”Bisharaexplainedaswebeganthetour.“Thereareaboutathousandhensthatprovideeggsforthechildren,andtheextrasweselltohelpsupporttheschool.”

“Howelseistheschoolfunded?”Iasked.“TheMennonitechurchinAmericaprovidessomefunding.Andindividuals

canadoptachildandpayforhiscareandeducation.”“Howmuchdoesitcosttosupportoneboyforayear?”“Onethousanddollarsperyear.Thatsupporteralsoestablishesarelationship

withthechild.”“ThenIwanttosupportachild.DoyouhaveanyMuslimboyswhoneed

support?”“Oh,yes,several.”Hethoughtaminute,thenmentionedSharaf.“He’san

orphan,soheliveshereasaboarder.”

orphan,soheliveshereasaboarder.”“IwilllookforwardtosupportingSharafandprayingforhim.”Afteratourofclassrooms,dormitories,andthediningroom,Bisharainvited

meintohisapartmentforcoffee.HehadagentlevoicethatIimaginedwouldbecalmingtohyperactiveboys.Anditinspiredconfidenceinme.IfeltthiswassomeoneIcouldtrust.

“PleasetellmewhyyouarecomingtoPalestine,”hesaid.“Iseekmybrethren!”Ianswered.“ItbothersmethatmillionsofChristian

touristscomeeveryyearfromWesternEuropeandfromAmericatoseedeadstones.Iwanttoseethelivingstones.”

AsBisharapouredcoffeeforbothofusandaddedcreamandsugarforme,heasked,“Andwhatdoyoudowhenyoufindtheselivingstones?”

“Iaskquestions.Ilisten.Ilearn.IvisitplaceswhereitisdifficultfortheChurch.IwanttoknowhowChristiansarestrugglingandiftheyaresuffering.Iwanttoknowtheirneeds.AndwhereIcan,Ihelp.IntheSovietUnionandEasternEurope,thatmeansdeliveringBibles,becauseitisextremelydifficultfortheChurchtoobtainBibleslegally.”

“SowhatdoyouknowaboutthePalestinianChurch?”“Acoupleofyearsago,awomantoldmethatthereisasufferingChurchhere

amongthePalestinians.ShortlyafterwardIwastravelingwithVictorHashweh.”Bisharanodded;heknewtheevangelistfromJordan.“WewerediscussingthePalestinianrefugees,andIaskedhimwhyArab

governmentshadurgedthemtoleavein1948untilthewarwasoveranditwassafetoreturn.”

Mynewfriendwinced,andIquicklyadded,“ThatiswhatmanyChristiansintheWestbelieve.Victorstartedtocry.Hesaid,‘Andrew,Iwasthere.Myfamilywasthere.Weweredrivenoutatgunpoint.’”

“HaveyouheardofDeirYassin?”Bisharaaskedquietly.“I’veheardsomevaguereferencestoit,”Isaid.“ButIreallydon’tknow

much.”“In1948anentirevillage,DeirYassin,wasdestroyed.”Hepointedtoward

Jerusalemandsaid,“Justoverthere,wherethesuburbofHarNofisnow,250men,women,children,babieswereslaughteredbytheIrgun.”HewasreferringtotheIsraeliparamilitaryin1948.“ThiswasjustthreeyearsaftertheHolocaust.Afewmenwereleftaliveanddrivenaroundtoothervillagestotellthestory;thenthosemenwerekilledtoo.Theresultwasapanic.ThatiswhysomanyPalestiniansfled.Entirevillageswereemptied,whichisexactlywhattheIsraelis

wanted.Theyjusttookoverthosepeople’shomes.”[1]BisharasatquietlywhileIponderedthishorribletale.Icouldimaginealittle

ofwhatthePalestiniansfelt.IstillrememberedhowtheGermansdestroyedtheDutchcityofRotterdamduringWorldWarII,justtointimidateusandforceustoyieldtotheirauthority.Thoughonlyayoungteenager,IhadfeltnothingbutcontemptforandrebellionagainsttheGermanoccupationofHolland.“Honestly,betweenyouandVictor,thatisthefirstI’veheardaboutrefugeesfromthePalestinianperspective.”

SoftlyBisharasaid,“Soyouhavestartedtodiscoverthetruth.”Ishifteduneasilyinmychair,notatallsurethatIknewthetruthaboutthis

horrible,decades-longconflict.IknewIlovedtheJews.HowcouldInotloveGod’schosenpeople!ButIalsolovedtheChurchofJesusChrist,whereverIfoundher.WhatwasItodowiththisinformation?“I’mtryingtounderstandthesituation,”ItoldBishara.“IknowthereisahugechasmbetweenJewsandPalestinians,butI’mparticularlyconcernedabouthowthosedifferencesaffecttheChurch.IwanttomeetthePalestinianbelievers,toseehowtheylive,toheartheirconcerns,tofindouthowtheyministerandwhattheydreamaboutforthefutureoftheChurch.ObviouslyyouarewellacquaintedwiththePalestinianChurch.Iwouldloveitifyoucouldteachme.”

IwassurprisedhowquicklyIhadstatedmygoals,butIsenseditwastimeforaction,andIneededsomeonetoguideme.

Bishararose,andIassumedheintendedtotakemebacktoJerusalem,butinsteadheinvitedmetofollowhimtoaroomnearthefrontoftheschool.Itlookedlikeanotherclassroom,thoughinittherewerebiblicalmaps,HebrewandGreekalphabets,andpostersoftheHolyLand.“Perhapsthebestwaytobeginisbytellingyouaboutmyvision,”hesaid.“ThisroomisthehomeofBethlehemBibleCollege.”

“Wonderful!”Isaid.“Iwanttohearallaboutit.”“Let’stakearide.”WegotinBishara’scaranddrovethroughBeitJala,past

theGreekOrthodox,Catholic,andLutheranchurches,eachanimpressivebuilding.Bisharatalkedashedrove:“YouaskabouttheconditionoftheChurch.Thenumberoneneedisleadership.Youwillseebeautifulchurchbuildingshere,butbuildingsarenotenough.TheChurchisdyingbecausetherearefewerandfewershepherds.”

WemovedfromBeitJalaintoBethlehem,crossedovertheJerusalem-HebronRoad,andwoundourwaytoMangerSquareandtheChurchoftheNativity.Thoughitwaslateintheafternoon,swarmsoftouristswerestillbendingdowntoentertheDoorofHumility,lessthanfivefeethighandtheonlyentranceto

toentertheDoorofHumility,lessthanfivefeethighandtheonlyentrancetothechurch.

“Christianshereneedavision,”Bisharasaidasweobservedthescene.“Youspokeofdeadstonesandlivingstones.Thisisbelievedtobetheoldestchurchbuildingintheworld,builtovertheplacewhereJesuswassupposedlyborn.Hundredsofthousandsoftouristscomeeveryyear,especiallyaroundChristmastime.”Thenheturnedmearound.“Nowlookacrossthismallandtellmewhatyousee.”

DirectlyoppositetheChurchoftheNativity,ontheothersideofMangerSquare,wasamosquewithatallminaret,toppedwithacrescent.

“Amosque,”Ianswered.“Whenbuildersconstructedthatmosque,theycarefullymeasuredittomake

surethatitwouldbeseveralinchestallerthanthebelltowersoftheChurchoftheNativity.BrotherAndrew,thereisaspiritualbattlegoingonherefortheheartsandsoulsofpeople,andthesetwobuildingssymbolizeit.Now,pleasefollowme.”

Ihesitated.Somethingaboutthissightspokedeeplytome,somethingIhadsuspectedbuthadhardlydaredtoexpress.

IhurriedtocatchuptoBishara.Wedescendedancient,well-wornstonestairstoShepherdStreet,turnedleft,andwalkedtoMangerStreet,justablockaway.Everythingaboutthisareawasold.Thecobblestonestreetsseemedtowanttotellstoriesofcenturiesofhistorytheyhadknown.

Bisharacontinuedtoinstructme:“Approximatelytwo-thirdsofallPalestinianChristiansliveinthisareaofBethlehem,BeitJala,andBeitSahour.ThisareausedtobenearlyallChristian,butafterthewarof1948,manyChristiansstartedtoemigrate.Manylikemewentabroadtostudy,butmosthaveneverreturned.Othershavecloseduptheirbusinessesandmoved.Intheirplacecamerefugees—wehaveseveralrefugeecampsinthearea.Bethlehemisnowabout60percentMuslimand40percentChristian,butthenumberofChristianscontinuestodrop.”

Twoblocksfartheronwestoppedinfrontofathree-story,whitestonebuilding.“Thisbuildingisavailableforrent.HereiswhereIwouldliketomoveBethlehemBibleCollege.”Heturnedandconfrontedmeashesaid,“ItismydreamtoseetheChurchgrow.Todothat,wemustbegintotrainleaders.Andtodothat,wemusthaveaBibleschool.Weneedpastors,youthworkers,andministryleaders.WeneedteacherswhoknowtheBiblewelltotrainthem,andweneedclassestaughtinArabicnotEnglish.ItismydreamtoseedozensofPalestiniansofeverydenominationcomingheretostudytheBible.”

“Thisisfantastic!”Isaid.“Haveyousharedyourdreamwithchurchleadershere?Whatdotheythink?”

“Ipresentedthisvisiontofourteenchurchleaders,pastors,andpriests,andtheyallencouragedmetomoveahead.”Thenhechuckled.“Oneofthem,aNazarenepastor,gavemetwentydollars.Thatwastheseedmoneyforthecollege!”

“You’regoingtoneedalotmorethantwentydollars!Tellme,whatwillitcosttomoveintothisbuilding?HowcanOpenDoorshelp?”

WereturnedtoHopeSchoolandtalkedlateintotheeveningoverachickendinnerthatBishara’swife,Salwa,fixedforus.Bisharapresentedtomehisbudgetformovingthefledglingcollegeandoperatingitforthenextyear.

Onthatdayaspecialfriendshipbegan.Duringmysubsequentvisits,BisharaopenedmyeyestoawholenewsideoftheconflictbetweenIsraelandthePalestinians.UntilthenIhadmostlyheardonlyonesideofthestory.IadmiredandsupportedIsraelbecauseIbelievedtheywereGod’schosenpeople,butIhadnotstoppedtoconsiderthatGod’schosenpeoplewerenotperfectandthatIcouldstilllovethemwhilecritiquingwhattheydid.

EvenBisharasaidtome,“IreallydonothateIsrael,butIdobelievetheyhavelosttheirsoul.Andwemusthelpthemfindit.”Bisharaseemedgenuinelysorrowful.

LaterImeditatedonhiswords.HadIsraelreallylostitssoul?Didhemeanthatpolitically?OrdidhemeanthatGodhadwithdrawnfromthecountry?Regardless,Bisharawasn’tcondemningbutofferinghealing.WhatwasparticularlytroublingwasthattherewerefarmoreChristiansamongthePalestiniansthanamongtheIsraelis.SotheburdentomakeadifferencewasgreateronthePalestinianside,andtheyneededmoreencouragementintheeffort.Butthiswasachallenge.Most,perhapsall,Arab/PalestinianChristianshadrootsinthelandthatwentbackcenturies.Many,likeBishara,hadlosttheirhomesinthewarof1948.Theywereangry,hurting,andstrugglingtounderstandthemeaningoftheirlives.TheyheardtheclaimthattheJewswereGod’schosenpeople,butPalestinianChristianshadahardtimelovingtheJewswhensomanyhadlosttheirhomestotheIsraelisandhadtheirorchardsrazedsoJewishsettlementscouldbebuiltontheirland.

BisharatookmeforawalknearHopeSchoolandpointedoutbuildingsgoingupontheoppositehill.“That’sGilo,”hesaid.“Israelhasannexedit.TheysayitispartofJerusalem.”ThenhepointedtothetownofBeitJala,spreadoutbelowus.“ButthesepeopleusedtoraiseolivesandgrazetheirsheepwhereGiloisnow.

Thelandwassimplytaken,withnoconsiderationthatmyneighborshadownedthatlandforcenturies.”

“Theydidn’tbuytheland?”“AsfarasIknowtherewasnopaymentwhatsoever,thoughtherearerumors

thatafewPalestiniansdidsell.Butifthat’strue,theywouldneveradmitit;theywouldbeconsideredtraitorsandwouldbekilled.”

Harderwijk,late1981

ForthefirsttimeIhadarealsenseofwhyPalestinianswereangryandhurt.DailytheyfelttheimpactofZionism,anditdeeplydisturbedtheChristiansintheWestBank.WhileIdidn’tminimizethisperspective,somethingevenbiggercapturedmyattention.AsItriedtounderstandwhyIwasdrawntoBishara’sdreamforacollege,IthoughtaboutthemosqueandchurchonoppositesidesofMangerSquare.TherewasagreaterissuethatmadethisacrucialprojectforOpenDoorstosupport.

Myleadershipteamwasn’tsoquicktoembracemyconclusions.Sittinginmyoffice,theychallengedmewiththepracticalrealitiesofourministry.“WehaveourhandsfullintheCommunistworld,”saidJohanCompanjen,thetall,blondDutchmanwhowasmypersonalassistant.Johanandhiswife,Anneke,hadbeenmissionariesinVietnambuthadtoescapewhenthecountryfellin1975.Sincethen,Johanhadaccompaniedmeonmanyofmytravelsandhadprovidedcriticalleadershiptoourwork.HehadjustreportedontheremainingcostsfromProjectPearl,ahugeundertakingthatearlierintheyeardeliveredonemillionBiblestoChinainasinglenight.

Anotherleader’sreporttoldabouthowanOpenDoorsteamhadtakenaprintingpressintoEasternEurope.“Wearenowstartingtoequipourbrethrensotheyhavetheabilitytoprinttheirownmaterials.”

Iwasthrilledwiththatnews.“Weshouldworkourselvesoutofajob!”Isaid.“Weshouldequipthemsotheycandotheirownworkwithoutbeingsodependentonus.”

“Iagree,”saidJohan.“Butifwe’regoingtomoveintoanewareaofwork,myquestionishowthiscollegeinBethlehemfitsintoourmission.WeexisttostrengthentheChurchinplaceswhereitispersecuted,butthatisn’tthecaseintheMiddleEast.SuretheChurchhasmanychallengesthere,butwhatisthesourceofthisurgency?”

IrealizedJohanwasfocusingontheChurchinthemidstofCommunism,but

Iwasconvincedtherewasamuchbiggerbattlelooming.“Communismisdying,”Istated.Severalofthemenintheroomseemedpuzzledbymyassertion.“Itistime.Communismisatoothlesstiger,anditwillsurelyfall.Itmustfall.”

“Howcanyousaythat?”protestedoneofthemen.“Youaretalkingaboutoneofthetwosuperpowers.”

“Because,atthecore,Communismisabankruptworldview.ItsaysthereisnoGodandthatyoucanchangepeoplebychangingtheirenvironment.AsChristians,weknowthatisnonsense.Whatisourworldview?”

Johananswered:“TheBiblesaysmanmustchange,andthenhecanchangehisenvironment.”

“Exactly!ThatiswhyCommunismcannotsucceed.Ithaslastedsixtyyears.Idon’tbelieveitwilllasttoonehundredyears.It’salreadycrumbling.”ForthefirsttimeIwasgoingtoexpressmyobservationstotheministryleadership.“Thereisanotherthreatthatweneedtotakeveryseriously.It’sexistedfarlongerthanCommunism,anditwillchallengetheChurch.SomeofyoumayrememberwhenItraveledtoCentralAsiaafewyearsago.YouknowwhatIsaw?EmptymosquesandemptyschoolsthatMuslimscallmadrasas.IslamhassufferedasmuchasChristianityundertheSoviets,butthestructureisthere.Islamcanliedormantfordecades,evenforcenturies,butitwillnotgoaway.It’sasleepinggiant,anditstartedtoawakentwoyearsagoinIranunderAyatollahKhomeini.IthinkthefundamentalistformofIslamthatKhomeinipreachesisgoingtogrowandbecomeverypowerfulinthenextfewyears.TheChurchneedstobepreparedforthischallenge.”

“HowwilltheIslamchallengebedifferentfromCommunism?”askedoneoftheleaders.

“Communismmadeastatement:‘ThereisnoGod!’Islamchallengesuswithaquestion:‘WhoisGod?’Theyhaveananswer,andtheybelieveitsopassionatelythattheyarewillingtotakeittotheworldandtodieforitifneedbe.”

Myteamwaslisteningintently.IleanedforwardtogivethreereasonswhyIbelievedIslamwasontherise.“First,theyhaveawell-developedeschatology.Theybelieveintheendtheywillconquerandruletheworld.Second,somethinghappenedin1973thatwemustnotforget.”

“Theoilembargo?”someoneasked.“Correct!ThatiswhenMuslimsbegantorealizetheyhadrealpower.They

believeAllahputallofthatoilundertheirdirtysandforareason—togivethemimmensewealththatcouldbeusedtospreadIslamaroundtheworld.”

“What’sthethirdreason?”askedJohan.“ThecollapseofmoralsintheWest.MuslimsseeitasafailureofChristianity.

“ThecollapseofmoralsintheWest.MuslimsseeitasafailureofChristianity.WhenCommunismalsocollapses,theywilldeclaretotheworld,‘Islamistheanswer!’Withthat,Ibelieve,theywillgofartherthantheChurchhasevergonewiththeGreatCommission.Wegoouttowinsoulshereandthere.Theywillconfrontthewholeworldwithatotalsystem,andtheywillpaywhateverpriceittakes,evenwiththeirlives.”

Myteamhadseenmepassionatebefore,andsometimestheychallengedmeaboutmypropheticviews.Nowoneofthemraisedhisvoice:“Youmayberight,butwhatdoesthishavetodowithIsrael?Isn’tthataconflictbetweenPalestiniansandJews?”

“That’sonlypartofthetrouble.Thereisanotherconflict.JerusalemisacriticalissueforMuslims.IslambelievesthatanylandthatitonceruledalwaysbelongstoIslamandthusmustberecaptured.That’swhytheywillnevergiveuptheirconvictionthatalloftheHolyLandmustbeunderIslam.ThatisthechallengefacingtheChurch.”

Theroomwasquietforamoment.Finally,Johansaid,“Sowhatshallwedo?”“Strengthenwhatremains,whichisatthepointofbeingoverpowered.The

ChurchisdyingintheHolyLand.Itisatthepointofbeingoverpoweredonseveralfronts.Zionism,yes,isafactor,butsoistheeconomicpressure,causedbytherefugeeproblemandimmigrationofJewsfromaroundtheworld.However,thebiggestfactorwillbetheriseofMuslimfundamentalism,whichIbelieveisgoingtoriseupandrebelagainstIsrael.ThatiswhywemustsupportBethlehemBibleCollege.Itwilltraintheleaderssodesperatelyneededforaspiritualresistancemovement.”

Wetalkedforafewminutesaboutpracticalmatters.Therewaslittlewecoulddofinanciallyrightthen.WewerestillpayingthebillsforProjectPearl,pluswehadmanyothercommitmentstofulfill.Butwecoulddonatesomebooksfortheirlibrary.WecouldencourageBisharaandpromotehiswork.Andintime—itwouldtakeafewyears—wecouldbegintoreallocatemoreofourresourcesfromtheCommunistworldtothisarena.

Asourmeetingwasabouttobreakup,Iconcludedwiththisstatement:“Islamiswheretheprimaryconflictwillbeforthenextonehundredyears.Andtheoutcomewilldecidewhatthisworldwilllooklikeforthenextonethousandyears.”

“UntiltheLordreturns!”saidoneofthemen.AlmostautomaticallyIstraightenedmyback.Howdeeplythisfatalisticstreak

haspermeatedthethinkingandtheologyofmanyChristians!Weforgetthatmostofthepropheciesrelatingtofutureeventsareconnectedtoconditions.

“Yes,sure,”Irepliedratherimpatiently.“UntiltheLordreturns.ButHesaidthatfirstthegospelmustbepreachedtoallnations,andthentheendwouldcome.GivingupwithoutafightreallymeansthatJesuswillnevercomeback.Therefore,let’sbefaithful.Wemustbeontiptoes,alertandactive!”

15WHATAREWESUPPOSEDTODO?

Gaza,1987

Theyoungman,barelyoutofhisteenageyears,wasagitated.“Wemustforgiveouroppressors.That’sthemessageofChristianity.”

“Whereareyougettingthesecrazyideas?”askedhisequallyagitatedfather.“FromtheBible...”“YoumeanfromthatBaptistchurchyougoto.Whatiswrongwithour

church?YougoaroundactinglikesomekindofsuperChristian.”HannaMassadandhisfatherhadfoughtoverHanna’schurchforseveral

years.ForgenerationstheMassadfamilyhadbelongedtotheGreekOrthodoxchurch,butHannahadstruggledwiththetraditionalfaithofhisparents.Asateenager,hehadstartedattendingGazaBaptistChurch,theonlyevangelicalchurchinGaza.HisfatherputupwiththerebellionuntilHannaannouncedthathewasbeingbaptized.Thatwasconsideredanactofbetrayalandahumiliation.ItwashardenoughtoliveasatinyminorityamongamillionMuslims,butthenyourownsonrejectsyourfaith.

“I’mnotrejectingthefaith!”Hannaprotested.“I’msimplyrespondingtotheteachingsoftheBible.Yourchurchonlypracticesaritual,butitdoesn’tpreachthegospel.Ileftthechurchbecausetherewasemptinessinmylife.IwanttherealityofChrist,andIfounditintheBaptistchurch.”Hannaknewhewasprovokinghisfather,buthecouldn’tstopnow.“IthinkweneedtotakethewordsofJesusseriously,toloveourenemies,toturntheothercheek,toblessthosewhopersecuteus.”

Theoldermanseethedashelistenedtohisson.“Haveyougonemad?Haveyouforgottenwherewecomefrom?Yourmotherwasdrivenfromherhomein

youforgottenwherewecomefrom?YourmotherwasdrivenfromherhomeinJaffain1948.HerfamilycameheretoGazawithnothingbuttheclothestheywerewearing.Theylosteverything.”

Hannahadheardallthisbefore.Butthistime,hisfatherwantedtodrivethepointhome.“Comewithme!”Thesonfollowedashisfatherledhimtoasecrethidingplace.Themanpulledoutabox,unlockedit,andpulledoutasheafofpapersandsomekeys.“Lookatthis!”hedemanded.“Thisisadeedforonehundreddunamsofland.[1]Itbelongstomeandyouruncleandaunt.AndthesearekeystothehomethattheIsraelistookfromus.ThoseJewsthatyouwanttoforgivestoleourproperty.Theystoleyourinheritance!”

ViolenceeruptedinearlyDecember1987.OnDecember6anIsraeliwasstabbedtodeathinGaza.ThenextdayfourPalestiniansfromtheJabalyarefugeecampwerekilledinatrafficaccident,andrumorsquicklyspreadthatitreallywasn’tanaccident,thatthefourwereactuallykilledbyIsraelisasrevengeforthestabbingdeath.ThatprovidedthesparkformassprotestsandriotingbyPalestiniansinJerusalem,Gaza,andtheWestBank.Therebellionorintifadawasofficiallyunderway.[2]

ThisconflictwasofaverydifferentnaturefromwhatI’dobservedbefore—notafewroguesworkingalonebutasustaineduprisingthatwouldnotdie.Thousandsofboys,manynotyetintheirteens,tooktothestreetsdayafterdayandthrewstonesattheIsraelisoldiers.Atfirsttheprofessionalsoldiersdidn’tknowhowtorespond,andthePalestiniansbelievedtheyhadgainedtheupperhandwithmediapicturesthatshowednumerouslittleDavidsfightingtheheavilyarmedGoliathoftheIsraeliDefenseForce(IDF).Buttheangerwasexpressedinotherwaysaswell.Thereweregeneralstrikes.Businesseswereshutdown.WorkersrefusedtogotoworkatIsraelibusinesses.PalestiniansrefusedtopurchaseIsraeliproducts.AndinBeitSahour,theresidentsrefusedtopaytaxestoIsrael.

Theexplosionhadbeenbuildingforyears.WhileeconomicconditionshadimprovedinWestBankandinGazaunderIsraelicontrol,theystillremainedfarbelowthoseinIsraelproper.TheGazaStripwasoneofthemostdenselypopulatedpiecesoflandintheworld.By1987,twothousandfivehundredsettlersoccupied28percentoftheseven-by-thirty-milestrip,whilenearlyonemillionpeoplewerecrammedintheremaining72percent,inrefugeecampsandcitiesalongtheMediterraneanSea.[3]IntheWestBank,itwasreportedthat

JewishsettlerswereallowedtousetwelvetimesmorewaterthanwerethePalestinians.[4]

Buttheprimaryforcebehindtheintifada,accordingtomyPalestinianfriends,wasapervasivefeelingofhumiliation.YearafteryearresidentsofWestBankandGazahadlivedunderrestriction,experiencingcurfewsforsometimesdaysatatime,sealing(andsometimesdestruction)ofhomesofsuspectedresisters,midnightsearchesthatransackedhomes,detentionofthousandsofyoungmenwithoutcharge,nottomentiontheendlessidentitychecks,bodysearches,andrestrictionofmovementwithinWestBankandGazaandbetweentheterritoriesandIsrael.ThePalestiniansgenerallyfelttheyhadnorightswhatsoever,andafteryearsofhumiliation,therewasadeepthirstamongmanyforchangeorforescape.

Israel,ofcourse,hadstrongcounterargumentsfortheirmethods,usuallyrelatedtotheirneedforsecurityandtheirrighttoexist.Thesealinganddestructionofhomeswasintendedtodeterresisterswhomightreconsidertheiractionsiftheyknewtheywouldhurttheirfamilies.Potentialterroristshadtobecaught,andaPalestinianinjailwassomeonewhocouldn’thurtIsrael.Iunderstoodthesemotivations,butattimesIwonderedifIsrael’smethodsmadethemlesssecureasapeople.TheWestBankandGazaseemedlikeabreedinggroundforresistance.

InthemidstoftheuprisingwerePalestinianChristians.Howweretheyresponding?

BeitSahour,1988

OnthedinnertableNawalQumsiehlaidouthummus,twosalads,amaindishofchickenandrice,andfreshbreadforherfamily.AfterherhusbandhadaskedtheLord’sblessingontheirmealandeveryonestartedtoeat,sheinquiredaboutherchildren’sday.Thetwohighschoolstudentswerequiet,andhermother’sinstinctstoldhersomethingwasverywrong.“Tellme.Whatishappening?”

Theolderboyfinallyadmitted,“Ourfriendswantustothrowstonesatthesoldiers.”

Theyoungerbrotherthenjumpedin.“Theysaidwe’recowards...”“Traitors,”addedtheolderbrother.“Whatarewesupposedtodo?Wedon’tthinkweshouldgoandthrowstones.

Buttheypushusandbeatusupifwedon’tgo.”Nawalsaid,“Wecanmakeourviewsknownpeacefully.ThatistheChristian

way.”Shesaiditwithconviction.

way.”Shesaiditwithconviction.“Weknow,Mom,”saidtheyoungerson.“Butmanyoftheboysdon’tagree.

Whatarewesupposedtodo?”Theoldersonwasscheduledtocompletehissecondaryeducationthatspring.

“I’vedecidedIhavetoleave,”heannounced.“IwillgotouniversityintheUnitedStatesorCanada.AndIdon’texpecttoreturn.Thisisnoplacetolive.Therearenogoodjobs.Iwanttogetmarriedandraiseafamily,butwhatfutureistherehereformychildren?”

Nawalsighed.Sheknewwhathersonsaidwastrue.Afterdinnersheslippedoutsidetoaquietspotwheresheoftensatandprayed.Shecouldn’thelpbutreflectwithsadnessonthesituation.Herfamilyhadlivedintheareaforatleastfourhundredyears.They’dlivedincavesatfirstwhilecaringfortheirsheep.Eventuallythey’dbuilthomesandplantedorchards.Theirpresenthousehadbeeninthefamilyformorethanonehundredyears.

ManyofthemorethanonethousandmembersoftheextendedQumsiehfamilyhadscattered.Theexodushadstartedwiththewarof1948.Morehadleftasaresultofthewarsof1956and1967,whenIsraelconqueredtheWestBankregion.[5]SomehadsettledintheUnitedStates,othersinCanada.Itwasthoserelativeswhogavehersonsoptions.Theboysdidn’thavetostayinBeitSahour,andwhatcouldshepossiblydotoconvincethemotherwise?InNorthAmericatheywouldobtainanexcellenteducation.Therethefuturewasbright.HereintheWestBank,nooneknewhowlongtheintifadawouldrage.Thoseboysthrowingrockswerebeingmaimedandkilleddaily.Whatwastheirfuture?

Soshouldsheandherhusbandemigrateaswell?Withinlessthantwoyears,thelastoftheirfivechildrenwouldleave;whynotgowiththem?Whatwasholdingthemtothisland?IftheIsraelisreallywantedthemtoleave,whynotaccommodatethem?

ThenNawalthoughtaboutthewomenallaroundherwhowereindespair—MuslimsandChristians,itdidn’tmatter.Thedepressionpermeatedtheirlivesastheyshoppedforfreshproduceatthemarket,astheyhungthelaundryontheirbalconies,and,fortheChristians,astheyworshipedtogetheratthelocalGreekOrthodoxchurch.Nawalunderstoodthatdeepdepression,forshehadlivedwithitherselfforyears—attimesitwassodeepshe’dseriouslycontemplatedsuicide.Thatis,until1982andthatmarvelouseveningwhenstudentsfromBethlehemBibleCollege,withoneoftheteachers,hadvisitedherhome.NawalandherhusbandhadlistenedtothetestimoniesabouthowJesuslivedintheirlives.Shehadlaughedattheyoungpeopleandkiddedthemfortheirnaiveenthusiasm,saying,“Idonotbelieveanythingyousay.”Whentheyaskedwhy,sheexplained,“Ihavebeensickwithbackproblemsfortwelveyears.Icannotsleepbecauseof

“Ihavebeensickwithbackproblemsfortwelveyears.Icannotsleepbecauseofthepain.DoctorshavetoldmeIwillbeinawheelchairfortherestofmylife.IgiveupandIdon’twanttolive.”

Thestudentsandteacheraskediftheycouldprayforher.Theyprayed,andnothinghappened.However,thenextmorning,aftertwelvehoursofwonderfulsleep,shehadrisenwithoutpain.ShehadcalledtheBibleCollegetoreport,“TheLordhealedme!”

Thatexperiencehadchangedeverything.Herfaithceasedbeingsimplyaculturalexpression,somethingthattheQumsiehfamilyhadalwayspracticed.Nowwhensheattendedtheliturgy,thewordswerealive.TheywerecelebratingtherisenLordwhowasresidinginherheartandintheheartsofherhusbandandchildren.ItwasJesuswhohadhealedherbodyandherdepression—somethingneitherdoctornormedicinecoulddo.WhensheopenedtheBible,sherealizedthatitswordsdrilleddeepintohersoul.Shehungeredtounderstandit,toliveitout.Withpermissionfromherhusband,shehadenrolledatBethlehemBibleCollege.She’dstudiedvoraciously,earnedA’sineverysinglecourseandgraduatedatthetopofherclass.

Nawalthoughtagainabouttheconversationthateveningatthedinnertable.Soon,hernestwouldbeempty.Whatwouldshedothen?ShouldshefollowherchildrentofreedomintheWest?

Shethoughtagainofherneighbors,bothMuslimandChristian.Sheunderstoodtheiranxietyandhopelessness.Theyfeltutterlyalone,unabletobaretheirheartstoanyone.Whatifsomeoneweretogivethemanopportunitytospeak?Manyhusbandswouldneverpermittheirwivestoopenup,butwhataboutthosewhodid?Forevenafew,maybeshecouldmakeadifference.

Instantlyherthoughtsbecameaprayer:“OLord,isthereanyhopeforthepeoplehere?”ShethoughtofthemissionsintheBethlehemarea.Manywereleavingbecauseoftheintifada.Wouldtheyeverreturn?“Lord,ifthereisanyhopeforthesewomenwhoaremyneighbors,Iwanttobepartofthat.IwantthemtoexperienceYouthewayIhave.”

AtthatmomentsheknewshewouldnotbeleavingtheWestBankwithherchildren.TheLordhadworkforhertodo.

Jerusalem,1988

TheintifadawasinfullswingasIarrivedtospeakataChristianmedicalconference.BisharapickedmeupduringabreakintheprogramanddrovemeuptheMountofOlivestoAl-MaqassedHospital.Ihadrequestedearlierthatthe

delegates,consistingofmanydoctors,beallowedtovisitthishospital,buttheMinistryofTourism,whichhadhelpedorganizetheconference,haddeniedeveryrequest.SoIdecidedsomeofuswouldsimplygoonourown,withoutpermission.Aswewoundourwayupthehill,Icouldn’thelpbutrecallsomeofmyearlytripstoIsraelwhenI’dstayedasaguestatahomenearherethathadaspectacularviewofJerusalem.ThewomanwasadevotedChristianwhohadboughtthehomesoshecouldhaveafront-rowviewofthereturnofChrist.She’dpassedawayseveralyearsago—withoutwitnessingtheendoftheage.

ThehospitalwewerevisitingwasaprivateinstitutionrunbyMuslims,thoughBisharaexplainedthatitwasopentoMuslimsandChristians.Manyofthethousandsofkidsinjuredintheintifadawerebroughthere.Everyroomwasfilled,andthereweresomepatientslyingongurneysinthehalls.Nearlyeverybedhadfamilymembersaroundit.OnseveraloccasionsIsawmotherscryingovertheirchildren.

Newsaccountsoftenreportedthatthesoldiersusedonlyrubberbullets,andtheyweresupposedtoaimbelowtheknee.However,manyoftheinjurieswerehorrifying.Istoodbyonebedwhereaboyparalyzedfromabulletthathadlodgedinhisneckwaslying.HismotherspokeArabic,andBisharatranslated.

“Theycannotremovethebullet,”shesaidquietly.“Thedoctorssayhewillneverwalkagain.”

“Howoldishe?”Iasked.“Elevenyearsold,”shesaid,startingtoweep.Icouldn’thelpbutthink,WhereisGodinthis?Thewomanworeatraditional

scarfthatindicatedshewasMuslim.Iwantedtorespectherfaith,butmyheartwentouttoher.“MayIprayfortheboy?”Iasked.Shenoddedherhead.Ilaidmyhandontheboy’sshoulderandaskedJesus,whomMuslimsrecognizeastheHealer,tohealthisboyofhisinjuriesandhisfamilyoftheiremotionalpain.

InanotherroomIfoundanolderwoman,wearingasimplecrossnecklace,sittingwithateenageboy,whoselegwasinaheavycastandraisedintraction.ShespokeEnglish,soIsaidtoher:“Iseeyouarewearingacross.AreyouaChristian?”

“Yes,”sheanswered.“Catholic.”“Andthisisyourson?”“Mygrandson.”“MayIaskwhathappened?”“Hehastwobulletsinhisleg.Oneshatteredhiship.Thedoctorsdonotthink

hewilleverwalkagain.”“I’msosorry...”

“I’msosorry...”“Itoldhimnottogo.Hisparentstoldhimnottogo.Butthereissomuch

pressure.TheboysfeeltheymustgoandprovetheyaregoodPalestinians.Heisluckyhewasn’tkilled.”

“Wheredoyoulive?”Iasked.“InEastJerusalem.”“AreyouabletokeepyourfaithinGodinthemidstofthesehardtimes?”Thewomanlookedintomyeyes,perhapswonderinghowhonestshecouldbe

withthisstranger.“Christianityisadailycommitment,”sheansweredwithasteadyvoice.“Butitisadailystruggletoforgivemyenemies.HowcanIforgivethosewhowanttokillmeandmybrothersandsistersandwhowoulddenymemyhomeland?ButImustforgive.EverytimeIpraytheOurFather,Istrugglewiththewords‘Forgiveourtrespassesasweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.’Iwanttosay,‘God,Iforgivemyenemies.’Ipicturethem;Iseewhattheyaredoingeveryday.Iseethedeadbodies,thesuffering,theblood.Itrytoforgive,butIcannot.SoIpray,‘God,Youmusthelpmeforgive,becauseIcannot!’”

Iwasdeeplymovedbythiswoman’shonesty.AsBisharaandIwalkedtohiscar,Isaidtohim,“IthinkGodismoreimpressedwiththatwoman’sprayersthanHeiswithallthesilly,foolishonesthatattempttocleantheslatewithoneeasyswipe:‘Godblessallourfamilyandfriends.Amen.’ThatwomanisstrugglingwithissuesthemagnitudeofwhichmostofusintheWesthaveneverimagined.”

Bisharaagreed:“She’sseriousaboutforgiveness.Iunderstandherstruggle.I’vegonethroughitandcontinuetodoso.”

Myfriendhadtoldmeabouthisprayeryearsago,thatGodwouldremovehishatredforJews.HeinsistedthatGodhadansweredthatprayer;hefeltnopersonalanimositytowardJews.ButtheconflictbetweenPalestiniansandIsraelwascausinghimseriousproblems.Atthebeginningoftheyear,BethlehemBibleCollegewasorderedtoclose—IsraelhadshutdownmostoftheeducationalinstitutionsintheWestBankandGaza,decidingthattheywereamajorsourceoftherebellion.However,withtheschoolsclosed,theboyshadnothingtodobutthrowmorestones.

Beforetheintifadahaderupted,IhadarrangedfortheBethlehemBibleCollegechoirtosingattheconferencewhereIwasspeaking.“I’msorrythechoircan’tsingforus,”Isaid,aswearrivedbackatthehotel.

“Don’tgiveupyet!”Bisharasaidwithagrin.“Ihavecontactedallofthestudentsinthechoir.Wearegoingtotrytosneakthemintothehoteltomorrow!”

“Howlongwilltheschoolbeclosed?”Iaskedbeforegettingoutofthecar.“Thenewsisnotgood,”headmitted.“Aslongastheintifadacontinues,I

don’tthinkwewillbeallowedtoreopen.We’vetriedholdingclassesinhomes,butthat’snotworkingverywell.I’vecanceledgraduationceremoniesforthisyearbecausethestudentscan’tfinishtheircourses.Honestly,ifthislaststoolong,Idon’tknowifthecollegecanevensurvive.”

“Youmustnotgiveup!”Isaidtomyfriend.“Iwillhelpyou.OpenDoorswillhelpyou.Yourmissionistooimportant.Youaretrainingthefuturechurchleaders,andIrefusetobelievethatitisGod’swillforthatefforttofail.”

“Thenwemustkeeppraying,”hesaidwithresignation.“ThatiswhywemustkeepBethlehemBibleCollegegoing!Studentsneedto

learntheScripturesandhowtoapplythem.ThiswillshowChristiansandtheentirePalestiniancommunitythatthereisanotherway.Abetterway!”

Thenextnight,wewereamazedwhenBisharashowedupwiththechoirfromBethlehemBibleCollege,aswellassouvenirsofolivewoodforsale.HotelmanagementwasupsetbecauseBethlehemBibleCollege’ssouvenirswerehalfthecostofthesameitemsinthehotelgiftshop.Theyoungpeoplepresentedamovingprogramofmusicandtestimony.

Therewasanotherhighlighttotheevening.Sharaf,theHopeSchoolstudentIhadsupportedforseveralyears,showeduptoseeme.Duringourconversation,talknaturallydriftedtotheintifada.ItoldhimabouttheboysIhadseenatthehospital.Suddenlyhetoldme,“BrotherAndrew,IhaveneverthrownstonesatIsraelisoldierswhileatHopeSchool.”

“Andyouknowwhy?”Iresponded.“Becausesomeoneprayedforyou!”WhatwastherightChristianresponsetotheconflict?WhatIsawinSharaf

wasalittlesolution.Hewasn’taChristian,buthehadlearnedofGod’swaysintheBiblewhileinHopeSchool.Weneededthousandsandthousandsoflittlesolutions.Ratherthancursethedarknessintheland,weneededtolightmanymorecandles.

Gaza,1988

HannaMassadseemedtooyoungtobepastoroftheGazaBaptistChurch.InfacthewasthefirstindigenouspastorofthecongregationthatSouthernBaptistmissionarieshadfounded,alongwithahospital,in1954.UntilnowmostofthepastorshadbeenfromEgyptorLebanon.Hannawaslearningonthejob,attendingBethlehemBibleCollegeduringtheweek,thendashingdowntoGazatopreachtheSundayservices.

topreachtheSundayservices.Whiletheintifadawasraging,Gazawasn’texactlythesafestplacetogo.Still,I

feltadesiretovisitthiscongregation,theonlyevangelicalchurchonthecrowdedstrip.IwantedtosupportHannaandstandwiththecongregationthatbravelygatheredinthecenterofGazaCity.

ForyearsthechurchhadmetinSt.Philip’sChurchonthegroundsoftheChristianhospital,thecontrolofwhichtheBaptistshadtransferredtotheAnglicanChurchin1982.NowtheyhadmovedintoanewrentedfacilityindowntownGazaCity.AsHannawelcomedmefortheSundaymorningservice,heexplained,“Aftertheuprisingstarted,therewereambulancescomingallthetimetotheemergencyroomofthehospital.Thenoisedisturbedthemeetings,andwefinallyfeltitwastimetomove.”ThehomewherethechurchnowmetwasownedbyaladyIknew.“Shedoesn’twanttosellit,butwecanuseitforaslongaswewant.Someday,wewillbuyourownproperty.”

HannatranslatedformeasIpreachedtoacongregationofaboutseventy-fivepeople.Afterward,wetalkedmoreoverameal.Laterthatafternoon,hewoulddrivebackuptoBethlehemtoresumehisstudies.“I’mlimitedinwhatIcandorightnow,”hesaid.“Butthereisagreatdealofpotentialforthischurch.Iwanttostartachildren’sministryandministertoteens,andthewomenshouldbemoreactive.Mostimportant,Iwanttoholdsomeevangelisticmeetings.”

Iaffirmedhisvision.“Intime,youwillhaveachancetodoallofthosethings.Butyouaren’treadyyet.Rightnow,youneedtobetrained.”

Hannalaughed.“Rightnow,assoonasIlearnsomethingatschool,IhaveanimmediateopportunitytoapplyithereinGaza!”

16BRINGINGTHETWOSIDESTOGETHER

Bethlehem,1988

SalimMunayerexudedenergyevenashewaitedtotalkwithmeafterameetingatBethlehemBibleCollege.Astheacademicdeanofthecollege,Salimmanagedthecourseprogramandalsotaughtseveralclasses.Bisharareliedheavilyonhim.IwonderedwhatthesecretofhisenthusiasmwasandthoughtthatperhapsitcamefromhisgrowingupinamixedArab-Jewishcommunitywherekidsfoughtdailyonthestreetsjustfortherighttoplay.IknewhewasfluentinHebrew,Arabic,andEnglish.ThoughaPalestinian,hehadhelpedtostarttwoMessianiccongregations,andhetaughtbothPalestinianandIsraeliuniversitystudents.HehadanamazingabilitytomoveamongMuslimsandJewsaswellasChristians.

AsIturnedtogivehimmyfullattention,Salimsaid,“BrotherAndrew,IwouldliketoproposeaprojecttoOpenDoors.”Ifollowedhimtohisofficeintheadministrationbuilding.Assoonaswewereseated,heplungedahead:“Iwanttosharewithyouadream.Asyouknow,IhaveministeredamongbothJewishandPalestinianbelievers.AtBethlehemBibleCollegeIspendalotoftimeexplainingtoBisharaandotherswhatIsraelisthink.AndwhenIteachinJaffa,IspendalotoftimeexplainingtoJewishbelieverswhatPalestiniansthink.I’verealizedthatratherthantryingtoexplainonegrouptotheother,itwouldbebetterifIcouldbringthetwogroupstogether.”

“YoumeanChristiansfrombothsides?”“Initially,yes.Ithinkit’stimethatbelieversonbothsidesstarttalkingtoeach

other.Youknow,IhavestudentsaskingmequestionsaboutwhatJesuswoulddointhemidstofthisintifada.Theywanttoknowhowtheyshouldactatcheckpoints.MessianicJewswanttoknowiftheyshouldserveinthearmy.

checkpoints.MessianicJewswanttoknowiftheyshouldserveinthearmy.Palestinianswanttoknowiftheyshoulddosomethingaboutthesettlementnextdoor.StudentsatBethlehemBibleCollegearesayingthattheyknowJesus’teachingsprohibitthemfrombeinginvolvedintheviolence,butiftheyarenotinvolvedinsomemanner,theyfeeltheyarebetrayingtheirpeople.TheystrugglewiththeBible,whichtalksoftheirspiritualheritagecomingfromtheJewishpeople.OurMessiahwasaJew,butrightnowweareatwarwiththeJewishpeople.Thesearedifficultemotionalandtheologicalissues.”

“Doyouthinkthereisananswer?”“Ibelievethattheremustbeaprocessofreconciliationofbothsides.”“Iagree.Buthowdoesthathappen?”“Itstartsbybuildingarelationship.ManyofthepeopleIworkwithhave

neverspenttimewithasinglepersonontheotherside.Iwouldliketotrytakinggroupsofpeoplefrombothsidesoutintothedesertforthreedays.Ibelievethatwhentheyareawayfromtheirnormalsurroundings,inasituationwheretheymustworktogether,wecanbegintobreakdownthebarriersandbuildatrustrelationship.”

“Hasn’tsomethinglikethisbeenattemptedbefore?Whatmakesyourprojectdifferent?”

“Inthepast,therehavebeenmeetingsbetweenIsraeliandPalestinianbelievers,buttheycenteredontalkingaboutpoliticalissues.Thesemeetingsturnedouttobenegative.Thereisaneedtodeveloprelationshipsbeforewetrytotalkabouttheseissues.Butinordertohaverelationships,weneedtodealwithourprejudicesandthedehumanizationofeachside.Ibelievethatadesertsettingisthebestplacetobreakdownprejudicesandbuildrelationshipssowecanthendealwiththeissues.”

IreachedoverandgrabbedSalim’sarm.“Youarepassionate.Ilikethat!Butreally,doyouthinkthiswillwork?”

Salimhandedmeseveralpapers,outliningaplanwithfirst-yearcosts.AsIglancedoverit,hesaid,“TherealityofoursituationisthatIsraelisandPalestiniansarelivingasifinonehouse.Asweliveinsuchclosequarters,interminglingisunavoidableandevennecessary.Thereisnochoicebuttolivesidebyside;thereforereconciliationandbuildingrelationshipsareessential.”

Ilookedupand,reflectingonhisproposal,said,“YouintendtobuildamodelamongChristiansfrombothsides?”

“Andrew,believerscanplayanimportantpartinresolvingthisconflict,becauseasaresultofourmutualfaithintheMessiah,weareonebody.Wehavebeengiventhetoolsrequiredforatransformationofhearts.Wecananswer

beengiventhetoolsrequiredforatransformationofhearts.Wecananswerhatredandbitternesswiththemessageofforgivenessandlove.Perhapswecanbeexamplesandmodels,showingthatitispossibletolivesidebyside,freefromthebondageofhatred.”

“I’mconvincedthatwemusttry,”Isaid.“Iwilltakethisproposalbacktomyteamandseewhatwecando.”

ItooktheproposalbacktotheOpenDoors’leadershipteam,whoagreedtotakeresponsibilityforaportionofSalim’sbudget.“Let’sseehowitgoesandmaybewecandomore,”saidJohan.

SalimcalledtheprojectMusalaha,theArabicwordmeaning“forgivenessandreconciliation.”Irealizedthiswasjustasmallpartofourworldwidework,butithadhugesignificance.ThiswasauniqueprojectconceivedbythelocalChristiancommunitythatwasattemptingtodealwiththerootcausesoftheconflictintheMiddleEast.Iwaseagertoseehowitwouldwork.

TheNegev,spring1992

Yitzhakcouldn’thelpit.[1]HehadbeentaughttohateArabs.Tohim,theonlygoodArabwasadeadArab.Andyet,herehewassittingonrugsinsideaBedouintentwithfellowJewsandArabs,allbecauseofhiswife’sgentleinsistencethatasaMessianicbelieverinYeshua,heneededtomeetbelieversfromtheotherside.

“Thisisridiculous!”hehadexplodedwhenshehadfirstproposedthattheyparticipateinthisdesertencounter.“Arabsarenotpeopleyoucantrust.”

Inanothersmallgroupontheoppositesideofthetent,Wa’elquestionedwhyheneededtoparticipateinthismeetingwithMessianicJews.“IftheyarebelieversinChrist,”thePalestinianconvertfromIslamhadtoldhisfriend,SalimMunayer,“thenwedon’tneedreconciliation.Wearealreadyreconciled.”Butheknewthatthistheologicaltruthdidn’tcorrelatewiththerealitiesofdailylifeontheWestBank.ItbotheredhimthatJews,believersorotherwise,insistedonlayinghistoricclaimtothelandwherehelived,devouringtherightsofPalestinianswhohadlivedinthislandforhundredsofyears.HewasalsoputoffbythelabelofMessianicJudaism.“They’reChristianJews,aren’tthey?”he’dinsisted.“ShouldweasChristianbelieversofMuslimbackgroundstartaMessianicMuslimmovement?”Still,he’dalwaysinsistedonbeingopen-minded.HewaswillingtotalkwithIslamistswhochallengedhisconversiontoChristaswellashumanistJewsworkingforpeace.Sohe’dfinallyacceptedSalim’soffertomeetandtalkwiththeseMessianicJews.

Thewarygroupofthirtyparticipants—anequalnumberofPalestiniansand

Thewarygroupofthirtyparticipants—anequalnumberofPalestiniansandJews—satincirclesaroundcommonbowlsofchickenandricethatwasscoopedoutwithpitabread.AsitwasPassoverweek,someoftheMessianicbelieverswereusingunleavenedmatzoinsteadofpita.Inonecircle,Wa’elsatnexttoaPalestinianwoman,whowaswatchingEvanThomas,co-pastorofaMessianicchurchinNetanyaandaboardmemberofMusalaha.TheyoungwomanstaredatthematzoinEvan’shandandasked,“Whyareyoustillboundbythelaw?”

Thequestionwasaskedwithgenuineconcern,andEvanansweredthesameway,quietlystating,“OnewayIhavechosentoexpressmyfaithinYeshuaisbycelebratingtheJewishfeasts.ThePassovercelebrationpointstothefinalsacrificeofYeshua,madeonceandforallfortheworld.”

Thewoman,whoworshipedinanOrthodoxchurch,seemedunconvinced.Wa’el,overhearingtheexchange,wonderedhowsuchawidegulf—oflanguage,culture,andreligiouspractice—couldpossiblybebridgedinthreedays.

EarlythenextmorningthegroupsetofftoexploretheancientSpiceRoutethatranfromsouthArabiatotheMediterraneanshore.Eachcamelwasloadedwithmorethanonehundredpoundsoffood,water,andequipmentandeitheraPalestinianorIsraelirider.Apartnerfromtheothersideledtheanimal.Yitzhaktookthefirstturnridingwhilehispartner,Wa’el,walked.Asthesunrose,thecaravanheadedsouthtowardtheTimnaValley,athree-day,three-nightjourneytothesiteofthecopperminesofKingSolomon.

Throughouttheday,Wa’elandYitzhaktradedplacesseveraltimes.Theydidn’ttalkmuch,buttheyworkedwelltogether,especiallycoaxingtheirstubborncameloverasteeprockyslopetothefirstcampsite.Exhaustedfromtheday,everyonequicklyfellasleepunderthestars.Theywereawakenedbeforesunrisebythunderandlightningthatlituptheskies.Everyonewasdrenchedintheensuingrainstorm.Thentheskiesclearedandtheheatreturnedasthegroupcontinuedtheirjourney,awareofanotherphenomenon—theyall,alongwiththecamels,sharedthesamesmell.

ThatdayWa’elandYitzhak,whofoundtheirdefensescomingdown,begantotalk.Yitzhaklistened,rockingbackandforthonthecamelasWa’elwalkedbesidetheanimalandtalkedabouthischildhood,livinginaWestBankrefugeecamp.Whenhewasaboy,hishomewasseverelydamagedwhenthehomenextdoorwasblownupaspunishmentforafamilymember’sparticipationinanattackagainstIsraelisettlers.“Wehadnowheretogo,”Wa’elsaid.“Aneighborfamilytookusinuntilwecouldrepairourhome.

“TwoyearslatermymothergotverysickandthoughmybrothersandsistersandIprayedforherrecovery,shedied.Iwasconvincedthatmymotherwasthebestpersononearth,sowhydidn’tGodsaveher?Itwasaverybig

bestpersononearth,sowhydidn’tGodsaveher?Itwasaverybigdisappointmentforme.”

“YouwereaMuslimfamily?”Yitzhakasked.“WewereMuslimsbutnotdevout.WhenIwasateenager,myunclesstarted

takingmetothemosqueforprayers.ButIdidn’tseewhyIshouldworshipGodsinceHedidnotgiveusanyhelpwithourproblems.Istartedreadingphilosophy—Greekclassics,Lenin,Marx.IspentlonghoursindiscussionswithIslamists.IcouldnotjointhosewhosaidtherewasnoGod.SoIbelievedthereisaGod,butIwasnotsurethatitwastheGoddescribedintheQuran.”

Wa’elwalkedsilentlyforafewminutes,untilYitzhakasked,“SowhatturnedyoutoJesus?”

TheyoungPalestinianmanchuckledasherecalled,“AsateenagerIstartedreadingtheencyclopedia.Itgavememuchfactualinformationonmanythings,includingChristianity.Thenforalmosttwoyears,IreceivedaBiblestudybymail.EventuallyIconcludedthatJesusChrististhewaytoGod.ThatwaslikealightthrownbyGodintomyheart.SoIbelievedinChristandIwantedtogrowinHimandknowmoreofHim.”

AstunningrealizationcameoverYitzhakashisnewfriendtalked.HehadmoreincommonculturallyandspirituallywiththisPalestinianthanhedidwithmanyJewishbelieverswhohadimmigratedtoIsraelfromplaceslikeAmerica,Russia,andEurope.HewasamazedattheparallelsbetweenhisowntestimonyandWa’el’s.“IwasborninatraditionalJewishfamily,”hesaid.“Myparentsmovedherein1948fromNorthAfrica.BythetimeIhadfinishedmythree-yearstintintheIsraeliarmy,Iconsideredmyselfanagnostic.ThenItraveledthroughoutEuropeforafewmonths.AfriendgavemeaBiblebeforeIleft,andIcouldn’tstopreadingit.ShortlybeforeIreturnedtoIsrael,Ibecameabeliever.”

“Whatdidyourfamilythinkaboutallthis?”Wa’elasked,awarethat,likeMuslimfamilies,JewishfamiliescouldbedividedwhenonememberprofessedfaithinJesusChrist.

“Mymotherbecameabeliever.Butmyfatherwasextremelyagainstitinthebeginning.ByGod’sgrace,hehasbecomemoreopenbecausehesawwhathappenedtomymotherandme,andhecouldn’thelpadmittingthatitwasgood.Heisnotabelieveryet,buthenowacceptsusandoccasionallyevencomestomeetings.”

WhatYitzhakcouldn’ttellWa’el—itwasmuchtoosoonintheirrelationship—wasthatonhisreturntohishomeinTelAviv,he’dbecomedeeplyinvolvedinaMessianiccongregationthatcelebratedtheirbeliefinJesusasMessiahinthe

contextofJudaism,thenationofIsrael,andZionism.Likehisfellowbelievers,YitzhakhadtotallyignoredArabs,untiloneyearagowhenhe’dmarriedanotherMessianicbeliever.SheworkedwithArabsinahospitalandshockedhimbysaying,“Ikindoflikethem!”

Ontheirfinaleveningtogether,EvanThomasaskedtwomentobuildastonetable,whichhethencoveredwithacleankaffiyeh.[2]AsoneofthefoundingboardmembersofMusalaha,ThomashadsharedSalim’svisionforwhatwasnowhappeninginthedesert.Heandhiswife,Maala,hadimmigratedtoIsraelfromNewZealandin1983.TheyteamedupwithDavidandLisaLodentogiveleadershiptoaMessianiccongregation,BeitAsaf,inNetanya.ThomashadfirstseenthepossibilitiesforMusalahaduringanevangelisticoutreachinHaifawhereagroupofMessianicbelieverswerejoinedbyfifteenPalestinianChristians.Thomassmiledasherecalledthatthree-dayevent.TherewereeightIsraeliswhoprayedtoreceiveJesusastheirMessiah,andsevenofthemwereledtotheLordbythePalestinianChristians.ThathadpromptedhimtovisitArabcongregationsinGalilee,andhefoundhimselffeelingempathyforthosecommunities.Ithadbeenonlylogicalforhimtoexpandintoanactiveministryofreconciliationbetweenthetwogroups.

AlltheparticipantswerenowgatheredaroundthestonetableonBedouinmatsasEvanplacedmatzoandwineonthetable.“ThisisthelastnightofPassover,”hesaidastheservicebegan.BrieflyheexplainedtheoriginsofthesacramentofCommunionwithinthetraditionofthePassovermeal.

ThenhereadslowlyfromEphesians2.Wa’elfeltthewordspoundingwithnewimpactintohismind:“Therefore,rememberthatformerlyyouwhoareGentilesbybirthandcalled‘uncircumcised’bythosewhocallthemselves‘thecircumcision’...rememberthatatthattimeyouwereseparatefromChrist,excludedfromcitizenshipinIsraelandforeignerstothecovenantsofthepromise,withouthopeandwithoutGodintheworld.ButnowinChristJesusyouwhooncewerefarawayhavebeenbroughtnearthroughthebloodofChrist.”

YitzhaktoowasimpactedasEvanreadthewordsofPaul:“Forhehimselfisourpeace,whohasmadethetwooneandhasdestroyedthebarrier,thedividingwallofhostility,byabolishinginhisfleshthelawwithitscommandmentsandregulations.Hispurposewastocreateinhimselfonenewmanoutofthetwo,thusmakingpeace,andinthisonebodytoreconcilebothofthemtoGod

throughthecross,bywhichheputtodeaththeirhostility.”Listeningtothosewords,YitzhakhadtoadmitbeforeGodthathedidhate

ArabsandthatthiscounteredwhatGodhadsaid.GodhadbroughtpeacebetweenArabandJew.AndafterlisteningtoWa’el’stestimony,hehadtorecognizethatGodwasworkingamongPalestiniansjustasHewasamongJewishpeople.

EvanThomasraisedupalargepieceofmatzoandbrokeit.“ThisisthebodyofChrist,brokenforyou.”Thenheliftedupthecupofwine.“ThisisthebloodofChristthatwasshedforyou.Iwouldlikeeachofyoutocomeforwardandtaketheelements,butdonotpartake.Rather,Iamaskingyoutoservetheelementstoanotherbrotherorsister,whomevertheLordispromptingyoutoserve.”

Forthenextfewminutes,therewasasilencethatwasmagnifiedbythearidlandscapearoundthem.Therewasnowind;noinsectnoisesbrokethesilence;therewasonlythesnortofacamelinthecampafewyardsaway.Evanbegantodoubtthewisdomofhisinstructions.Certainly,thesepeoplehadneverparticipatedintheLord’sTableinthismanner,buthecouldn’tthinkofabetterwaytobreakthroughthebarriersandhelpthemseethattheywereoneinChrist.

Wa’elandYitzhakstoodatthesametime,cameforwardtoaccepttheelements,thenfacedoneanother.ManyinthegrouphadtearsintheireyesasthetwoservedCommuniontoeachother.Thepowerofthepicturetrumpedanyneedforwords.Allcouldsee:ThroughChristbothPalestinianandJewhaveaccesstotheFatherbyoneSpirit.Soontherestfollowedtheirexample,intheprocesscatchingthevisionEvanandSalimhadforMusalaha.Anenormousgulfhadbeenbridged;truereconciliationhadbegun.

IfGodcouldbringtogetheroneJewandonePalestinian,whycouldn’tHedoitwithamillionJewsandamillionPalestinians?

17WHATWILLTHISSUFFERINGACCOMPLISH?

WestBankandGaza,December1992

TwoarmedattackshadleftsixIsraelisoldiersdead,andSergeant-MajorNissimToledanohadbeenkidnapped.TheIslamicfundamentalistgroupHamasclaimedresponsibilityfortheseevents.Theydemandedthat,inexchangeforToledano,IsraelreleasefromprisonSheikhAhmadYassin,thefounderandspiritualleaderofHamas.Ratherthancapitulatetotheransomdemand,PrimeMinisterYitzhakRabinorderedamassivesearchandrescueoperationthroughoutIsrael.

ThreedayslaterToledano’sbodywasdiscoveredneartheJerusalem-Jerichohighway.

Retributionwasquicklyplanned.Alistofnameswasdrawnup.Soldiersweregiventheirassignments.Itwouldbealightning-quickoperation.“Thiswillcutoffthehead,”saidoneoftheofficersincharge,“andputanendtoHamas.”

Abdal-Fattahal-Awaisiwasrelaxinginhislivingroom,reviewingnotesforhishistorylecturethenextdayatHebronUniversity,whensoldiersburstthroughthefrontdoor.Twoofthemyankedtheprofessoroutofhisseatwhiletheotherspointedtheirgunsathiswifeandchildrenandorderedthemtomovetothebackofthehouse.“Prepareyourself.Youwillbenext!”saidonesoldierinamenacingvoiceasal-Awaisi’swiferaisedherhandsandbackedaway.Ablindfoldwasroughlypulledoveral-Awaisi’seyes,andathinplasticwirewastightlywrappedaroundhiswristsbehindhisback.Thirtysecondslater,hewas

ledoutofthehouse.Thenextmorning,SheikhAbdulAzizKajukwasinasmallroomawaiting

treatmentatShefaHospitalwhenthesoldierscameforhim.Hetoowasblindfolded,boundatthewrists,andledaway.

AtnoonTaherLulu,apediatricianatNasserHospitalinGaza,waspreparinghislunchwhenIsraelisoldiersinterrupted.Hewouldnoteatanythingforthenexttwodays.

BusinessmanAdlyRifaatYaishreceivedaphonecallthatafternoon.“Wouldyoupleasecomedowntothepolicestation?”hewaspolitelyasked.“Wehaveacoupleofquestions.Itwillonlytakeafewminutes.”Yaishthoughtthatwasstrange.ForaPalestinian,hewasallowedunusualfreedomtotravelonbusinesstoJerusalemandJordan.Hehadneverbeendetainedorinterrogated.Hegrabbedhiscoat,toldhissecretaryhe’dbegoneforafewminutes,anddrovetothestationwherehewasimmediatelyboundhandandfootwithplasticwire,blindfolded,andshovedontoabus.

Yaishfeltanothermanseatednexttohimonthehardbench.“Whatisgoingon?”heasked.

“Silence!”cameaharshorder,accompaniedbytheblowofastickacrosshisback.“Therewillbenotalkinginthebus.”

Afewminuteslater,Yaishheardthedoorofthebusshutandthedieselenginerevup.Why?heaskedhimself.Wherearetheytakingus?WhathaveIdonetodeservesuchtreatment?

Noonespoke.Noexplanationsweregiven.Hewasthankfulhehadgrabbedhiscoat—itwastheonlythingprotectinghimfromthedraftblowingthroughthewindowsofthericketybus.

Hourspassed.Therewerenostopstogotothebathroom,nofoodorwater.Fromthedarkness,al-Awaisijudgedthatthesunhadset.Hetriedtodozebut,forcedtokeephisheadloweredbehindtheseatinfrontofhimandwithhisarmsboundbehindhim,itwasimpossibletofindacomfortableposition.Hewasstillfeelingtheeffectsfromanightconfinedinacoldjailcell.Hisbackmuscleswerecramped.Hewonderedhowhisweakhealthcouldholdupundersuchconditions.

Sometimeinthemiddleofthenight,therewasabriefstop.Al-Awaisiheardvoicesoutside.Thenthedoorclosedandthebuscontinued.Thenextmorning,ashenoticeddaylightbegintoappearfromthebottomofhisblindfold,al-Awaisicouldfeelthebuslaboringupasteephill.Obviouslytheywereheaded

Awaisicouldfeelthebuslaboringupasteephill.Obviouslytheywereheadedintomountains.Still,therewasnoexplanation.Hedesperatelyneededtogotothebathroom,buttherewasnoprovisionforanyphysicalneeds.

Finally—hewasn’tsureifitwasafewminutesorafewhourslater—al-Awaisifeltablastofcoldairasthebusdooropened.Asoldiercutthecordsaroundhisankles.“Everyonestand!”cametheorder.“Move,move!”Thegroansoftheothermenexpressedal-Awaisi’sdiscomfort,ascrampedmusclesrebelled.Hiswristswereswollenfromthewire.Hehadtroublefindinghisbalanceashestoodandstumbleddowntheaisle.Henearlyfellashesteppedoffthebus.

Theblindfoldwasyankedfromal-Awaisi’seyes.Asoldiergrabbedhisarmsandslicedthecordaroundhiswrists,intheprocessaddingafreshcuttohisleftarm.Thenhewasshovedtowardagroupofmenhuddledafewyardsawayfromthebus.

Ittookaminuteforhiseyestoadjusttothelight.Itwasagrayday,withcloudsblanketingthesurroundingmountains.Everywherehelooked,hesawjaggedrocksandnotabitofvegetation.Anothermanbumpedintohimashestaggeredfromtheshoveofasoldier.Heseemedunawareofal-Awaisiandrubbedhisarmstryingtorestorecirculation.Hewaskeepinghishandslowtocovertheshameofalargewetspot—obviouslyhehadbeenunabletoholdhisbladderanylonger.

“Listencarefully!”asoldieryelledinfracturedArabic.“Youhavebeendeportedforaperiodoftwoyears.MaybeoneofyourArabneighborswillhaveyou.Otherwisethisiswhereyouwillstay.”

Thesoldierthensteppedbackontothebus.Pebblessprayedthemenasthebustookoff,roundedabend,anddisappeared.

“Wherearewe?”askedoneofthemen.“I’mfreezing!”saidanotherdeportee.“Ican’timagineamoremiserable,

desolatespot.”“Twoyears,”mutteredal-Awaisi.“HowwillIsurviveherefortwoyears?”

TheNetherlands,December1992

Iwasrestinginthespeaker’sroomoftheInternationalExhibitionCenterinUtrecht,Holland,takingabreakfromtheexhilaratingbutexhaustingchallengeofspeakingtoseventhousandyoungpeopleattheMissions’93conference.AnhourearlierIhadcompletedalectureabouthow,sincethefalloftheIronCurtain,IslamhadrisenasthebiggestchallengefacingChristiansandtheWesternworld.“WhatCommunismwastothetwentiethcentury,Islamwillbeforthenextonehundredyears,”I’dtoldthecollegestudentswhowere

forthenextonehundredyears,”I’dtoldthecollegestudentswhowereevaluatingtheircallstothemissionfield.

Iwasabouttoreviewmynotesformynexttalkwhenthephonerang.“Andrew,thisisLenRodgers.”

“Len,whatasurprise!”RodgerswasanoldfriendfromLebanonwhoheadedupagroupcalledVentureMiddleEast.Iwonderedhowhehadtrackedmedown.“Whereareyoucallingfrom?”

“I’minBeirut.Haveyoubeenfollowingthenewshere?”“Aboutthedeportees?”“Yes.I’mgoingtogoseethemonNewYear’sDay.”Thatwastwodaysaway.

“Iheartheyarebarelysurvivinginabsolutelymiserableconditions.Whydon’tyoucomewithmeandlet’sseewhatChristcandoforthem?”

ViaBBCnews,Ihadlearnedafewfactsofthestory.Atotalof415Palestinians,manyofthemdoctors,lawyers,universityprofessors,businessmen,andotherprofessionals,hadbeenroundedupfromWestBankandGaza—snatchedfromtheirhomesandworkplaces,plusafewfromprison—transportedovertheborderintoLebanon,anddepositedonthesideofamountain.TheIsraeligovernmentdeclaredthatthesemenweretheintellectualleadersofHamas,thegroupthathadclaimedresponsibilityforkillingthesixIsraelisoldiers.However,theworldcommunityhadraisedanoutcryoverthedeportations,claimingtheywereaviolationoftheGenevaConvention.TheUnitedNationshadpassedResolution799condemningtheactionanddemandingthatthePalestiniansbereturnedtotheirhomes.

Withoutyetunderstandingwhy,IsensedthatthiswasatripIneededtotake.“Iwouldlovetogowithyou,”ItoldLen.“Buttomorrowevening,forNewYear’sEve,Ileadaconcertofprayerforseventhousandyoungpeople.Iwillaskthemtoprayforthesemen.ThenI’llgetdowntoLebanonwithintheweek.”

AsIhungupthephone,Itriedtounderstandmycompulsiontovisittheseparticularmen.InrecentyearsI’dmetleadersofHezbollah,theradicalMuslimgroupbestknownforitskidnappingofhigh-profileforeigners.Whiletheiractionswereabhorrent,Icameawayimpressedbytheirdevotiontoboththeirfaithandtheircause.TheyhadadisciplineI’drarelyfoundamongChristiansintheWest.Evenmoresurprising,thesemenwerewillingtoenterintoadialogue.InfactSheikhFadlallahhadinvitedmetodiscussChristianityopenlywithhim.IwonderediftheremightbeasimilaropennessamongtheHamas.

IhadlearnedalittleaboutHamasthroughfriendsinGazain1988.Thegroup’sfounder,SheikhAhmadYassin,waslanguishinginanIsraeliprison,

implicatedinseveralviolentactsagainstIsrael,includingthekillingoftwosoldiers.Duringthe1970s,hehadestablishedabranchoftheSocietyofMuslimBrothers(thefirstIslamicfundamentalistgroup,startedinEgyptinthe1920s)inGazatocallPalestiniansbacktocoreIslamicvirtues.HismethodwastoestablishanIslamiccenterfromwhichvariousmedicalandsocialserviceswereprovidedinGazaCityandthroughoutthestrip.ThushehadbuiltupapowerbasethateventuallycausedIsraeltoconsideritaviablealternativetoYasserArafat’sPalestineLiberationOrganization(PLO).I’devenheardrumorsthatIsraelhadhelpedtofundtheworkinitsearlyyears,untiltheybegantounderstandYassin’sradicalpoliticalagenda.[1]In1987thegroupbecameknownastheIslamicResistanceMovement(orHamas,itsArabicacronym,whichmeans“enthusiasm”or“courage”),[2]withanopenlystatedgoalofconfrontinganddestroyingIsrael.

AfriendatGazaBaptistChurchexplainedthesignificanceofthisgroup:“Theyhaverecruitedthousandsofyoungpeoplethroughtheuniversityandmosques.Theyareattractedtoaradical,passionateIslam,andattendanceatprayershasdramaticallyincreased.They’vemanagedtoimposereformofmoralsinmuchofGaza,shuttingdownmoviehousesandplacesthatsellalcohol.ThenlastMarchtheymountedtheirfirstmilitaryoperation.We’reconcerned,becausethey’retotallycommittedtoIslam,andtheybelievetheuprisingisanexpressionoftheirfaith.”

IlearnedfrommyfriendthatHamashadrecentlyissuedacharter.Iobtainedacopyandreadit.Itwasablatantlyanti-Semiticdocumentthatdeclaredasitsobjective“toraisethebannerofAllahovereveryinchofPalestine,”rejectedallpeaceconferencesandotherpeacefulsolutions,anddeclaredthatthesolutiontothePalestinianproblemwas“jihad.”[3]AtthattimepeacenegotiationswereoccurringinMadrid,butHamaswasdeclaringthatsuchtalkswereuseless.

MyfriendatGazaBaptistChurchhadreasontobeconcerned.TherewerehundredsofthousandsofMuslimsintheGazaStrip,comparedtoperhapstwothousandChristians,withonlyahandfulofthemevangelicals.WhatcouldtheChurchdotocountersuchoverwhelmingoddsiftheMuslimswerethisorganizedanddetermined?IhadmetwithacoupleofthepriestsfromtraditionalchurchesinGaza,andtheyweresoblatantlyanti-IsraelthatIfearedthattheywerenothelpingtheirflocksfindagenuineChristianresponse.

WhyshouldI,aChristianandafriendofIsrael,eventhinkaboutspeakingwiththeseMuslimfanatics?Igotupandpacedaroundtheroom.Somethingbotheredme.Wasitright,evenlegal,toexpelthesemenfromtheirhomes?I

couldunderstandIsrael’sfear.ByattackingIsrael’smilitary,Hamaswascertainlyathreattothecountry’ssecurity,buttheseparticularmenhadbeenaccusedofnothing;Israeliofficialsevenadmittedthatthedeporteeshadnocomplicityinthekillings.Theyhadcommittednocrimeandfacednojudge,yettheyweredumpedonthesideofaruggedmountaininaforeigncountrythatdidn’twantthem,andtheywerelefttostruggleasbesttheycouldinmiserableconditions.Thiswasn’tright.Thiswasn’tjustice!

Butperhapsmoreimportant,Isensedthatbyvisitingthesemen,IcouldopenadooronbehalfoftheChurchinGaza.TherewasnoquestionthatHamaswasalreadyasignificantinfluence.HowshouldtheChurchrespond?Itcouldignorethesemen,butfundamentalistIslamwasn’tgoingaway—itprovidedanattractivealternativetothePLOandapotential“answer”totheIsraelipresence.No,theChurchneededtocomeforwardandrevealanalternativetoviolence.ThefirststepwastogotoHamasandallowthemtoseerealChristianity.That,Ibelieved,waswhatGodwasaskingmetodo.

ThenextnightIledstudentsfromaroundEuropeinanextendedperiodofprayer.Asmidnightapproached,Iannounced,“Yesterday,IhadacallfromtheMiddleEast.ItwasanurgentappealtocomeandspendNewYear’sDaywith415PalestinianswhoareshiveringonthesideofamountaininLebanon.Ichoseinsteadtobeherewithyouandtoaskyoutoprayforthesemen.”

Anunusualsilencedescendedovertheauditorium.Severalofthestudentshadbeenwavingvariousflags,theirwayofprayingforvariouscountries,andInotedsomeblueandwhiteIsraeliflagsamongthem.“Goingtothesemendoesn’tmeanIagreewiththeirpolitics.Idonot.Buttheyarepeople,andpeopleshouldnotbetreatedlikethis.SoIamgoingtovisitthemandbringthemtheloveofJesusChrist.”

Whentheprayertimeended,severalstudentscameuptomewithtearsintheireyesandadmitted,“BrotherAndrew,mayGodforgiveme.I’veneverbeforeprayedforanAraboraPalestinian.”

Therewerealsoafewyoungpeoplewhowereangry.“WhydoyoulovePalestinians?”theydemanded.“Don’tyouknowthatIsraelbelongstotheJews?”Ilookedatoneyoungwoman,shoutingatmeasshewavedanIsraeliflag.Shakingmyhead,Iaskedher,“HowbadisittoprayforthePalestinians?”Idon’tthinksheheardme.

Marjal-Zohour,Lebanon,December1992

Abdal-Fattahal-Awaisifelthemmedin.Hewashavingtroublebreathingat

Abdal-Fattahal-Awaisifelthemmedin.Hewashavingtroublebreathingatthehighaltitude.Whenthecloudsliftedbriefly,hecouldseeMountHermontotheeastblanketedwithsnow.Butmostofthetimethehills,whereheandhisfellowdeporteeshadbeenleft,weresmotheredbyclouds,producingabone-chillingmist.Themenwereagitated,eagertoescapetheirwildernessprison,butwherecouldtheygo?TheLebanesearmyblockedthemfromtravelingnorth.Impassablemountainssurroundedthemtotheeastandwest.Aboutthreemilestothesouth,theIsraeliarmypatrolledtheborder.

Theleaders,especiallyDr.AbdulazizRantisi,triedtobringordertothesituation.Organizedaccordingtotheirhometowns,themenweredividedintosomefortytents.Therewereelevendoctorsinthecamp,andtheywerebusytreatingthemenforlacerationsontheirwristsandanklesandcounselingthemonhealthprocedures.TheInternationalRedCross,whohaderectedthetents,providedthemenwithaminimalamountoffoodandwater.Thusfarnootherreliefagencieshadenteredthecamp.

Fourdaysaftertheirarrival,al-Awaisiawokewithajolt.Hehadrisenearlierforprayers,thennoddedofftosleep.“Everyoneout!”cametheharshshoutsinArabic.ThemenshuffledoutsidethetentstofindmembersoftheLebanesearmypointingmachinegunsatthem.“Youwillmarch!”cametheorder.

Themen,proddedbythesoldiers,trudgeddownadirtroadtowardIsrael.Al-Awaisistruggledtokeepup.Hegaspedforbreath;hischestached.Butastheyapproachedtheborder,asurgeofexcitementfilledhim—theyweregoinghome!Tonighttheywouldsleepintheirownbeds!

Arapidburstofmachine-gunfireshatteredthosehopes.Bulletsflewovertheirheadsasthegroupdroppedontothesoggyground.TheLebanesesoldiersbackedaway,whilefiringafewroundsbacktowardtheIsraeliarmy.Thereturnfiretoreupgroundallaroundtheterrifiedmen.Deeperboomsreverberatedfromtankcannons.Dirtfromtheexplosionsraineddownonthem.

Thenitwasquiet.TheLebanesesoldiershaddisappeared.Withastrongvoice,Dr.Rantisiorderedthementoretreatbacktotheircamp.Astheytrudgedback,al-Awaisisawoneofthemenholdinghisarm,apparentlyinjuredbyabulletorshrapnel.Anotheryoungmanwasbleedingfromhisjawandchin.Ashefellbackintohistent,exhaustedfromthemarch,aterribledespairfelloveral-Awaisi.Heachedforhiswifeandeightchildrenandwonderedifhewouldeverseethemagain.Andhewondered,Whatisthepointofthissuffering?Whatwillitaccomplish?

18EVERYTENTISAMOSQUE

Lebanon,January1993

Includingpassagethroughacoupleofmilitarycheckpoints,ittookaboutthreehourstodriveintherainfromtheBeirutairporttotheforlornmountainsofMarjal-ZohourinsouthernmostLebanon.Earlymorninglightstruggledtobreakthroughthethickcloudsaswepassedthroughavillageandstoppedatacheckpointblockingtheroaduptothecamp.IwasgladthatthebroadcastingorganizationknownasEvangelicalOmroep(EO)hadprovidedmewithacameraandacameraman,givingmeajournalisticcover.

Aftercheckingourpassports,asoldiercarefullyexaminedthecontentsofourcar,lookingforfoodandothersupplies.“Whatthesebooks?”heaskedinbrokenEnglish.

“TheyareBibles,”Isaid.IalsoshowedhimcopiesofmybookGod’sSmuggler,inArabic,andTheHidingPlacebyCorrietenBoom.

Thesoldierspoketohissuperior,andtogethertheycamebacktothecar.“Youcannottakeallthesebooks,”theysaid.Theygrabbedastack,saying,“Pickthemuponyourwayback.”

Howstrange,Ithought,thattheyconfiscatedonlysomeofthebooks.Whynotall?Whyconfiscateanybooksatall?IdeterminedthatIwouldnotpickupthebooksonthewayhome—maybethesesoldierswouldreadthem.

Wedrovealongfourmilesofswitchbackstothebleakcamp,consistingmostlyofarmy-greentents,whichprovidedtheonlycolorinthemidstofjaggedgrayrocks.Igotoutandwrappedmymufflerandovercoattightlyaroundmetorepelthebitingwindandchillingrain.Therewaslittlesignofactivity—mostofthemenwerehuddledintheirtents.Afewemptywaterjugslitteredtheground.

menwerehuddledintheirtents.Afewemptywaterjugslitteredtheground.Scrapsofplasticswirledaroundthecamp.Outsideoneofthetents,laundrywasflappingfromamakeshiftclothesline.

Inamomenttwomeningreenrainslicksmetus.MoreboldlythanIfelt,Isaid,“IamBrotherAndrew,andIhavecometovisityoufromHolland.”

Thecampleaderreachedouthisrighthandtomewhileholdinghiscoatshutwithhisleft.“Youarewelcome!”hesaid.“IamDoctorAbdulazizRantisi.”FrommyreadingIrecognizedthename.HewassecondincommandofHamas,behindthefounderSheikhYassin.Rantisiwasaccompaniedbythecampimam.[1]Togethertheyofferedtogivemeatour.

Wesloshedthroughamuddypath,withrainwaterrushinginastreamalongoneside.Itwasbittercold,andIwonderedifitmightevensnow.Atonepointtheimamstoppedandpulledoffeachofhisbootstopouroutthewater.Myshoeswerefillingwithwatertoo,butIfeltitwouldbefutiletoemptythem.

Howdoesonebeginaconversationwithcold,wetstrangerswhomayalsobeterrorists?“Youknow,inHolland,wedothisonholiday,”Isaid.“Wecollectwoodandweliveintentsandwewalkintherain.Isupposesomethinginmanwantstogobacktoaprimitivelifestyle.”

Dr.Rantisiglancedatme,perhapswonderingaboutmysanity,thenchuckled.“Youactuallydothatbyyourownchoice.Butweareforcedto,andthisinwinter.”

“Idon’tknowhowyoucanmanageintheseconditions,”Isighed.“Butifyouhavenohumor,youcannotsurvive.”

Thecampleadernoddedhisheadandsmiled,andIcouldtellthattheicewascracking.“Wearethankfulthatitisnotsnowing,”saidtheimam.“We’vebeentoldthatitcansnowuptoone-and-a-halfmetersdeep.Ifthathappens,itwouldbetothetopofourtents.”

Outsideonetentwasaboxofpotatoes.“Thisiswhatwehavetoeat!”Rantisisaid,holdingupapotato.“Thisisall.Andbecauseitiswet,wecannotmakeafiretocookthepotatoes.Wewillnothaveanythingtoeattoday.”

Aboysteppedoutofthetent,andIaskedtospeakwithhimforamoment.“Howoldareyou?”IaskedthroughtheimamwhotranslatedintoArabicforme.

“Sixteenyearsold,”hesaid.Ilookedathimandthoughtofmysonsatthatageandwonderedhowthey

wouldhavemanagedinthesemiserableconditions.“Doyouknowwhyyouarehere?”

Heshookhisheadtosaynoandlookedasthoughhemightbreakintotears.Aswecontinuedonourtour,Iaskedtheimam,“Doyouhaveyourprayers

Aswecontinuedonourtour,Iaskedtheimam,“Doyouhaveyourprayerseveryday,fivetimesaday?”

“Yes,ofcourse,”heanswered.“So,wheredoyoupray?Idonotseeamosque.”Theimamstrokedhisscragglybeardforamoment,thenanswered,“Every

tentisamosque.”Theanswershookme.ItsuddenlydawnedonmethatIslamdidn’trelyona

building.FormanyChristians,theChurchcouldn’tfunctionwithoutbuildings.Whatdifferencewoulditmakeinourworldifwebelievedeveryhomewasachurch?

OfDr.Rantisi,Iasked,“AreyouamemberofHamas?”“No.IwasamemberofHamas.I’mnotamembernow.”Iwassurprisedbytheanswerandnotquitesurewhattomakeofit.Perhaps

theydidn’ttrustmeyet.Ormaybetheywereplayingagameofsemantics.Asweslippedundertheawningofatenttoescapetherain,Inoted,“IamreadinginnewspaperarticlesthatyouarehappytobeherebecauseitgivesyouachancetotakeoverfromthePLO.”

Dr.Rantisiwasconfusedandspoketotheimam,whotranslatedmywords.Thetwotalkedforamoment,thentheimamtranslatedRantisi’sanswer:“WearenotseekingtotakethepositionofthePLO.ThePLOrepresentsthePalestinians,andwearepartofthePalestinianpeople.Weareagroupofintellectuals,agroupofphysicians,lawyers,businessmen,professors.WeandthePLOarebrothers—sameasblood.”

“BeforeleavingforLebanon,ItalkedwithaPLOrepresentativeinTheHague.HetoldmethePLOarefastingtwodaysaweekforyou.”

“MondaysandThursdays!”theimamsaidwithalaugh.Ilookedathimwithsurprise.“ThatisourtraditionwhenitisoutsideofRamadan—wefastonMondaysandThursdays.WewanttobeveryclosetoourLordandyourLordandtheLordofheavensandearth,ourcreator.WefeelhereweareclosetoHim.”

“Thisisathousandmetersclosertoheaven,”Isaid,“butit’snotaverypleasantclimate.”Theylaughed,andIsensedthatIwasconnectingwiththesemen.Atleastsomeonewasheretosharebrieflyintheirmisery.“IamhereasaChristiantorepresentJesusChristandtoexpresssympathytoallofyoubecausewethinkit’sterriblewhat’shappened.”

RantisiansweredmedirectlyinEnglish:“Thankyouverymuch.TheChristiansaretheclosestpeopleintheworldtoMuslimsbecauseGodisourLordandtheirLord.Bybeingso,wearereallybrothers.”

“Ihaveaveryimportantquestionforbothofyou.Afterthisisallover,doyou

“Ihaveaveryimportantquestionforbothofyou.Afterthisisallover,doyouthinkyoucouldpossiblyforgiveIsraelforwhattheyhavedone?”

Rantisiandtheimamtalked,andtheimamthengavetheiranswer.“Actually,weasMuslimswouldlikealwaystoforgive.Wecanpunishwhoeverpunishesus.ButQuransaysifyouforgive,thisisbestforyouandforothers.”

“Ihopeyoucan,”Isaid.“Weallneedforgiveness.”“IftheIsraeligovernmenttakesusbacktomorrow,wewillforgive.”Ididn’texpectIsraeltobackdown,andIwonderedhowthesemenwould

respondthelongertheylivedinsuchconditions.Wemovedbackoutintotherain,whichwasfallingevenharderthanwhenI

hadarrived.Ournextstopwasatentwiththeword“clinic”clearlywritteninEnglishontheflap.Noonewasinside.Onabenchlayfourboxesofmedicinesandsupplies.Anotherboxwasonthedampgroundandlyingnexttoitwasasinglewoodencrutch.Itdidn’tlooklikemuchforacampoffour-hundred-plusmen.Meanwhileoneofthemenwhohadjoinedourlittlegrouptolisteninontheconversationrantofindthedoctorincharge.Isuggestedthatwewaitinsidethetent:“Otherwisewewilldrown.”

AmomentlaterIwasintroducedtoDr.MahmoudZahar.Hewasashortman,withaneatlytrimmedblackbeardanddark,piercingeyes.Therainwascausingaracketasitpoundedonthetent,andIpracticallyhadtoshouttobeheard.“Aretherealotofsickpeoplehere?”Iasked.

InclearEnglish,Dr.Zaharprovidedaclinicalassessmentofthesituation.“Wehavechestinfectionsfromthecoldanddamp.Manyofthemenhavedysenteryanddiarrhea,becausethewaterisbad.Therearetenmeninthecampwhohavediabetes,andallwehavetoeatarepotatoes—thatisnotagooddietforpeoplewithdiabetes.Inthisclinic,asyoucansee,wehavenoheat,nolight.We’vedoneanumberofsmalloperationswithlocalanesthetic.”

“Imustsay,thesearemiserableconditions.IwishIcouldhavebroughtmore,butIhaveheresomepillstopurifyyourwater.”

Ihandedthedoctortheplasticshoppingbag.Hewasgrateful:“Bybeinghereyouarespeakingtotheconscienceoftheworld.”

“ThatiswhyIamhere.”“Youareunderstandingoursituation.Youcan’timaginehowlongweare

goingtostayhere.Iamspeakingtotheworld.Whatisourfault?Whatisourfault?Weareinnocent!”

“AreyouamemberofHamas?”Iasked.“No!Wearemembersofassociations.Wearedoctorsandlawyersand

professors—professionalpeople.Whatisourfault?Iftheyhaveaccusations,take

professors—professionalpeople.Whatisourfault?Iftheyhaveaccusations,takeustocourt!”

Iwassurprisedbytheintensityofthisman.Ashespoke,hepointedatme,emphasizing,“Whatisourfault?”

Irespondedbyaskinghim,“Whatgivesyouthestrengthtocarryon?”“Itisourreligion!”heanswered,andthatspunhimintoanotherspeech.“Itis

notforbiddenforaChristiantobeatrueChristian.ItisnotforbiddenforaJewtobeatrueJew.AlsoitisnotforbiddenforaMuslimtobeatrueMuslim.Weareforpeace.Oursolutionispeace.Wearelookingforatruepeacefulmethodtoachievejusticeinourarea.”

ThemethodsofHamasdidn’tseemverypeaceful,butthiswasn’tthetimeforconfrontation.Iwasheretomeetthesemen,toobserve,andtolisten.“Mywishisshalom!”Isaid,intentionallyusingtheHebrewterm.

“Wearelookingforpeace!WebelieveMadridpeacetalkingwillbringforusnothing.Wearelookingforatruepeacefulmethodtoachievejusticeinourarea.”

Whileweweretalking,amanslippedintothetentandhandedmeapieceofpaper,saying“Thisismywife’snameandaddress.IfyouareinIsrael,couldyouvisitmyfamily,please?”Overthenexthour,othersalsogavemepaperswithnames,addresses,andphonenumbersoflovedonesbackhome.

“Ihavebroughtyousomebookstoread,”Iannouncedinthenowcrowdedtent.“Iknowyoumenareintellectuals.Andwhenitisraining,I’msureyouwouldliketohavesomegoodbooks.”IhandedRantisiandZaharcopiesofTheHidingPlaceandquipped,“ThisbookwilltellyouhowyoucanalsobecomefamousbysavingthelivesofJews.”Thetwomenlookedsurprised,butthentheystartedtosmile,thenlaugh.

“Wewanttoorganizealibrary,”saidRantisi.“Thesebookswillberead.”“ThenIhavesomemore.Thisismybook,calledGod’sSmuggler.Itisabout

myexperiencesinRussiaandEasternEurope.TheChristianstherehadnoBibles,andsoImadesuretheygotthem.AndIhavebroughtsomeBiblesforyou.ThisisthemostimportantbookIcouldgiveyou.Itwillshowyouhowtohaverealpeace,peaceinthisworldandpeaceinyourhearts.”

Iwasstartingtofeelthecoldanddampnessinmychestandfearedthat,bythetimeIarrivedbackinHolland,Iwouldbesick.AsIsaidgood-byetothemen,Iknewtheycouldnotescapetheirawfulconditions.Nodoubt,manyofthemwouldsufferfromillness.IdeterminedthenthatIhadtohelptheminsomewayandthatIwoulddefinitelyreturn.

AgustofwindrustledthetentwhereNabilsleptfitfully.Ittookhimaminutetoorienthimselfandrealizethatwhathadawakenedhimwerethegroansofhisyoungerbrother,Ibrahim.“Hey,”Nabilwhispered.“Howareyoudoing?”

Hissingthewordsthroughhisteeth,Ibrahimanswered,“Thepainisunbearabletonight.Thedamp,thecold,therocks...”

Hedidn’tfinishthethought,butNabilunderstood.Therewasn’tmuchhecoulddoforhisbrotherexceptreachoverandsqueezehisarmtolethimknowsomeonecared.IbrahimhadbeenhitbysixIsraelibulletsduringaprotestatRachel’sTombandhadspentseveralweeksinaBethlehemhospital.Twobulletsremainedinhisbody,andhelivedinconstantpain.Thedoctorsincampcoulddonothingtohelphim.

Fullyawakenow,NabilallowedhismindtodrifttolifebeforeMarjal-Zohour.HehadstartedtoearnadecentincomeasawriterforaweeklyPalestiniannewspaperandastringerforacoupleofforeignmagazines.Hisworkhelpedeasethememoryofdarktimes—thearrests,weeksinprison,oftenwithoutanychargesbeingfiled.Nabilhaddabbledinpolitics,evenbrieflyparticipatinginmeetingsofHamas.HelikedtheiremphasisonthereturntoMuslimfundamentals.TheiragendafitwellwithhisaimsofseeingIsraeleliminatedandallthelandreturnedtothePalestinians.However,hewasn’tbynatureafighter.HewoulddohispartbywritingarticlesaboutPalestiniansuffering.

Thesoldiershadcomeoneafternoonwhilehewasawayonawritingassignment.Ibrahimwasarrestedandamessageleftwithhismotherandsister—NabilwastoreporttomilitaryheadquartersinBethlehemnolaterthansixo’clockthatevening.Inhysterics,hissister,Hanan,toldhim,“Ifyouaren’tthere,theywilldemolishourhouse.”

Nabilknewthesoldierswouldfollowthroughontheirthreatifhedidn’tshowupontime.“Quick,givemesomefood!”AsHananhurriedintothekitchen,Nabilwenttohisroomandgrabbedawarmshirt.Thenhehuggedhismotherandsister.“Youmustbestrong,bothofyou,”hesaid,staringintotheireyes.“IbrahimandIwillbehomesoon.”

Ofcourse,theyhadn’tcomehome,andtherewasnowaytocommunicatewiththeirmotherandsister.ThatwaswhyNabilhadgivenanotetotheDutchmanwhohadvisitedcampafewdaysbefore,thoughNabilseriouslydoubtedanythingwouldcomeofthat.Heworriedabouthisfamily.Hismotherstruggledwithprogressivelyworseningarthritis.Hanan,whowastobemarriedsoon,boremostoftheburdenfortheirhome.Howwouldhismothersurvivewithnoincomeandwithouthissistertohelparoundthehouse?

AdeepdespairenvelopedNabil.HelongedtocryouttoAllahbutwonderedifGodwouldlistentohisprayers.Sometimeshewonderedwhyherecitedtheritualprayersfivetimeseachday.Hewantedtoscream:Doesanyonecare?IsraeldespisedPalestinians.Arabnationsdidnothingtohelp.Andtheworldignoredtheirplight.

ForthefirsttimeNabilfeltlifewasutterlyhopeless.Noonewouldcometohisrescue,becausenoonecaredaboutPalestinians.

TheNetherlands,January1993

BythetimeIreturnedtoHolland,myheadwasclogged,mychestfeltheavy,andIwascoughing.Still,IfeltcompelledtoacceptseveralinterviewsaboutwhatIhaddiscoveredatMarjal-Zohour.

Immediatelybeforemyfirsttelevisionappearance,theIsraeliambassadortoHollandwasinterviewedaboutthedeportees.ThenewscasthadjustreportedthatIsraelhadadmittedthatelevenofthemenweredeportedbymistake,includingtheteenageboyIhadmetonmybrieftour.Theelevenwouldbeallowedtoreturnbutnottheothers.Ilistenedintentlyastheambassadorsaid,“Thesearenotinnocentrefugees.Theyarehardenedcriminals.”

Naturally,theintervieweraskedwhy,ifthesewerehardenedcriminals,theyweren’tarrestedandbroughttotrial.Theambassadorstuttered,thensaid,“ThesepeoplewhoareonthehillsinLebanonnowarenotpeoplewithbloodontheirhands,otherwisewewouldnothavedeportedthem.”Sotheywerehardenedcriminals(thoughmostofthemhadneverbeeninprison),buttheyhadnoresponsibilityforthemurdersthathadprecipitatedthisaction?Sowhydidtheydeportthem?Theambassador’sreply:“TherehavebeensixmurdersbyHamasuntilthebanishmentofthisgroup.Therehasnotbeenonesince.”

OnaChristiantelevisionshow,Iwasasked,“Whatdidyoulearnfromthistrip?”

“ThiswasthemostbizarretripI’veevermade,”Ianswered,tryingtoavoidcoughing.“IvisitedapieceoflanddesertedbyGodandAllah.Weliveherecomfortablyinourownhomesandcountries.The415Palestiniansliveintentsinno-man’s-land.Itisabsurdthatpeoplehavetoliveinsuchmisery,intherain,cold,andterriblelivingconditions.”

“Sowhydidyougo?”“TheloveofGodforthemmotivatedmetogo.Iwantedtobethere.Iwanted

toseetheneed.AndIwantedtofindoutwhatwecando.Maybetheyjustneedashouldertocryon.IftheynevermeetamessengerofJesus,theywillnevergetto

shouldertocryon.IftheynevermeetamessengerofJesus,theywillnevergettoknowtheloveofChristandexperiencerealforgiveness.Also,toloveJesustheyshouldbeabletolovemefirst.That’swhywehavetogoandvisitthem,tobuildbridgesbetweenpeopleandGod.”

“Butyouwereonlythereforafewhours.Youcouldcomehome;theycouldn’t.Couldyoureallydoanygood?”

“Youareright.Iwasabletoleavethemiseryofthatcamp.ButatleasttheyhavetheBiblenow.ArabicBibles,Gospels,andsomeofmybooksinArabic.Theyhadnothingtoreadbeforebecauseitwasnotallowed.NowtheycanreadtheBible.”

“ButtheyareMuslims.”“WhenyouofferaBibletoaMuslim,hewillneverrefuseit.Butthesecretis

thatwehavetogotothem.Thisisanopportunitytosharethegospel.”SeveralpeopleweresurprisedthatIwouldevenconsiderreachingoutto

Muslims.TheywonderedifaMuslim,especiallyafundamentalistlikeamemberofHamas,wouldlistentoChristians.AndwhataboutIsrael—thesepeopleIhadvisitedwereavowedenemiesofIsrael.Shouldn’tIstayawayfromthem?

WhenLenRodgersandIcomparednotesoverthephoneaboutourrespectivevisitstoMarjal-Zohour,Lentoldmeabouthisreceptionthere.Asheenteredthecamp,oneofthedeporteessaid,“WeknewthatChristwouldcometous!”Thatwasanamazingstatement,andIreflectedonwhatitmeant.Iknewthatintheireschatology,MuslimsbelievethatChristwillreturntoearth—thatwillbeasignoftheultimatevictoryofIslam.ButIsensedthatthiswasmorepersonal.Maybeitwastheirwayofrecognizingthatwecared.

Regardlessofhowtheyinterpretedourvisits,ourpurposewastointroducethesementothelivingChristwhodwellswithinus.Christsaidtogoandmakedisciplesofallnations.DidthatincludePalestiniansornot?DidthatincludeArabsandMuslims?HowcouldweignoremorethanabillionpeoplewhomGodsaysHeloves?ItistruethatmanyMuslimsareantagonistictowardthegospel,butmanymorearenot.ThesemeninLebanon—yes,Muslimfundamentalists—seemedtorespectLenRodgersandme.MyfriendGeorgeOtisoncesaid,“Islamwillneverrespectachurchthatisinhiding.”IamaChristian,andwithaggressiveloveIwentinobediencetoGodandproclaimedChristtothesemen.

Butitwasn’tenoughformetogotothecamp.Theinterviewerwascorrect—IcouldvisitandreturntomycomfortablehomeinHolland.ButmillionsofpeoplelivedwithouthopeintheMiddleEast.Itdidn’tmatterthatasinglepersononceinawhilevisitedaveryfewofthem.GodneededapermanentpresenceinIsrael,WestBank,Gaza—everywherethattheconflictbetween

presenceinIsrael,WestBank,Gaza—everywherethattheconflictbetweenIsraelisandPalestiniansraged.Notafewforeigners,butaliving,breathing,vitallocalchurchwasrequired.CommittedChristianslivingintheareacoulddemonstratetoMuslims,tofundamentalistsburningwithhatred,thatGod’swayofloveisfarmorepowerfulthantheirhate.ButwereChristianslivingasneighborstoHamasandotherfundamentalistgroupspreparedforthetask?ThatwaswhatIhadtofindout.

Whatwasthenextstep?Onmydeskwasapileoflittlepiecesofpaper,eachbearinganameandaddress.ThesefourhundredmenmaroonedinsouthernLebanonhadwivesandchildren—atleastanotherthreethousandpeoplewereaffectedbytheirdeportation.Didn’ttheyneedtheloveofJesustoo?Imightstartbygoingtothem.Butnotalone—IwouldtakealocalPalestinianChristianleader.AndIknewjusttheperson.

Ipickedupthephoneandcalledmytravelagent.“IneedtobookatriptoIsrael.”

19THEFAMILIESOFHAMAS

Marjal-Zohour,March1993

Abdal-Fattahal-AwaisilistenedaslightraintappedonthetentwhereheandadozenothermenfromHebronlay,waitingforthecalltoprayer.Latetheeveningbefore,thegrouphadcrowdedaroundatransistorradiopoweredbytwoweakbatteries.Asahistorian,al-Awaisimissedthemanynewspapers,magazines,andjournalshestudiedregularlyattheuniversity.HehadtobesatisfiedwithnewsfromtheBBCandalocalLebanesestation.

ThenewswasthatIsrael’shighestcourthadruleditwouldnotreversethegovernment’sdeportationorder.However,italsohadestablishedaprocesswherebyindividualdeporteescouldappealtheircase.Howwillwedothat?al-Awaisihadwondered.Wearen’teveninIsrael.Wehavenoaccesstolawyerswhocanhelpus,evenifwecouldfileanappeal.

Butthatwasn’ttheonlynews.InacompromisewiththeUnitedStates,Israelsaiditwouldallowapproximatelyonehundredmentoreturnimmediatelyandwouldshortenfromtwoyearstoonethetermofexpulsionfortheothers.AU.S.governmentspokesmanhadpraisedthedecisionandstatedthatnofurtheractionbytheSecurityCouncilwasnecessary.Al-AwaisiandhisfriendshadhopedthattheUnitedStateswouldputpressureonIsraeltoabidebyU.N.Resolution799thatrequiredallofthemtobereturnedhome.Nowitappearedthattheinternationalcommunityhadlostinterestintheirplight.Justsixshortweeks,hethought.Howquicklytheworldforgetsusandmovesontosomeotherissue.

Atthefirstcalltoprayer,al-Awaisisteppedoutofhisbedroll,bundledhimselfintohiscoat,andwrappedascarfaroundhisneck,tryingtofightoffthecold

intohiscoat,andwrappedascarfaroundhisneck,tryingtofightoffthecoldmist.Hegrabbedhisprayerrug,whichwasrolledupwiththeothersinthecornerofthetent,andheadedtotheopenareawherethecampgatheredforprayerandupdatesfromthecampleader,Dr.Rantisi.

Attheconclusionofprayers,withthemenremainingontheirknees,Dr.Rantisistoodtoaddressthemen,nownumberingslightlyunderfourhundredafterfourteen“mistakes”werereturnedhomebyhelicopterandfivemorehadbeenevacuatedformedicalreasons.Brieflyhereviewedthesituation,concludingthatIsraelknewtheywereviolatinginternationallawandyetstillrefusedtoletthemallreturntotheirhomes.

Rantisiputtheissuetoavote.“LethewhorejectstheAmerican-Israelidealraisehishand.”Everymanraisedhishand.Theonlysoundwasthemotordriveofaphotographer’scamera,recordingthemomentfortheinternationalpress.“Lethewhoagreestothisdealnowraisehishand.”Nohandswereraised.Rantisiconcludedthemeetingbyshouting:“Godtakerevengeonthosewhosuppressedus.Godtakeourrevengeonthosewhoexpelledus!”

Bethlehem,spring1993

BethlehemBibleCollegehadleasedbuildingsonHebronRoadfromtheBibleLandsSocietyofEnglandandhopedtoeventuallybuythebuildings.HavingformerlyhousedtheHelenKellerSchoolfortheBlind,theywereidealforthecollege.FromnowonIplannedtomakethismybaseofoperationeverytimeIvisitedIsraelandtheWestBank.

Inthekitchenadjoiningtheguestapartments,BisharaAwad,presidentofthecollege,andIdrankcoffeeanddiscussedmymission.IhadtoldhimaboutmyvisittoMarjal-Zohourandshowedhimthestackofnamesandaddresses.“Iwanttovisitasmanyofthesepeopleaspossible,”Isaid.

“YourealizethattheseareprobablyallMuslimfamilies,”myfriendsaid.“Thatistrue,buttheyarepeoplewhoneedencouragement.Thisisan

opportunitytoshowthemtheloveofChrist.”Bisharasmiled.“Doyouknowwhatyouwillfindinthesehomes?”“Probablypeoplewhoareangry,scared,worriedabouttheirfuture.”“That’sright.ThemenyoumetinsouthernLebanonwereprobablythe

primarybreadwinnersfortheirfamilies.Whenthemanleaves,theincomeleaveswithhim.”

“SoshouldIbebringingthemmoney?Icouldn’tdomuch.”“No,thatwouldactuallycomplicateyourmission.Yougoandtellthemwhat

yousawonthemountains.Tellthemhowthemenaredoingandhowtheymiss

yousawonthemountains.Tellthemhowthemenaredoingandhowtheymisstheirwivesandfamilies.”

“WoulditbeallrighttoreadtheBibleorpraywiththem?”“Yes,inmosthomes,thatwouldbeokay.Butwemustbesensitive.”BisharahadsortedthroughtheaddressesIhadcollected.“Thereareseveral

nearhere,”Bisharasaid,thinkingthroughwhatorderwemightvisitthefamilies.“Let’sbeginatDheihsherefugeecamp.”

TherearethreerefugeecampsnearBethlehemBibleCollege.AllwereformedshortlyafterIsraelwasdeclaredanationandhundredsofthousandsofPalestiniansfledfromtheconflictbetweenArabandIsraeliforces,settlingjustovertheborderinLebanonoronlandcontrolledbyJordanandEgypt.ManyhadsettledinBethlehem,whichbelongedtoJordanatthattime.TheAl-AzzacampwasdirectlyacrossthestreetfromBethlehemBibleCollege;Aidajustafewblocksaway.Dheihshe,however,wasthebiggestofthecampsandjustafive-minutedriveupHebronRoadfromthecollege.

Bisharaparkedattheentrance.Therewasasmallnoticethere,recognizingvariousgroupsthathadcontributedaidtothecamp.BethlehemBibleCollegewasincludedonthelist;obviouslythecollegewasinvolvedinthecommunity.Wepassedbyarevolvinggatethatonceservedasthemilitarycheckpointtopreventrefugeesfromleaving.By1993,however,thepeoplewerefreetocomeandgowithinBethlehem.Butthecontrastbetweenthiscampandtherestofthetownwasstark.Hundredsofcinderblockapartmentswerecrammedintoanareahalfakilometersquare.Twoormorefamiliesoftenlivedineachtinyapartment.Aswewalkeddownanarrowstreet,IrealizedthatifIstretchedoutmyarmsIcouldtouchwallsonbothsidesofthealley.

IquicklylostmybearingsandwasgladBisharaseemedtoknowhowtonavigatethesenarrowalleyways.“Hereweare!”hefinallysaidandstoppedtoknockonthedoorofafirst-floorapartment.

Therewasalongwait,thoughwecouldhearwomen’svoicesinside.Finally,weheardfeetshufflingtowardthedoor,whichwasopenedacrack.Awomandressedinaplainbrowncaftanandawhitescarf,ababybalancedonherhip,lookedcautiouslyatus.Bishara,pointingtome,explainedinArabic:“ThisisBrotherAndrew.HehasjustcomefromMarjal-Zohourandwasaskedtovisityou.”

Thewoman’sfacebrightenedandthedooropenedwide.“Comein;comein!”Cautiouslyweenteredthelivingroom.“Come,sitdown.Please!”shesaidtomeinhaltingEnglish.ThenshespokeinArabic,leaningtowardthekitchen,andseveralfacespoppedouttoobserveus.Oneofthewomencalledtoaboy.After

severalfacespoppedouttoobserveus.Oneofthewomencalledtoaboy.Afterreceivinginstructions,hedashedpastusandoutthefrontdoor.

Thelivingroomwassmall.Acoupleofweavingshungfromthewall.Anoscillatingfanstoodsilentinacorner,waitingforwarmerweather.Anoldtelevisionwasinanothercorner,andontopwasafamilyphotothatincludedtwoyoungmennowlivinginatentinLebanon.Aworn-outcouch,afewfoldingchairs,andasmallcoffeetablecompletedthefurnishings.Threewomencrowdedattheentrancetothekitchen.Peeringbetweenthem,ayounggirlcaughtmyeyeandsmiled.Therewasaknockonthedoor,andseveralmenentered,followedamomentlaterbyanotherwhite-scarfedwomancarryingababy.Fromthekitchen,ateenagegirlcametouswithatrayholdingmyfavoritecoffeeandaplateofcookies.

Aswesippedourcoffee,theroomfilledandseveralmencrowdedthroughthefrontdoororlistenedfromthestreet.Bisharaaskedsomequestions,thenexplainedtomethattheoldwomansmilingatmewasthemotheroftwomeninthecamp—NabilandIbrahim.Ismiledbackatthewomanandnotedthatherhandswereswollen,probablyfromhardwork.

“NexttoherisNabilandIbrahim’ssister,Hanan,”Bisharasaid.“Theyhavetwooldersisterswhoaremarried—theyaretheoneswiththebabies.”

“Andwhoaretheothers?”Iasked,referringtothecuriousneighborscrammedintotheapartment.

“Probablycousins,allpartoftheextendedfamily.Theyareeagertohearwhatyouhavetosay.”

“Ivisitedthecampafewweeksago,”Iexplainedandpulledoutastackofpicturesforthemtolookat.Forthenextfewminutes,IdescribedtheconditionsatMarjal-Zohour.Acoupleofbabiescried,andthemotherstriedtoquietthemastheylistenedtothenews.Bisharatranslatedforme.

WhenIfinishedmybriefreport,InoddedtoBishara,whoopenedhisBibleandsaid,“IwanttogiveyouawordofencouragementfromourScriptures.”HeopenedtoMatthewandbeganreadinginArabic:“Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.”HereadthroughtheBeatitudesslowly,withoutanycommentary.Thecrowdlistenedintentlytothepastoralwords.ThenheaskedthefamilyiftheywouldallowmetopraytoIsa—Jesus—forthem.Mostofthepeopleintheroomnoddedtheirheads.

Weallstood.Manyheldtheirhandsattheirwaist,palmsup.Iprayedforallintheroom,thatGodwouldmeettheirneeds.IprayedfortheirlovedonesatMarjal-Zohour,andIconcludedwithaprayerthatallofthemwouldexperiencepeacefromIsa,thePrinceofPeace.

Aswepreparedtoleave,someonenotedmycameraandsuggestedItakea

Aswepreparedtoleave,someonenotedmycameraandsuggestedItakeagrouppicture.“IwilltakethesepicturesbacktoMarjal-Zohour,soyoursons,yourbrothers,yourunclescanseeyou.”Severalofthemenandboyswantedaseparatepicturewithme.AsIkneltonthefloorintheirmidst,ayoungmangrabbedmyhandandputhisotherarmaroundmyshoulder,sayingwithmorethanwordshowmuchheandhisfamilyappreciatedourbeingwiththem.

WevisitedseveralotherfamiliesintheBethlehemarea,thendidthesameinHebronthenextday.Theresponsewasalwaysthesame.Eachhomewevisitedwelcomedusandwithinminuteswasfilledwithfamilyandneighborseagertohearnewsoftheirlovedone.BisharausuallyclosedthevisitwithawordfromScriptureandthenIprayed.

AfterthevisitsinHebron,SalwaandBisharaservedmedinnerintheirapartmentatthecollege.Bisharawasquiet,obviouslythinkingaboutsomething.

“Whatisonyourmind?”Iasked.“ThiswasmyfirstsignificantopportunitytoministerintheMuslim

community,”heanswered.“ButyouhaveMuslimfriends,”Isaid.“InoticedthatBethlehemBibleCollege

waspubliclyrecognizedattheentrancetotherefugeecamp.AndI’vemetseveralMuslimsatcollegeevents.”

“Ofcourse,Ihavemademanyfriendsinthecommunity.Wewanttobegoodneighbors.ButtoactuallyvisitMuslimsintheirhomes,toshowthemhowsadwearethattheirlovedonesaredeported—forme,thatisthefirsttimeI’vehadthiskindofministry.”

Bishara’sthoughtsalsoputmeinareflectivemood.“Whatstruckmetodayisthatthemediaperceptionofthesepeopleisverydifferentfromwhatweseeintheirhomes.WhenIreadaboutHamasinthepaper,it’sasiftheyhaveonlyoneagenda.Youneverthinkofthemhavingfamilies.Theywereallveryhospitable.Everyoneofthemgaveusteaandcoffee,fruits,pastries.”IpausedtoenjoysomebitesoftheroastbeefSalwahadprepared.ThenIadded,“Myfriend,youandIcan’tdothisalone.SurelytherearemanyotherChristianswhocanvisitthehomesofMuslimsandshowthemtheloveofJesus.”

Bisharasatbackandthought.Thenhesaid,“Idoubtwhetherthatkindofoutreachisbeingdoneatall.”

“ThestudentshereattheBibleCollege—surelysomeofthemcoulddothis.Thatispartlywhyyouaretrainingthem,sothatthelocalChristiancommunitycanbealightinthedarkness.”

canbealightinthedarkness.”Myfriendnodded.“Youareright.Thatiswhywemusttrainthem,sothat

theycandowhatyouandIdidtoday.”

20AMEALWITHTERRORISTS

Marjal-Zohour,spring1993

Al-Awaisiknewsomethingwaswrongwhenthesomberdelegationenteredthetent.Severalofhistentmatesslippedoutasthevisitorssatontheground.“Wehavesomebadnews,”saidDr.Rantisi.“WehavejustreceivedareportfromHebron.Yourwifeandchildrenhavebeendeported.”

“Theauthoritiessaidyourwifedidn’thaveproperpapers,”explainedanothermemberofthedelegation.

Feelinghischestconstrict,hisbreathingshort,al-Awaisiasked,“Myfamily,wheredidtheytakethem?”

“ToJordan.Arefugeecamp.Wedon’tknowwhichone,butwe’lltrytofindout.”

Thatnightal-Awaisifeltasearingpaininhishead.Thetentseemedtospinabovehim.Hetriedtospeak,totellhistentmatesthatsomethingwaswrong,buthecouldforceoutonlysomeslurredsounds.Nevertheless,someonerealizedthattherewasaproblem.

Afewminuteslater,MahmoudZaharenteredthetent.Alanternandtwoflashlightsprovidedminimallight.Hecarefullyexaminedal-Awaisi.“Youhavesufferedastroke,”Dr.Zaharfinallyconcluded.“Youneedtogotoahospital.”

Deepdespairenvelopedtheuniversityprofessor.Thoughhisfriendswouldtry,heknewtherewouldbenotriptothehospital.Atthatmoment,hefelthislifeebbingaway,andhewasn’tevensurehewantedtoliveanymore.Firsthe’dbeenremovedfromhishomeandhisprofession.Nowhe’dlosthisfamilyandhishealth.

Hewondered,Isthereanyreasontohangon?Instinctivelyheprayed:“Allah,isthereanyhope?”

Marjal-Zohour,August1993

IreturnedtothecampatMarjal-ZohourwithamemberoftheBibleSocietyinBeirut.Itwasaclear,sunnyday,andIwasamazedathowthecamphadchangedsincethetimeIsawitinthedeadofwinter.Thecampwasabeehiveofactivity.Menwerewashingtheirclothesinlargeplastictubsandhangingthemonlinesstrungbetweenthetents.Othersweretendingtofires,cookingriceandmeatforthemainmiddaymeal.Severaltentsalsoservedasshops,andtheyweredoingabriskbusiness.InotedthatthecigarettesandfilmwerecheaperthaninBeirut.

Still,alltheeffortsofthemencouldn’tchangethelocation,whichremaineddesolate.Thedry,golden-coloredrocksreflectedthesun,causingmetosquint.However,themountainairwascool,andmostofthemenworelightjacketsorsweaters.TherewasahintofsnowonMountHermoninthedistance.Theonlysignofplantlifeinthecampwasinoneprotectedcorner,athree-foot-squaregardenwheresomeonehadplantedmintandspices.Thepreciousplantswereprotectedfromthebrightsunbyasmallburlapawning.

Thepopulationofthecamphaddroppedsincemyfirstvisit.Underworldpressure,theIsraeligovernmenthadtakenaboutonehundredmenback.Therest,itwassaid,couldcomehomeafteroneyear—areductionofoneyearfromtheoriginaldeportationsentence.Itwasclearthatintheeightmonthssincethey’dlandedhere,themenhadfiguredoutwaystocreateaneconomy,tradingwithnearbyvillagesforfoodandotherneeds.Thesemenhadnotgivenuponlife;indeedtheywereproud,hardworking,determinedtomakethemostofabadsituation.

Whilethedeporteesstillcouldn’tleave,Lebanesesoldiersatthecheckpointdowntheroadallowedmostvisitorstoenterthecamp.ThistimetherewasnolimitonthenumberofbooksIcouldtakein.MyfriendfromtheBibleSocietyandIhadplentyofScripturestohandout.However,itwasmystackofpicturesoffamiliesinWestBankandGazathatdrewabigcrowd.Ihadwrittenthenamesonthebackofthephotos,andIhandedthemtoeachmanasherecognizedhisfamily.Ayoungman,speakingexcellentEnglish,introducedhimselfasNabilandgazedforalongtimeatthephotographstakeninhisapartment.Frequentlyamanwouldruntofindafriendtotellhimhehada

photographfromhome.Somehowthesemenhadobtainedavideocamera,andIwasgivenvideotapestodeliverbacktotheirfamilies.

Beforetouringthecamp,ItalkedwithDr.Rantisi.Histentwasaboutfiftyyardsoutsideofcamptoallowhimprivacyashemetwithleaders,mediateddisputes,andplannedforthedaywhentheywouldallreturnhome.Igavehimacopyofabrand-newArabictranslationoftheBible.

“Wehaveanicelibrary,”hetoldme.“Iwillshowyou.”Aswewalkedbackintocamp,Rantisiexplainedthatthemeninthecamphad

madegooduseoftheirtime.Hepointedtoaboldsign:MarjazZohourUniversity.Oppositeitwasalargetent.“Thatisourassemblyhallandourmosque.Andhereisourlibrary.”

Isteppedthroughtheflapandintoabeautifulroomlinedwithshelvesonbothsides.Asmalltablewasinthemiddle.Theshelveswerefullofreferencebooksofallkinds.

Iwasamazed.“Howdidyouobtainallofthesebooks?”IaskedthelibrarianfromHebron.

Themangaveabigsmileashesaid,“AtfirstthepeopleinLebanonbroughtusfood.Thenwetoldthemweneededbooks.Sowetradedforbooks!”

“Itlookslikeawidevarietyofbookshere.Whatsubjectsareyoustudying?”“Manysubjects—mathematics,languages.WehaveEnglish,Spanish,German,

Russian,Italian,Hebrew.”“Thereareseventeenprofessorshere,”Rantisiexplained,“andcurrentlysixty-

sixofficial,registeredstudents.”“Yougiveexamsandgrades?”“Yes,thestudentswritepapersandtakeexamsandtheprofessorsgradethem.

Theresultsaresenttotheuniversitybackhome,andthestudentsarethengivencredittowardtheirdegree.Therearemanyothersstudyingbutnotforacademiccredit.”

“Whatisthemostpopularsubject?”Iasked.Achillwentdownmyspineasheanswered:“Sharialaw.”SharialawistheIslamiclegalsystem.IknewseriousMuslimsbelievedthat

thereshouldbenoseparationofgovernmentandreligion.Sharialawwasintendedtogoverneveryaspectofdailylife.Andwhatwastheendresultofsuchasystem?IfIwastobelievetheHamasCharter,thenthesemenwereplottingtodriveIsraeloutofthelandandestablishastategovernedbyIslam.Theimplicationswerestaggering.Didtheworldrealizewhatwashappeninghere?Thesemenhadtakenaterriblesituationandusedittostrengthentheirresolve.

TherewasnoquestionthatratherthandestroyingHamas,Israelhadmadethemstronger.PerhapsthesemenwerenaivetothinktheycoulddefeatIsraelanditspowerfulmilitarymight,buttheyandtheirfollowersbackhomewerecertainlygoingtochallengethosetheyconsideredoccupiers.IwassurethenthatIsraelhadcreatedatimebomb![1]

ThenDr.RantisisaidhewantedmetomeetoneoftheprofessorsfromHebronwhowasconfinedtohistentbyillness.IwasintroducedtoDr.Abdal-Fattahal-Awaisi.Hewaslyingonacot—theonlybedI’dobservedinthecamp—paralyzedbyastrokefourmonthsearlier.Hewaswearingablack-and-white-checkedkaffiyehonhisheadandwascoveredwithalightblanket.Hestaredatmethroughhisglasseswithintelligenteyes.HespokefairlygoodEnglish,soIkneltbyhisbedtotalk.

“Howareyoufeeling?”Iasked.“I’mdoingalittlebetter.Forthefirsttwomonths,Icouldn’ttalk.Iamstill

paralyzedonmyleftside.”“Wouldyouliketotellmealittleaboutyourself?”Heseemedtowelcomethechancetotalk.“Iwasbornin1959.IgotmyPh.D.

fromExeterUniversityinBritain.IamanassistantprofessoratHebronUniversity.Iammarriedandhaveeightchildren.”

“Wereyoutakenfromyourhome?”“Yes,frommyhomeonthefourteenthofDecember.”“Didtheauthoritiessayanythingtoyourwifeandchildrenaboutthe

situation?”“Whentheycametoarrestmefordeportation,theytoldmywife,‘Prepare

yourself;youwillbenext.’AtthetimeIcouldnotunderstandwhattheymeantbecauseIdidn’tknowwheretheyweretakingme.ButwhenIheartheydeportedmywifeandeightchildrentoJordanontwenty-sevenMarch,IrememberedthiswordandIunderstooditverywell.”

“DoyouknowwhyyourfamilywassenttoJordan?”“Theyhaven’tIsraeliidentity.Theyarecalledvisitors,andsotheyhaven’t

permissiontostayinHebron.SoallofthemarenowlivinginJordan,incircumstances...”Al-Awaisi’svoicecaughtfromemotion.Ittookhimamomenttofinishhisthought:“...myself,Icouldnotimagine.Mywife,shehasaJordanianpassport.Mychildren,theyhaven’tJordanianpassports.TheyareholdingEgyptiantraveldocuments.SotheyarenotallowedtoliveinJordan.TheIsraelisdidnotallowthemtostay,andtheJordaniansdonotallowthemtostay.SowearewaitingthehelpofAllah,toseewhatwillhappennext.”

“MayIaskaverypersonalquestion?Howaretheybeingsupportednow?”

“MayIaskaverypersonalquestion?Howaretheybeingsupportednow?”“Sincetheydeportedme,mywifehastakenmysalaryfromHebron

University.ButsincetheydeportedhertoJordan,nothingcomestoher.ShetoldmesotwodaysagowhenIphonedher.”

Iwonderedwheretherewasaphoneinthecamp,butIdidn’ttakethetimetoask.Obviouslythesemenwereveryresourceful.“Doesshelivewithrelativesorissheonherown?”

“Sheandtheeightchildrenarelivingwithherbrother,whoismarriedwithtwowivesandhasseveralchildren.TheyallliveinonesmallhouseinAlWahdaatrefugeecamp,nearAmman.Mychildrenhavenotbeenallowedtogototheschools.”Asaneducatedman,hewasobviouslytroubledbythisfact.

“Whenyouareallowedtogoback,willyourwifebeabletoreturntoHebron?”

“No,theyissuedtoherapaper,showingthattheIsraeliswillnotallowhertogobacktoHebron.”

“SodoyouplanthentojoinherinJordan?”“Iamnotplanningforanything.Iamwaiting.Ihavespentmorethantwo

monthsasyouareseeingmenow.ThedoctorssayIneedtogotoahospital.”“Sothatissomethingwecanprayfor,thatyoucangetmedicalattentionand

thatyouwillbereunitedwithyourfamily.”Igrabbedhishand.“Icannotmakepromisesinthiscrazyworld.ButI’llseewhatIcando.I’lltryhard.”

Imeantthosewords.Dr.Al-Awaisi’sconditionwasdeplorable.Inanormalprison,hewouldhavereceivedmedicalattention.Buthere,evenwithelevendoctors,therewaslittlethatcouldbedoneforhimwithoutaccesstoahospital,andsinceanairliftearlyinthedeportation,noneofthemenhadbeenallowedtogotoahospital.

AsIsteppedoutofal-Awaisi’stent,myeyesblinkedinthebrightsun.ThenInoticedtheyounglibrarianrunningtowardme.Hecaughthisbreathandsaid,“Doyouwanttohaveamealwithus?”

“Ofcourse!”Ianswered.“I’dlovetohaveamealwithterrorists!”ThemanlaughedwhilemycompanionforthedayfromtheBibleSociety

lookedatmeinshock.“Andrew,youcan’tsaythat!”“Sureyoucan,”Ianswered.“Ifyousmile!”“Comewithme!”saidtheyoungman,eagertoshowmetraditional

Palestinianhospitality.Heledmetothe“Hebrontent.”Thereafeastwaslaidoutonablanketonthefloor—lamb,chicken,rice,various“salads,”andstacksofpitabread.Aboutadozenmenstoodtogreetme,andthenwesattogetheronthetentfloor.IwasofferedaloafofflatbreadandItoreoffapieceanddippedit

intoaplateofhummus.ThefoodwasdeliciousandIcomplimentedthem.Theyseemedveryproudof

theirfeast,andtheyjoinedmeintearingtheirbreadanddippingitintothevariousdishes.Theconversationwaslivelyandvaried.OneyoungmantoldmehewasworkinghardonhisstudiesandplannedtoreturntoJerusalemUniversity,adding,“AlsoIamsearchingforawife.”

“Youwon’tfindonehere!”IsaidasIswallowedabiteofkibbeh,thetraditionalArabdishofmeat,crackedwheat,nuts,andraisins.

“Idon’tknowwhytheyarrestedme,”hesaid.“Betweenmyjobandstudiesandcaringformyillmother,therewasn’ttimeforanyotheractivities.Mymotherwasinintensivecarewhentheytookmeaway.Ididn’tknowformanydayswhethermymotherwasdeadornot.Oneperson,heisworkingforBBCWorldService,hemadeatelephonecalltomyfamily,andtheysaidsheisnowwell.”

Lookingaroundthetent,Isawmanybooks—thesewerestudiousmen.WhenIobservedthebooks,thelibrariansaid,“Everytenthasbooks.Yourbooksthatyoubrought,especiallytheBibles,theyarealwayscheckedoutfromthelibrary.”

Aswefinishedthemeal,Ithankedthemforinvitingme.“Thiswasabsolutelywonderful.Whenyougobackhome,Iwanttovisityouandyouwillbemyguestsforameal!”

Thatwasthesparkforanidea.Thesemenhadrespondedsowarmlytomyvisits.MaybeIcoulddosomethingforthem.Ihadjokedabouteatingamealwithterrorists.Whattheydidn’trealizeisthatwithoutChristinmylife,Imighthaveendedupasaterroristmyself.Icouldn’thelpbutrecallmyownlifeasaboyunderGermanoccupation.LikesomanyPalestinianboys,Ihadthrownstonesatsoldiers—theGermansoldiersinmytown.WhatiftheGermanshadn’tbeendefeatedin1945?Whatiftheoccupationhadlastedfordecades?Thatwasn’tthecaseinHolland,butPalestiniansbelievetheyhavelivedunderoccupationsince1967,andforsomeMuslimfundamentalistsitwasmotivatingthemtotakedrasticactions.

Wewereallreligious.ThesemenwerecommittedMuslims;IwasacommittedChristian.Sowhatwasthedifferencebetweenus?WhyweretheycommittedtowipingoutIsrael,whileIwascommittedtostrengtheningtheChurchinthelandsothatIsraelisandPalestinianscouldfindtheirtrueidentity?

Inasingleword,thedifferencewasJesus.WhynotgivethemallamealandtellthemaboutthehopeIhave,theonly

hopeforrealpeaceintheMiddleEast?

OnDecember17,1993,exactlyoneyeartothedayafter415“leaders”ofHamasweredeported,thosewhoremainedinthecampatMarjal-ZohourwerereturnedtoIsrael.Somewereimmediatelysenttoprison.Otherstriedtopickuptheirlives,reconnectingwithfamily,returningtotheirwork.However,thatwasdifficultbecauseallofthemwereconfinedbycityarrest—theywerenotpermittedtotraveloutsidetheircommunity.

Abdal-Fattahal-Awaisiwasinadilemma.IfhereturnedtoHebron,hisfamilywouldnotbeabletojoinhim.TheyremainedtrappedinaJordanianrefugeecamp.Unfortunately,noMiddleEastcountryseemedwillingtotakethem.Soheturnedtofriendshe’dmadeinEnglandduringhisyearsofstudy.HewastransportedtoLondonwherehisfamilyeventuallyjoinedhim.Iphonedhimacoupleoftimes.Thereunionwithhisfamilyseemedtorevivehimphysicallyandwithmuchneededmedicalattention,hisconditionimproved.ButhelamentedthatheandhisfamilywouldneveragainseetheirhomeinHebron.

21HOWFARDOIGO?

Hebron,February1994

EarlyonthemorningofFebruary25,1994,aBrooklyn-borndoctorwalkedresolutelytotheIbrahimiMosqueinHebron.HelivedinthenearbysettlementofKiriatArba,havingmovedtherein1983aftergraduatingfrommedicalschoolinNewYork.HehadgrownupinastrictZionistfamilythatmandatedseparationfromallnon-Jews.HepridedhimselfinneverhavingtreatedanArabpatient.

ToDr.BaruchGoldstein,themereexistenceofthePalestinianswasaproblem,forheardentlybelievedthatalloftheHolyLandbelongedonlytotheJews.Byhislogic,eveniftheywerepeaceful,allPalestiniansmuststillbedrivenoutofIsraelandthedisputedterritories,andhewaspreparedtodohispartinthatcause.Hehadoftenvisitedthisparticularmosque,builtoverthecavewhereAbrahamandhiswife,Sarah,aswellasthepatriarchsIsaacandJacob,weresupposedlyburied.SeveraltimesheandothersettlershadverbalconfrontationswiththePalestiniansthere.Onthisdaytherewouldbemorethanshouting.

BecausethiswasthemonthofRamadan,themosquewasfull.ThedoctorenteredthebackofthemosqueandmovedforwardquicklywhilethemenwerebowingtogethertowardMecca.Heopenedhiscoat,tookoutagrenade,pulledthepin,andtosseditamongtheworshipers.Thenthemachinegunemergedandhebeganshooting.

Amidthescreams,smoke,andechoingsoundofgunshots,itwashardtofindthesourceoftheattack.Preciousmomentswerelostasmenscrambledforexitsorstumbledoverbodies,whileotherstriedtolocatetheassailant.Finally,throughthesmoke,theysawthemurderer.Agroupofmenchargedhimand

throughthesmoke,theysawthemurderer.Agroupofmenchargedhimandpummeledhimtodeath.

Intheensuingconfusion,itwashardtoknowexactlywhathappenedinthenextfewhours.Ambulancesscreamedthroughthecity,tryingtogetthewoundedtohospitals.Gunshotsandexplosionssoundedaroundthetown.AtAlAhliHospital,thereweregunshotsaspatientswereunloadedanddoctorstriedtodotriage.MorePalestinianswerewoundedandkilledatthedoortothehospital.

Theofficialreportwasthattwenty-ninemendiedthatmorning,killedbyDr.BaruchGoldstein,andatleastanotheronehundredwerewounded.Theunofficialnumbersweremuchhigherwhencasualtiesoutsideofthemosqueweretallied.[1]

Hebron,March1994

Hebronwassealedoff.Still,wemadetheshortdrivesouthfromBethlehem.“Areyousureyouwanttodothis?”Bisharaaskedmeagain.“Thecityisundertwenty-four-hourcurfew.Nobodyisallowedtoleavetheirhomes.”

“Iappreciateyourconcern.”IrepeatedtheanswerI’dgivenhimearlierthatmorning.“ButIgavemywordthatIwouldbeinHebrononWednesdayat11:00.TheyknowIamcoming.Evenifnobodyturnsup,I’vegottobethere.”

Bisharashookhishead,smilingslightly.Heknewmewellenoughtoknowtherewasnodissuadingme.AboutthreemilesfromHebron,heturnedoffthemainroad,droveabouthalfamile,andthenturnedontoanarrowtwo-laneroad.We’ddrivenabouttwomoremileswhenwecametoahugepileofrocksandrubble,dumpedinthemiddleoftheroadtopreventpeoplelikeusfromenteringthecity.Bisharaparkedandannounced,“Fromhere,wewalk.”

WeclimbedupthepileofrubbleandsawanIsraelitroopcarrierparkedabouttwohundredyardsahead.Obviously,thiswaywasblocked.IwasbeginningtothinkthattherewasnowayintotownwhenInoticedagroupofboyswatchingus.Wescrambledbackdowntherockpileandaskedtheboyswhattheyweredoingthere.Theygrinnedandshruggedtheirshoulders.

Bisharawasobviouslyworried.Itriedtocalmhim.“Youshouldnotgoanyfarther.It’stoodangerousforyou.Me,ifI’mcaught,alltheywouldprobablydoisdeportme.”

Ipulledoutsomeshekelsandshowedthemtotheboys.Theireyeslitup.IpointedtowardHebronandsaid,“Ineedtogointotown,toaveryimportantmeeting.Canyouhelpme?”Bisharatranslated.

Onebraveboysteppedforward,tookmymoney,andmotionedformeto

Onebraveboysteppedforward,tookmymoney,andmotionedformetofollow.IgrabbedmybagofBiblesandvideosfromthecarandtookoff.TwomoreboysandBisharataggedalongbehindme.“Youdon’thavetocome,”Itoldmyfriend.“I’llmanagetofindsomewaytogetback.”

“Ifyougo,Igotoo,”heansweredashehurriedtocatchupwithme.Wescrambledthrougharubble-strewnfieldtowardasmallgroupofhouses,

dartedthroughthatvillageandthenalongafootpaththatledtothecity.Afewminuteslater,wewereintheoutskirtsofHebron,butIwashopelesslylost.Ihadnoideahowwewouldreachthemeetingplace.Theboyknockedonadoor.ItopenedacrackandawomanlistenedtotheboyspeakrapidlyinArabic.Sheclosedthedoorandwewaitedastheboysteppedaway.Aminutelater,thedooropenedandamanlookedatBisharaandmeandmotionedforustocomein.WhenIlookedback,thethreeboyswerescamperingaway.

“Whatistheaddresswhereyouneedtogo?”themanaskedinclearEnglish.Ihandedhimapaper.Helookedatit,noddedhishead,andsaid,“Waitherea

minute.”Thenhewentandmadeseveralphonecalls.Itwasalready11:00,thetimeI’dpromisedtoarrive.Ihadplannedtobuyfoodontheway,buttherewouldbenostoresopen.IfiguredthatjustshowingupwasthebestIcoulddo.Aswewaited,thewoman—Iguessed,becauseofherage,shewastheman’smother—serveduscoffee.

Fiveminuteslater,ourhosttoldme,“Itisarranged.Ifyouhavefinishedyourcoffee,wewillgo.”

Westayedoffthemainstreets,scurryingdownalleywaysandhidingindoorwaysasmynewfriend—Ididn’tevenknowhisname—checkedaheadtobesurethewaywassafe.Somewherealongtheway,heknockedonadoorandanothermanurgedustogetintohiscar.Ourimpromptutaxiwoundthroughmorenarrowbackstreets,avoidingmainthoroughfareswheretanksandarmoredpersonnelcarrierspatrolled.

Ithoughtaboutthemanwhowasdrivingus.Whatwouldhappentohimifhewerecaught?Theanswerchilledme.Hecouldbeshotonsight.AndIwouldbearrestedanddeported.IhatedtothinkaboutBishara.TheBibleCollegedependedonhisleadership.Tofightthefear,Iprayedanotherversionofthesmuggler’sprayerI’dusedsomanytimesatcheckpointsintoCommunistcountries.“Lord,Youmadetheblindtosee.TodaypleasemaketheIsraelisoldiersblindtothiscar.Protectthesemenwhoareriskingtheirlivestogetmetothismeeting.”

Afewminuteslater,havingdrivendownmorenarrowstreetsandevennarroweralleyways,wereachedabuildingthatappearedtobeameetinghall.My

narroweralleyways,wereachedabuildingthatappearedtobeameetinghall.Mydriverjumpedoutandknocked.AssoonasBisharaandIwereoutofthecar,hedroveaway.

Thedooropenedandthere,grinning,wasthecampimamI’dmetatMarjal-Zohour.“Quick,comein!”Hewelcomedmewithabighug.“Honestly,wedidnotthinkyou’dgethere.”

Asmyeyesadjustedtothedarkroom,I’msuremyjawdroppedinastonishment.Therewerefortymenwaitingforme.Istruggledtokeepmyemotionsincheck.Thesemenhadliterallyriskedtheirlivestocomeandseeme!

Buttheimamkeptapologizingfortheconditions:“Theseareveryharddays.Wehavenofreedom.Noonecanwork.Noonecanbuyfood.WewantedtogiveyouanicepresentfromHebron.”

“Iwantedtoserveyouanicemeal,”Isaid,matchinghisapology.“Butitwasimpossibletocarryoneinortohaveonepreparedhereforus.”

Ilookedaroundtheroomformyfriend,thelibrarianwhosehospitalityhadpromptedmetoholdthismeeting,butIdidn’tseehim.IrecognizedoneoftheelevendoctorsfromMarjal-Zohour,whospokeup:“Hebronisatthepointofmassstarvation.AfterthemassacreatIbrahimiMosque,theyshutdownthecity.Forthreeweekstheyhavepunishedus.Andwearethevictims!Onceaweek,fortwohours,weareallowedtogoshopping.Howcanwesurvive?”

ItwasatypicalAraboutburst.Iunderstoodtheemotions,butIalsonoticedthatthedoctorwhocomplainedlookedwellfed,judgingbythesizeofhisbelly.Still,theseweretryingdays.PerhapsIcouldn’tprovideameal,butIcouldstillfeedthesemen.“Iamsosorrythatwehavetomeetundertheseconditions,”IsaidtothemenasthedoctortranslatedintoArabic.“WhileIhavenophysicalfoodtogiveyou,Ihavebroughtyougifts,whichIhopeyouwillconsiderspiritualfood.”IbroughtoutBiblesandcopiesofthemovieJesusthathadbeendubbedinArabic.

HoldingupaBible,ItoldthestoryofaDutchboywhohadnoticedaBiblegatheringdustdayafterdayinthelivingroom.Finally,hepickeditupandtookittohismotherandasked,“IsthisGod’sbook?”Themothersaiditwas.Theboysaid,“Whydon’twesenditbacktoGodbecausewedon’tuseit!”

“Iurgeyou,don’tletthedustsettleontheseBibles,”Isaid.ThenIproceededtotellthemenaboutmyspiritualjourney.TheheartofmymessagewasthecrossandhowJesusforgavemysinsbydyingforme.

AsIstartedtorelatehowthecrossappliedtoeverylife,aman,dressedinawhitecaftan,stoodand,wavinghisarms,shoutedtomeinArabic.

NowI’vegonetoofar,Ithought.Ihesitatedforamomentasthesheikhsat

backdown.Therestofthemenwatchedmeintently.Well,Ihavetheirfullattention.Imightaswellfinishmymessage.AndsoItalkedabouthowmuchGodlovesthewholeworld,somuchthatHesentJesustodieforeachoneofus.

AfterIwasfinished,theimamgotupandsaid,“Idohaveagiftforyou!”Proudlyheheldupapocket-sizeQuran.Itappearedworn,mostlikelythepersonalcopyhecarriedaroundwithhim.

Thenthedoctorsaid,“Andrew,don’tletthedustsettleonit!Useit!”EveryonelaughedwithmeasIacceptedthegift.

Aftervisitingwiththemen,theimammadeaphonecallandarrangedforataxi,whichwouldtravelthebackstreetstopickusupanddropusoffattheedgeoftown.Aswewaited,Iaskedthedoctor,“WhywasthesheikhshoutingatmewhenIspoke?”

“Oh,that’ssimple,Andrew,”heanswered.“YousaidthatJesusdiedonthecrossbutyoudidnotspeakabouttheresurrection.”

Iwasstunned.Thesheikhwasright.HadIcompromisedthegospel?Theironlyhopewasintheunpolluted,radicalpresentationofJesus—diedandrisenforoursins.IknewthatMuslimdoctrinebelievedthatJesusdidn’tdieonthecrossbutwasinsteadtakenintoheaventoreturnanotherday.Still,thesemenhadriskedtheirlivestohearmespeak.SowhydidIwaterdownmymessage?TheyknewIwasaChristian,andjustastheywereuncompromisingintheirfaith,theyexpectedmetobeuncompromisinginmine.

IhadbeenrightlyrebukedbyHamas!Ideterminedthenthatinfuturemeetings,Iwouldpresentthewholegospel.

Afewdayslater,agroupofusheadeddowntoGazaforthenextmealIwashostingforthemenI’dmetinsouthernLebanon.BisharahadinvitedayoungmannamedLabibMadanat,whohadrecentlybeennameddirectorofthePalestinianBibleSociety.Labibhadamostinvitingpersonalitythatmademewanttogettoknowhim.Sincewehadmorethananhourinthecar,hestartedtotellmehisstory.

Mosul,NorthernIraq,1985

LabibMadanatsatonhisbedlateatnight,readinghisBible.Histhreeroommateswereasleep.Ithadbeenatoughdayemotionally.TheIran-IraqWar,whichhadragedformorethanfouryears,hadmovedintoanewphase,with

majorpopulationcentersbeingtargetedonbothsides.WhileMosulUniversity,250milesnorthofBaghdad,seemedoutsidetherangeofthefighting,everyonewasonedge,worriedabouttheirfamilies.Oneofhisroommateshadjustlearnedofthedeathofacousin,whowasintheIraqiarmy.TheeveningprayersbytheMuslimsthatnighthadbeenunusuallyintense.

ThoughborninJerusalem,wherehisfatherhadbeenpastorofEastJerusalemAllianceChurch,LabibandhisfamilyhadlivedinJordansince1977.LabibwasverycomfortablearoundMuslims.AllofhisschoolfriendswereMuslimasweremostofhisfellowstudentsattheuniversity.SomeweredevoutandmanysimplyculturalMuslims.Thefive-times-dailycallstoprayerfromthenearbymosqueswereasnormaltohimasthechirpingofbirdsatdaybreak.Thenearestevangelicalchurchwassofarawaythathe’dworshipedthereonlytwoorthreetimesduringhisyearsattheuniversity.

ButLabibneverhidhisChristianityfromhisfellowstudents.Heopenlyprayed,readhisBibleandcollectionofChristianbooks,andtalkedfreelyabouthisfaith.NoonehatedhimforbeingaChristian.Infactitseemedhewasrespected.AmemberofPresidentSaddamHussein’sBaathpartyhadevenapproachedhimaboutbecomingamember.“I’mpleasedthatyouwouldconsiderme,”Labibhadanswered.“However,Imustdecline.Icannotservetwomasters.MymasterisJesusChrist.”

Labibfeltathomeamongthesepeople.HeidentifiedhimselfasanArabandasaChristian,andwasn’tbotheredthatmostofhisfellowArabswereMuslim.Butitwasattimeslikethisnight,withsomuchpainandemotionalsufferingaroundhim,thatheyearnedforhisfriendstoknowJesus,theOnewhocouldgivethemgenuinepeace.HefeltinhishearttheloveChristhadforthesepeople.Whilehewasstudyingirrigationandwatermanagement,heknewthatwhateverhedidprofessionally,hisrealmissionwastospreadtheloveofChristasfarandwideaspossible.

Jerusalem,1992

Labibwasrunninglate.HewasmeetingafriendintheOldCity,justontheothersideoftheDamascusGate.“MayIseeyouridentification?”AnIsraelisoldierbarredhisway,andLabibsilentlyrebukedhimselffornotallowingtimeforthisinevitableintrusion.

“Ofcourse,”Labibanswered,pullingouthisJordanianpassportandIsraelivisa.

“Standagainstthewall,”thesoldierordered,indicatingwithanodofhisheadthatheshouldlineupwithseveralotherPalestiniansandwait.Themessagewasclear—thesoldierswereincontrol.

Orwerethey?Labiblaughedsilentlyatthesituation.Surehewouldbelateforhismeeting,butthatdidn’tmeantherewasn’tahighercalling.“MayIsaysomethingtoyou?”hesaidinpassableHebrewtothesoldierwhowasporingoverseveralsetsofpapers.“IamaChristian.”

SeveraloftheotherPalestinians,alsobeingchecked,lookedathiminsurprise,butLabibspokeloudlyenoughsothatthesoldiertryingtoignorehimcouldn’thelpbuthearthewords.“WhatImeanisthatIamabelieverinJesusChrist,notjustaChristianbyreligiononly.DoyouknowaboutJesusChrist?IwilltellyouaboutHim!”AndsoLabibbegantotellthestoryofhisLord.

SuddenlythesoldiersnappedLabib’spassportshutandturnedtofacethepreacher.Labibstaredintotheman’seyesashereceivedhispapers.“Iwillprayforyou,”hesaidwithsincerity.“Iknowyouareawayfromhome.IpraythatwhenyouarefinishedwithyourservicethatGodwilltakeyoubacksafelytoyourfamily.”

“Youmaygo!”thesoldierspoke,turningtointerceptanotherPalestinianheadedthroughthegate.

Labibgrinnedashepassedthroughthegateandintothesouk,themarketplaceoftheArabquarter.Thesoldiersthinkthey’reincontrol,hethought.ButwhenIstartpreachingChrist,Iamincontrol.WhilemostPalestiniansdreadedtheseinevitablecheckpointsthatseverelyrestrictedtheirmobility,Labibhadcometoenjoytheencounters.AndheknewthefreedomheexperiencedatthesemomentswassomethingworthsharingwithfellowPalestinians.

Labibwouldsoonbepresentingthatmessagetoafargreateraudience.HehadreturnedtoIsraellookingforworkinhisfieldofexpertise—irrigation.Thiswasalandthatcouldnotsurvivewithoutirrigation,andhefiguredthatjobswouldbeplentiful.Buteveryopportunityseemedtobeblocked.Instead,afterafewmonthsasinterimpastoratEastJerusalemAllianceChurch,hehadbeenapproachedaboutdirectinganewdivisionoftheBibleSociety.Since1967theBibleSocietyofIsraelhaddistributedbooksandBiblesthroughouttheentireregion,butnowpeopleattheheadquartersinEnglandhaddecidedtodividetheworkintotwodivisions—onefordistributioninIsraelproper,theotherfordistributioninWestBankandGaza.LabibwouldbethefirstexecutivesecretaryofthePalestinianBibleSociety.

Gaza,March1994

DrivingtowardGazawithBisharaandmynewfriendLabib,IwasacutelyawarethatIwasenteringthecradleofHamas.ThiswasthelastoffivescheduledmeetingsinwhichIwasreturningthefavorofthatserendipitousmealinthetentatMarjal-Zohour.Thefirstfour,inBethlehem,Nablus,Hebron,andRamallahhadaveragedtwentytofortymeninattendance.SincemostofthedeporteeslivedinGaza,Ianticipatedperhapsfiftyatthismeeting.

Thesemenhadbeenhomeforaboutthreemonths.Some,likethecampleaderAbdulazizRantisi,wereinjail.Others,likeMahmoudZahar,hadresumedtheirprofessionsandleadershipofthemovement.

Dr.Goldstein’sattackinHebronhadproducedaheightenedtensionintheWestBank.Atthefirstfourmeetings,therewasaresolveamongthesementhatfeltlikeatickingbomb.IwascurioustofindifI’dsenseasimilartensioninGaza.Foronething,thepeaceprocesswasfiercelyopposedbyHamas.JustonemonthaftermysecondvisittoMarjal-Zohour,IsraelandthePLOhadsignedanagreementallowingforlimitedPalestinianself-ruleinWestBankandGaza.TheOsloAccords,namedforthesecretnegotiationsthathadoccurredinOslo,Norway,wereabreakthroughbecauseIsraelformallyrecognizedthatthePLOwasrepresentingthePalestinianpeople,andthePLOrecognizedtherightofIsraeltoexist.Manyquestionsremainedtoberesolved,buttheagreementlaidoutseveralconfidence-buildingstepsbybothsidesthatcouldleadtofurthernegotiations.

However,Hamaswasn’tbuyingintotheprocess.TheymadeclearthatYasserArafatandthePLOdidn’trepresentthemandmanyotherPalestinians.Itwasn’tsomuchthattheOsloAccordsdidn’tanswerthecriticalquestions,suchasstatehoodforPalestine;returnoftherefugeeslivinginWestBank,Gaza,Jordan,andLebanon;orthedispositionofJerusalem.Theproblemwasmuchmorefundamental.Hamasdidn’tbelievethatthereshouldbeanynegotiationswithIsrael.Theydidn’tbelievethatIsraelshouldevenexist.

TherewasanotheraspectofHamasthatfewpeopleseemedtounderstand.Itwasthesenseofshamethathadbeeninflictedonthesemen.Mostofthemweretheprimarybreadwinnersfortheirfamilies,andtheywereunabletofeedorprotecttheirchildren.ThedeportationswereanachingreminderthatthePalestinianshadnonation,nolegalrights,andthusnofuture.ManyheldontodeedsforpropertythatwasnowoccupiedbyIsrael.Invaintheybelievedthatsomedaytheymightbeallowedtoreturntothatland.Worse,thecontinualencroachmentbyIsraelisettlementsmadethemfeelthatthelandtheynow

occupiedcouldbewrestedawayatanytime.Thesewereproudmenwhorefusedtoacceptsuchhumiliation.

Further,thesemenfeltisolatedbecausetheArabworlddidn’triseupanddefendthem.Sure,thosecountrieslentverbalsupport,buttheworkofsecuringtheirownstatewastheirsalone.Theworld’sonesuperpower,theUnitedStates,firmlysupportedIsrael.Andtheycouldn’ttrusttheUnitedNations,whichissuedresolutionafterresolutionthatIsraelignored.Theywereconvincedthatnoonewouldhelpthem,sotheywouldhavetoactalone.

TheproblemswerecompoundedbytheintransigenceofIsraelisettlers.AlreadysomewerehailingDr.GoldsteinasoneofthegreatheroesofIsrael.AftermyvisittoHebron,IhadgonetoKiriatArba,theJewishsettlementnexttoHebron,andsawthatGoldstein’sgravesitewasbecomingashrine.Cabinetsholdingprayerbookshadbeensetupforspontaneousmeetings.Severalvisitorswerethere,worshiping.OnewasanAmericansettler,andheexplodedinangerwhenIgreetedhimbysaying,“Shalom.”

“Youhavenorighttosayshalomtous!”heshouted.WhileIclearlywasn’tJewish,Iwonderedathisanger.Perhapshe’dheardme

talkinginDutchandthoughtIwasGerman.“Waitaminute,”Isaid.“Imeannoillwilltowardyou.”

Themanstaredatmewithpalpablehostility.Withanicyscorninhisvoice,hetoldme,“Wepolishourgunseveryday.WearewaitingforthedayofPurimwhenwewillgooutandkillallArabs.”

Iknewwhathemeant.TheDayofPurimwascelebratedeachyear,recallingthedayrecordedinthebookofEstherwhentheJewslegallygainedtheirrevengethroughoutthePersianEmpireagainstthosewhohadtriedtodestroythem.SomeJewishsettlerswereanticipatinganotherDayofPurimwhentheywouldfinallyberidoftheArabsandthelandwouldbetotallytheirs.

IrealizedthatmanyJewsdidn’tsharethisman’sfeelings.Still,IwasshakenbythehatredI’dseeninthesettlements.WhileIcouldneversupportHamas,Icouldunderstandwhytheyconcludedtheyhadnochoicebuttofight.Butfightwithwhat?Theyhadnoarmy,noheavyweaponstocounterthefirepowerofIsrael.Sotheymightshootafewsoldiers—whatwouldthataccomplish?Theirteenagerswouldthrowafewrocks—whichmightbecomicalbutforthetragedyofsomanyyounglivesbeingsnuffedoutandbodiespermanentlydisabled.WhileIcouldn’tseeanymilitaryresources,IfeltcertainHamaswouldstrikeback.Theywerenotcompromisers.Theyweretoocertainabouttheirfaithandabouttheirperceivedrighttotheland.

SohereIwasgoingtospeaktotheirleaders.WhatshouldIsay?WhatcouldI

SohereIwasgoingtospeaktotheirleaders.WhatshouldIsay?WhatcouldIofferthem?Ihadnopowertomanufactureapeacedealortogivethemanationoftheirown.Tothesemen,IrepresentedtheChurch.Sincetheywerecompletelyopenaboutwhotheywereandtheirintentions,whyshouldn’tIbeequallyopenaboutwhoIwasasaChristian?Icouldn’tsolvetheconflictbetweenthemandIsrael,butIcouldintroducethemtothePrinceofPeace.

LabibMadanathadbeeninGazaonlytwiceandbothtimesithadmadehimhomesick.Hisprimarythoughthadalwaysbeentofinishhisbusinessandescapeasquicklyaspossible.AshewaitedforthesoldiertoprocesshispapersattheEretzcheckpoint,hethoughtofhiswife,Carolyn,whohadlivedinGazaCitywithaMuslimfamilyforafewmonthsbeforetheymarried.Ican’tunderstandwhyshelikesthisplace,hethought.Ihatethisplace!

SinceassumingleadershipofthePalestinianBibleSocietytenmonthsearlier,Labibhadconcentratedontwoareas.First,hewastryingtorebuildrelationshipswiththehistoricalchurchesinthearea,includingtheGreekOrthodoxandCatholicchurchesinGaza.HissecondefforttargetedhundredsofthousandsoftouristswhoflockedtoIsrael.Inanefforttoimprovecashflowforthesociety,hewassellingBibleswithbeautifulolive-woodcovers,whichpilgrimscouldtakehomeasgiftsandsouvenirs.

LabibwasmakingthisvisittoGazaattheinvitationofBisharaAwad,whowasgoingtotranslateforBrotherAndrewashespoketoagroupofHamasleaders.LabibhadcometoBethlehemBibleCollegetomeetAndrewandhearhimspeak.HehadreadAndrew’sfirstbookasaboyandstillrememberedtheimpactithadonhislife.InArabic,thetitlewasn’tGod’sSmugglerbutanArabicphrasethatmeant“inspiteoftheimpossible.”Well,thismissionsureseemedimpossible.AndyetLabibwascurious.WouldmembersofHamasreallyshowupforthismeeting?WhatwouldAndrewtellthem?Andhowwouldthesemenrespond?

Inspiteofhiscuriosity,assoonasthemeetingwasover,hewouldgladlyescapethisplaceandreturntoJerusalem.

22WHATISAWTODAYAREGODSEEKERS

Gaza,March1994

Forourmeeting,mycontacthadsaidthattheHamaswouldrentafacilityandorderthemealsandthatIwouldpaythebill.SincetheIsraeliborderguardswouldn’tallowmetodriveintoGaza,myfriendsandIcarriedtheheavysuitcases,loadedwithBiblesandJesusvideos,acrosstheno-man’szoneandhailedataxi.

WewereletoffattheculturalcenterintheheartofGazaCity.Dr.MahmoudZaharmetusandescortedusintothemainauditorium,alargeroombathedinsunlightfromaskylight.Iblinkedforamoment,amazedatthesight.OnrowafterrowoffoldingchairswereseatedPalestinians,somedressedinsuits,manyinthetraditionalArabrobeswithwhiteorwhite-and-red-checkedkaffiyehthatwereboundbyblackropes(iqals).Atthefrontoftheroom,nexttothepodium,wasatabledrapedwithagreencloth.Eightofuswereseatedthere.Asmencontinuedtoentertheroom,Ilookedoutovertheaudienceanddidaquickcalculation.Therewereaboutfourhundredmeninattendance(andnotasinglewoman).Ihadinvitedthemasmyguests,andIdidn’thavenearlyenoughmoney!

Thiswasajoyfuloccasion.FourmenwhohadlearnedtosingtogetheratMarjal-Zohourperformedforus—anArabformofbarbershopquartet,Ithought.Amanwhohadbeenreleasedfromprisonjustthedaybeforewasrecognizedwitharousingovation.Animamaskedusalltopray.HeturnedtowardMeccaandbeganchantingfromtheQuran.Hehadabeautifulvoice,andIwasdeeplymovedasIheldmyhandsopenandprayedsilentlytomyheavenlyFather.I

couldn’tunderstandtheimam’sprayer,butIcouldsensethepainandanguishinhismelodicwords.SuddenlyIrealizedthatIdidn’thavetoagreewithMuslimstoidentifywiththeirdeep,heartfeltcriestoGod.

Somethingmeltedinmeatthatmoment.IrealizedthatIgenuinelyenjoyedbeingwiththesemen.IhadmetthemintheirdireneedandnowIsatwiththem,asmallBibleinmyhand,readytoofferthemhope.Iwasn’ttheretofightIslambutIidentifiedwiththembecausetheyweresuffering.Manyofthemhadnojobandcouldn’tprovidefortheirfamilies.Theywereangry,andIknewtheirangerwasaprisonasrealasanyphysicalprisoninwhichthey’dbeenlocked.Theyneededtobesetfree.Lord,Iprayed,enablemetoopenthedoorsothatthesemenmayfindrealpeaceinYou.CalmenvelopedmeandIrecognizedthatthismeetingwasasacredmoment.

Therewereseveralspeeches,mostofthemconcentratingonpolitics,beforeIwasinvitedtospeak.MahmoudZaharintroducedme,saying,“Ourspecialguest,Andrew,cametovisitusinMarjal-Zohour.Hecametobewithusandtofeelwithusinourtrouble.Hecomfortedusbyhispresence.WhereverthestoryofMarjal-Zohouristold,BrotherAndrewwillbeinit.AndnowheandateamhavecometovisitushereinGaza.Hehasinvitedustocometogetherandcelebrateandhaveamealtogether.”Heturnedtomeandadded,“Weappreciateyourworktoallpeoplesindistress—ChristiansandMuslims.Weappreciateyourvisitandthankyou.”

Istoodupandforamomentwasdeeplymovedbyallofthemenwaitingtohearmywords.ThelasttimeIwaswiththem,I’dbeensittingonatentfloorsharingameal.NowIwasfeedingthemandhopingtoleavethemwithsomethingofmuchgreaterworththanphysicalfood.

“WhenIfirstgotthecallaboutyouandthehorriblesituationatMarjal-Zohour,mydesirewastocomerightawayandbewithyou.ButitwasNewYear’sEveandIwasspeakingtoseventhousandyoungpeople,leadingtheminprayer.Thatnight,Itoldthemaboutyou,andthoseseventhousandmenandwomenprayedforyou.”Theaudienceinterruptedwithenthusiasticapplause.

“I’mnothereasapolitician.Rather,Iamhereasonewhoseekstounderstandwhatyouarefeeling.”IknewIcouldprobablyelicitastandingovationbytellingthemthatasaboyIhadthrownstonesatGermansoldiers,butIresistedthetemptation.Thatwasn’tmypoint.Iwasn’tlookingfortheirapproval.IfeltitwasmoreimportantthatsomehowthesemenunderstandthatIidentifiedwiththem,sothatIcouldpresentthegospel.Withthisinmind,Ibegantotellthemmyownstory.

“Manyyearsago,whenIwasonlytwentyyearsold,Ilayinahospitalbedin

“Manyyearsago,whenIwasonlytwentyyearsold,IlayinahospitalbedinIndonesia,whereI’dbeensentasasoldiertoputdownanuprising.Abullethadtornapartmyankle.Iwasalone,inpain,achingtogohometomyfamily.Ihadnoonetoturnto,noonetofillthelonelydaysandevenloneliernights.”Iknewthesemenhadfeltthesameemotions.“ItwasthenthatIbegantoreadalittlebookmymotherhadgivenmewhenIlefthome.”

IheldupacopyoftheBibleandadmittedthatIhadnotwantedtoreceivethatgift,andinfactIhadburieditatthebottomofmytrunk.“Butnow,inthehospitalwithnothingelsetodo,Ibegantoread,startinginGenesiswiththestoryofcreation.Ireadallofthestoriesandskippedoverthelawsandprophets.AfteracoupleofweeksIstartedreadingtheGospelsandwasstruckbytheirdeepsignificance.ThepersonofJesuswasunlikeanymanwhohadeverlived.HisstorywassoincrediblethatIwondered,‘Couldthisreallybetrue?’”

MuslimsreverethemanJesusasoneofthegreatestofallprophets.IbuiltonthatrespectasItoldthemthatitwasn’tjustwhatJesustaughtthatimpressedmebutalsohowHelived.IwasastoundedbyhowHehandledcontroversy,howHeansweredcritics,andhowHeenduredsufferingatthehandsofunjustrulers.ThenItoldthemenabouthowJesusdiedonthecross.ThistimeIalsotoldthemabouttheresurrectionandtheofferHemadetocomeintomylife,toforgivemysins,tochangemeintoanewman.“IfinallycriedouttoGodinthissimpleprayer:‘LordJesus,ifYouwillshowmetheway,IwillfollowYou.’

“Icouldn’tchangemycircumstances,”ItoldthemenasIconcludedmytestimony.“Istilllimpedfrommywarwound,andIknewImightneverwalknormallyagain.Ididn’tknowwhatmyfutureheld,butforthefirsttime,Ihadpeace.AndIlearnedthatanyonewhocomestoJesuscanhavethatpeace.It’sapeacethatrisesabovethecircumstances.

“Ican’tchangethesituationyoufacehereinGaza.Ican’tsolvetheproblemsyouhavewithyourenemies.ButIcanofferyoutheOnewhoiscalledthePrinceofPeace.YoucannothaverealpeacewithoutJesus.AndyoucannotexperienceHimwithoutforgiveness.Heofferstoforgiveusofalloursins.Butwecannotreceivethatforgivenessifwedon’taskforit.TheBiblecallsthisrepentanceandconfessionofsin.Ifyouwantit,thenJesusforgives.Heforgavemeandmademeanewperson.NowI’mnotafraidtodiebecausemysinsareforgivenandIhaveeverlastinglife.”

Themenlistenedtomywords.ThoughIcouldn’ttellhowmymessageaffectedthem,Ihadatleastearnedahearing.IhadtotrustGodtousemywordsinwhateverwayHesawfit.

Theprogramwasn’toverafterIfinishedtalking.Anotherleader,animamI

assumed,rosetospeak.Bisharawhisperedthetranslationinmyear.Thiswasanextendedpleatome:“Whataresomeofourdemands?First,weaskBrotherAndrewtotaketohispeopleinHollandandtheWesttherealpictureofthesufferingofPalestiniansinPalestine—underIsrael,whohavetakenourlandanddisplacedhundredsofthousandsandputtensofthousandsinprison.Theydefiledourholyplaces,destroyedourhomes,destroyedourtrees.”Thenhemovedintoarebuttaltomymessage,sayingthattheBiblesaystheJews“killedtheprophetswithoutfairtreatment.WebelievetheydidtrytocrucifyJesus,butaccordingtoourbeliefGodtookHimandasubstitutewascrucified.Please,takethisstorytoyourpeople.”

Forseveralmoreminutes,thespeakertoldmethatthemeninthisroomwerenotterrorists,extremists,orfundamentalists.“WeareMuslimsingeneral.Wedespiseextremismandseparation.WefollowtheWordofGod.”HewentontoquotefromboththeQuranandtheBibletoexplainhowChristianshadnotfollowedthecommandsofJesustolovetheirenemies,whiletheMuslimshadprotectedChristianholysitesinJerusalem,particularlytheChurchoftheHolySepulcher.“TherearenorealsolutionsuntilpeoplecometoGod.Allofhumanityissufferingbecausetheyworshipmorethanonegod—work,money,materialism.That’swhyGodsentprophetslikeAdamandMosesandJesus.WeMuslimsstretchourhandstoeveryonewhobelieves,tobringpeaceandhappiness.Again,wewelcomeyouandyourteam.”

Finally,itwastimetoeat.Themeal,consistingofkebab,yogurt,pitabread,andsweets,waslaidoutineveryroomofthebuildingandeveninthecorridorstoaccommodateeveryone.OnseparatetableswereourBiblesandvideos.ButIhadadifficulttimeenjoyingtheparty—Istillhadtopaythebill.Forrentalofthecenterplusthemeal,thetotalduecameto$2,500.Lord,Iquicklyprayed,Yourreputationisatstakehere.Icommittedtopayforthemeal.WouldYoupleaseprovidemewithwhatIneed?

IpulledLabibandBisharaasideandquietlyaskedthemhowmuchcashtheyhadonhand.“MayIborrowit?Ididn’texpectsomanypeople.”Theyweregracious,butitwasn’tenough.

ThenBisharatalkedtomycontactpersonandarrangedtosendhimtherestofthemoney.IthankedmyfriendandpromisedtoreimbursehimthoseexpensesassoonasIreturnedtoHolland.

Bythetimethatcrisiswasaverted,themenwerebeginningtodisperse.Rightthen,afilmcrewfromABCnewsdashedintothecenter.“Iheardsomethingbigwasgoingonhere,”thereportersaid,catchinghisbreath.Helookedatme,andIsmiledbutsaidnothing.“DidImissit?IheardtherewasameetingofHamas.”

smiledbutsaidnothing.“DidImissit?IheardtherewasameetingofHamas.”“Yes,thatisright.We’refinished.”“Well,canIinterviewyou?Weneedsomethingfortheeveningnews.”Ilaughedandshookmyhead.“No,Ihavenothingtosaytothepress.”Beforeweleft,MahmoudZaharthankedmeforcomingandhostingthe

meeting.“Andrew,IbelieveyouknowthatIteachattheIslamicUniversity.Tomyknowledge,wehaveneverhadanylecturesaboutChristianity.Whileyouweretalking,IwasthinkingthatitwouldbehelpfulforourstudentstoknowaboutrealChristianity.WouldyouconsidercomingtotheuniversityandgivingalectureaboutthedifferencesbetweenChristianityandIslam?”

Iwasstunnedbytheinvitationbutfeltinadequate.SuchanopportunityneededtogotosomeonewhospokeArabic.IfeltlikePaul,the“weakestvessel”forthisassignment.“Mahmoud,Iampleasedthatyouwouldwantmetospeaktoyourstudents.Letmethinkaboutit.MyconcernisthatIdon’thavetheacademicdegrees.PerhapsIcouldarrangeforsomeonetocomewhohasstrongercredentialsthanIdo.”

MyfriendsandIwereeuphoricasweclimbedaboardourvanattheEretzparkinglotforthereturntriptoBethlehem.NoneofusinourwildestfaithhadimaginedthatfourhundredHamasleaderswouldshowupatthismeeting.Butnow,asIsatdownandloosenedmytie,Iwasconcernedaboutwhatwouldhappennext.Itwasgreattopresentthegospeltothesemen,butmorewasneeded.Muchmore!Itwasn’trighttogoin,haveagreatmeeting,andthenmoveonasthoughnothinghadhappened.Weneededafollow-upplanofsomekind.

“Sowhatdidyouthinkofthemeeting?”IaskedmynewfriendLabibaswepulledawayfromtheEretzcheckpoint.

“IthinkmyGodistoosmall,”hesaid.Iturnedtolookathimandsawhehadabiggrin.“BrotherAndrew,IneverthoughtthataChristiancouldspeaktoradical,fanaticfundamentalists.Butevenifsomeonedidhavethatchance,itneveroccurredtomethattheywouldactuallywanttositandlistentothegospel.TodayGodshowedmehowbigHeis.”

Aswetalked,LabibtoldmeabouthisyearsofstudyatuniversityinIraq.“Thatexperiencewasawakenedtoday,”hesaid.“IrememberedhowmuchIlovedwitnessingtoMuslims.Butforthemostpart,theChurchhideshere.Itdoesn’treachouttoMuslims.YetIbelievetheywouldlistenifwecouldonly

findawaytoreachouttothem.”“Well,let’sthinkofaway,”Isaid,sensingthiswasasignificantmomentinmy

newfriend’slife.“Ihadonemeeting.Thatwastheeasypart.Nowwhatdowedo?Theremaybementherewhowanttoknowmore.Howwillwegetthemthatinformation?Andtherewillbeotherswholearnaboutthemeetingandwillwanttohearthemessagetoo.”

“LocalchurcheshavegenerallyavoidedspeakingtoMuslimsaboutChrist,”Labibsaid.“SomeWesternmissionagencieshavecomeandtriedtowitnesstoMuslims,butmanyoftheirconvertshavebeenfromthetraditionalchurches.PeoplethinkthatMuslimsaren’topentoChrist,butfranklyIthinktheyareclosertoChristthansecularEuropeansorAmericans.WhatIsawtodayareGodseekers.”

“Exactly!MostEuropeansarenaturalistic.TheyarenotgenerallyGodseekers.Butifyou’retalkingwithoneofthesemembersofHamasandit’stimeforprayer,hewillnotbeavailabletoyou.Hewillpray.He’snotthereforyouanymore.He’sthereforGod.WerarelyseethatkindofdevotioninChristianity.Ifwe’reinprayerandthetelephonerings,wepickupthephone.Manyofthesemenwouldn’t.That’swhyit’seasiertotalktothemaboutJesus.ForMuslims,thetimeofprayerisatimeofobediencetoGod.Wedon’twanttochangethemfromseekingGod.WewanttopresentthemwiththewayofChrist—whichisGodseekingthem!”

Labib’smindwasobviouslychurning,andIwasquietsohecouldthink.Finally,hesaid,“Andrew,IwouldliketotrytoopenabookstoreinGaza.”

Myheartleapedwithexcitement.“I’velimitedmyvisionuptonow,”hesaid,lookingatmewithgreat

excitement.“I’vebeenthinkingonlyabouthowtomakethemostoftheBiblebookshopinJerusalem.Afterall,that’swheremanyoftheChristiansare.ButthemenIsawtodayneedtheWordofGodtoo.”

“Andwedidn’thaveenoughcopiesatourmeeting,”Iremindedhim.“Ifwe’dhadashopinGaza,Icouldhavemadesuretheyeachreceivedacopy

oftheBible.”IknewthenthatthiswasamomentousdaybecauseofwhatGodhaddone,

notonlyinthemeetingbutalsointheheartofmyfriend.“Labib,IwilldowhateverIcantohelpyoufulfillthisvision.”

WeparkedatBethlehemBibleCollege,andLabibheadedforhiscar,thenstopped,turnedtome,andputanexclamationpointonmyday.“IwillalwaysrememberthisdayasthedayIfellinlovewithGaza!”

AspositiveasmymeetingsinHebronandGazawere,Icouldn’tshakethenaggingsensethattheHamastimebombwasabouttoexplode.AfterourmealinGaza,MahmoudtoldmecalmlythattheGoldsteinmassacrewouldberevengedfivetimes.Intheensuingmonths,therewereexactlyfiveattacks.OnApril6,attheendoftheMuslimforty-dayperiodofmourning,IheardthenewsonBBC.Atwenty-five-year-oldmanhadblownhimselfupwithacarbomb,killingeightandwoundingforty-fourinAfula,atownjustsouthofNazareth.Hamasclaimedresponsibility,sayingitwasrevengeforthemassacreintheIbrahimiMosque.

Oneweeklater,amandetonatedabomb,killinghimselfandfiveothersonabusintheseacoasttownofHadera.AgainHamasclaimedresponsibility.WithhorrorIrealizedthattheconflicthadescalatedtoanewlevelwithhumanbeingswillingtogointoIsraelandkillthemselves,takingwiththemasmanyciviliansaspossible.ForthefirsttimeIheardreportersusethetermsuicidebomber.[1]

Thenewsmademeill.Surely,Ithought,mywordsshouldhavepreventedthesebombs.Didthesemenreallylisten?Ifeltlikeafailure.

Icouldn’thelpbutwonderwhatdrovethesementotakesuchdesperateaction.Oneexplanationwasthesophisticatedperspectiveofshameandhonorthatpermeatedtheirculture.OnePalestinianhadexplainedittomethisway:“Wecanlivekneelingordiestandingup.”Hamashaddecidedthattheypreferredliterallydyingasopposedtolivinginsubmissiontoahatedconqueror.Icouldn’tsympathizewiththem—Ibelievedtheyweretotallymisguided—butItriedtounderstandthatHamas,fromtheirperspective,wassendingsoldiersintobattle.Everysoldierrealizeshemaynotreturnhome.Thegeneraltellshimyoudon’thavetocomeback;justgoandkillasmanyoftheenemyaspossible.Thatwasthelogicofasuicidebomber.Addedtothatwasthereligiouscomponent,thebeliefthatdeathinjihadsentthesoldierimmediatelytoparadise.

CouldIhavedoneanythingtostopHamas?IthoughtofGenesis4,thestoryofthefirstterroristattackinhistorywhenCainmurderedhisbrother,Abel.GodspoketoCainbeforehecommittedhiscriminaldeedandtriedtoconvincehimtodowhatwasrightandtoresistthesincrouchingathisdoor.ButCainhadignoredGodandcarriedthroughwithhisrevenge.Iwondered:DidGodwanttospeaktoHamas?GodhadnoonetosendtoCain,soHewentHimself.ButhowwouldHedeliversuchamessagetoday?Probablythroughawillingmessenger.

ForsomereasonGodhadsentmetospeaktoHamas,toofferthemawaytodealwiththerageintheirhearts,toshowthemGod’sanswerthroughthepersonofHisSon,butIcouldn’tforcethemtolisten.IfGodcouldn’tturnCainaway

ofHisSon,butIcouldn’tforcethemtolisten.IfGodcouldn’tturnCainawayfromhismurderouscourse,thenIcertainlyhadnopowertochangeHamashearts.

AtleastIhadgonetothem,takingthewaythatwasopentome.IhaddonewhatIcould,butitwasn’tenough.

23INASMALLWAYWE’REMAKINGADIFFERENCE

Jerusalem,fall1994

Thehatredcouldreturn.Yitzhakrealizedthatashewatchedthenewsofthelatestsuicidebombingattack.“ItwaseasywhenwewereoutinthedesertwithMusalaha.Nobodywaswatchingus,andwecouldsaywelovedeachother,”hespoutedtohiswife.“Butnowwe’rebacktoreality.”

GentlyhiswifetriedtoremindhimthatonlyaminorityofArabswereterrorists.“Remember,letthetruthofYeshua’swordgodeepintoyourheart.”

Yitzhakknewthathehadbeengenuinelytouchedduringthedesertencountertwoyearsearlier.Butpermanentchangewasharderwhenhewasbackhome.WithpainherecalledarecentincidentwhenhewasplayingfootballwithfellowMessianicJewishbelieversatafieldinTelAviv.Onanadjoiningfieldanothergamewastakingplacewhenseveraltroublemakersshowedupandstarteddrivingtheplayersaway.YitzhakhadstoppedtowatchandsawthattheaggressorswerekickingandbeatingtheplayersandfurtherrealizedthatthethugswereJewishandtheplayerswereArab.Theantagonistshadshoutedattheplayersthattheywerenotallowedatthepublicpark.Yitzhakknewthatwasn’ttrue,buthesimplystoodthereandwatchedastheArabsweredrivenaway.

Eversincethen,theincidenthadplaguedhisthoughts.Howcouldhe,whohadbeeninvolvedinMusalaha,whocaredabouttheArabandpursuingrighteousness,whoknewthatthesemenhadrights,simplystandbyanddonothing?Itdidn’thelpthathebelongedtoacongregationthatwasveryright-wing.ManyofhisfellowbelieverswerefarmoreinterestedinpromotingZionismthaninreconciliation,andtheydidn’tunderstandhisinvolvementinMusalahaactivities.Theycouldn’tunderstandhowapersoncouldhavefaithin

Musalahaactivities.Theycouldn’tunderstandhowapersoncouldhavefaithinYeshuaandalsoloveArabs.He’dhadseveralargumentsandevenlostsomefriendsbecauseofhisstance.Buttheincidentonthesportsfieldsshowedhimthathistransformationwasn’tcomplete.Itwasn’tsimplyamatterofsaying,“Loveyourneighborasyourself.”Hereallyhadtodoit.

Thentheterroristattackshadincreased,andthesuicidebombingshadstartedoccurringregularly.HewashorrifiedbythecarnageandhisnaturalreactionwastorecoilfromanythingrelatedtothePalestinians.Ashewatchedthenewsreports,hefelthisoldhatredpushingitswayintohisheart,andhemadenoefforttoextinguishit.

Thenthephonerang.YitzhakheardthefamiliarvoiceofWa’elontheotherend.“IjustsawthenewsandIwantedtoknowifyouareokay.”ImmediatelyYitzhakfeltashamedforentertaininghisoldhatred.

Afterthecall,Yitzhakadmittedtohiswife,“Wa’elremindsmethatwehavetoshowtherealgospel.Wearesavedbythebloodofthenewcovenant,whichmeanswearesavedtobealighttotheworld.Andyoucannotbealighttotheworldifyoustandforonepeopleandyou’renotalsostandingfortheother.”

Afewweekslater,YitzhakpassedthroughtheBethlehemcheckpointtovisitWa’el’schurch.Aroominthatchurchwasbeingrenovatedforuseasachildren’scenter.Latethatmorning,asthetwofriendswieldedtheirpaintbrushessidebyside,Wa’elexpressedthanksforhishelp.“Iwasn’tsurewhetheryouwouldcome,whatwithourdifferencesandall.”

Yitzhaklaughed.“YouthinkyouandIhavedifferences!Youshouldheartheargumentswehaveabouttheologyjustinourchurch.Wehaveasaying:IftherearetwoJewishbelievers,therearethreechurches!”

Duringlunch,Wa’eladmittedhewasthinkingofleavingthecountry.“Thishasbeensohard.Thereisnothingherebutfrustration.Ijustwanttoleavebecausethesituationhereistoodifficult.But...Idon’tknowwhereIwouldgo,whereIwouldfit.”

Foramoment,YitzhakrecalledwithshamehispastfeelingsthatagoodArabwasadeadArab.HehadoftenthoughtitwouldbebestifthePalestiniansjustleft,andmanyinhiscongregationopenlyespousedthatview.Butthiswasdifferent.Thiswasn’tanamelessArabbutabrotherinChristandafriend.“Ihopeyoudon’tleave,”hesaid.

Wa’ellookedsoberlyathisfriend,notknowingwhattosay.“Iknowit’shard,butmaybeinasmallwaywe’remakingadifference.Maybe

“Iknowit’shard,butmaybeinasmallwaywe’remakingadifference.Maybewecanshowthosearoundusthatthereisabetterwaythanfighting.”

“Idon’tseehow.”“Idon’tknowiftheanswerisaPalestinianstateorautonomyorjustliving

together.I’mnotinapositiontosolvetheproblem.IknowIcannotsavethewholeworld,butIcansavetheworldforoneperson,theArabinfrontofme—reconcilingourselvestooneanother,listeningtoeachother’sproblems,understandingourfearsofeachother,ourbitterness.”

Anhourlater,whenYitzhakhadtoreturnhome,thetwomen,brothersinChrist,embraced.Itwouldbealongtimebeforethesituationwouldallowthemtomeetagain,buttheywerecommittedtostayingintouchandprayingforoneanother.

AsYitzhakreturnedtohishomeinWestJerusalem,hethoughtaboutthedeepchangeGodwasmakinginhisheart.HerealizedthatasaChristianhewasrisingabovethepoliticsoftheconflicttotheperspectivethateveryoneiscreatedinGod’simage.Therefore,everyonedeservestolearnaboutGod’ssalvation.HewantedtospendhisenergyspreadingthatmessagetoJews,Arabs—itdidn’tmatterwho,hewantedalltohear.

24WHATKINDOFPEOPLEDOESTHEBOOKPRODUCE?

Bethlehem,spring1996

TherewasaneighborintheroomnexttomineattheguesthouseofBethlehemBibleCollege.Wemetatbreakfastinthesmallcommonkitchen/diningareaoppositeourrooms.HeintroducedhimselfaspastorofachurchinNazareth.“I’mheretofindsomequietandrest,”hesaid.

Ilookedintohisface,andhelookedexhausted.“You’vecometotherightplace.It’sgoodtohaveaplacetobequiet,topray,andifyouneed,totalkwithfriends.”

Hesmiledawearysmileandsaid,“I’mafraidIcan’tcopewiththeproblemsanymore.”Ilistenedasherecitedthelist.Ihadheardmostofthembeforeinmyconversationswithpastorsovertheyears.HiscongregationwasdwindlingasseveralfamiliesemigratedtotheWest.Therewasconflictbetweenolderleadershipandyoungermembers.AdisputewasbuildinginthecitybetweenMuslimsandtheChurchoftheAnnunciation,accordingtotraditionthelocationwheretheangelGabrielvisitedMary.TheMuslimshadatentacrossthestreetandwereplanningtobuildamosque.Inaddition,therewastheongoingstressoffeelinglikeasecond-classcitizeninhisowncountry—acommoncomplaintIheardamongArabswholivedinIsrael.

ThepastorfromNazarethwasdoingmuchbetterthenextday.Hehadbeentovisitacoupleoffriends,andinoneoftheirhomeshesawmybookinArabic:ATimeforHeroes.“Ireadthefirstchapter,”hesaid.

“TheoneonJob!”“Yes.IcanrelatetoJob,butIdon’tthinkmyproblemsareasbadashis.”“SowhathaveyoulearnedfromourfriendJob?”

“SowhathaveyoulearnedfromourfriendJob?”“ThatGodiswithusinthemidstofourtrials.Ineededtoberemindedof

that.Faithdoesn’tmeanthatGodwilleliminatemyproblems.Rather,IrealizethatGodiswithmeandwithmycongregationinthemidstofourproblems.”

“AndHeissufficient.”“Jobdidn’thaveallofhisquestionsanswered,buthemetGod.Heheardfrom

God,andthatwasenough.”Atthecore,thisencounterwastheemphasisofmywork,tobewithmy

brotherswhosuffer.IcouldstillhearthewordsofthepastorinPolandin1955whohadsaid,“Yourbeingheremeansmorethantenofthebestsermons.”SinceIdidn’tconsidermyselfagreatpreacheranyway,“beingthere”wouldalwaysbemyprimaryministry.

Inpartbecauseofencounterslikethis,BethlehemBibleCollegehadbecomemybaseofoperationwheneverIvisitedthearea.TheschoolhadgrownsteadilysincethedayswhenitoccupiedoneroominBeitJala.Thecurrentfacility,purchasedfromBibleLandsSocietywithhelpfromOpenDoors,wasjustafewblocksfromRachel’sTomb.Thebuildinghadmadeahugedifferenceinthecollege’seffectiveness.Thestudentbodynownumberedfortyandwasgrowing,andtherewasafullytrained,academicallyqualifiedstaff.OpenDoorsassistedinseveralways,includingfundingoneoftheteachingpositions.Newprogramshaddeveloped.OneofthemtrainedPalestiniantourguides.Anotherwasamedicaloutreach.OccasionallymedicalpersonnelwouldcomefromtheWestandthreetofourhundredpatientscouldbeservedperday.Planswerebeingmadetoopenapubliclibraryonthegroundflooroftheschool’sclassroombuilding;itwouldbetheonlypubliclibraryinBethlehem.

Ilovedhangingaroundthestudents.Itisaclichétosaythattheywerehardworkingandfullofyouthfulenthusiasm,butIfelttheireagernesstolearnandthatgavemehopefortheChurch.IftheChurchamongPalestiniansinIsrael,WestBank,andGazawastobeabrightlight,itneededhundredsofdedicatedleaders.Justwhatwouldtheybedoing?ThatwaswhatIdiscussedwiththemwhenBisharaaskedmetospeakatchapelservice.

SincemanyofthestudentshadenrolledaftertheexcitingtimeinGaza,whenBisharaandIspokewithleadershipofHamas,Ibeganbytellingthatstory.Afterthathistoricmeeting,oneoftheBethlehemBibleCollegeprofessorshadgrabbedmeandurged,“WillyoustayhereandevangelizeArabs?Allofthem—Muslims,

radicals,Hamas,PLO!”Theenthusiasmwasappreciated,buttheimplicationofhisstatementdisturbedme.“Isitmycallingtostayhereandevangelizefundamentalists?”Isaidtomyattentiveaudience,withBisharainterpreting.“Idon’tthinkso.Mycallistostrengthenthelocalbodyofbelievers.Thatincludesyou—sothatyoucanfulfillthatcriticalcalling.”

Toillustrate,ItoldthemofoneofmyfivemeetingswithAyatollahFadlallah,thespiritualleaderofHezbollahinLebanon.“‘BrotherAndrew,youChristianshaveaproblem,’hetoldme.Well,IknowChristianshavemanyproblems,butIwascuriouswhatthisMuslimleaderwouldtellme.‘Whatdoyouthinkourproblemis?’Iasked.Heanswered:‘YouChristiansarenotfollowingthelifeofJesusChristanymore.’Thatwasaninterestingobservationfromafundamentalistleader.Itreallyhitmehard,soIaskedhim,‘Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddoaboutthat?’Hesaid,‘YoumustgobacktotheBook.’

“That’saterrificsermon,don’tyouthink?EspeciallyhereataBiblecollege!Acoupleofcupsofcoffeelater,theayatollahsaid,‘Andrew,weMuslimshaveaproblem.’SoIsaid,‘Whatdoyouthinkyourproblemis?’Heanswered,‘WeMuslimsarenotfollowingthelifeoftheprophetMuhammadanymore.’Hewassosadandterriblysincere.Iaskedhim,‘Well,whatdoyouthinkyoushoulddoaboutit?’Hisanswer:‘Wemustgobacktothebook.’Ofcourse,hemeanthisbook,theQuran,nottheBible.

“ThelasttimeFadlallahandImet,hetoldmethathewantedtoopenadialoguebetweenMuslimscholarsandChristianscholars.Iwanttoencouragesuchadialogue.Letuswitnesstoeachother;wemaybesurprised.ButItoldhimIwantedtonarrowthediscussiontoaspecificquestion:Whatkindofpeopledoesthebookproduce?Iwanttochallengeyouwiththatquestionthismorning.WhatkindofpeopledoestheQuranproduce?WhatkindofpeopledoestheBibleproduce?YouarestudentsoftheBible.WhatdifferenceistheBiblemakinginyourlives?Areyouwalkingthetalk?InJesus’finalwordstoHisdisciples,Hesaid,‘Youwillbemywitnesses.’Thatincludesnotjustwhatwesay,buthowweliveandwhatweare.

“Godhasgivenyouajobtodo.It’saverychallengingtask.Lookatallofthepeoplearoundyouinyourcommunity.WhetherMuslimsorChristians,allofthemarepeoplecreatedinGod’simage.Whatkindoflifeareyoushowingthem?DoyourealizethatyoumaybetheonlyJesustheywilleversee?Thatiswhyyourworkhereissoimportant.”

HoldingupmyBible,Iclosedbysaying,“AllowthisBooktomoldyouintotheimageofJesusChrist.”

Bethlehem,fall1996

“Andrew,turnonthenews,”saidBisharaoverthephone.“ThereisanimportantdevelopmentonBBC.”

ImmediatelyIwenttothecommonroomandturnedonthetelevision.TherewerescenesofangryPalestiniansontheTempleMountshoutingatthecameras,obviouslythreateningviolence.Then,beforeIunderstoodwhatwashappening,thenewsanchormovedontoanotherstory.

Bisharashowedupafewminuteslater.HeexplainedthattheIsraelishaddugmanytunnelsundertheDomeoftheRockandAl-AqsaMosque.“NaturallytheMuslimsareverysensitiveaboutthis.Therewasanearriotwhenthetunnelswerediscoveredin1982.Meanwhile,theJewshavequietlycontinuedwork.TheyclaimtheyarenotactuallyworkingbeneaththeTempleMount,butIhaveitongoodauthoritythey’vebeenlookingfortheHolyofHolies.TodaytheyopeneduponetunnelontotheViaDolorosa,[1]which,asyouknow,isintheMuslimquarter.”

“SotheMuslimsareoffended.”“I’mconcernedthattheremayberiots.”ThenextdayIhadameetingdowntowninBethlehemandwalkedbacktothe

collegewhenitwasover.TherewastensioninthestreetsasIarrivedatJerusalem-HebronRoad.IsawmanyyoungmenandboyswalkingorrunningpastthecollegetowardRachel’sTomb.Mostofthemalreadyhadrocksintheirhands.Theywereangryanddidn’tcarewhoknewit.

MysensibilitiestoldmeIshouldquicklygetintothecollegeandtakecoverinBishara’sofficeoroneofthebasementrooms.ButcuriositygotthebetterofmeandIcontinuedwiththeboystowardRachel’sTomb,whichhadbeentransformedintoamilitarypostbytheIsraeliDefenseForce.Someoftheboyspulledoutslingshotstoflingtheirstonesatthewell-protectedsoldiers.Othersfoundemptylotsandloadedupwithmorerocks.

Thedemonstrationseemedsofeeble.Boysthrewrocksatthesoldiers,whowerewearinghelmetsandhidingbehindlargeshields.Therewasdeep-seatedanger,butitdidn’tappearthatthesoldierswereinanylife-threateningdanger.ThenIheardathump,sawawhiffofsmoke,andrealizedacanisterhadbeenthrownintoourmidst.Teargasbeganpouringout.Severalmoreteargasbombsfollowed.Onelandednearmyfeet.Ikickeditawayandmovedupwindsothatthenoxiousfumesblewawayfromme.Butthekidsweren’tthinkingclearlyaboutthedanger.Manystartedcoughingandretreating.Imotionedtosomeofthekids,indicatingtheyshouldmoveupwindfromthesmoke.

ThenIwasawareofanothersound.Acoupleofboysscreamedandclutched

ThenIwasawareofanothersound.Acoupleofboysscreamedandclutchedanarmorhead.Ifigured,alongwiththem,thatIhadbettermoveaway.Thesoldierswerefiringrubberbullets,buttherewassteelinsidethatrubber,andthosebulletscouldinflictagreatdealofdamageandpain.

Laterthatafternoon,afterthecrowdhaddispersed,IcautiouslywalkedbacktowardRachel’sTomb,stayingclosetothebuildingsonthesidewalksoasnottoattractattention.Aneeriesilencehaddescendedonthetown,asthoughtheangerhadsimplymovedindoors.Therewerehardlyanycarsontheroad.IstoppedatthespotwhereI’dobservedtheconflict.Inthestreet,leaningagainstthecurb,wasoneoftheteargascanisters.Itwascooltothetouch,soIpickeditup.Isniffeditandjerkedmyheadback.Foramoment,tearsrushedtomyeyes.Holdingitatarm’slength,Ireadaseriesofnumbers,followedbythewords:“Foroutdooruseonly.MadeintheUSA.Donotfiredirectlyatpersonsasseriousinjuryordeathmayresult.”

Scatteredonthestreetwereblackrubberbullets,inch-longsolidcylindersthatwereflatoneachend.Ipickedupacouplefor“souvenirs”andwalkedbacktothecollege.

Bisharawaswaitingforme.“SoyouseewhatourfriendsfromAmericahavegiventous,”hesaidwithawrysmile.“I’vebeenontheroofwhentheyfiredteargasintotheplaygroundoftheschooldownbelowusandthewindwasblowinginfromthewest.Icouldn’tstayontheroof—thefumesweresostrong.Andthose‘rubberbullets.’Theycanbreakyourribs.Severalkidsnodoubtwoundupinthehospitaltoday.Andwhenonehitsayoungchildinthehead,itcankillhim.”

“Theysoundsohumane.Rubberbullets.”“Whatyousawtodayistypical.Thesedemonstrationsstartwithboys

throwingrocksandendwithteargasandrubberbulletsandoftenoneortwokidsdead.Unfortunately,thesedemonstrationsarehappeningallovertheWestBankandGaza.”Heshookhishead.“I’mveryconcerned.”

IaskedBisharawhatthisprotesthopedtoaccomplish.Icouldn’tseetheconnectionbetweenthedemonstrationI’dwitnessedandthenewsfromJerusalem.

“Theoccupationisthemaincauseofviolence,”heexplained.“ThetunnelundertheDomeoftheRockwassimplythelatestexcuse.Peoplewishtobefree,andthisistheonlywaytheyknowhowtoexpressit.”

Whentheunrestsubsidedafewdayslater,ninety-onePalestiniansweredead(andnoIsraelis).Itwasfrustrating,becausethesekidswerethrowingawaytheir

lives,andforwhatpurpose?Wasitbecausetheyreallyhadnohope?Thiswassoutterlyfutile.IthoughtagainofthestrategicplacementofBethlehemBibleCollege.Herewewere,alightproclaimingthePrinceofPeaceasthecrowdpassedby.ButthesekidsweretooangrytostopandinquireaboutJesusChrist.Tragicallyninety-onewoulddiewithoutlearningofHim.

BeitSahour,1996

NawalQumsiehwasreadyandeagertogointoministry.Butwhere?Andhow?AtaseminarinBethlehem,Nawalrespondedtothechallenge.“IfanyonewantstodedicatehislifetoministryforJesus,”theguestspeakerintoned,“nowisthetimetocomeforward!”Themansteppedbackfromthepodiumandbowedhisheadinprayer.Nawalslippedoutofherseatandhurriedtothefrontoftheroom.Outofsomefiftyinattendance,shewastheonlyonetoanswerthecall.

Thespeakeropenedhiseyesandlookedaroundtheroom,thendownatNawal.HeshookhisheadandsaidquietlysoonlyNawalcouldhear,“Gobacktoyourseat,please.Womencannothelpinthissociety.Weneedmen.”

Againthespeakerchallengedtheaudience.“WeneedmentostandupforChristinthisculture.Willyoucomeforward?Willyoubepartofthesolution?”

Fightingbacktears,Nawalwalkedslowlybacktoherseat.Shefeltlikeshe’dbeenhitinherheartbyarubberbullet.Notonemantookherplaceinthefront.Nowweeping,sheprayed,“Lord,whowillministertomypeople?”

Andwithinherheart,sheimmediatelysensedtheanswer:“Iamcallingyoutobeinministry.”

25HAMASWOULDLIKEACEASE-FIRE

Gaza,1996

Whilewalkingthroughno-man’s-land—ahalfmileofcement-pavedcorridoratEretzcheckpointbetweenIsraelproperandthenowPalestinian-controlledregion—IthoughtofmydiscussionadayearlierwithLabib.ThedirectorofthePalestinianBibleSocietyhadeagerlytoldmeofhisexpandingvisionasweatelunch.

“AsI’vethoughtaboutwhatwewanttodoinGaza,IrealizedthatthereareotherplaceswherewealsocoulduseaBiblebookshop:Nablus,BeirZeitUniversity,Bethlehem—thatcouldbeawonderfulplaceforoutreachwithallofthetouristsvisiting!”

IlovedLabib’senthusiasmandvision.ThenhetoldmeaboutthepropertyhehadfoundinGazathatwouldserveas

aperfectlocationforthebookshop.“ButI’mhavingproblems,”hesaid.“ThereissomuchbureaucracyinthePalestinianAuthority.I’msimplynotmakingprogressasfarasgettingpermissiontoopenashop.”

“PerhapsIcanhelpyou,”Isaid.Labiblaughedandsaid,“How?Canyoucutthroughtheredtape?”“No.ButIdoknowsomeonewhoIthinkcan.”“Who?”“YasserArafat.”Labibpausedforamoment,thensmiledashesaid,“You’reright.His

approvalwouldhelpalot.”“Whydon’tyougivemeacopyofyourbeautifulchildren’sBibleinArabic.I’ll

giveittoMr.Arafatforhisdaughter’sfirstbirthday.”

giveittoMr.Arafatforhisdaughter’sfirstbirthday.”Justthismorning,LabibhadhandedmealetterforthePalestinianpresident,

plusaletterofendorsementfromtheOrthodoxpatriarchinJerusalem.Ifeltinsidemycoatpockettomakesurethelettersweresafe.

ItwassurprisinglyeasyformetoarrangeanappointmentwithArafat,newlynamedpresidentofthePalestinianAuthority.Aftermakingtheappropriatephonecalls,IlaydownonmybedattheMarnaHouse,wheremostinternationalvisitorsstayedinGaza,andreflectedonhowmyfirstmeetinginthemid-1980shadbeenarranged.

IthadstartedwithaphonecallfromaBaptistpastorfromtheUnitedStateswhowaslivinginTheHague.“BrotherAndrew,wouldyoujoinmeinvisitingaverysickman?”HeexplainedthatthismanwasaformerheadmasterofaChristianschoolinNazareth,buthewastoosicktotravelhometoGalileenow.Hehadaskedforprayerbeforehedied.

Ofcourse,Iwentwiththepastorandwevisitedtheoldman,whowaslivinginalarge,nicelyfurnishedhome.WereadtohimfromtheBibleandprayedforhim.Afteraboutanhour,welefthisroom,andamaninhismid-fortieswaswaitingforus.“I’mMr.Khoury,”hesaid,extendinghishand.“Thankyoufortakingthetimetovisitmyfather.Itmeansagreatdeal.Please,mayIofferyousomecoffee?”

AswesatsippingArabiccoffeethatIrarelyenjoyedinHolland,Iobservedtheverynicesurroundingsandasked,inmybluntmanner,“Whoareyou?”

Mr.Khouryanswered,“IamChairmanArafat’sright-handman.IrepresentthePLOinEurope.”

Alwayslookingforanopendoor,Iblurtedout,“CanyougetmeintouchwithArafat?”

“Allittakesisonephonecall.”Hemadethephonecall,andafewdayslaterIwasonaplanetoTunis,where

ArafatandthePLOwereinexileafterbeingdrivenoutofLebanon.IbroughtArafat,labeledbyonereporter“theTeflonGuerrilla,”[1]aBibleandacopyofGod’sSmugglerandtoldhimaboutmywork.Ihadwonderedatthetimewhatsignificancetherewasinthatmeeting.

ThistimeIwouldbegoingtohimwithanagenda—averyimportantrequest.“Lord,gobeforeme,”Iprayedaloud,myvoicereverberatinginthestone-walledroom.“Givemefavorinhissight.”

Arafat’sofficeandthoseofmanyleadersofthePalestinianAuthoritywereina

Arafat’sofficeandthoseofmanyleadersofthePalestinianAuthoritywereinarowofbuildingsborderingthebeachoftheMediterraneanSea.Thecomplexlookedsurprisinglyplainforamanwhowasleaderofthreemillionpeople,whomightsoon,iftheOsloAccordsplayedoutaspromised,beaheadofstate.Thetaxidroppedmeoff,andIwalkedablockpastthecheckpointtothemainoffice.Duringtheday,Arafat’swaitingroomwastypicallypackedwalltowallwithnewspeople,foreignfigures,andbusinessmenlookingforinvestmentopportunities.Butthisevening,onlythepresidentandoneofhisadvisors,NabilabuRudeineh,wereworkinglate.

“I’vecometoseemyfriendAbuAmar!”Isaid,announcingmyarrivalasIenteredthebuilding.

AlmostimmediatelyanofficedooropenedandIheardArafat’svoice.“BrotherAndrew!”Heemerged,wearinghisfamiliarkaffiyeh,carefullyfoldedoverhisrightshoulderintheshapeofthelandofPalestine.Grabbingmyshoulders,hekissedmeonbothcheeksandsaid,“Comein;comein!”

Thefamousmanwiththepersistentthree-daygrowthofbeardwassurprisinglyshort,onlyfivefootfourtall,andhisappearancedidnotbespeakhispowerfulpresenceinMiddleEasternaffairs.Butbehindhisunassumingappearancewasacharismaticpersonality.InhisofficeIasked,“DoIcallyouMr.Presidentnow?”

“No,no!”helaughed.“ToyouIamalwaysAbuAmar.”[2]“Ihearyouarealsoaproudfatherofababygirl.Ihavebroughtyougift—a

children’sBibleinArabicthatyoucanreadtoherwhenshesitsonyourlap.”Arafatreceivedthebookandlookedatitreverently.“Thisisabeautifulbook.

Thankyouverymuch.”“Ialsohavearequestformyfriend.”Ipulledthelettersfrommyjacket

pocket.“InthisenvelopeisaletterfromLabibMadanat,whodirectsthePalestinianBibleSociety.ItispartoftheUnitedBibleSocietiesthatproducedthisbeautifulbook.ThisparticularvolumewasprintedinBeirut.”

Thepresidentstartedcarefullythumbingthroughthepages,lookingattheartwork.SeveralminutesofsilencepassedasArafatseemedmesmerizedbythebook.Finally,hesaid,“Weneedmorequalitybookslikethis.”

“That’swhyIamhere,”Isaid,seizingmyopportunity.“TheBibleSocietywouldliketoopenabookshophereinGaza.LabibMadanathasfoundsomeemptyofficespacethatwouldworkwell,acrossthestreetfromAlAhliHospital.Wewouldliketogetyourpermission.”

“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”Arafatsaid,lookingupatme.“Youhavepermission!”Hereadtheletter,thengrabbedhispenandwroteanotetoNabilabu

Rudeineh:“PleaseproceedwiththeregistrationoftheBibleSocietyandthelicenseofthebookshopinGazaaccordingtoPalestinianlaw.”

AbuRudeinehlookedattheinstructions,thensaid,“Mr.Andrew,IwillmakeacopyofthisforyoutotakebacktoMr.Madanat.”

OnSundaymorningIwalkedovertotheGazaBaptistChurch,justafewblocksfromMarnaHouse.ThechurchwaslocatedacrossthestreetfromthePalestinianparliamentbuilding,wherethelegislativecounselmet.Eastoftheparliament,acrossthestreet,wasalongpark.WhenI’dfirstarrivedhereafterthe1967war,ahugestatueoftheUnknownSoldierhaddominatedthearea.ButithadbeentorndownbyIsraelis,leavinganemptypedestal.AfterthesigningoftheOsloAccords,thePalestinianAuthorityhaderectedanewstatue,onefarsmallerthanitspredecessor,anditlookedoutofplaceonthelargepedestal.Alreadyabulletholemarreditsleftshoulder.Iwassurethiswassymbolic,butofwhatIdidn’tknow.

IwalkedacrossthestreettotheBaptistchurchthatmetintworentedvillasbehindacementwall,whichwascoveredwithgraffiti.Jaber,oneoftheleadersatthechurch,greetedmeattheentrance.Hiswifewassettinguprefreshmentsinthesocialhallnexttothesmallsanctuary.Twotoddlersranfreelyamongtherowsoffoldingchairsputoutfortheservice.Anoldladywithgnarledhandspracticedonapianothatbadlyneededtuning.

Bythetimetheservicestarted,afewminutespast11:00,onlytwelveadultswerescatteredamongthefoldingchairs.Wesangthehymn“AllHailthePowerofJesus’Name,”butdespitethepianist’senthusiasticpoundingoutofthechords,therewaslittleconvictioninthecongregation’ssinging.AfewyearsearlierIhadpreachedinthissamechurchwithseventy-fiveoreightypeoplefillingtheroom.ButeachyearasIreturned,thenumberhaddwindled.Despairhungovertheroom,asthoughthememberswereattendingadeathwatchanditwasonlyamatteroftimebeforethedemiseofabelovedfamilymember.

Iknewthismustnothappen.Thislittlebody,theonlyevangelicalchurchinGaza,mustnotdie!Ipreachedwithpassiontothissmallflock.Afterward,asIdrankabottledsoda,ItalkedwithJaberandtwootherlong-termmembersofthecongregation—Isam,abusinessman,andDr.Attala,arespectedphysician.Attalarecalledhisearlyexperienceinthechurch.“ImovedherefromEgyptin1976andworkedattheBaptisthospital.”HewasreferringtoAlAhliHospital,whichsince1982hadbeenrunbytheAnglicanChurch.“Iwasbaptizedinthe

chapelofthehospitalin1979andhavebeenpartofGazaBaptistChurcheversince.”

Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethesorrowinhisvoice.“Gentlemen,youmustnotgiveup!”Isaid,wonderinghowconvincingIsounded.“Godhasaveryimportantworkforthischurch.”

Thethreemenlookedatme,sayingwithoutwordsthattheywantedtobelieveme.Thenoneofthemspokehaltingly,“BrotherAndrew,we’vebeenthinkingthatweneedtoholdanevangelisticcrusade.Ifweorganizeit,wouldyoucomeandpreach?”

Ononelevel,thisrequestmadesense.TheBaptistswereknownfortheirevangelisticmeetings,andwhatbetterwaytogrowtheflockthantobringinahostofnewconverts?However,thischurchwasn’tready.“Gentlemen,Iunderstandyourrequest,andIwouldlovetocomeandpreachhereinGaza.Butyouaren’tready.Whatwouldyoudowiththosewhorespondtothemessage?Theywillneedcounseling,teaching,Bibles,books.Untilyouhaveaplanforfollow-up,youaren’treadyforacampaign.”

“I’veheardtheBibleSocietywantstoopenashopinGaza,”saidIsam.“That’sexactlywhatImean—weneedresources,”Isaid.“Weneedaplacefor

menandwomentogoandbetaughttheBible.Otherwise,asJohnWesleysaid,it’slikegivingbirthtoababyandleavingitintheSaharaDesertwithoutfoodorwaterornourishment.”

“Whenwillthebookshopopen?”Jaberasked.“Idon’tknow.We’reworkingonit.Pleasepray.”Themenwerediscouraged,andIknewIcouldn’tleavethemthatway.“There

isgreatdarknesshereinGaza,istherenot?”Myfriendsnodded.“Whatconquersdarkness?Light!AndthatlightisineveryoneinwhomChristdwells.Thischurchisalight,perhapsnotaverystronglight,butithasnotgoneout.Itmustnotgoout!Youmustpray,andIwillpray,thatGodwillstrengthenthislittlecongregationsothatitbecomesabrightlightshininginthedarkness.ThischurchisthehopeforGaza.Iwillprayandaskotherstopraythatthischurchwillberevivedandgrow.”

Isamsmiledandthankedmeforthosewords.“Andrew,everytimeyouvisit,weareencouraged.”

“ThatiswhyIcome.And,theLordwilling,IwillcomebackeveryyearanddowhateverIcantohelpyouandthischurchgrow.”

“Andoneday,wewillbereadytoholdacampaign,”saidIsam.

SouthernCalifornia,1996

HannaMassadstaredattheopenBibleinfrontofhimonthetableoftheFullerTheologicalSeminarylibrary.Scatteredaroundhimwerecommentariesandotherlibrarybooks—mostdealingwithvariousperspectivesoneschatology.Whenhe’dstartedstudyingtheologyasacuriousteenagerrecentlybaptizedintheBaptistchurch,he’dbeenintroducedtothedoctrineofdispensationalism,whichdistinguishedbetweenGod’splanforIsraelversusHisplanfortheChurch.ThethinkingspelledoutGod’sintentions,accordingtoScripture,forvariousperiodsinhistory.Accordingtothatpropheticview,thebirthofIsraelin1948signaledthebeginningoftheendoftheagethatwouldculminateintheraptureandthereturnofChrist.

Nowasastudentinseminary,workingonhisPh.D.dissertation,Hannastruggledwiththatdoctrine.HewassurprisedtolearninhisearlyclassesatFullerthattherewereotherperspectivesabouttheHolyLandandGod’splanfortheJewsandtheChurch.Hehadlivedawayfromhomeforseveralyearsnow.Hisfather,whohadinitiallyresistedhisattemptstostudyintheUnitedStates,hadpassedaway.Hismotherandtwosisterswerebothinpoorhealth.Hemissedhishomeandhisfamilyandthecongregationhehadpastoredforfouryears.HewonderedaboutGod’splanforhisfamilyandthatchurch.

HewonderedtooifitmatteredtoGodthathewasaPalestinian.Beforebeginninghisdoctoralstudies,HannahadreviewedthehistoryoftheconflictbetweenIsraelandthePalestinians.Atthestartofthetwentiethcentury,themajorityofthepeoplelivingintheHolyLandwerePalestinians,andallofthemspokeArabic.In1917GreatBritaindeclareditsdesiretoseetheformationinPalestineofanationalhomelandfortheJewishpeople.[3]However,thisfamousBalfourDeclaration,asitwascalled,alsostatedthatthisnewnationwouldnot“prejudicethecivilandreligiousrightsofexistingnon-JewishcommunitiesinPalestine.”Hewondered,then,atthefairnessoftheUnitedNationsin1947,giving52percentofthelandtoIsraelandallowingonly48percentofthelandforthefargreaterpopulationofArabslivinginthearea.

Therefugeeproblemalsotroubledhim.OfthesevenhundredthousandArabswhofledorweredrivenoutofPalestine,atleastfiftythousandwereChristians.Hisparentswereamongthosewhohadsuffered.HewonderedwhytheChurcharoundtheworlddidn’tseemtocareaboutthem.ManyChristiansseemedfarmoreeagertorejoiceinthebirthofIsraelthantounderstandthesufferingoftheirfellowbelievers.AsoneArabpastorhadsaid,“ItishardtobetoldthatforthereturnofmyLordJesustotakeplace,Imustfirstbeexpelledfrommy

ancestralhome.”[4]HannaunderstoodwhysomanyPalestinianshadrespondedviolently.ButasaChristian,thatbotheredhimtoo.Heknewthatviolencewasnottheanswer.

WhatdidallthismeanforhimasaChristianandasaPalestinian?HowshouldherelatetotheJewishpeople?TheScripturesspokeaboutJewsandGentilesbeingunitedintoonebody,butinactualitythetwosideswerenotyetreconciled.Forgivenesswasneededonbothsides.ManyoftheChristianshe’dmetintheStatesdidn’tseethetwosidesofthiscoin.TheyblindlysupportedeverythingthestateofIsraeldid,whethergoodorbad,rightorwrong.HeunderstoodthatmanyreactedthiswayasaresponsetothehorroroftheHolocaust—hestillcringedatthepictureshe’dseenandstorieshe’dheard.Butshouldjusticeforonepeoplecomeattheexpenseofanother?WhydidsofewevangelicalChristiansseemtoknoworcareabouttheirbrothersandsistersonthePalestinianside?

ThatpersonalstrugglehadcausedhimtochooseasthetopicofhisPh.D.dissertationthetheologicalfoundationforreconciliationbetweenPalestinianChristiansandMessianicJews.Somanyhadattemptedtofindapoliticalsolutionintheregion.Perhaps,heconcluded,itwastimefortheChurchtodemonstrateadifferentway.

Gaza,1996

Sundayevening,afterspendingmuchofthedaywithmyfriendsatGazaBaptistChurch,Itookataxifrommyhotel.Thedriverstoppedonanarrowdirtroadacrossfromamosqueandspoketoaboywhoguardedagate.Ipaidthedriverandgotoutandwalkedthroughthegate.

EversincemytalkstotheHamasin1994,IhadstayedintouchwithMahmoudZahar,tryingtovisitwithhimeverytimeIwasinGaza.Wehadmetathismedicalclinicinoneofthepoorestsectionsoftownandattheuniversitywherehelectured.Mydesirewastounderstandthisman,whatmotivatedhim,andhowhethought.IalsowantedhimtoknowaChristianmanwhowasascommittedtoJesusChristashewastoMuhammadandIslam.Twodaysearlier,whenI’dcalled,hehadsurprisedmebyinvitingmetohishomefordinner.

Mahmoud’shomewasverysimple,withlittlefurnitureandalmostnoornamentation.Wesatintworedoverstuffedchairs.Thewallswereplainwhite,buttherewereacoupleofholes—theylookedlikebulletholesbutIdidn’task.Icouldhearvoicestalkingsoftlyinthekitchenbehindacurtain.ButwhenMahmoudinvitedmetothediningtable,itwasonlythetwoofus.Iassumed

Mahmoudinvitedmetothediningtable,itwasonlythetwoofus.Iassumedthathiswifeoradaughterfixedthemeal,butIdidnotmeetthem.

Ididn’tknowmuchaboutMahmoud’sbackground,becausehedidn’tspendmuchtimetalkingabouthimself.I’dlearnedthathewasbornin1943andearnedhismedicaldegreeinEgypt,specializingindiseasesofthethyroid.Inevitablywebeganourtalkswiththecurrentpoliticalsituation.Mahmoud’sintensityshowedinthewayheleanedtowardmetomakesureIunderstoodhispoints.Hewasarticulate,andIcouldunderstandwhyCNNandothernewsservicesoftencametohimforinterviews.“Wearefightingagainstoccupiers,”hesaid.“Wearefightingagainstarmies,againstpeoplewhoareoppressingcivilians.Butit’sveryimportanttoseethestrengthofthePalestinianside.AllPalestinians,MuslimorChristian,areoneunitfacingtheIsraelis.”

“Butnowyouareautonomous,”Iprotested.“UnderOslo,thePalestinianAuthorityisincharge.Youmakeitsoundlikeyouarestillfighting.Aren’tthetwosidesmovingtowardpeace?”

“Werefusetoparticipateinthepeaceconference.WerefusetobepartofPA[PalestinianAuthority]becausetheyarenotrepresentingthemajority.PAindicatedthatIsraelisowneroftheland,andweareanationalminority,whichisnotthecase.Wearetheowneroftheland.WearepartofthePan-Arabicstatehistorically,geographically.WerefusetoacceptIsraelasastate.WeareacceptingofJewsascitizens,havingthefullright,fulldutiesasMuslim,asChristian,asanycitizen.ButasaZionist-fabricatednation—itisnotacceptable.”

“SowhatistheroleofHamasinthisbattle,whereyoualsohavethePLOandtheradicalIslamicJihad?Howdothepeopleknowwheretoturn?”

“Officiallyweareone,arespectableone.ButnobodycandecidewithouttheacceptanceofHamas,becauseonthepopularlevel,ifHamascallsfordemonstration,therewillbedemonstration.IfHamascallsforcease-fire,therewillbecease-fire.IfHamascallsforescalationofresistance,therewillbeescalationofresistance.ThepowerofHamasisfromthepowerofpopularsupport.”

MahmoudchosehiswordscarefullywhenspeakingaboutthePLO,butIcouldtellhistruefeelingsaboutthegroup.ThefactwasthatHamasandArafatwereenemies.Whentheheatofsuicidebombingattacksbecametoomuch,theIsraeligovernmentputpressureonArafat,whothenarrestedmembersofHamas.FourtimesMahmoudwasincarceratedinaPalestinianprisonbecause,hesaid,“ItreatedpeoplewhowereshotbyIsraelis.”Prisonwasabrutalexperience.Hetoldmehowtheyhadshavedoffhisbeardandallhishair,ashamefulinsult,andbeathim.Herolleduphisshirtsleevetoshowmewherehisarmwasbrokenintwoplaces.Iwassurprisedthathewasn’tbitteraboutthe

armwasbrokenintwoplaces.Iwassurprisedthathewasn’tbitterabouttheexperience.

HeinsistedthatHamaswasnottaintedbycorruptionlikethePalestinianAuthority,ofwhichitwascommonknowledgethatofficialsweremoreinterestedinpersonalpayoffsthaninservingtheneedsofthePalestinians.Ichallengedhim:“Mahmoud,doyoureallymaintainthereisnocorruptioninHamas?”

“Ifwehavecorruption,itisoneortwo.Buthere[thePA]youcanseethisman[Arafat]iscorrupted,deeplycorrupted,andheisstillinauthority.WearenotspeakingaboutangelsinHamas.Butwearespeakingaboutsystem.Whoispunishingthecriminals,andwhoishelpingthepeople?SohereinthePA,theyarecorruptingpeopleandnoneofthemareinjail.Ifwehadthepower,wewouldneverbecomecorruptbecauseAllahforbidsit.That’sthedifferencebetweenusandthesecularsystem.”

Afterdinnerwedrankcoffeeinthelivingroom.Mahmoudwasthoughtfulforafewmomentsaswerelaxed.Thenhestunnedmebysaying,“Andrew,please,weHamaswouldliketomakeacease-firewithIsrael.Couldyoumediate?”

Istammeredforamomentbeforesaying,“WhydoyouthinkIhaveanyinfluence?”

“YouhavecontactsintheAmericanStateDepartment.YouhavemetHenryKissinger.”Inodded.“Wouldyoutellthemofouroffer?”

“OfcourseIwill.ButwhatdoItellthem?”“Tellthemthatweguaranteethatnobombwillexplode.Nosuicidebombing,

noshooting,nosabotageforaslongasweagreewithIsrael—twoyears,threeyears,fiveyears.Theycansetthetime.Nothingwillhappenduringthatperiod.Wewantacease-fire.”

IwasshakingasIlefthishome.Itwasonethingformetobearepresentativeofthegospel,butIfelthelplessintheworldofstatecraft.However,Icouldn’tavoidthis;Ihadtotryanddosomething.IwasconfidentthatwhenMahmoudguaranteedHamaswouldnotstrikeatIsrael,hewoulddeliveronthatpromise.ItwastruethatIhadmetHenryKissinger,theformerU.S.SecretaryofState,onanairplanefromTexastoLosAngeles.Ihadtoldhimaboutmywork,andhehadgivenmehisunlistedphonenumber,saying,“Andrew,ifeveryouneedme,givemeacall.”

Well,thissituationqualified.Dr.KissingerstillmaintainedcloseconnectionswithintheStateDepartment.Itwastimetogivehimacallandturnthisofferovertotheexperts.

26CALLEDTOAHIGHERSTATECRAFT

Harderwijk,Holland,1996

Theletterarrivedviafax.ItwasfromoneofKissinger’sassociatesinNewYorkCity.“IamsorryIwasunabletoreachyou...butIgotnoansweronyourphoneandIamleaving...”wrotetheassociate.Hewasawell-knownmanwhomIrespectedasaChristiantryingtolivehisfaithintheworldofdiplomacy.

PerMahmoud’srequest,IhadcalledHenryKissinger’sofficeassoonasI’dreturnedhome.Thereplydidn’ttakelong:“IspokewithpeopleinourgovernmentaboutyourdiscussionswithMahmood(sic)Zahar,”wrotetheassociate.“ItturnsoutthatourgovernmentdoesnotbelievethatZaharhasanyneedforintermediariesifhewishestodiscusshisideaswiththeIsraelis.Moreover,ourgovernmentisunderastrictpolicyofnothavingcontactswithHamasitself.IamsorryIwasunabletoreachyoudirectlywiththisinformationbutwantedyoutohaveitbeforeIleftonmytrip.”

IleanedbackinmyofficechairandreflectedthatIdidn’tseemtohavemuchsuccessinstatecraft.InmyspiritIknewthatthiswasnotmyprofessionandthatIwascalledtoahigherstatecraft.IwasrepresentingtheKingofKingsandLordofLordstopeoplewho,thoughtheydidn’trealizeit,desperatelyneededtoknowHim.AndIwasencouragingotherstodothatwork,peopleintheMiddleEastwhocouldbefarmoreeffectivethanI.

Gaza,December1996

Theironywasunmistakable.Ithadbeenexactlyfouryearssince415PalestinianshadbeendeportedtosouthernLebanon.Andnow,asaresultofmy

PalestinianshadbeendeportedtosouthernLebanon.Andnow,asaresultofmycontactwiththesemen,IwouldsoonspeaktoanaudienceatIslamicUniversityinGaza(IUG),oneofthemostfundamentalistMusliminstitutionsintheworld.

Formorethanayear,ItriedtofindsomeonewithstrongacademiccredentialswhocouldgivethelectureatIslamicUniversity.Ifeltthiswasasignificantopportunity,andIwantedtherightperson,someonesensitivetothecircumstances,todoit,preferablyinArabic.Imadeseveralcallstofriends,butforvariousreasonstheanswerwasalways,“No,Andrew,Ican’t.”

Finally,whenMahmoudremindedmethattheinvitationremainedopen,Isaid,“Okay,Iwilldoit.”

“Good!”hesaid.“Wewilllookforagoodopportunity.”TheoccasionwasthededicationofanewauditoriumwhereIwasinvitedto

givetheveryfirstlecture.Mahmoudmetmebeforetheeventandwetalkedforafewminutes.IgavehimacopyoftheletterI’dreceivedfromtherepresentativeatKissingerAssociates.“I’msorry,”Isaid.“Asyoucansee,theydon’twanttotalk.”

Mahmoudemphaticallydisputedthat:“It’snottrue.TheStateDepartmenttalkedwithusinAmmanduringthetimeweweredeportedtoLebanon.”Still,Mahmouddidn’tseemterriblysurprised.Apparentlyhehadexpectedthisresponsebutfeltitwasstillworththetry.

“Whydon’tyoucontactIsraeldirectly,asthelettersuggests?”Iasked.Mahmoudshookhishead.“Theywillnottalkwithus.Thereisnochannel

available.ThatwaswhyIthoughtyoumightbeabletoopenawayforus.”Inmostconflictsaroundtheworld,thereisabackdoorforcommunication

betweenthetwosides.Evenifofficiallythecombatantsaren’ttalking,itmakessensetoprovidesomeunofficialwaytoworktowardpeace.Apparentlythiswasn’tthecasehere.

TheexperienceconvincedmethattherewaslittleIcoulddotohelpinthepeaceprocess,atleastpolitically.Mysimpleattemptwasrebuffed,whichaffirmedthatmycallwasnottoworkinthepoliticalrealmbutrathertobringChristtoindividuals.ThatwasexactlywhatIintendedtodoatIUG.

TheIUGcampussitsnexttoaseconduniversity,Al-Azhar,whereIslamisnotsorigidlypracticed.Inmanywaysthesetwouniversitycampuseslookedlikeanyofthousandsaroundtheworld.Studentscrisscrossedbetweenbuildings,hurryingtoclass.

AsMahmoudescortedmetotheauditorium,atrioofcoeds,bytheirdressobviouslyfromAl-AzharUniversity,passedinfrontofus.Mahmoudobserved,“Andrew,doyouseethat?SeewhatthenonstrictobservanceofIslamiclawleadsto?”Theironyisthatthesegirlswerefarmoremodestindressthanyou’dseeonmostWesterncampuses,buttheydidn’twearthetraditionalblackjilbab(longcoat)andhijab(headscarf)favoredbythefundamentalists.

Theauditoriumwasanice,modernfacility,anditwasabouthalffullwithamixoffacultyandstudents.Allofthewomen,dressedinjilbabandhijab,sattogetherinonesection.RepresentativesofHamassatinthefrontrows.AfterMahmoud’sintroduction,Iexpressedmyappreciationforthisopportunity:“I’vebeengiventheprivilegeofspeakingtoyou.Maybewecanclearupafewmisunderstandingsthatarebetweenus.Maybewecanalsoacknowledgeacommonneedweallhave.AndsincemostofyouareMuslimsbychoice,IwantyoutounderstandthatIamaChristianbychoice.”

UsingtheInjil,IreadfromMatthew25:34–36.Thisisapassageaboutjudgment—thegreatestfearofeveryMuslim.“ThentheKingwillsaytothoseonhisright,‘Come,youwhoareblessedbymyFather;takeyourinheritance,thekingdompreparedforyousincethecreationoftheworld.ForIwashungryandyougavemesomethingtoeat,Iwasthirstyandyougavemesomethingtodrink,Iwasastrangerandyouinvitedmein,Ineededclothesandyouclothedme,Iwassickandyoulookedafterme,Iwasinprisonandyoucametovisitme.”

Lookingupandpointingatmyaudience,Isaid,“YouHamasknowthatallthesethingsIhavedoneinyourmidst.”Themeninthefrontrow,includingMahmoud,nodded.“IdidthesethingsinthenameofJesus.”

IwentontoreadfromMatthew26:“Nowitcametopass,whenJesushadfinishedallthesesayings,thatHesaidtoHisdisciples,‘YouknowthataftertwodaysisthePassover,andtheSonofManwillbedelivereduptobecrucified.’”[1]AsIhadatothermeetings,Ispokeaboutthecrucifixion,howJesushaddiedformysinsandtheirsins.

Therewasacommotionintheaudience,andIsawseveralyoungmen,apparentlyobjectingtomyremarks,getupandwalkout.Thiswasn’tgoingtobeeasy.SomefriendshadtoldmethatweshouldnottalkaboutthecrosstoJewsorArabsbecauseitisoffensive.Ihadcounteredtheirargumentsbysaying,“Soweletthemgotohell.”Iwasgoingtomakesurethisaudienceheardthegospel.

ButduringthislectureIalsowantedtotalkabouttheeffectofthegospel.IreadfromthebookofActsabouttheparalyzedmanwhohadanencounterwithPeterandJohn.“Theparalyticwaslookingforahandout,”Itoldmyaudience.“Buthandoutsneverchangesociety.However,PeterandJohnhadspentthree

“Buthandoutsneverchangesociety.However,PeterandJohnhadspentthreeyearswithJesus,andtheyknewwhatHewoulddointhissituation.Theylookedatthemanandsaid,‘Wedon’thavegoldorsilver,butwhatwedohave,wegivetoyou.InthenameofJesusChrist,riseupandwalk.’Amiraclehappened;themanjumpedupandrejoinedsociety.

“IreadastorysometimeagoaboutamanwhovisitedthePope.HelookedaroundandobservedthesplendorandwealthoftheVatican.ThePopenoticedhisamazementandsaidlaughingly,‘Wecannotsayanymorethatwehavenosilverandnogold.’Andthemananswered,‘Neithercanyousay,“Riseupandwalk!”’”Therewaslaughterfromsomeintheaudience,andIhopeditwouldbreakthetension.

“Wefacethisproblemthatwehardlyknowwhatwebelieveanymore.That’swhyweneedtocometogetherforadialogue.Thewholeworldisinacrisis.IfthereisnowaythatGodcanchangepeople,thenthereisnofutureformankind.Ipleadforverbalizationofwhatwereallybelieve,whatweareconvictedandconvincedof.That’swhyIdonotmakeanyapologiesformyfaithinJesusChristandforthespreadingoftheWordofGodinalltheworld.”

Therewasashoutfromoneofthestudents,andheandanotherstudentgotupandchargedoutofthehall.Therewasamurmuramongsomeoftheuniversityadministrationseatedinfront.Acoupleofthemwhispered,thenonegotup,walkedtothedoors,andlockedthemsonooneelsecouldenterorleave.

Itookadeepbreathandcontinued.“Destinyhasthrownustogether.ItisnotbychancethatIamhereatthisuniversity,becausethetwomaininfluencesintheworldtodayare,andwillcontinuetobe,IslamandChristianity.”Iproceededintotheheartofmymessage,thecontrastbetweenrealChristianityandrealIslam.“RealChristianityisfollowingJesusChrist.HesaysthatifyoureallywanttofollowHim,thenyoumustdenyyourself.RealChristianityisutterselflessness.JesussaidtakeupyourcrossdailyandfollowMe.”Ipointedtomyaudienceandsaid,“YouMuslimswillneverunderstandtherealmeaningofthecrossuntilweChristianstakethewordsofJesusseriously.”

Aftermylecturetherefollowedatimeforquestions.ThefirstquestiondealtwiththeconflictbetweenChristiansandMuslimsinBosnia,towhichIsaid,“IthasnothingtodowithChristianity.IfyouthinkthatSerbiaastheaggressorisChristian,thenIwouldaskyourforgiveness.”AnotherstudentwantedtoknowwhyChristiansseemedtobeZionists.ItriedtoexplainthatnotallChristiansareZionists.“MypointisthatfirstandmostimportantwearefollowersofChrist.”

AnotheraskedmetoaddresstheChristianviewofjustice.Ihadtoadmitthatthereishardlyanyjusticeintheworldtoday.Further,Christianshavenever

learnedtospeakwithonevoiceagainstinjustice.“ButthenIslamisnotunitedeither,”Iconcluded.“Solet’sacknowledgethatandseekpersonalcontactssorelationshipscandevelopandgrow.Realchangesintheworldnevercomefromthetopdownward.Realchangesalwaysgrowfromthegrassrootsupward.That’swhythereishope.IfweletHim,Godcanchangethingsthroughyouandme.”

Theuniversityleadershipwasgraciousaboutthelecture,butIknewtheywouldnotwanttoembarrassmeeveniftheyweredispleased.Personally,Ididn’tfeelgoodabouttheevent.Somestudentshadwalkedout,andIassumedothershadwantedtodothesame.Iwonderedwhatgood,ifany,thishaddone.

Gaza,1997

Nearlyayearlater,duringanothertriptoGaza,LabibMadanatandIwenttomeetwithMahmoudZaharathisclinic,justastheneighborhoodmosquewasbroadcastingtheafternooncalltoprayer.Insidethefrontdoorwasalargewaitingarea,andthewoodenbencheswerefullofpatients.Offtoonesidewasanareastrewnwithprayerrugs.Mahmoudemergedfromhisexaminationroom,dryinghishands,whichhe’djustwashedaspartoftheIslamicritualablutions.Henoddedtomeandheadedtothedesignatedprayerareawithhisstaff.Isatandwaitedwiththosepatientswhoweren’tprayingasMahmoudandhisteamrecitedfromtheQuran,thenbowedtowardMeccaandprayed.ThisisthestrengthofHamas,IthoughtasIobservedtheritual.Mahmouddidn’tapologizeformakingmeoranyofhispatientswait.Perhapsthatwasonethingthatdrewmetohim—hewasconsistentinhisfaith.IfonlythereweremoreChristiansasfaithfulinthepracticeoftheirfaith,thentheworldmighttakeusmoreseriously.

Aftertheprayers,MahmoudinvitedmeintohistinyofficeandaskedifIhadtimetogowithhimtomeetwithSheikhAhmadYassin,thefounderofHamas.Iimmediatelyagreed.ThesheikhhadbeenreleasedfromprisonjustafewdaysearlierinadramaticdealbetweenJordanandIsrael,afterIsraeliagentsbungledanattempttoassassinateHamasleaderKhalidMisha’alinAmman.

MahmouddrovemetoasimplehouseinSabra,averypoorsectionofGazaCity.WhenYassinreturnedtoGaza,hishomebecameHamasheadquarters,andmanyvisitorswerecrowdedinthefoyerawaitinganaudience.Mahmoudescortedmepastthecourtierstothereceivingroom,whileexplainingthatYassinwasnearlyblindandhadtroublehearingbutthathismindremainedveryclear.WhenMahmoudintroducedme,explaininghowIhadbecomehisfriend,

Yassinnodded,thengreetedmeinahigh-pitched,almostsqueakyvoice.Yassindidn’tlooklikethekindofpowerfulcharismaticleaderwhocould

motivatethousandsoffollowers.Hesatinawheelchair—attheageoffifteenhe’dsufferedanathleticaccidentthatlefthimparalyzed.Thoughitwasacomfortablywarmday,heworeaheavysweater,withawoolblanketoverhislegs.Hehadafullwhitebeardaboutsixincheslong,andawhitescarfcoveredhishead.Itwashardtoimaginehowthisfrailmanhadsurvivedeightyearsinprisonduringwhichneitherhiswifenoranyofhiselevenchildrenwereallowedtovisithim.

LabibandIpresentedthesheikhcopiesofanArabicBible,achildren’sBible,andoneofmybooks.Iplacedeachbookonhislap.Hethankedme.Anassistantthenremovedeachbookandputitonthelowtableinfrontofhim.Immediatelyanotherassistantgrabbedthebooksandremovedthemfromtheroom.Ithoughtthatwasstrange.Neverbeforehadanyoneseemedembarrassedtohavecopiesofthesebooks.

Whilewevisited,Yassinsignaledthathewashungry.Hisassistantfedhimabanana,thenheldacuptohislipssohecoulddrink.Yassinspoketomeinnearlyawhisper,sayingthatprisonhadmadehimamuchstrongerman.“Mygoalisnotpower.Mygoalistheendoftheoccupation.”IftherewasanyweakeningofresolveamongHamas,itwasclearthatthismanwouldrestorethefocus.Indeed,youcouldtellthattherankandfilereveredhim.

Oneotherthingstruckme.Manyofthecallersinthenextroomwaitingfortheiraudienceneededhelp—medical,financial,orfood.Yassinwouldmakesurethoseneedsweremet.ThiswasthepopularappealofHamas.Numerouscharitieswerefundedandstaffedbytheorganization,providinglow-costorfreeservicesforapopulationwithanunemploymentratepushing70percent.ThePAwasrighttofearHamas—theyhadearnedthepopularsupport.[2]

ThenextdayIvisitedthecampusofIslamicUniversity,andayoungmancameuptomeandsmiled,sayingingoodEnglish,“Iknowyou!”

Ismiledbackandsaid,“I’mafraidIdon’tknowyou.”“Iwasatthelectureintheauditoriumlastyear.”“Thenwhyareyousmiling?Ididn’tthinkyouacceptedwhatIsaid.”“No,itwasgreat!”“Whydoyousaythat?”“Becauseyoudidnotputusdown.Youleftusinourdignity.Thatiswhyme

andmyfriendsadmiredyouandwhatyousaid.”

andmyfriendsadmiredyouandwhatyousaid.”Later,Italkedwithawomanwhohadsatamongthefemalestudents.Shesaid

thattheywereextremelyattentive.“WehaveneverhadtheopportunitytohearaboutChristianitybefore.”

Somaybemylecturehadservedsomeusefulpurposeafterall.Perhapsafewstudents’skewedpictureofChristianityhadchangedbymybeingthere.

27THETEACHER’SBOOKSHOP

Gaza,March1999

ThepartystartedonboardthebusfromJerusalem.“GetintothespiritofprayerforGaza!”Labibcheerfullyshoutedasheboarded.ApplausecamefromthevariousinternationalvisitorsrepresentingministrieslikeUnitedBibleSocietiesandOpenDoorsthathadhelpedpray,counsel,andfundthisproject.

IthadbeennearlyfiveyearssincethevisionforthebookshopinGazawasborn.BureaucraticredtapehadslowedtheprojectevenafterYasserArafatgrantedhispermission.Asabrand-newgovernment,thePalestinianAuthoritymanagedtocreatemanyhurdlesoverwhichLabibandhisteamhadtojump.Inaddition,becauseGazawasoneofthemostcrowdedpiecesoflandintheworld,itwasfarmoreexpensivethaninitiallyexpectedtopurchasethepropertyandopentheshop.

WhileworkingtofulfillthedreamforGaza,LabibwasalsoaggressivelyexpandingtheBibleSocietyworkintocommunitiessuchasBeirZeit,thelocationofthemostprestigiousPalestinianuniversity.Theactualvillage,abouthalfanhour’sdrivenorthofJerusalem,washometoaboutfifteenhundredChristians.AlocalCatholicpriest,FatherEmilSalayta,wastheprimaryforcebehindlaunchingaBiblebookshopinthearea.Ithadtakenayeartoestablish,withdoorsopeninginDecember1995.

LabibhadenthusiasticallythankedmeforthesupportofOpenDoorsinthatproject.Hereportedonthefirstmonthofministry:“WehavedistributedthousandsofBiblesovertheChristmasholidays.LetuspraythatfamilieswillreadittogetherandturntotheRock.”

FatherEmilplannedtogiveaBibletoeveryfamilyandaJesusfilmtoeveryChristianfamilyintheregionofBeirZeit,Abud,Jifna,andTaybeh.Next,LabibwasworkingtoopenabookshopinNablus.

WeweregivenVIPtreatmentattheEretzbordercrossingintoGaza.ThePalestinianAuthorityfeltitnecessarytoprovideuswithapoliceescort,andtheflashinglightsandarmedguardsateveryintersectionseemedtomelikeawonderfulmarketingdevicetocallattentiontothegrandopening.Toaccommodatemorethan150guests,theopeningceremonieswereheldattheAnglicanchapelonthegroundsofAlAhliHospital,acrossthestreetfromthenewbookshop.

Itwasajoyfulcelebration.Aftersinging,Scripturereading,andprayers,theRev.MillerMilloy,regionalsecretaryfortheUnitedBibleSocieties,andIaddressedthegathering.IobservedthattheofficialnameofthestorewasTheTeacher’sBookshop.Why?“BecauseJesus’owndisciplesrepeatedlycalledHim‘Teacher,’notbecauseJesuswasthegreatestprophet,norbecauseHewroteabook,butbecauseHewasthebiggestmessage.HewasthefulfillmentofJohntheBaptist’smessage,‘BeholdtheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinsoftheworld.’”

Thenthepartymovedacrossthestreettotheshop,andpeoplewanderedthroughtheupstairsandthemainfloorandspilledoutontothesidewalk.“Fromtodayon,anybodyinGazacanwalkintothisstoreandbuyaBibleforhimself!”Labibdeclaredasheledagroupofusonatour.Heexplainedthatbecauseoftravelrestrictions,manyofthestrip’smillion-plusresidentswereunabletocrossintoIsraelandpurchaseaBible.Overtheyears,BiblesocietiesaroundtheworldhadreceivedlettersfromGazaaskingforcopiesoftheBible.Evenduringthelastmonthsofpreparation,thebookshopmanagerreportedthatanumberofpassersbyhadsteppedintothebuildingtoaskforBibles.

Therewerefloor-to-ceilingshelves,filledwithArabicBibles,children’spictureBibles,biblicalencyclopedias,commentaries,andbooksonchurchhistory,liningthewallsofthefirstfloor.Thesecondfloorcontainedachildren’sbookcorner,facilitiesforcomputeraccesstotheInternet,andtablesandchairsforthestudiesLabibhopedwouldbehelddaily.

InoticedDoronEven-Ari,thefirstMessianicJewtoheadtheBibleSocietyofIsrael,beamingproudlyasheexaminedthefacilities.HeandLabibhadbecomefriendsandwereworkingcloselytogetheronseveralprojects,includingasoon-to-be-publishedcolorbrochureinArabicandHebrewthatwouldpresentGod’splanforpeaceintheScriptures.

Asayoungman,Doronwouldneverhaveimaginedhimselfinthisposition.

Asayoungman,Doronwouldneverhaveimaginedhimselfinthisposition.HisparentshadmovedtoPalestinefromGermanyinthe1930sandhegrewupduringtheexcitingyearsfollowingIsrael’sbirth.TrainedbytheMinistryofDefense,DoronhadservedhiscountryforfifteenyearsinvariouspartsofAfrica,until“Godfoundme,”ashelikedtotellpeoplewhowantedtohearhisstory.AtanoutdoorstadiumeventinPretoria,SouthAfrica,“GodrevealedHimselfpersonallytomeandintroducedHisSonYeshua.”

Ialsonoticedrepresentativesoftheliturgicalchurches—GreekOrthodox,Anglican,andCatholic—aswellaseldersfromtheBaptistchurch.LabibestimatedthereweretwothousandChristianslivingamongmorethanonemillionMuslimsinGaza.Labibwantedthistobeacenterforthemaswellasforthecommunity—aplacewhere“affordablecopiesoftheWordofGodareavailableforeveryperson.”Heenvisionedthisbeingthestartingpointforoutreachintoschoolsanduniversities.“AndIhopethiswillprovideforbetterrelationsbetweenChristiansandPalestinianauthorities.Wewanttoblessthem,andwewanttostrengthentheChurchinGaza.”

ArepresentativeoftheNorwegianBibleSociety,observingthefestiveatmosphere,commented,“Afterthis,wewillnolongerassociateGazawithjustviolenceandproblems.Nowwewillassociateitwithhope.”

Theonlygroupnotvisibleatthepartywastheonethathadunknowinglyprovidedtheimpetusforthestore.ImentionedtoLabibthatIdidn’tseeanyrepresentativesfromHamas.“Oh,Iwouldn’texpectanyofthemtocometothededication,”Labibanswered.“Butyouwait.Iexpectsomeofthemwillvisitquietlyinthecomingweeks.”

Iprayedthatindeedthesemenwouldbedrawntothestore,andmanyothers—students,governmentofficials,military.TheyallneededtheGoodNewsfromtheTeacher.[1]

Gaza,1999

HannaMassadwasgladtobebackinGazaafterearninghisPh.D.Andwithawifetoo!HannaandSuhadhadmarriedjustafewweeksearlierinJordan.HebeamedwithprideasSuhadservedcoffeeandpastriestotheirguests.

Oneofthem,AbuYahya,wasmanagerofTheTeacher’sBookshop,andhehadrecruitedayoungman,Kamal,whowaslearningtheropesofministryunderhisdirection.“Theshophasbeenopenforsixmonths,”Abureported.“Whatisamazingishowmanystudentsfromtheuniversityarecomingin.Wehaveonaverageadozennewvisitorseveryday.Wehavediscussiongroupsalmosteverydayonthesecondfloor.It’sachanceforstudentstoaskquestions

almosteverydayonthesecondfloor.It’sachanceforstudentstoaskquestionsaboutChristianityandtheBible.”

“We’realsoshowingtheJesusfilm,”saidKamal.“AndweplansoontostartteachingcoursesinEnglish.Botharegoodevangelistictools.”

HannareflectedonhowdifferentthesituationwasfromwhenhewaspastoroftheGazaBaptistChurcheightyearsearlier.Thistimeheknewhewasn’tgoingintotheworkalone.Hiswifewasopeningupopportunitiesforworkwiththewomen.Andthesetwomenneededsomeplacetosendtheconvertswhowerealreadyemergingfromtheirbookshopministry.

Abu’swifeaskedHannawhathisprioritieswereasheresumedhispastoralresponsibilities.“First,SuhadandIhavealreadystartedvisitinghomes,”hesaid.“Wewanttovisiteveryfamilyandindividualrepresentedinthischurch.”

“Whataboutbringinginnewfamilies?”Abuasked.“That’sonereasonIwouldliketoworkwithyouandKamal.Iwouldliketo

plansomeevangelisticevents.Outofthoseeventswillcomemoredisciples.Ican’tdosomethinglikethatalone.”

“Andwearefarmoreeffectiveworkingwithalocalchurch,”saidAbu.“Ourphilosophyisoneofmultiplication.Wewanttomakediscipleswhointurnwillmakeotherdisciples.”

“Ihaveanidea,”Hannasaid.“WhileIwasstudyingintheStates,Ilearnedaboutaspeakerandwriter,JohnMaxwell,whospecializesintrainingleaders.”Hannahelduponeofthebooks,The21IrrefutableLawsofLeadership.“IthinkthismightbehelpfultoleadersinthePalestinianAuthority.”

“I’dliketoknowthoselawsofleadershipmyself,”saidAbu.Thatwasthestartofacohesiveteamthatmetregularlytopray,study,and

strategize.Thislittlechurchwasgoingtoshineitslightintothegovernment,schools,andtheculture.Hannarealizedthatthistimetheministrydidn’tfallonhisshouldersalone.Godhadprovidedhimwithateam.Asaresult,theimpactofGazaBaptistChurchwouldbesignificant.

28DIDYOUTRYTOPRAY?

BeitSahour,1999

NawalQumsiehsawmanyneedsinherneighborhood,butshecouldn’tjustannounceaBiblestudyorprayermeetingandinvitewomenintoherhome.Therewerelimitations.Ifshewastoteachawomanordoanycounseling,shefirsthadtogetpermissionfromthewoman’shusband.MuslimorChristian,itdidn’tmatter—thoseweretherulesinthisculture.

Forseveralyears,shehadvisitedhomes,talkedtohusbandsandwivestogether,presentedthegospel,butnoonehadresponded.Itwaswellandgoodtobecalledtoministry,butiftherewasnofruit,whatwasthepoint?OnedayNawalpouredoutherfrustrationtoapastorfriendinJerusalem.

“Godhaspreparedyouforministry,”thepastorgentlytoldher.“AndGodisreadytomoveinhearts.”

“Ibelievethat,”Nawalaffirmed.“ButtowhomshouldIminister?NooneI’veapproachedhasresponded.”

“Youneedtomoveout.Godcan’tdoanythinguntilyoumove.”“GodknowsI’mready!”Nawalprotested.“I’vetriedmovingout.Thatdoesn’t

work.It’stimeforGodtoshowmewheretominister.I’mgoingtoknowHeisleadingmewhensomeoneasksmeforhelp.”Itwasspokenwithdetermination.LikeGideon,Nawalhadsetoutafleece.

Acoupleofdayslatershewenttoherhairdresser.Unlikemosttimes,themanwasquietasheworkedonherhair.Shesensedadeepsadnessinherfriend,sosheasked,“What’swrong?”

“Don’tworry,”heanswered.IntypicalArabfashion,amanwasn’tgoingtoopenuptoawomanwhowasn’tamemberofhisfamily.

openuptoawomanwhowasn’tamemberofhisfamily.Shepersistedanyway:“I’dliketoknow.Thatis,ifyouknow,ifyoucansay.”Shewaitedasthemancombedoutherhair.Finally,hesaid,“Mywifehashad

manymiscarriages.”Heranthecombthroughherhairafewmoretimes,thenstopped,saying,“I’vespentallofourmoneytryingtofindoutwhy.We’vetriedmanydoctors,butnoneofthemhavehelped.”Nawaldidn’tinterrupt.SheunderstoodthatanArabmandidn’tfeelcompleteuntilheandhiswifehadchildren.Finally,hesaid,“Mywifeispregnant.Andshe’sbleeding.Atanyminuteshemightlosethebaby.”

“Howfaralongisshe?”Nawalasked.“Sheisdueintenweeks.Mostofthemiscarriageshavebeenrightaboutthis

time.”“Haveyoutried...”“We’vetriedallthedoctors,allthemedicines,everything!Nobodyknows

why.There’snotanyreason.”Themansteppedback.Hisangerwaspalpable.“Didyoutrytopray?”Nawalaskedquietly.“What?”Nawalwasshaking,hersenseshyperalert,herspiritinferventprayer.“Did

yougotoJesus?Didyouprayforyourwife,orhavesomeoneprayforyourwife?DidyoutryJesus?”

Themanstoodfrozen,buthisangersubsided.“No,Ineverheardaboutthat.I’veneverthoughtaboutwhatJesuscando.”

NawalknewthismanhadbeenborninanOrthodoxfamilybuthadn’tbeentochurchinyears.“Whydon’tyoutry?”shesaid.

“Idon’tknowhowtodoit.”“Okay,asksomebody.”Themanpaused,thensaid,“Wouldyouprayformywife?”Sheknewthiswasthemomentshehadwaitedfor.“Yes,butyourwifehasto

agreewithyouformetocomeandpraywithher.”Thehairdressersilentlyfinishedhiswork.AsNawalpaidhimandheadedout

thedoor,shesaid,“I’llbeathome.Ifyouneedme,Iwillbeready.”Themancametoherhomeat7:00thatevening,dashingupthestairstoher

doorinthepouringrain.“Wouldyoucomenowtoprayformywife?”Allshehadtodowasgrabherraincoat,butshedidn’tmove.“Whynow?”she

asked.“I’llcomeinthemorning.”Themanwasinapanic.“Shewilllosethebabyinthemorning.”Whyshouldn’tshegonow?Nawalwondered.Butshesensedthatthiswasnot

yettherightmoment.“No,shecan’t.Shewillnotlosethatbaby.Shewillkeepthebabyuntilmorning,andIwillcomeandprayforher.”

Nawalbarelysleptthatnight.Why,Lord?Shewondered.WhyshouldIwait?Buttherewasapeace,adivineconfidencethatshewasdoingexactlyasGodwanted.Sosheprayedforthewomanandherhusband.“Lord,pleasekeepthatbabyuntilmorning.AndwhenIpraywiththiscouple,maytheyfeelYourpresence.”

Inthemorning,afteraverybriefnightofsleep,sheprayedagain:“MayIbeledbyYourSpirit.”Thenshe“heard”herfinalinstructions:“SpeakMyWord,andIwilldotherest.”

Shearrivedatthecouple’shomeat8:30inthemorning.Franticallythemanopenedthedoor.“Wewenttothedoctor,buthesaidthereisnothinghecando.Theholeisopenandthebabywillcomeanyminute.”

Nawalwalkedpasthimtohiswife,whowaslyingonacouch.Shekneltdownnexttothewomanandgrabbedherhand.Thewifeopenedhereyes,whichwereredfromcrying.“Idon’tdeservethebaby,”shewhispered.

“Whydoyousaythat?”Nawalasked.“BecauseI’masinner,andGodispunishingme.”Sensingthehusbandhoveringoverher,NawalstoodandtookoutherBible.“I

havegoodnewsforbothofyou!”Shepulledupchairsforherandthehusbandnexttothecouch.ThenshereadpassagesofScripture,showingthemthat,whileallhavesinnedandfallenshortofGod’sstandard,GodhadplacedalloftheirsinsonHisSonJesusChrist.Then,withallthreeofthemintears,Nawallaidherhandsoverthewoman’swombandprayed:“Ibindthespiritofmiscarriageandthespiritofdeathoverthiswomb.Lord,Ireleasethespiritoflifeinthisbaby.”

Thenitwastimetoprayfornewlifeforthiscouple.Withherguidance,theyprayedandsurrenderedtheirlivestoJesus.Anhourlater,shehuggedthewomanandleft.

Thewomanphonedthatafternoon,inapanic.“I’mbleedingbadly!”shesaid.“Don’tbeworried,”Nawalcounseled.“Together,let’skeepsayingthatwe

trusttheWordofGod,thatGodgaveyouthisbaby,andthatHewillkeepitforyou.Satancan’ttakeitfromyou.”Nawalreadhersomeversestoconcentrateonasherhusbandtookhertothehospital.

Laterthatnight,thewomancalled.“Thebleedinghasstopped!”shepracticallyyelledinexcitement.“Thedoctorexaminedmeandsaidtheholehasclosed.He’samazed.Hesaidit’samiracle.”

Averyhealthyboywasborntenweekslater.ThecouplenamedhimJacobandstartedtellingeveryonetheirstory.Nawalstartedreceivingcalls:“Weheardwhat

startedtellingeveryonetheirstory.Nawalstartedreceivingcalls:“Weheardwhathappened.Wouldyoupleasecomeandprayforus?”

Harderwijk,2000

In2000Iturnedseventy-two.Since1955I’dworkedtostrengthentheChurchindifficultsituations,firstintheformerSovietUnionandEasternEurope,theninChina,Cuba,Africa,andmanypartsoftheIslamicworld.In1993JohanCompanjenassumedthepresidencyofOpenDoors.Hewaswellsuitedforthatrole,andtheministrythrivedandgrew.I’dneverdreamedofstarting,muchlessrunning,abigorganization,andwhenIwasfreedofthosedailyresponsibilities,Iconcentratedmyeffortsonafewkeyareasoftheworld,particularlytheMiddleEast.

NowAl,aprofessionalwriterwhoservedontheboardofdirectorsforourU.S.base,satwithJohaninmyoffice,askingmetotalkaboutwhatI’dlearnedoverforty-fiveyearsofservicetotheChurch.

“Nothingwasplanned,”Isaid.“IcameacrossopportunitiesandIgrabbedthem.Ortheygrabbedme.”HowelsecouldIexplainmyworkwithBisharaAwadandBethlehemBibleCollegeorreachingouttoIslamicfundamentalistgroups?Onedoesn’tsetouttodosuchthings.YourespondinobedienceasGodopensdoors.

WhathadIlearned?Well,therewereafewimportantlessons.Iverbalizedoneofthem:“Therearenoterrorists—onlypeoplewhoneedJesus.”

Johanhadheardmesaythingslikethismanytimes,butthatwasashocktomyAmericanfriend.“I’mserious,”Isaid.“IfIseethemasenemies,howcanIreachthem?I’veoftensaid,ifyouseeaterroristwithagun,getclosetohim,putyourarmaroundhim,andthenhecan’tshootyou.Aslongasweseeanyperson—Muslim,Communist,terrorist—asanenemy,thentheloveofGodcannotflowthroughustoreachhim.Eachofushasachoice.Icangototerroristsandlovethemintothekingdom.AndthemomentIlovethem,theyarenolongermyenemy.Youdon’thateafriend.”

Alasked,“Sowhoistheenemy?”“Thedevil!Neverpeople!”AsAlchewedonthatradicalandbiblicalidea,Igavehimasecondlesson:

“Whoeverisreachableiswinnable.Ithinkthat’swhatmyworkhasdemonstrated,”Iexplained.“TheHamasarereachable.AnyonecouldhavegonetoseethosemenatMarjal-Zohour.IdidwhatJesusdidinHisministry—Imetthemattheirpointofneed.Whenthey’resick,I’mwiththem.Whenthey’reinthehospital,I’mwiththem.Whenthey’reinprison,I’mwiththem.Howelsecan

thehospital,I’mwiththem.Whenthey’reinprison,I’mwiththem.HowelsecantheyknowmyJesus?TheycanonlymeetJesusifsomeoneinwhomHedwellsgoestothem.”

ObviouslyAl’sheadwasspinning.Heaskedcautiously,“Whatresultscanyoushow?DoyouknowhowmanyHamashaverespondedtothegospel?”

AlwasonlyverbalizingthequestionsmostChristianswantedtoask.“Ithinkwe’reonthewrongtrackwithallofourstatistics.Wearetooresults-oriented.Iaimtobedestiny-oriented.IwaswithaChristianpeaceteamrecentlyinHebron,andtheyaskedme,‘HowmanyfundamentalistshaveyouledtoChrist?’Itoldthem,‘Idon’tthinkthere’sanyone.’Theyrejoiced,becauseoneoftheirsupportersfromtheStateswantedtoknowhowmanyMuslimstheyhadledtoChrist.NowtheycouldwritebackandsayevenBrotherAndrewcouldn’tdoit.It’sourjobtogo.Wedon’tjudgeevangelismbyresults,certainlynotfriendshipevangelism.”

JohanremindedAlabouttheuniquecalltoOpenDoorsandme.“Wedon’tgointoacountrytoevangelize.Wegotostrengthenwhatremains.Wherethereisachurch,westandwiththem.Weletthemknowwecare.Wefindoutwhattheyneed—Bibles,materials,training.Weequipthemtobethechurchinthatarea.Hopefullythechurchbecomesaliveintheircommunity,andtheystartevangelizing.”

“ButAndrew,itsoundslikeyouareevangelizing,”Alprotested.“No,Ishowthemhow!”Ianswered.“ThesevisitswithHezbollahandHamas

aren’tstunts.ItakelocalChristianleaderswithme,becauseIwanttodemonstratethattheycandoit.IfIcandoit,amillionpeoplecandoit!AsJohansays,OpenDoorsstrengthenswhatistheresotheycanevangelize.

“ThePalestinianChurchisthreatenedwithextinction.That’swhyIconcentrateonthePalestinianChurch.PeoplewronglyinterpretthattomeanIhavechosenforthePalestinianside.Thisisnotthecase.IhavechosenforthebodyofChrist.That’swhyIworkwithBisharaandBethlehemBibleCollege.Everyoneknowshe’samanoffaithandintegrity,andIsupporthisvisiontoraiseupandtrainleadersforthePalestinianChurch,soitwillnotjustsurvivebutthrive.Takeanotherexample—SalimMunayerandMusalaha.Thatministryofreconciliationwasn’tmyidea.ItwasbornoutofthelocalchurchtoaddresstheconflictbetweenPalestiniansandJews.Wesupportitbecauseweagreethisistheonlysolution,andwewantittohaveachancetosucceed.”

IrealizedIwaspreaching,butIwantedAltounderstandthedistinctivenessofthismission.“Letmegiveyouanotherexample.TwooftheHamasdeportees

cametoseemewhenIwasstayingatBethlehemBibleCollege,butBisharaandIwereaway.Whiletheywaited,severalstudentstalkedtothemandgavethemeachaBible.BisharaandIwerethrilledwhenwelearnedthat!Thosestudentsnowrealizethattheycanreachfundamentalists.Thisistheprocessofdiscipleship.Admittedly,itisaslowprocess.Onebecomestwo,thenfour,theneight.Ittakesawhiletomakeanimpact.Butitdoesn’tmeanweshouldn’tstartwiththatone.IstartedwithBishara.Overtwentyyears,hehasmultipliedthenumberofdisciplesthroughBethlehemBibleCollege,andIdon’tbelieveanyonefromoutsideoftheculturecouldhavedonethat.”

Thethreeofustookadeepbreath,andourdiscussionmovedtothefutureoftheChurchintheregion.“WehavetopreparetheChurchforhardtimes,”Isaidsoberly.

JohanobservedthattimesalreadywerehardintheHolyLand.Iresponded,“Nobodyseemstounderstandhowtoughit’sgoingtobecome.”I

hesitatedforamoment,becauseI’mgenerallyapositivepersonandIdidn’tlikewhatIhadtosay,butmyyearsintheregionleftmenootherconclusion.“DespitethepledgesmadeatOslo,therewillnotbepeace.ThePalestiniansareterriblydisappointed.Iforeseeaneruptionofviolence.”

Withinayear,thevolcanodiderupt,anditwasworsethanmostanyonecouldhaveimagined.Forme,therewasonlyoneconsolation.NowtherewerepeopleintheChurch,trainedandready,whowouldbelightsinthedarkness.PeoplelikeSalim,Labib,Hanna,Nawal,andmanyothers.

Allofthemwouldbedeeplyimpactedbytheconflict.Earlyinthenewintifada,muchoftheconflictswirledaroundBethlehemBibleCollege.

PART4THESECONDINTIFADA

AReligiousUprising

September2000

Hopesforapermanentpeaceweredashedinthesummerof2000.FortwoweeksPresidentClintonmetwithPalestinianPresidentYasserArafatandIsraeliPrimeMinisterEhudBarakatCampDavidtotrytonaildownanagreement,whichwoulddefinehispresidency.ThiswastobetheculminationoftheprocessstartedinOsloin1993.Whiletherehadbeenmanysetbacksduringtheinterveningyears,hopeswerehighthatfinallythetwosideswouldsettletheirdifferences.

Unfortunately,thatdidn’thappen.Millionsofwordshavebeenspokenandwrittentryingtounderstandwhatwentwrongandassessingblame.TherewastensioninIsrael,WestBank,andGaza.AmongPalestinianstherewasfrustrationnotjustwiththepeaceprocessbutalsowithcorruptionamongthePalestinianAuthoritywhoshowedlittleabilitytogoverntheterritoriestheycontrolled.Therewasaneconomicmalaisethatleftmoreandmoremenunabletoprovidefortheirfamily.One-fifthofthePalestinianpopulationwasbetweentheagesoffifteenandtwenty-four,andamajorityofthemwereundereducated(generallybecauseoftimelostwhenschoolswereclosedduringthefirstintifada)andunemployed.Ihadseenthemloungingaroundthestreetswithnothingtodoandhadthoughtthattheywerethefuelforanuprisingthatneededonlyasparktoignite.

ThatsparkoccurredonSeptember28,2000,whenArielSharonvisitedtheTempleMount.Withabigsmileforthetelevisioncameras,hestated,“Iamamanofpeace.”Mostcamerasdidn’tshowtheonethousandpolicemenandsoldierssurroundinghim.Theydidn’tshowthehumiliationfeltbyMuslimsatthepresenceofJewishmilitaryontheirholyground.ThenextdayafterFridayprayers,youngmenbeganthrowingrocksatthepolice.SevenPalestiniansandoneIsraelidiedthatday.ThirteenmorePalestiniansdiedthenextday.Theprotestsspreadlikeadrybrushfire.Duringthefirsttwoweeks,eighty-fivePalestiniansandsevenIsraeliswerekilled,andtherewasnoletupinsight.[1]

Formany,onepicturedefinedtheconflict.OnSeptember30Mohammedal-Dura,atwelve-year-oldboy,wasshotandkilledduringanexchangeofgunfirebetweenIsraelisoldiersandPalestiniandemonstratorsinGaza.Momentsbefore

betweenIsraelisoldiersandPalestiniandemonstratorsinGaza.Momentsbeforehisdeath,aphotographertookaphotooftheboy,alookofterroronhisfaceashecrouchedbehindhisfatherforprotection.Palestinianswereinshock,wonderinghowtoprotecttheirchildren.Forsome,thereactionwasanintensedesireforrevengethatseemedinsatiable.Manyothersfeltthattheruleshadchangedandnobodyhadtoldthem.Alwaysbefore,demonstratorshadfacedrubberbulletsandteargas;nowthebulletswerelethal.

ThisuprisingquicklyacquiredadifferentcharacterfromthefirstintifadathatbeganinDecember1987andragedonandoffuntiltheOsloAccordsweresignedin1993.TheprimaryimageofthatuprisingwasofchildrenthrowingrocksagainstthemilitarymightofIsrael.Muchoftheworldsympathizedwiththem.Therewerealsovariousformsofnonviolentprotests.Deathtotalswerefarlowerthanduringtheseconduprising.[2]

ThistimetherewerefortythousandarmedsecuritypersonneloperatingunderthePalestinianAuthoritywithintheterritories,thoughtheirfirepowerwasfarlessthanthatoftheIsraeliarmy.PlustheIslamicfundamentalistgroupswereplayingahugerole;thesuicidebomberquicklybecameaprominentimageoftheseconduprising.Itwasharderfortheworldtosympathizewiththisrebellionwhenitsawhorrificimagesofdestructionbyjihadi“martyrs.”

ForthePalestinianChristiancommunity,thissecondintifadahadseriousreligiousovertones.SincetheincitingincidenthadoccurredonthethirdholiestMuslimsite,theuprisingbecameknownastheAl-AqsaIntifada,namedafterthemosqueontheTempleMount.ManyChristianstoldusemphaticallythattheyhadnopartinthisviolence.ButIsraeldidn’tdifferentiatebetweenChristiansandMuslimsintheireffortstoquelltheuprising.CertainlybelieversunderstoodandfelttheangerandfrustrationoffellowPalestinians.TheysufferedfromthesameproblemsandhumiliationsasMuslimsinWestBankandGaza,andunderthesecircumstancestheystoodwiththeirfellowPalestinians.Whiletheydidn’twanttobeconsideredtraitors,theyalsobelieveditwaswrongtotakeuparms.Theywereangryatthemilitantsforchoosingviolence,angryatthePAandYasserArafatfornotdoingabetterjobofrunningtheirgovernmentornegotiatingthepeace,andangryatIsraelforexacerbatingtheconflictwiththeexpansionofsettlementsandwithconstantrestrictionsplacedontheirmovement.

Thenitgotmorecomplicated.PalestinianmilitantsstartedshootingfromBeitJalaattheJerusalemsuburbofGilo.Itwasmostlyasymbolicgesture,fortheirgunsdidlittledamage.ButIsraelretaliatedwithmassivefirepower,shootingfromtheirtanksandApachehelicopters.Hundredsofhomesweredestroyed.

ChristianssetuproadblocksinBethlehemandBeitJalaatnight,tryingtopreventmilitantsfromgettinginpositiontoshootatGilo,butwithoutmuchsuccess.[3]FightingescalatedastheIsraeliarmyenteredBethlehem.Oneseven-storybuildingacrossthestreetfromBethlehemBibleCollegewascommandeered.Thecollegebuildingslostmostoftheirwindowsduringtheensuingbattle.

Thereportsweregrim.IwasonthephonetoBisharaalmosteveryweek,encouraginghim,prayingwithhim.ButitwasseveralmonthsbeforeIcouldactuallyvisithim.Ithoughtconstantlyaboutmybrothersandsistersinthemidstoftheconflictandprayedforthem.IwonderedifChristiansshoulddiefightingorlivekneeling,andwerethosetheonlyalternatives?

BisharawasarealistabouttheproblemsconfrontingtheChurch,buthissolutionswereverydifferentfromthoseofmostPalestinians.Hehadanalternativetoviolence.HewasbuildinguptheLightForce.

29THROWINGTHEJESUSSTONE

Bethlehem,June2001

Thingshavebeenquietthelastcoupleofweeks,”BisharasaidasAl,makinghisfirstvisittotheHolyLand,andIclimbedtotheroofofthemainclassroombuildingatBethlehemBibleCollege.“DuringEasterweeksixty-sevenofourwindowswereshotout.Becauseofyourhelp,wewereabletogetthemallreplaced.”HewasreferringtoaspecialgiftOpenDoorsmadewhenweheardthatBethlehemBibleCollegehadbeencaughtinthemiddleoftheshootingbetweenPalestinianmilitantsandIsraelisoldiers.

Fromtheroofwehada360-degreepanoramicviewofthearea.Acrossthestreet,onanemptydirtlotstrewnwithseveralweeksofuncollectedgarbage,boyswereplayingalivelygameoffootball.BisharapointedacrosstheJerusalem-HebronRoadtoaseven-storybuildingnomorethanonehundredyardsaway.Itwasonlyashell—everywindowwasgone.“ThatwaswheretheIsraelisoldierswereshootingfrom—rightoverourheads.”

“Oratyourheads,”Iretortedasweturnedandstaredatthesteeldoorthatopenedintothestairwaywe’djustclimbed.Threebulletholeshadpenetratedthedoor,leavingsharpextrusions,likeflowerpetals,ontheotherside.Theactualbulletswereburiedinmattressesbeingstoredonthetoplanding.Wewalkedaroundtotheothersideoftheroof,steppingoversomepipessowecouldseethesolarpanelsthatprovidedheatforthecollege.Theywereshattered,gazinguselesslyupatthesun.Behindthemwerenewwatertanks—theoldoneshadbeenriddledwithholes.“Almosteveryhomeandbusinesslosttheirwatertanks,”Bisharaexplained.“Itseemedlikethesoldierswantedtoshootthetanks

fortargetpractice.”Weunderstoodtheimplications.Bethlehemsharedwaterwiththesettlements

inthearea.Inrecentmonths,theflowofwaterhadbecomemoreandmoreinfrequent.Oftenthewaterservicewasshutoffforoneortwoweeks.Storagetankswerefilledeverytimethewaterdidflow.Wewereconsciousofhowpreciousthiswaterwaswhenwestoodunderthetrickleoftheshower,determinednottowasteadrop.

Bisharapointedacrossasmalllotcontainingaboutfiftyolivetrees.Animpressivebuildingrosebeyondit.“That’stheIntercontinentalHotel,”heexplained.“Itwasbuiltforthecelebrationssurroundingtheyear2000andthenewmillennium.WeexpectedthousandsoftouristsforChristmas.Butthentheintifadastarted.Sincethen,theonlytimeit’sbeenusedisbyIsraelisoldiers.”

WewalkedbackdownstairstoBishara’scar,whichwasparkedinbackofthecollege.Ontheway,wepassedahugemuraldepictingtheannouncementofthebirthofJesustotheshepherds.Thatgloriouseventoccurredlessthanfivemilesawayfromthisspot.Severalbulletshadgougedholesinthemural.Onebullethadpiercedtheheadofalamb.Somehow,itseemedsymbolic.

BisharadroveoverthecobblestonestreetsofBeitJalatotheeasternmostedgeoftown,beforethehillsidedropsintothevalley.PerchedonanotherhillabouthalfamileawaywasthecommunityofGilo—theflashpointoftherecentconflict.PalestiniansclaimedthatGilowasaJewishsettlementbuiltonlandownedbyresidentsofBeitJala.IsraelclaimedthatitwaspartofJerusalem,thatthey’downedthelandbefore1948andhadonlyreclaimeditafterthe1967war.

Likeanuglygashbelowus,standingoncementpillars,afour-lanehighwayconnectedtunnelsoneachsideofthevalley.“That’sthetunnelroad,”Bisharaexplained.“It’sforIsraelisonly.TheyareabletodrivefromGilotoHebronbygoingunderneathBeitJala.”AlnoticedthatcementwallshadbeenerectedontheBeitJalasideoftheroad.“Somilitiascan’tshootatthecars,”Bisharaexplained.

Weturnedandstaredatthehomesriddledwithbulletholes.Manyofthewallsweresimplygone,allowingustogazeintoroomswherefamilieshadeaten,talked,studied,andrelaxed.Thehomeswerenowuninhabitable.“Morethan450homeshavebeendestroyed,”Bisharasaidsoftly.Hepointedtoonewhereanentirefloorwasblownaway.“FourChristianfamilieslivedinthathouse.Oneofourstudentslivedthere.”

“Wherearetheynow?”Iasked,tryingtoimaginethehorrorofthatnight

“Wherearetheynow?”Iasked,tryingtoimaginethehorrorofthatnightwhentheirhomevanishedunderabarrageoftankandmachine-gunfire.

“Theyhavefamilyinthearea,butthehomesareverycrowded.It’satremendousburdenonthefamilies.”

“Canyouexplainwhythishappened?”Bisharapointedabovethehouseandsaid,“ThemilitantsarenotfromBeit

Jala.Theycomein—HamasorArafat’sTanzimmilitia—andfireautomaticweaponstowardGilo.”Hepointedtotheapartmentbuildingsacrossthevalley,gleaminginthemorningsun.“TheirgunscanbarelyreachGilo.Butassoonasthemilitiasshoot,Israelitanksstartrumblingacrossthevalley,firingattheplaceswheretheythinkthemilitiasare.”

“OfcoursetheyaregonebythetimetheIsraelisshoot,”Ireflected,“andthepeopleinthesehomesarecaughtinthemiddle.”

“Yes,theyarecaughtinthemiddle.TheMuslimsthinktheycanforcetheChristianswholiveheretobeontheirside.ButthepeoplelivinginthesehomesareangryatthePalestinianmilitias,andtheyareangryattheIsraelisfortheharshretaliation.”

Wedroveseveralblocksandstoppedbyaboarded-upbuildingwithasignindicatingthatthiswasachildren’stheater.Nearbywasanotherhome,withthesecondflooropentotheelements.“Thishousewashitbyatankshell.Thewallcrumbledandkilledaneighteen-year-oldMuslimboy.”Bisharasighed,thensaid,“Thesepeoplehavenothingtodowiththeconflict,andtheIsraelisknowthat.”

Onanotherstreet,westoppedandlookedatablackenedcarincineratedbyatankshell.Acrossthestreet,Bishararecognizedacouplewhohadreturnedduringdaylighthourstocollectsomeoftheirbelongings.Theyinvitedusin,apologizingthattheycouldn’tserveuscoffee.Themandidhaveabagoffreshapricots.Iacceptedoneandsavoredthewonderfulflavor.“That’sthebestapricotI’veevertasted!”

Themanbeamed.“TheyarethebestintheMiddleEast!”heagreed.Insidethelivingroom,mostofonewallwaslinedwithsandbags.Evenso,a

greatdealofplasterfromthewallsandceilinglayinapileonthefloor.“[Israeliprimeminister]Sharonthreatenedtotakeoutthefirstrowof

homes,”themansaidasIlookedovertheroom.“Ifthemilitiasstillshoot,thenhe’dtakeoutthesecondrowofhomes.Andhewouldkeepgoinguntilthetownwasdestroyed.”

“Youcan’tfighttanks,”Isaid.“Wedon’twanttofight!”themansaid.“Wehavenoweapons.”

“Wedon’twanttofight!”themansaid.“Wehavenoweapons.”Onthewaybacktothecollege,wepassedbyHopeSchool.Wecouldn’t

actuallydrivethere—theroadwasblocked,andwehadtoparkandclimbovertherubble.“HopeSchoolisinAreaC,”Bisharaexplained.“Bethlehem,BeitSahour,andBeitJalaareAreaA,whichisrunbyPalestinianAuthority.ButAreaCisunderIsraelicontrol.”

WestoodonthetopoftheheapandgazedattheplacewhereI’dfirstmetBishara.Irememberedthattheyhadsomechickenstoprovideeggsforthechildren.“Theyhavesixthousandchickensnow,”hesaid.“Theysellmostoftheeggstohelpsupporttheschool.Everydaytheyloadtheeggsinacaranddrivehere,thencarrythemoverthisheaptoanothercarsotheycandeliverthemtothestoresinBethlehem.”

Graduationinanycultureisatimeofcelebration.However,thisceremonyfeltuniquebecauseofthecontext.Thefifty-fourstudentsattendingBethlehemBibleCollegeandthefourteenwhowerereceivingdiplomashadpaidahighpricetolearntheScripturesandprepareforministry.HowmanyyoungpeopleinHollandorAmericawouldendurecheckpointsearches,gunfirethatkeptthemawakeatnight,fearfortheirsafetyandthesafetyoftheirfamiliesandcontinuetostudydiligentlyinanoisyhousecrowdedwithseveralfamiliesbecausetheirhomeshadbeendestroyed?

Thesestudentshadsufferedmuch,andnowparentsandfamilymembers,dressedintheirSundaybest,satproudlyonfoldingchairsinthelargestmeetingroomofthecollege.AmongthemusicthatthecollegechoirsanginArabicwithgreatenthusiasmwas“AMightyFortressIsOurGod.”Thathymn,oneofourfavorites,tookonnewmeaningwhenwethoughtthatthesepeopletrulyneededprotectionandtrustedGodtobetheirfortress.

ThecommencementspeakerwasFatherPeterDuBrulofBethlehemUniversity.“WhatdoesaBiblecollegedo?”heaskedearlyinhisspeech.Itwasagreatquestion.“Itdoessomethingverydangerous.Moredangerousthanadynamitefactory.Moredangerousandmorepowerfulthananuclearreactor.ItproducesnotbombsnorelectricpowerbutstudentsandteachersoftheBible—themostdangerousofbooksandthemosthealingofbooks.”

Giventhecontext,withsuicidebombershavingstruckagainjustafewdaysbeforeandseeingthedevastationleftbytanksandrockets,didwereallybelievethatthesestudentshadsomethingmorepowerfulthanbombs?

“TostudytheBibleisnotjustlearninghowtoquoteitbuthowtoliveit,”FatherDuBrulcontinued.“ForstudentsinBethlehemtostudyandtolivetheBibleismoredangerousthaninanyothercountryintheworld,becauseyouarerightupagainstandundertheverypeoplethatmostoftheBibleisabout.YouareverymuchoppressedbyacertaininterpretationoftheBiblethatallegedlydelegitimizesyourrighttoyourland,yourGod-givenidentity,andyourfuture.”

FatherDuBrulwaspullingnopunchesasheexpressedthetensionamongpeopleoftheBook.OrthodoxJews,Messianicbelievers,PalestinianChristians—alllookedattheScripturesfromadifferentlifecontext.Sohowwouldthesestudentsrespond?Afteryearsofhardstudy,weretheypreparedtomakeadifferenceinthisdividedland?FatherDuBrulbelievedtheanswerwasyes!

“Thesolutionstotheseissuesarenotfoundinbooksormemorizedasanswerstoquestions.Thesolutionsaretobelivedbypersonswhoarewillingtorisktheirlivesandtheirreputations,toriskshowingtheirownignoranceandinadequacyoutoftheirfaithinJesusChrist.WhatachallengetolivetheBible,toteachit,tostudyit,fromtheverypositionofonewhoislargelyexcludedfromthepagesoftheOldTestament!Butremember,the‘unchosen’werethere,andtheysometimessavedthe‘chosen’themselves.”DuBrulrattledoffseveralNewTestamentexamplesofoutsiderspointingtothetruth:themagi,thegoodSamaritan,theRomancenturiononGolgotha,andSergiusPaulus,theRomangovernoronCyprus.“Theycamenottodisplacethechosenbuttojointhem.”

Justhowwouldthesegraduatespointtheway?DuBrulusedanimagefamiliartothosewatchingtelevisionnewsaroundtheworldofPalestinianboysthrowingstonesatwell-armedandprotectedsoldiers.HedrewfromthemessagetothechurchatPergamuminRevelation2:“‘Tohimwhoovercomes...Iwillalsogivehimawhitestonewithanewnamewrittenonit,knownonlytohimwhoreceivesit.’IthinkthePalestinianchurchesreceivesuchastoneasthis.Andthisisthestonetheyshouldthrow.ThisisthestonethatIhopetheBibleCollegehastaughtyoutothrowwell,nottokillGoliathortostonetheadulteress,buttohealthem.BecausethenamewrittenonthestoneisJesus’name.WhatmorecanJesusgiveasarewardtoanyconquerorbutHimself!Thatisyourjob,yourvocation,yourmission.Astheverypeoplewhowere‘notchosen,’plantedrightinthemidstofthepeoplethatclaimtobe‘chosen,’yourveryexistencewitnessestosomethingelse,toSomeoneelsewhohasafardeeper,grander,strongerplan—theassemblyintounityofallthenations.”

AlandIweredeeplymovedbythewords,bythechallengetothesepeoplewhofeltexcludedyetwerecalledbyGodtobepartofHisGreatCommission.

TheyweretotaketheGoodNewstofellowPalestinians.TheyweretolivetheGoodNewsamongChristiansandMuslims.Theyweretobelight,showingthewayofrealpeaceinthemidstofturmoil.

FatherDuBrul’sconclusionbroughthomethechallengetheseyoungpeoplewouldface:“Getreadyforaharderlife.YouarenotgoingtoknowaneasierroadthantheonethatJesuswalked.ButyouwillknownogreaterjoythanthejoyofwalkingwithHim.WearenotsendingyouintodiscosormallstoblowyourselfupinthenameofjusticeormercyorthenameofChrist.Wearesendingyoutohealandtobehealedofyourownwoundsintheactofcaringforothers.”

StillmeditatingonFatherDuBrul’spowerfulwords,wegatheredinthediningroomforcakeandpunch.Inthecourseofmeetingmembersofthecollegefaculty,wetalkedwithSamia,apart-timeEnglishteacher.“MyregularjobisatNotreDameinJerusalem,”shesaid.

“Andareyouabletogettoworkeachday?”Alasked.“I’mnotallowedpastthecheckpoint,”sheanswered.“Ihaven’tbeenableto

gettoworksincelastOctober.”Inotherwords,she’dbeenoutofregularworksincethestartofthesecondintifada.

“Sothatmeansyouhaven’tbeenpaid?”ShesmiledsweetlyatthenaiveAmericanstatingtheobviousandanswered,“I

can’tgetpaidifI’mnotallowedtogotowork.”BisharajoinedusforamomentandmentionedthatSamiahadbeeninjured

twomonthsearlier,duringHolyWeek,byshrapnelfromagrenade.WeaskedSamiatotelluswhathappened.

Samiahadfinishedteachingaclass.ItwaslateafternoonontheTuesdaybeforeEaster.Asshesteppedoutside,sheinstinctivelylistenedforanysoundsofgunfireorfighting.“IfI’dheardanyshooting,Iwouldhaveheadedtothebasement.”Thestreetwasquiet,withonlyasingleboyonthesidewalk.Assheheadedforhercar,whichwasparkedontheJerusalem-HebronRoad,sheheardthedistinctivewhistleofagrenade,andanexplosionknockedhertotheground.

Ittookamomentforherearstoclearaftertheinitialblastbeforesherealizedshewasscreaming.Butnooneseemedtohear.Thestreetwasdeserted.Shelookedatherlegsandsawtheywerecoveredwithblood.Unabletostandup,shecrawledtohercar,climbedintothedriver’sside,anddroveherselftowarddowntownBethlehemtothehospital,whichwasonlyamileaway.Thatnightadoctorremovedtenpiecesofshrapnelfromherlegs.

“Twopiecesofshrapnelarestillinmyfoot,”Samiasaid.Sheslippedherleft

“Twopiecesofshrapnelarestillinmyfoot,”Samiasaid.Sheslippedherleftfootoutofhersandalsowecouldseetheuglyredscaronherbigtoe.

“Besidesthoseinjuries,howareyoudoing?”Iasked.“Istillhavenightmares,”shesaid,fightingbacktears.“Thenextday,whileI

wasinthehospital,therewasaterribleshellingofBeitJala.Theybroughtaboyintomyroom;hediedfrominjuries.”

Iaskedabouttheboyshe’dseenonthestreetjustbeforethegrenadeblast.“Someonetoldmethathehadonlysixpiecesofshrapnel.Buthisinjuriesweremuchmoreseriousthanmine.”

Wewerequietforamoment,reflectingontheterrorthisgentlewomanhadendured.Thenshesaid,“TwodayslaterIwalkedovertoRachel’sTomb,fromwherethesoldiershadlaunchedthegrenade.Iwalkedrightuptothemandshowedthemthewoundsthattheyhadinflicted.Theyjustlaughedatmeandtoldmetogoaway.”

Bythewayshespoke,itwasclearthatthemockinglaughterofthesoldierswasmorepainfulthanthephysicalinjuriesshehadendured.

30ITISNOTSUICIDE—ITISRELIGIOUS

Gaza,June2001

HannaMassad,pastorofGazaBaptistChurch,steppedoutofaminivantaxiandwarmlyhuggedAlandmeasweenteredthePalestinian-controlledareaofGaza.Asusual,Hannawasdressedinacoatandtie,befittinghisroleasaleaderintheChristiancommunity.Hisbigsmiletoldushowencouragingourvisitwas.

Accompanyingusweretwoacademics,onefromEngland,theotherfromtheUnitedStates.Wehadafullschedule,soHannahadhiredthetaxiforthedaytotakeustoallofourappointments.OurfirststopwasatIslamicUniversityinGazaforameetingwithMahmoudZahar.ItwasimportantformyfriendstohearwhatthisleaderofHamashadtosay,unfilteredbythemedia.

Forthebenefitofmyguests,IaskedMahmoudabouthisfaithandhowitintersectedwithhispolitics.“ThereisnoplaceforasecularstateheadedbyMuslimsifitisnotcontrolledbyIslam,”heexplained.“TheIslamistsarenotacceptingtheleadershipofArabcountriesnow(forexample,SaudiArabia),becausetheyareimplementingasecular,nonreligiousregime.”

SincetheTalibanwerethenfirmlyincontrolofAfghanistan,Iaskedifthatwasthekindofsystemheadvocated.

“TheyarenotrepresentingproperIslam.WebelieveinthehumanrightsoftheMuslim.Forexample,whosaidthatitisforbiddenforwomentobeeducated?Islamencourageswomenandmenineveryrespect,butthereareafewrestrictions.Forexample,awomanisunabletobetheleaderofthearmy.Butwearenotdeprivingwomen.

“Islamismyreligion,butIslamhereiscultural.”ThenrecognizinghisChristianaudience,headded,“WeareveryproudoftheChristianrootshere,

Christianaudience,headded,“WeareveryproudoftheChristianrootshere,becausetheyareasnationalasanyPalestinianisnational.Weareservingthesamenationalcause.ForthisreasonIcansaythatweareenjoyingapopularsupportforthispoliticalattitude.Forourparticipationintheintifada,wesucceededtosendaveryhotmessagefortheIsraelipeoplethatyoursecurityisnotavailablewithoutwithdrawal,notredeployment;withoutdismantlingsettlements,notjuststoppingexpansion.I’mspeakingaboutnationalgoals.Wearehelpingourchildren,MuslimandChristian,andwearehelpingeventheJews,becauseiftheyaregoingtocontinuetheiroccupation,theArabworldwillsoonerorlateruniteagainsttheIsraelis.Itwillbe!”

“Youreallybelievethat?”Iinterrupted.“Youhopeitwill?”“No,itwillbe!ItiswritteninQuranthatthepeopleunderourrulewillcome,

andwearegoingtoenterthemosquetogether.WebelievethatIsraelasastatewillbedismantled.ArabswilluniteandestablishaPan-Islamicstatewithoutanyborders.Wearenotspeakingabouthopes.Wearespeakingaboutreality.”

“ButthentherewillbenoroomforJewsorChristians.”“Andrew,therewillalwaysberoomforChristianslikeyou!”Weallchuckledatthatnicestatement.ButAlandIfeltweneededtoconfront

himonthehorrorofsuicidebombings.Justaweekbefore,anattackonaTelAvivdiscohadkilledtwenty-oneteenagers,mostlygirls.Thehorrificattackhadcausedoutragearoundtheworld.TakinghisfirsthesitantsteptoquestiontheinternationallyfearedleaderofHamas,Alasked,“Mahmoud,doesn’ttheQurancondemnsuicide?”

“Yes,itisforbidden.”“Thenhowcanyoucondonetheactionsofthemenwhocommitsuicide...”“Itisnotsuicide,”heinterrupted.“Itisreligious.”Ichallengedhim:“Nowyoumakeitworse.Nowyouhaveamillion—an

endlesssupply—of‘martyrs.’Andtheyarekillinginnocentwomenandchildren.HowcanyouasagoodMuslimcondonethat?”

“Aretheyinnocent?”Heaggressivelyleanedforwardoverhisdesk.“Tellme,whoinIsraelhavewekilledwhoisinnocent?”

“ThoseteenagegirlsinTelAviv.Theyweren’tathreattoyou.”“Okay,Iwillspeakverysimply.NobodyinIsraelcanbedescribedasacivilian.

Nobody!”Henotedourshockedexpressions.Myguestsshifteduncomfortablyintheirseats.ButMahmoudboredin.“Becauseeverymanorwoman,atageofseventeenoreighteen,hewillbeinthearmy.Itisobligatory.Theyarespendingatleastthreeyearscarryinggunsandtheyarehere,shootingourpeopleintheoccupiedterritory.Andthosewhoarenotprofessionalsoldiers,aftertheir

occupiedterritory.Andthosewhoarenotprofessionalsoldiers,aftertheirservice,theywillbeinreserves,uptotheageoffifty-five.SogivemeoneexampleinIsraelofsomeonewhoisnotmilitary.Theyareallofthemmilitary!”

Therewasapervertedlogicinhisstatement.AnotherHamasleader,MousaAbuMarzoukofDamascus,hadsaid,“Thereshouldn’tbeanydistinctionbetweenanoccupierinuniformorciviliandress.Ifamandressedasaciviliancarriedagunandtookmyhouse,myland,andmyright,howcanIsaythatheisacivilianandhadnothingtodowithit?”[1]

NowMahmoudleanedbackinhischairandsoftenedhistone:“Look,wearenotadmiringbloodshed.Wearehumanbeingswhoaresufferingfromseeingbloodshed.Wearedeeplysufferingfromfrustrationatnothavinganypeacefulchanneltoachieveourgoal.Sowehavenooption.Wehavenoalternative.”

Iwasscheduledtopreachthreetimesinlessthantwenty-fourhoursattheGazaBaptistChurch.ThefirstmeetingonSaturdaynightbroughtafullhouse,withevenafewpeoplestandingattheback.UndertheleadershipofPastorHannaMassad,thechurchhadgrownsignificantly.“Ihavenotdoneitalone,”hesaid.Henamedseveralyoungleadersandemphasized,“Weareaministryteam.TheBiblebookshophashadastrongevangelisticwitness,andthathascontributedtoourgrowth.”

Theresultswereimpressive.Thereweretwochoirs,oneforadults,anotherthatincludedhalfadozenchildren.Thesingingwasenthusiastic,andAlandIwereevenabletojoininwhentheysang“TellMetheOld,OldStory”and“Oh,HowILoveJesus.”Thepianist,whohadsufferedthroughtheleanyears,oftenturnedtousandgrinnedasshepoundedoutthetunes.Thissurewasmorefunandlivelythanwhentherewereonlyadozenattendingservices.Silently,IthankedGodforrevivingthiscongregation.MaythisbepartofYourLightForceinGaza.

AttheSundaymorningserviceIfeltledtopreachonpersecution.“Ifthereisnolifeinus,wewillneverbepersecuted,”Isaid.Tosetupmymessage,Ireadfrom2Corinthians3:“‘Youyourselvesareourletter,writtenonourhearts,knownandreadbyeverybody.YoushowthatyouarealetterfromChrist.’WeshouldallreadtheBible.Butweshouldn’texpectnon-ChristianstoreadtheBible.WearetheBiblenon-Christiansread.WeareGod’sepistle,andeveryoneshouldreadourlives.”

Myprimarytextwas2Corinthians4:7–9:“Wehavethistreasureinjarsofclaytoshowthatthisall-surpassingpowerisfromGodandnotfromus.Wearehard

pressedoneveryside,butnotcrushed;perplexed,butnotindespair;persecuted,butnotabandoned;struckdown,butnotdestroyed.”Thoseweretheverseshighlightedonablood-spatteredpagethatIheldupforthecongregationtosee.ThewordswereinRussian,andthepagewasfromtheBibleofoneoftenpeoplekilledinachurcheightmonthsearlierinDushanbe,Tajikistan,byMuslimfundamentalists.

“ThereisalargesufferingChurcharoundtheworld,”Isaid.OvertheyearsIhadfoundthatchurchesindifficultcircumstanceswereencouragedtoknowthattheywerenottheonlyonesstruggling.“Atreethathasneverbeenexposedtoastormisnotstrong.”AsIspoke,weheardaroaroutsidethechurchbuilding.TwoF-16sweremakingarunoverGaza.“Wearepersecutedbutwedonotloseheart.Yourbrothersthroughouttheworldaresuffering.Butonepartofthebodytakescareoftheother.”

IremindedthemofthestoryofStepheninActsandhowhislastwordswereofforgiveness.“Forgivenessisthekeythatopensyourenemy’sheart.TheIslamicworldislookingatyoutoseehowChristislivinginyou.Youmaynotwinanargument,butwilltheyseeJesusinyou?”

Duringthesocialtimeaftertheservice,amiddle-agedmanwithapanickedlookapproachedAl.WithwideeyesandstandingpracticallyonAl’sfeet,heexplainedhisdesperatesituation.“CanyoutalktotheAmericanembassyforme?”

“YouareanAmericancitizen?”Alasked.“IhaveAmericanpassport.Butnotmywifeandtwochildren;theyarenot

allowedtoleaveGaza.HowcanIgetthemout?”“I’msuretheembassycanhelp.”“I’mnotallowedtogothere,”hesaid.“Theystopmeattheborder.Icalland

noonecanhelpme.Noonecares!”WefeltforthismanwhodesperatelywantedtoescapeGazawithhisfamily,

buttherewasreallynothingwecoulddotohelphim.Ihadheardsimilarheartrendingstories.Once,whenIhadtriedtointercedefortwenty-sevenPalestiniansfromBethlehemwithAmericanpassportsattheAmericanconsulateinJerusalem,Ihadbeentoldbytheconsul,“WetreatPalestinianswithAmericanpassportsaswetreatallPalestinians.”Theimplicationwasthattherewasnohopeforthesepeople.Thatwaswhysomanyleftforgoodwhentheyhadopportunity.

Beforeeveryoneleftforhome,PastorHannacalledforourattention.Deeplymoved,heinvitedthecongregationtothinkaboutthechurchinTajikistanthathadlosttenmembers.“Ibelieveweshouldtakeupacollectionforthatchurch,”

hadlosttenmembers.“Ibelieveweshouldtakeupacollectionforthatchurch,”Hannaannounced.“Tonightwewillhaveaspecialofferingforourbrothersandsisters.”

Attheeveningservice,PastorHannatookthatspecialoffering.AfterIpreachedandwe’dsungahymn,Hanna,withabiggrinonhisface,calledmetothefrontofthesanctuaryandplacedinmyhandtheproceedsoftheoffering.“Wewantyoutotakethistoourbrothersandsisterswhoaresufferingsomuch.Itis$800.Wewantthistobeablessingtothem.”

Iwasstunned.Thisistoomuch!Ithought,knowingthatmanyinthecongregationwereoutofwork—morethanhalfoftheresidentsofGazawereunemployed,andthenumberwasincreasingrapidly.Andyetthesepeoplehaddugdeepintotheirpocketsandhadlovinglygiventoanotherchurchthey’donlyheardaboutinasermon.Iwasdeeplymovedandpromisedtodeliverthegift.

31ESCAPEFROMBETHLEHEM

Harderwijk,March2002

TheintifadaintensifiedinearlyMarch2002.OftenIfoundmyselfgluedtoCNNorBBCinmyoffice,horrifiedbythesightsfromIsraelandtheWestBank.EverydaytherewasanotherreportofasuicidebombingattackoraPalestiniangunmanshootingsettlers,butthedeathtollamongPalestinianswasrisingalarmingly—threetimesthatofIsraelis.Thereseemedtobenocalmheadsinthemidstofthechaos.

North,inBeirut,Arableadersmetforasummit.AmongthetopicsofdiscussionwasalandforpeaceproposalfromCrownPrinceAbdullahofSaudiArabia,promisingArabrecognitionofIsraelifaPalestinianstatewasestablished.Butseveralleadersdidn’tshow.YasserArafatwasn’tallowedtotraveltotheevent,andPalestinianswalkedoutofthemeetingwhenArafatwasdeniedpermissiontoaddresstheleadersviaasatellitelink.

OnMarch28asuicidebomberkilledtwenty-twoduringaPassovermealataNetanyahotel.ArielSharoncalleduptwentythousandreservists.TanksmovedintoRamallah,surroundedArafat’scompound,andbeganbombarding.SoldiersstormedthePalestinianAuthorityofficesandcaptureddozensofbureaucratsandsecuritypersonnel.Arafat,proclaiminghewoulddieratherthansurrender,wastrappedinabasementwithhisaides.

Thesuicidebombingscontinued—fiveinfivedays.ThearmywasstagingtroopsandequipmentoutsideotherWestBankcities,includingBethlehemandtheadjoiningtownsofBeitJalaandBeitSahour.

Bethlehem,March2002

TherumblingofApachehelicopters,followedbyloudexplosions,joltedBisharaandSalwaoutoftheirsleep.Bisharaglancedattheclock.Itwas1:00AM.HehadjustreturnedfromaspeakingtourofSingapore,andhewasscheduledtoleaveonanothertripsoon.“Pleasedon’tgo!”hiswifehadurgedhim.ThearmyhadenteredBethlehemforseveraldayswhilehewasaway,thenretreatedtotheborderofJerusalem.Thedaybefore,twosuicidebombershadstruckinHaifaandEfrat.EveryoneknewitwasjustamatteroftimebeforeIsraelreenteredthetown.

BisharaandSalwatriedtosleep,butitwasimpossible.Theywaited.Theyprayed.At3:00AMalonglineoftanksandarmoredpersonnelcarriersbeganrumblingdownJerusalem-HebronRoad.Thewholebuildingrattledandshookaseachtankpassedby.Thevehicleswereleavingtheformationandmakingtheirpresencefeltoneverystreetofthearea.Therewasasickeningcrunchasatanksquashedacar.Inthedistance,Bisharacouldhearbiggunsbooming.Allofthenoisebouncedoffthesurroundingwallsandhills,magnifyingtheterror.

Thisinvasionwasmoremassivethananybefore.Therewasasenseofunbelief—howcouldthisbehappeninginBethlehem,theholycityforChristiansallovertheworld?Justthreeyearsagoforthemillenniumcelebration,ithadreceivedabeautifulface-lift.Nowitwasawarzone.

Bisharathoughtabouthisson,Sami,whosewifewasexpectingtheirfirstchild—BisharaandSalwa’sfirstgrandchild.Thebabywasdueanyday.Hecouldimaginethetanksrumblingpasthisson’sapartmentbuilding.Therewasapossibilitythatthearmymightchooseitasagoodvantagepointfortheirsnipers,andthenSamiandRanawouldbetrappedintheirapartment.BisharagrabbedSalwa’shand,andsheclutchedhis,nodoubtthinkingthesamethoughts.

Prayernaturallypouredout.“Lord,pleaseprotectSamiandRanaandthechildthatsheiscarrying.”ThenBisharathoughtofthestaffandstudents,scatteredthroughouttheregion,surelyallexperiencingthesamesleeplessfearsandastonishment.Someoftheirhomeswouldprobablybesearched.Hestartedprayingaloudforeachofthefaculty,staff,andstudents.Salwa’sgriprelaxedslightlyastheypouredouttheirheartstotheOnewhocouldcalmtheirfearsandbringresolutiontothecrisis.

Onetankstoppeddirectlyinfrontofthecollege.Bisharafroze,wonderingwhetherornotheshouldgetupandpeerthroughawindow.Butifasoldierwerelookinghisway,thatcouldbedangerous.Hecouldhearaloudsquealastheturretturned.Itwasprobablyaimedattherefugeecampacrossthestreet.He

theturretturned.Itwasprobablyaimedattherefugeecampacrossthestreet.Heprayedfortheresidentstherewhowereliterallylookingdownthebarrelofagun.

CloudcoverdelayedthearrivalofdaylightbutnotthearrivalofF-16s,whichbuzzedlowoverthetown.Inthedistance,fromthevicinityofMangerSquare,Bisharacouldhearanextendedexchangeofgunfire.Duringoccasionallullsinthenoise,heheardmenshouting,childrenscreaming,womenyellingandcryingintheneighborhood.Bisharatriedtoswitchonalight,butthepowerwasout.Whenitwassafetoventureoutside,hewouldstartupthegenerator.NotmanyinBethlehemhadgenerators,butBrotherAndrewhadinsistedthatitwasneededtokeeptheministryfunctioningandhadmadesureonewasprovided.Bisharatriedthetelephone—thelinewasdead.Hewasgladhehadacellphone.Hepulledoutaportableradioandturnedonthenews.

Shortlyafter7:00theannouncementwasmadethatBethlehemwasamilitaryzone.Peoplewerewarnedinthemostseveretermstostayindoors.Anyoneventuringoutofhisorherhomewouldbeshot.Soonafterward,therainbegan.Eventheskywasweeping,Bisharathought.Hisangerfollowed.Justwhatwouldbegainedbysuchashowofforce?Howwoulddeprivingthepeopleoffood,electricity,water,andsafeshelterpreventsuicideattacksonIsrael?

Therewaslittletododuringthedaybutlistentothecontinuousnewsreports.TheysaidthatthemostintensefightingwasinthenarrowalleysaroundMangerSquare.Therewerecasualties,butnooneknewhowmany.Bisharacouldhearthegunfireechoingthroughthestonestreetsnomorethanamileaway.AnunwasreportedshotasshetriedtopreventsoldiersfromenteringaconventtosearchforPalestinianresisters.Awomanandherthirty-eight-year-oldsonwerecriticallywoundedanddiedwaitingforanambulancethatnevercame.

ThentheannouncerreportedthatpeoplehadtakenrefugeintheChurchoftheNativity,andseveralPalestiniangunmenhadfollowedtheminsidetoescapetheIsraelisharpshooters.Afterseveralconflictingaccounts,itwasdeterminedthatmorethantwohundredmen,women,children,andgunmenhadtakensanctuaryintheoldestchurchinChristendom.Theyweresurroundedonallsidesbytanksandsoldiersreadytoshootanyonewhomovedoutsidethechurch’sthickwalls.Thatwasthegreatestshockofall.OneofthemostholyplacesforChristianswasnowundersiege.

Bishararecalledhowthischurchhadbeenusedasasanctuaryforthosewhofelttheirliveswereindanger,mostrecentlyin1967duringtheSixDayWarwhenIsraelconqueredBethlehem.IntheBible,Godprovided“citiesofrefuge.”InNumbers35itsaysthatevenamurderercouldgotothecityandbeprotected.

InNumbers35itsaysthatevenamurderercouldgotothecityandbeprotected.Bisharafeltthechurchwaslikeacityofrefuge,butunfortunatelythepresenceofmilitiagunmenandtheirpursuitbyIsraelisoldiersendangeredeveryone.

SalwatookBishara’shandandurgedherhusbandtocalltheirson.“Please,findouthowRanaisdoing.”

Itwasevening,butSamiAwadcouldn’trelax.“Howoftenarethecontractionscoming?”heaskedhiswifewhilenervouslypacingthecozylivingroomoftheirapartment.

“Theyaretoofarapart,”Ranaanswered.“Thedoctorsaidthisisfalselabor.Now,wouldyoupleasesitdown?You’remakingmenervous.”

Samiploppeddownonthecouchnexttohiswife,buthecouldhearthesoundoftanksrollingjustacoupleofblocksaway.Inthedistancetherewasanexplosion,followedbythesoundofmachine-gunfire.Hismindwasracing.Thiswasthemostseriousinvasionhe’dseen,anditdidn’tlookliketheIsraeliarmywouldbeleavingsoon.ThemaincheckpointalongtheJerusalem-HebronRoadwasclosed.Theentireareawasundertwenty-four-hourcurfew.Hefiguredthatwithintwenty-fourtoforty-eighthoursallotherroadsoutofBethlehemwouldbeblocked.Andhisfirstchildwasdueanymoment.

Samijumpedtohisfeetandwenttothebedroom.Ashegrabbedasuitcase,heyelled,“Weneedtogetoutofherenow!We’renotgoingtoriskbeingtrappedinourapartmentwhenyougointolabor.Ourchildisgoingtobeborninahospital.”

Ranashiftedherweightandstruggledtoherfeet.“Wecan’tgotothehospitalnow.They’llsendushome.”

“CallAlexandBrenda.”AlexwasSami’suncle,hisfather’sbrother.AlexandhiswifelivedjustbeyondtheborderofBethlehem,inasuburbofJerusalem.“Theysaidwecouldusethelowerleveloftheirapartmentforaslongasweneed.”

AfterRanatalkedwithBrenda,shesaid,“I’mcallingyourparentstoo.”“Tellthemtoprayhard!”Samisaidasheshutasuitcase.Afewminuteslater,thecarwaspacked.Asanaddedmeasureofprotection,

Samitookblueelectrician’stapeandtapedalarge“TV”onthehood.Thisway,iftheyranintoapatrol,theymightbeallowedtopassasmembersofthepress.Anditwasn’treallyalie,forhehaddonesomefilmingfordocumentarieswithhisorganization,theHolyLandTrust.

Thestreetswereempty.Samistayedoffthemainroads.Therewasanervous

Thestreetswereempty.Samistayedoffthemainroads.TherewasanervousmomentashecrossedovertheJerusalem-HebronRoadandnoticedamilitaryjeepinthedistance.Fortunately,itwasdrivingawayfromthem.HeadingnorthintoBeitJala,hetookthenarrowsidestreets,hisside-viewmirrorsnearlyscrapingthewallsonsomeoftheturns.BeforereachingthetopofthehillthatmarkedthenorthernborderofBeitJala,SamiturnedontoarockydirtroadthatwoundthroughthevalleybetweenGiloandBeitJala.Itwasadangerousplacebecauseofthefrequentshootingbetweenthetwocommunities.Ranawincedasthecarrolledawkwardlyoverthenumerousbumps,andSamisloweddowntoacrawlastheystartedclimbinganotherhillthatwouldtakethemintoJerusalem.

Itwasanagonizinglyslowtrip,buttheruggedterrainandhiswife’sdiscomfortmadeitimpossibletogoanyfaster.SamithoughtaboutMaryandJosephridingonadonkey,tryingtohidethebabyJesusfromtheevileyesofHerod’sarmy.HisHolyLandTrustsponsoredaspecialchildren’sprograminBethlehemonthedaydesignatedbythechurchtoremembertheSlaughteroftheInnocents.Twothousandyearsago,troopshadenteredBethlehemfromallcornerstosearchforandkillthepotentialbaby“terrorist”whowassomedaygoingtoleadarevoltagainstKingHerod.NowIsraeliarmytroopswereenteringfromallcornersintoBethleheminordertorootoutterroristcells.

AsthenarrowdirtroademptiedintoabackstreetofJerusalem,hesawanarmyjeepandthreesoldiersmotioningforhimtostop.SamiwonderedhowMaryandJosephwouldhavehandledthissituation.NodoubttheywouldhavehiddenthebabyJesus.ButSamiwantedthesoldierstoseehiswife,ninemonthspregnant.Maybetheywouldhavecompassion.

“MayIseeyourpapers,”thesoldiersaidasSamirolleddownhiscarwindowandhandedthemanhisU.S.passport.

Anothersoldierorderedhimoutofthecar.“Takeyourjacketoff!”Samislowlyremovedhiscoatjacketwhiletwosoldierswerepointingtheirriflesathim.“Openyourshirt!”Samiunbuttonedhisshirtandliftedhisundershirtsothesoldiercouldseehisskinandrealizethathewasnothreat.

“IamanAmericancitizen,”Samisaidashehelduphisarms,makingsurenottomakeanysuddenmovements.“Mypregnantwifeisreadytodeliverourfirstchild.Iamtakinghertothehospital.”

“Whereisyourwife’spassport?”askedthefirstsoldierashewavedSami’spassportathim.

“Shedoesn’thaveoneyet.”Withasmirk,thesoldiersarcasticallysaid,“Thenyoumaypass,butshe

cannot.”Samistaredatthegunspointedathim.Therewasnowaytoarguewiththem.

Samistaredatthegunspointedathim.Therewasnowaytoarguewiththem.Hewouldsimplyhavetofindanotherwayofescape.

AsRanaprayed,Samiweighedhisoptions.Obviouslyallthemainstreetswouldbeblocked.Therewereotherbackroads,buttherewasagreaterchanceofbeingtrappedfartherawayfromtheirdestinationinJerusalem.ThemostdirectroutewasthetunnelroadthatpassedunderBeitJalatoGilo.Itwasachallengegettingthere,andhewouldlikelybestopped,buthefiguredtheworstthatcouldhappenwasthatthesoldierswouldmakethemturnback.

Ashemergedontothebusyroad,heenteredalonglineofcarsandtrucksbackedupatthecheckpoint.Thesoldiershadorderedtheoccupantsofonecaroutandweredoingathoroughinspection.Impatientdriverswerehonkingtheirhorns.ObviouslyIsraelidriversdidn’twanttobepersonallyinconveniencedbysecurityprocedures,andthesoldierswerefeelingthepressure.Finally,theyclearedthecartheywereinspectingandsentitoff.Eagertoeasethetrafficjam,theywavedthenextfewcarsthrough,includingSami’s.TheywerenowsafelyinJerusalem!

Thenextmorning,asRanaslept,Samiandhisunclewatchedviasatelliteaninternationalnewsstation.Thepreviousnight,whileSamiandhiswifewereescaping,anotherpregnantPalestinianwomanwasforcedtohaveherchildinacarnearanewarmycheckpointestablishedashortdistancefromBethlehemChildren’sHospital.TheIsraelisoldiershadrefusedherpassage.Thechildhaddied.SamiandAlexwept.

IttookseveraldaysformetoreachBisharabytelephone.“Absolutefearhastakenoverthecity,”hetoldme.“Wearenotallowedtoleaveourhomesorevenlookoutthewindows.”Obviouslythecollegewasclosedandtheyhadnoideawhenitwouldreopen.BesidesBisharaandSalwa,Doris,avolunteerfromGermany,wastheonlyotherpersoninthecompound,helpingtakecareofthefacilities.

AslongasthesiegecontinuedattheChurchoftheNativity,noonewasmovingwithinBethlehem.“Wouldyouliketocomespeakatgraduation?”Bisharasaidwithatwinkleinhisvoice.“Idon’tknowwhenitwillbe,butwewouldlovetohaveyou!”

“Iwillplantocomeassoonasyoutellme,”Isaid,gratefulthatmyfriendwasabletofindalittlehumorinthemidstofsuchchaos.

abletofindalittlehumorinthemidstofsuchchaos.“Ofcourse,ifthislaststoolong,wemayhavetocancelthesemester.”Thenhe

changedthesubject.“Youknowanydaynow,SalwaandIaregoingtobegrandparents.SamiandRanamanagedtoescapeacoupleofdaysago.TheyarestayingwithAlexandBrenda.”

“Congratulations.Ihopethisendssoon,soyoucanbewiththem.”“Mysonwasverybravegettingoutthewayhedid.”Therewasasighonthe

phone,thenBisharasaid,“It’sverytoughhere.Severalpeopleweknowhavehadtheirhomesransacked.Thesoldiersdestroyeverything,supposedlysearchingforterrorists.Butit’ssomean.They’llemptyfoodsupplies—sugar,flour,rice,wheat,everything—ontothefloorsotheycannotbeused.Manybuildingsandhomeshavebeencompletelydestroyed.Ambulancesareshotat,andpeoplediebecausetheycannotreachthehospital.”

“IwishIcouldbewithyou.”“Wehavereceivedmanye-mailsandphonecalls.Peopleareprayingforus,

andthatkeepsusgoing.ManyMessianicJewshavesentfoodandmedicalaid.GodisgoodandHewillneverforsakethepeoplethathaveacceptedHisSon.”

“Holdontothathope,myfriend.Andassoonasyouletmeknow,I’llcometobewithyou.”

OnApril5LayaarAwadwasborninaJerusalemhospital.SamiandRanarejoicedasthebabygirlreceivedwonderfulcarefromthestaffofdoctorsandnurses.Buttheycouldn’thelpbutthinkalsooftheirfriendsinBethlehemandotherWestBankcitiesnowundermilitarycontrol.AsSamiheldhiswife’shandandgazedattheirchild,sleepingpeacefullynexttoRana,hesaid,“IwanttodedicateLayaartothememoryofallthechildrenkilledinbothPalestineandIsrael.”Ranasqueezedhishand,tearsforminginhereyes.Samiclosedhiseyesandprayedaloud:“IpraythatthemessageofthePrinceofPeacewillagainbealightfromBethlehemtoallcornersoftheworld.”

32MIRACLEINHOLLAND

Voorthuizen,TheNetherlands,April2002

SalimMunayerlookedaroundtheroomattheconferencecenterofNear-EastMinistry(NEM).Pastorsandchurchleaderswiththeirfamilies—ninety-fourpeople—hadbeenflownoutofthewarzonethatwascurrentlyIsraelandtheWestBank,courtesyofNEMwithhelpfromOpenDoors.DailyinternationalnewswasreportingtheIsraeliarmy’sincursionsintoWestBankafteraspateofsuicidebombings.TankspatrolledBethlehem.CurfewshadbeenimposedonHebron.FierceresistancefacedtheIsraeliarmyintheJeninrefugeecamp.

Manyconsidereditamiraclethatthismeetingwastakingplace.BecauseoftheconditionsinIsrael,itwasvirtuallyimpossibleforPalestiniansandJewstomeetinsidethecountry.Ittookmuchprayerandnegotiationtogainpermissionforthesefewmen,withtheirwivesandchildren,toleavethecountryandmeetinaneutrallocationforfivedays.Nowtherewastensionintheair.Palestinianssatononeside,Jewishbelieversontheother.Childrenwerebeingledinaspecialprogramelsewhereonthecompound,allowingtheirparentstoconcentrateonthehardworkahead.

Lord,willYoubreakdownthebarriersthisweek?Salimprayed.Thisconferencecouldstimulateaprocessofreconciliationthatcouldleadtohealingandgenuinepeaceforthewar-tornregion.Salimtookadeepbreathandsteppedtothefrontoftheroom.Afterwelcomingthegroup,hegotrighttothepoint:“Wearetwonationslivinginonehouse.Wesharethelivingroom,thekitchen,thecorridor,thebathroom,thetoilet,butnotthebedroom.Thefactiswedonotlikeoneanother.Worsestill,wehateoneanother.”

Therewasnosenseavoidingtheobvious,butheneededtoestablishtheframeworkfortheirtimetogether.Salimhadprayedlongandhardaboutthewordsthatfollowed:“Scholarsengagedinstudyingandevaluatingconflictbetweengroupshaveobservedcertainphenomenathatcanhelpusunderstandhatredandprejudice.Oneisthedivisionbetweenusandthem.Eachsideblamestheother,sayingthattheyhavelostallmoralandethicalstandards.Weareabletounderstandourowngroupandrecognizeitsgoodqualitieswhileoverlookingourshortcomings,becauseitisimportanttodistinguishbetweenus(whoarerightandgoodandmerciful)andthem(whoareevilandwrong).

“Asecondproblemisthefailuretoseepluralitywithintheotherside.Wegeneralizeandstereotypetheother,sayingthingslike,‘Theyallhateusandwanttokillus.’Weareunabletoseethemasindividualswithuniquefeelingsandthoughts.Duetothelanguagebarrier,IsraelisandPalestiniansdonotreadeachother’snewspapers.Thuseachsideisdependentonveryselectiveinformationgivenabouttheotherside.

“Thirdistheproblemofmoralsuperiority.Thuswedecidethatwearemorepeaceloving,trustworthy,andhonest,andweviewwithcontemptthosewhohavedifferentvalues.

“Andlast,thereistheperceptionbyeachsidethattheyarevictims,andthustheyareunabletoseethemselvesasathreattotheother.Ifwearevictims,thenwecannotbethevictimizers.Thevictims’mentalitycausesustobeblindtotheothers’pain,aspirations,andneeds.

“Thesetrendsareobstaclesintheprocessofreconciliation.However,thisweek,wehaveawonderfulopportunitytobreakthroughthesebarriersandrecognizethateachperson,whetherJeworPalestinian,iscreatedintheimageofGodandredeemedbythebloodoftheMessiah.Paulinstructsusonhowtotreatoneanother:‘Bedevotedtooneanotherinbrotherlylove.Honoroneanotheraboveyourselves....Blessthosewhopersecuteyou;blessanddonotcurse....Donotrepayanyoneevilforevil....Donottakerevenge,myfriends,butleaveroomforGod’swrath....Donotbeovercomebyevil,butovercomeevilwithgood.’”[1]

Theprocessofreconciliationbeganwithworship.DavidLoden,thefoundingelderofBeitAsaf,aMessianiccongregationinNetanya,playedguitarandledthesinging.JackSara,pastorofthePalestinianJerusalemAllianceChurch,assistedonthekeyboard.TherewasaselectionofhymnsandpraisesongsinbothArabicandHebrew,withphoneticsprovidedforthosewhodidn’tspeakthelanguage.SomeofthechorusesweresunginEnglish,whichmostoftheparticipantsunderstood.

understood.

DavidandLisaLoden,originallyfromNorthAmerica,hadlivedinIsraelfornearlythirtyyears.In1978theyhadhelpedformaMessianiccongregationinNetanya,acityontheMediterraneancoasttwenty-onemilesnorthofTelAviv.AtthattimetheyknewofonlyfivesuchcongregationsinIsraelworshipinginHebrew.FiveyearslaterEvanThomasfromNewZealandjoinedtheminthework,andthecongregationbecameknownasBeitAsaf.TodaythebodyinNetanyawasthriving,andtherewerebetweeneightyandonehundredMessianiccongregationsthroughoutIsrael.[2]David,acomposerandteacherofmusic,alongwithLisahadhelpedcreateindigenousmusicforthismovement.

WhiletheNetanyacongregationwasfriendlywithArabbelievers,theideaofparticipatinginareconciliationeffortlikethishadneveroccurredtotheLodensuntilDavidhadwhathecallsavision.“Itwasintheformofaquestion,”hetoldhiswife.“TheLordaskedmeifIlovedHim.Ofcourse,myanswerwas‘Yes,IloveYou.’ThenHebegantogodownalist.‘DoyouloveMychildren?’‘Yes,IloveYourchildren.’‘DoyouloveallMychildren?’Ithoughtofallthewonderfulpeopleweknowaroundtheworld.‘Yes,ofcourse!’ThenHesaid,‘DoyouloveMyArabchildren?’IthoughtoftheArabbrothersandsistersinIsrael,incongregationsinthenorth—they’dspeaktoourcongregation;we’dspeaktotheircongregations.‘Yes,Ido.’ThenHesaid,‘HowaboutMyPalestinianchildren?’HespecificallyusedthewordPalestinian.ItoldHim,‘Lord,that’sdifferent.Theydon’tbelieveabouttheBibleaswedo.Theydon’tbelieveaswedoaboutIsraelorend-timesprophecies.Andbesides,Youknowtheyareourenemies.’Evenasthewordscameoutofmymouth,Iwasfloodedwithafeelingofshameandbetrayal.”

Shortlyafterthatdramaticencounter,DavidreceivedacallfromSalimMunayerofBethlehemBibleCollege,askinghimtocomeandresurrecttheschoolchoirandteachamusiccourse.Davidconsidereditastrangerequest.“PracticallynextdoorinJerusalem,thereareatleastfifteenortwentymusicallyskilledpeoplewhocoulddothis,”heexplained.“IliveinNetanya,atleastatwo-hourdrivetoBethlehem.”

“I’veaskedeveryoneIcanthinkof,”Salimanswered.“Nooneiswillingtocome.”

AtthatmomentDavidrealizedthatGodwastestinghim.WouldheobeyGod’srevelation?ItwaspracticallyunheardofforanIsraelitostayovernightintheWestBanktoserveaPalestinianinstitution.Yetshortlyafterthatcall,he

theWestBanktoserveaPalestinianinstitution.Yetshortlyafterthatcall,hebegandrivingovertoBethlehemeverySundayafternoon,directingthechoironSundayevenings,andteachingaclassMondaymornings.Itsoonbecamethehighlightofhisweek.InvolvementinMusalahalogicallyfollowedsoonafter.

ForJackSara,cooperatingwithDavidLodenwasanevengreatermiracle.Asheaccompaniedhymnsandchorusesonakeyboard,hecouldn’thelpbutrecallhisencounterswithIsraelisoldiersduringthefirstintifada.HewasonlyfourteenyearsoldwhenhewaspickedupintheOldCityofJerusalem,wherehelivedintheChristianquarter.Thesoldiershadquestionedhimroughlyandbeatenhimforparticipationinademonstration,whichhehadnotattended.Bythetimehewasreleasedandlimpedbacktohishome,he’ddecided,IfI’mgoingtogetarrestedandbeaten,thenI’mgoingtobedarnsureit’sforsomethingI’vedone!

Jackwaspartofthenextdemonstration—throwingrocksatsoldiers,paintinggraffitionwalls,andwavingthePalestinianflag.ShortlyafterthathejoinedtheCommunistparty.Helostcountofthenumberoftimeshewenttoprisonoverthenextthreeyears,butthelastonewasthelongest—threemonths.Lyingonathin,lumpymattress,hetriedtomakesomesenseofhislife.Whatwasheaccomplishingwiththiscycleofprotestsandshoutinginsultsatsoldiers,arrests,andimprisonments,thenreleasetorepeattheprocess?Surelytherewasmoretolifethanthat!

Ashethoughtabouthislife,herealizedhe’dbecomedisgustedwiththemanlyingonthatmattress.NominallyhewasaCatholic,butmanyoftheMuslimsheknewlivedmorallybetterlivesthanhedid.Hewassmokingtwopacksofcigarettesadayanddrinkingeverychancehecould.Ifhewasreallygoingtohelpothers,heneededtoputhisownlifeinorder.

Afterhisrelease,heheardaboutamannamedYohanna.Oneofhisneighborstoldhim,“Yohannaisacultist.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Jackasked.“Hedoesn’tbelievelikeusCatholics.”TwodayslaterJackranintoYohannaandinsistedboldly,“Iwanttotalkto

you.”Yohannaandhisroommate,LabibMadanat,metwiththeteenagerintheirapartmentandtoldhimtheGoodNewsaboutJesusChrist.Jackwasreadyforanewstart.OnthenightofAugust10,1991,notfarfromwhereNicodemusmetJesusinthissamecity,JackSarawasbornagain.

“Sonowwhat?”hesaidtothetwomen.“Iwanttostudy.Iwanttolearn.AndIwanttohelpmypeople.”

Iwanttohelpmypeople.”SoonJackbecameastudentatBethlehemBibleCollege.AndwhatdidJack

gainfromthecollege?YearslaterheexplainedtoAlthathehadlearneda“Christianworldview.”

“Youneedtounderstandthat98percentofPalestiniansareMuslim.Whenwegotoschool,ourteachersareMuslim.ThecurriculumiswrittenbyMuslims.ThemajorityofourclassmatesareMuslim.OurnewspapersareorientedtowardMuslims.Sowithoutrealizingit,Palestinian/ArabChristiansareverymuchinfluencedbyIslamicthinkingandPalestinianmovements,andchurchattendanceisn’tenoughtoovercomethat.AtBethlehemBibleCollege,weareconfrontedwithabiblicalworldview.ThatwaswhenIstartedreallystudyingtheBibleandunderstandingwhoGodisandthereforehowtoviewlife.”

IfeltIwasonholyground.JohanCompanjenandIwereamongtheguestsinvitedforanopenmeetingonthelastnightofthishistoricgathering.Ourbrothersandsistershadspentthreedaysinprivatemeetings,doingthehardworkofgettingtoknoweachother,confessingtheirsins,andseekingtoexperiencetheonenessthatChristprayedforHisChurch.DavidLoden,wholookedlikeabiblicalpatriarchwithhisbaldpateandfull,whitebeard,spoketousfromtheJewishperspective:“We’reherebecausewe’vemadeamessofthingsinourcountry.IcametorealizethatIcannotloveGodandatthesametimehatemybrother.GodshowedmethatI’mresponsibleformybrothers.Palestinians,justlikeJews,aresonsofAdamandAbraham.They’remybrothers.However,inthelastyear,somuchhashappenedinourcountryandwe’reallsowounded.Werealizethatweneedhealingandrest.We’regettingthathere.Thisisatimeofhealingforusandourchildren.”

AlexAwad,Bishara’syoungerbrotherandpastorofamultinationalBaptistcongregationinJerusalem,addressedusfromthePalestinianperspective.“Jesusleftthecomfortandluxuryofheavenandbecameaman,camedowntoearth.Inordertoachievereconciliation,wetoowillhavetobepreparedtoleaveour‘comfortzone’andfindourbrothersandsisterswithwhomwehavedifficulties,todiscussthingsandputthemright.ThisisthecommandmentJesusgivesusinMatthew5:23–24:‘Ifyouareofferingyourgiftatthealtarandthererememberthatyourbrotherhassomethingagainstyou,leaveyourgiftthereinfrontofthealtar.Firstgoandbereconciledtoyourbrother;thencomeandofferyourgift.’Weareherethisweektodothathardworkofreconciliationwithourbrothers.”

Therewasatimeofworshipthatconcludedwithallofussinginganewsong,writtenbyLisaLodenseveralyearsbeforeafterapainfulbreakinarelationship

writtenbyLisaLodenseveralyearsbeforeafterapainfulbreakinarelationshipwithasister.ThesongwassunginEnglish,Hebrew,andArabic:

Heisourpeace;weshallbeone.Heisourreconciliation.ThewallofpartitionHe’sbrokendown.Heisourpeace;weshallbeone.

Salimhadaskedmetosayafewwordstothecrowd.Ifeltinadequateasheintroducedme,tellingthemaboutwitnessingoneofmytalkstoHamasnineyearsbefore,adding,“Andrewcertainlypreachedthegospeltothem.Andwepledwiththemtostoptheirterroristactivities.”

IknewwhatHamasneeded—theyneededtheGoodNewsofJesusChrist.Whatdidthisaudienceneed?Notasermonbutcertainlyawordofencouragement.

“TodaywearewitnessingaforetasteoftherealsolutiontotheMiddleEastconflict,”Isaid.“ThewallthatwasbuilttokeeppeopleandnationsaparthascomedownhereinamightydemonstrationofthepowerofGod.AndasdedicatedChristians,ourreactionis:IfGodcandothistoafewdozenpeople,Hecandoittoamillionpeople.”

Yes,Ireallybelievedthat.Whydidthisbeautifulpicturehavetobelimitedtoafewbravepeople?Therehadtobeawayforpeopletoseethispictureandforittogrowtoincludehundreds,thenthousandsandmore.“Oh,thatourheartsmaybegrippedbythepotentialpowerofJesustobringpeopletogether:IsraelisandPalestinians,ChristiansintheWestandintheEast,startingwhereweshouldhavebeenallthetime—atthefootofthecross.Thereisonlyonenamegivenunderheavenwherebywemustbesaved,andthatincludessavedfromviolenceandterrorism,hatredandrevenge.Godhasalreadytakentheinitiativeandnowcallsallofustofollow.Yes,we’vediscoveredtheprincipleofGod’ssolution.NowwemustcontinueandworkhardtoseethisMusalahaconceptbecomeamovement—likeamightyriver,afloodnotjustatrickle!”

AsIsatdown,Irealizedthatmomentslikethiswerewhatkeptmegoing,eventhoughIwaspushingseventy-fiveandpeopleweresayingitwastimetoslowdown.Iwantedtoshout“WhyresorttohumanresourcesandsolutionswhenGodofferedHimselfasthesolution?”

Ofcourse,asinglemeetingwasn’tgoingtosolvetheproblem,evenwiththisgroupofleaders.AlotmoreworkwasneededandSalimsaidthattherewereplansforthisgrouptocontinuemeeting,wheneverconditionsinIsraelandWestBankallowed.OneofhishopeswasthatthisgroupofpastorsandChurchleaderswouldstudytheScripturestogether,especiallythedifficultthemesthat

leaderswouldstudytheScripturestogether,especiallythedifficultthemesthatseparatedthem,suchaspassagesdealingwithprophecyandtheland.

IprayedthatthesemenandwomenwouldindeedcontinuetomeetanddemonstratetoJewsandPalestiniansthatrealpeacewasfoundatthefootofthecross.

33WHATDOYOUPREACHWHENTHEREISSHELLING?

Bethlehem,April2002

EverytwoorthreedayscurfewwasliftedinBethlehemforafewhourstoallowpeopletogetfoodandmedicalsupplies.Unfortunately,thatdidnotapplyto250familieslivingintheimmediatevicinityofMangerSquare.Theywereprisonersintheirhomeswhilethearmysurroundedtheancientchurch,shiningbrightlightsatnight,blaringloudannouncementsdayornight,postingsnipersabovethewallsreadytoshootanyonewhomoved.Thestreetsleadingtothesquarewerelitteredwithcrushedcars,brokenglass,andemptybulletshells.Brokenpipesspewedwater.Doorsofshopswerebrokendownandtheshelvesransacked.Manybuildingshadbeenhitbyartilleryshellsandlefttoburn,firefightersunabletogetnearenoughtodotheirjob.Bulletshaddamagedthewallsofthechurch.Nerveswerefrayed,andnooneknewwhenthisnightmarewouldend.

Bisharatriedtomakecontactwithallofhisstudentsandstaff.Hissecretary,Alison,andherhusbandandthreedaughtersweretypicaloffamilieswhoweregoingstircrazyintheirhomes.However,noonedaredleave.“Yesterdayourneighborwasshottodeathinhiscarashereturnedfromthemarket,”shetoldBisharabycellphone.Herhusband,George,hadmadethesametriponedayearlier.“Wethoughtthecurfewwaslifted.Wedon’talwaysknowbecauseit’snotalwaysannounced.Israelisnipersarepositionedinabuildingaboveus.”

Thefamilysurvivedbywatchingtelevisionwhenpowerwasavailable.Therewastwenty-four-hournewscoverage,butwhenthatbecametoomuchtoendure,theyswitchedtooldmoviesorAmericansitcomreruns.

Alison’shusbandwasnearingdespair.Hehadbeenunabletogotoworkforamonthandwasrecallingeveryhumiliatingexperiencehe’deverenduredfromtheIsraelis—therudeyoungsoldierswhoscreamedathimatthecheckpoint;thesettlerswhopointedtheirgunsathimandhismotherandsiblingsastheyfarmedtheirland;themilitaryjudgewhohaddismissedthelegitimacyoftheirownershipofthefarm;thesoldierwhohadgrabbedhisyoungerbrotherbytheneck;thecaptainwhohadrefusedtogivehimpermissiontogotoBeerShevaforhisdaughter’sopen-heartsurgery.Onandonitwent.Memoriesofthesehumiliationsseemedtomakehisworriesmoreunbearable.Wherewouldhegetmoneyfornextmonth’sfoodandwaterandelectricityandrentandschoolfees?[1]

ThiswasaChristianfamilysimplytryingtoliveadecentlifewhiledealingwiththeirconstantlyescalatingfrustrationandanger.Theywouldn’ttakedesperatemeasures,likesomeinthemilitantIslamicgroups,butsomehowtheyhadtomanagetheiremotions.Howmuchlongercouldtheyendurethepressure?Multiplythatbyhundredsandhundredsoffamilies.Bisharaknewhehadtofindawaytohelppeoplecaughtinthismaelstrom.Allhecoulddoforthemomentwassende-mailsandmakephonecalls.SeveralorganizationshadcommittedtoprovidingfundstohelptheShepherd’sSociety,thereliefarmofBethlehemBibleCollegethatBisharahadformed.Itwouldaidfamiliesthatweresufferingthemost,butrightnowtheycouldn’tevenreachthosefamilies.

Asdaysturnedintoweeks,Bisharatriedtokeepbusy.Becausethegardenwasbelowstreetlevel,andcordonedoffbyahighwall,hewasabletogetoutwithSalwaandDorisanddoyardwork.Hewrotetohisfriendsthattherewereafew“goodpoints”tobeingconfinedtoone’shomeforweeksonend:

YouhavemoretimetoprayandreadtheWordofGod.Yousleeplate.Youcanenjoyyourbreakfastandyoudon’thavetorushtowork.Youcanhelpyourwifeputawayallthewinterthingsandgetreadyfor

summer.Youcanfixupthingsaroundthehouse—andIenjoyedthat.Youcancatchuponyourletters.

Bethlehem,May2002

ThesiegeattheChurchoftheNativityendedafterthirty-ninedays.The

ThesiegeattheChurchoftheNativityendedafterthirty-ninedays.Thenegotiatedsettlementsentthirteenmenintodeportation.SeveralmoremenwereshippedtoGaza.Therest,whoweresimplycaughttryingtotakeshelterduringthefighting,wereallowedtoreturntotheirhomes.

TwomenfromOpenDoorswentimmediatelytoBethlehemassoonasthearmypulledout.Theirwrittenreporttouchedmedeeply.Whilethesightswereappalling,theheartrendingstorieshurtmuchmore.OnefamilyneartheChurchoftheNativityspentsixweeksintheirbedroom,notdaringtomovetheirheadsabovethelevelofthewindowforfearofbeingshot.Anothercouplehadtanksparkednexttotheirhomefortwoweeks.“Westayedinsidefortwoweeks,eatingwhatfoodwehadonceperday.”

OnewidowwithtwochildrentocareforshowedthementheruinsofherhomejustafewyardsfromMangerSquare.Sheandherchildrenhadfledatthebeginningofthefightingand,becauseofthesiege,hadnotbeenabletogoback.Allthewindowswerebrokenanddustanddirtblewintothehouse.Therewasn’tapieceoffurnitureleftintact.Herbelongingswerepiledinonecornerandthefloorwasfilthy.OnonewalltherewasaSyrianOrthodoxChurchcalendar,theonlypicturenotdamaged.Inthekitchenthesinkandallthefittingshadbeentornoutofthewall.“Lookatmyrefrigerator,”shesaid.“It’snew.Isavedformonthstobuyit.”Itstoodinacorner,thedoorsbentopen,theglassshelvesbroken,theinsidestainedbythefoodthathadrottedduringtheweekstheyweregone.

Afterwalkingthroughtownandwitnessingthedevastation,thestaffmembersmetwithseverallocalpastors.Whilethesementriedtoministertotheirflocks,theyalsoweredealingwiththeirownangerandfrustration.“WhereistheChurchworldwide?”saidone.“WhereistheChristianworld?Howcantheyturnablindeye?”Anothersaid,“WhiletheywereholdingthemainChristianpopulationofPalestinehostage,whatdidtheChurchintheWestdo?”

Whatpastorhasbeentrainedtoministerinsuchconditions?“Whatdoyoupreachwhenthereisshellingandguns?”askedone,“orwhenamemberofmychurchringsmeuponmycellphoneandsays,‘Pleasepray.ThereareIsraelisinmyhouse,’or‘Mydaughterissick,andtheambulancewon’tcomebecauseofthefighting’?”

Thereportconcluded,“ThelastfortydayshavebeenacrushingblowtotheChurch—theworstinfiftyyears.IthasbeentheculminatingknockoutpunchtoaChristianpopulationreelingfromtwentymonthsofsufferingduringthemostrecentintifada.Thecontinualfightinghasfrightenedawaythetourists,andmanypeoplehavelosttheirjobs.”Onepersontoldourtwostaffworkers:“Twentymonthswithoutworkishumiliating.Iusedtohavesomemoney,but

“Twentymonthswithoutworkishumiliating.Iusedtohavesomemoney,butnowallisgone.”Saidhispastor:“Multiplythatbythousands,andyouhavethestoryofBethlehem.”

Howindeeddoesoneministerinsuchturmoil?Thesepeopleweredeeplyscarredemotionally.AccordingtotheOpenDoorsstaff,thefirstconsequencewouldbemanypeopleleavingthecountry:“Thesteadybleedingofemigrationwillturnintoahemorrhage.Theconsequenceoflackofworkandthecontinualinsecuritymeansthatpeoplehavenohopeforthefuture.Theyseeonlyonepossibility—toleaveandgototheUnitedStatesorAustraliaor...”

Buteveninthisdarkness,therewereglimmersoflight.Throughhumanitarianaid,thedoorwasopentoreachingthelocalMuslimpopulation.Ireadinthereport:“LateoneeveningsomebrothersfromtheBibleSocietyvisitedaMuslimfamilywithaboxoffood.Astheyreceivedthefood,thepeoplebrokedownandcried.”

AsoneBethlehempastorputit,“Wearetryingtobethelightinthemidstofdarkness,butyoumustkeeptheoilburning.”

Howcouldwe,theChurchintheWest,helpourbrothersintheBethlehemarea?Surelywehadtorespondquicklyandsubstantially.“Wecanstartbyhelpingtomeetsomeoftheirphysicalneeds,”saidoneofthestaffwhenhereturnedfromthetrip.“TheShepherd’sSocietywantstohelpseventhousandChristianfamilies.Thereisanurgentneedformedicinesandfoodforthosewhohavelosteverything,andtheyneedtohirelocalpeopletohelpdistributetherelief.”

WithindaysOpenDoorsannouncedaprojectcalledCompassionNow.Thegoalwastoraise$500,000asquicklyaspossibletoprovideemergencyreliefintheformoffoodandmedicine,plussubsidiestopaydelinquentutilitybills.Someofthefundswouldgotoexpandingatrauma-interventioncounselingprogram,particularlyforchildrenandyouthwhohadbeenemotionallyandpsychologicallytraumatized.

Icouldn’thelpbutthinkofthewordsofJesusinMatthew25aboutthejudgmentwherethesheepwereseparatedfromthegoats.IhadpreachedonthispassageatIslamicUniversityinGaza.TothesheepJesussaid,“Iwashungryandyougavemesomethingtoeat,Iwasthirstyandyougavemesomethingtodrink.”JesushadsaidthoserecipientsareHisbrothersandsisters;therefore,“YoudiditforMe.”TheseChristiansinBethlehemwerecertainlymoremybrothersandsistersthantheHamasIvisitedinsouthLebanon.Howmuchmoreshouldweworktoreachouttothemintheirtimeofneed?

Bishara’sinvitationtospeakatgraduationwasfulfilledinmid-July,morethanamonthlaterthanplanned.Invitationsweresentindicatingthatiftherewasacurfewonthedesignatedday,theceremonywouldoccuronthenextdaywhenthecurfewwaslifted.ImadeaquicktriptoTelAviv.OneofBishara’sfriendssnuckmeintoBethlehemwherewewaitedthreedaysforthecurfewtolift.Whentheannouncementcameearlyonemorningthattherewouldbeasix-hourreprieve,phonecallswerequicklymadeandannouncementsscrolledalongthebottomoflocaltelevisionscreens.Thatday,fifteennewChristianleadersgraduated,readytobegintheirserviceintheLightForce.

34THELIGHTISALITTLEBRIGHTER

Gaza,December2002

Frustratedtryingtomaneuverthroughcrowdedintersectionswithnotrafficlights,ourtaxidrivertookhischancesonthewinding,potholed,dirtbackroadsandalleysofGazaCity.Butthreeblocksfromourdestination,heagainfacedthegridlockedmainstreet.Hornsblaredwithnoeffect.Thedrivershookhisheadandmuttered,“Ramadan.”Directlyaheadwomenflockedtoalargeopen-airmarkettobuyfoodandgiftsforEidal-Fitr,thebiggestMuslimholidayoftheyear,whichcelebratedtheendofthemonthoffasting.

Seeinganopenlane,thedriverwoundthroughthetrafficandspedupahillpastthestalledlines.Withhorrorwerealizedthatthislanewasforvehiclesgoingintheoppositedirection.Fortunately,weemergedatthetopofthehillwithoutmeetinganyoncomingcars.Thenweturnedinfrontofthethreelinesofcarsontoanarrowsidestreet,passedalargecemetery,andturnedintothecomplexwhereourapartmentbuildingwaslocated.Onlylaterdidwerealizethatthisstreetwasmarked“OneWay,”andweweregoinginthewrongdirection.

TheapartmentbuildingwaspartoftheBaptistcompoundbuthadseenlittleusesincethestartofthesecondintifadamorethantwoyearsago.AlandIwereallowedtostayforjusttendollarspernight.“Remember,thisisRamadan,”thelandlordsaid.“Ifyougooutbeforesundown,don’teatordrinkanythinginpublic.Whilewe’renotundertheirreligiouslaws,suchinsensitivitywouldcauseproblems.”

AlandIwenttoourroomstounpack.Suddenly,therewasaloudexplosion,andtheconcussionmadeourbuildingshake.Twomoreexplosionsfollowedinrapidsuccession.Alhurriedontothebalconyandsawseveralpeople,hands

rapidsuccession.Alhurriedontothebalconyandsawseveralpeople,handsblockingtheireyesfromthesun,lookingupatthreeApachehelicoptershighinthesky,headedbacktoIsrael.Awomanfromtheapartmentbelowuslookedintotheair,thenupatAlandsaid,“WelcometoGaza!”

PastorHannapickedusupat4:00.Traffichadsubsidedbythen.Thewomenwerehomecooking,andmostmenhadleftworkearlyforthemuch-anticipatedfeast.AlandIaskedHannaabouttheexplosions.HeexplainedthatthegunshipshadattackedtheDepartmentofHealth,killingonemanandwoundingfive.“Usuallytheydon’tbombduringtheday,”Hannasaidashedroveustoadowntownrestaurant.“Theyprobablyhadintelligencethatthemantheywantedwasinthatoffice.”Thenheadded,“LastnightanIsraelihelicopterflewjustaboveourhomeallnight.Itwashardtosleepandveryintimidating.”WewerequicklybeginningtoexperiencethestressofdailylifeinGaza.

Everytableintherestaurantwasset,eachwithanarrayofsaladsandstacksofpitabread.By4:30everyseatwasoccupied.Peopletalkedquietly,butnoonesomuchastouchedanyofthefoodorwater.Atelevisionwasoninthecorner,andtheproprietorwatchedforofficialnoticethatthesunhadsetandthefinalfastofRamadancouldbebroken.Thewordcameat4:42,andimmediatelyeveryonebeganeating.Awaitercameby,givingusachoiceofwholechickenorkebabsoflamborchicken.Thereweremorethantwentypeopleatourlongtable.SomeweremembersoftheBaptistchurch.OthersworkedeitherinarefugeecamporforaMuslimreliefagency.Togetherwewerecelebratingapartnershipthathadbroughtrelieftofivethousandfivehundredfamiliesinnearbyrefugeecamps.

WehaddessertandcoffeeatHanna’shome.Hiswife,Suhad,welcomeduswarmlywhenweenteredtheapartment.ShortlyafterwehadseenthemlastyearinGaza,shehadgonetoJordantovisitfamily.Whenitwastimetoreturn,shehadbeenrefusedreentryintoGaza.Therefollowedtenagonizingmonthsseekingavisa.“Eventhoughtheyknewthatshe’smarriedtoapastor,theystilldon’twanttogiveherpermissiontocome,”Hannasaid.“Ithinktheywereputtingpressureonustoleave.”

“ToleaveGaza?”Iasked.“That’swhatIbelieve.”Hannahadappliedthreetimesforthevisaforhiswife

toreturntoGaza.Threetimesitwasrejected.Finally,hefiledapetitionwiththeSupremeCourtofIsrael.“Ifthecourthadsaidno,Ihadmyluggagereadytogo

SupremeCourtofIsrael.“Ifthecourthadsaidno,IhadmyluggagereadytogoandliveinJordan.Wethoughtthatwecannotlivelikethis.It’sbeenverypainful,verydifficult.Mymotherandtwosistershavemusculardystrophyandneedalotofhelp.Soyou’retornbetweenyourwifeandyourmother,twosisters,andyourchurch.”

“Aterribledilemma.Istherenocompassion?”AtthattimeGazawasautonomous,underthecontrolofthePA.Still,IsraelrestrictedthecitizensofGazafromreturningtotheirhomes.

“OnceIhadameetingwiththeIsraeliambassadorinJordan.Therewerealotofpeoplewritingonourbehalftotheambassador.Hesaid,‘We’regettingverytiredofpeoplewritingtousaboutSuhad.’Suhadhatedgoingtotheembassybecauseofthewaytheytreatedher.Itwaslikeyouwerebegging.”

Fortunately,theSupremeCourtruledinSuhad’sfavor.“Howlongcanshestaynow?”Alasked.

“Sevenmonths.Shecanstaylonger,butifsheleavestogoseeherfamily,thenthereisnoassurancethatshewillbeallowedback.”

Ithoughtaboutthepressurethismanwasunder.Hereliedheavilyonhiswife,andSuhadwasanintegralpartofhisministry.Asweenjoyedfruitandicecream,Isaid,“Pleasetellushowthechurchisdoingnow.”

“Weministertoabout150throughouttheweek.”“Theydon’tallcomeonSunday?”Alaskedforclarification.“WehaveSundaymorningserviceat10:30andSundayeveningat4:30.And

throughtheweek,almosteveryday,wehaveameeting.Mondaywehavemeetingsfornewbelieversandnewleaders.Wehaveawomen’smeetingonTuesday,andyouthagestwelvetoeighteenonThursday.Fridaywehave‘Sundayschool,’agesfivetotwelve[FridayisthedayoffformostpeopleinGaza].Saturdayweworkwithuniversitystudents.Wealsohaveseveralothermeetingsoutsidethechurch.We’veheldleadershiptrainingforPAleaders.Webelievethisisagoodwaytoreachouttothecommunity.We’llbestartinganothergroupsoon.”

Ithoughtofthechurch,barelybreathingwhenIvisiteditsixyearsearlier.Nowitwasthrivingandreachingoutintothecommunity.Thelightwasdefinitelyalittlebrighter.

Thefirstcallstoprayerstartedshortlybefore4:00inthemorning,andsincethiswasaholiday,therewerespecialservicesatallthemosques.Loudspeakers

broadcasttheseservicesforallwhowerenotdedicatedenoughtoriseandattend.Thenoisemadeitimpossibletosleep,soAlfinallygotuptomakeuscoffee.ThecacophonyofpreachersandchantersmadeitdifficulttoconcentrateaswereadourBibles.Weparticularlynotedwhenwhatsoundedlikeayoungboytookoverchantingforafewminutesatonemosque.Hishigh-pitchedvoicerepeated,“Allahu,Akbar;Allahu,Akbar”or“Godisgreater!”overandover,withparticularemphasisonthenext-to-lastsyllable.

FromPsalm80,Alread,“OLORDGodAlmighty,howlongwillyourangersmolderagainsttheprayersofyourpeople?Youhavefedthemwiththebreadoftears;youhavemadethemdrinktearsbythebowlful.Youhavemadeusasourceofcontentiontoourneighbors,andourenemiesmockus.”

Asthelastnotesfromthemosquesdiedawayat7:30,weobservedthatthewordsofthepsalmdescribedmanyoftheprayersofMuslims,Jews,andChristians.Peoplecalloutindistress,“Abba,Father.”TheMuslimscannotknowGodasFather.TheycallouttoAllah,“thehearingone,”butwithoutknowingifHewillanswertheirprayers.Wewonderedifthatwasthereasonforthemonotonousrepetitionwe’dheardthatmorning—thattheyhopedperhapstobeansweredbecauseoftheirmanywords.ButGodhassetusfreeandbroughtusintoapersonalrelationshipwithHimself!ThatwasthemessagetheChurchsomehowneededtoconveytoGaza.

Afteralightbreakfastofapplesandtoast,wetookawalkintheneighborhood.Immediatelyoutsidetheapartmentcompound,wenoticedanemptylotfilledwithplasticchairs.Atthegatestoodaproudmandressedinafreshlypressedblacksuitwitharedflowerpinnedonhislapel.Menfromtheneighborhoodwerecomingbytopaytheirrespects.Thetwoforeignerswereconspicuous.“Please,comein!”themansaid,standingerectandproudattheentrancetothemourningtent.“Mysondiedon28Ramadan.”Thatwasthreedaysearlier.Wecouldn’tdeterminehowhediedbecauseaswetookseatsofhonor,theman,ahugesmileonhisface,said,“Mysondiedasamartyrandisnowinparadise.Please,becomeMuslims!Itissowonderful!”

Forthenextfewminutes,hepreachedasermontousaspassionateasthatofanyevangelist.Theguestsaroundhimnoddedtheirheadsinagreement.Someonepouredusaglassofjuice,anotherofferedusdates,andathirdpassedadishofcandy.Asweacceptedtherefreshments,themancontinuedexhorting:“Allahistheonlyanswer.NotBush,notArafat,notEuropeortheUnitedStates.OnlyAllah!”

Whenitwaspolitetoleave,wewarmlyshookhandswiththefather,again

offeringourcondolences.Aswecontinuedonourwalk,wediscussedwhetherwewouldbesoproudandboldinourwitnessthreedaysafteroneofoursonshaddied.Thismantoldusthathissonwasinparadisebecausehehaddiedasa“martyr.”Thisman’sfaithwasabsolute.Hehadstakedhislifeonthat.HowmanyChristianswerejustascertainoftheirfaith?WhataboutthelocalbelieversinGaza?Withoutasimilarfaithandpassion,howcouldtheyhopetobeheardamongthemillion-plusMuslims?

WedrovealongtheMediterraneanSeasouthtowardoneoftherefugeecamps.Itwassadtoseenooneenjoyingthebeautifulbeach.Numerouslittlebeachsidecafes,somewithumbrellasupovertheirtables,wereclosed.Portionsofthesandweredisfiguredbybarbedwiredefenses.Thiscouldbeawonderfultouristspot;insteaditwasawarzone.WeparkedattheheadquartersofaMuslimNGO(nongovernmentalorganization)thatwasresponsibleforcoordinatingreliefeffortsinthearea.TheBaptistchurchwasworkingwiththemtodistributefoodtotheneediestfamilies.Thedirector,Khalid,explainedthatthiswasasmallNGO.“Allwhoworkherearevolunteers,”hesaid.“AllofthisisforGod.OurfriendsattheBaptistchurchareabighelp.”

“Dopeoplecometoyouforhelp,ordoyouseekthemout?”Alasked.“Ourvolunteersseekthemout.”“Theytelluswhoneedshelp,”Hannaadded.“SomeNGOsdiscriminate.This

oneishonestandhelpisbasedonrealneed.Weliketomakeaconnectionwiththefamilyanddeliverthefoodandmeatcouponsourselves.”

AswedrovejustafewminutestoDeirelBallah(CampofthePalm),Hannashowedusoneofthecouponshewouldbegivingtothefamilies.OnthetopwasaScriptureverse.ThecouponstatedthatthiswasagiftfromGazaBaptistChurch.Weparkedattheentrancetoadirtalleywaywithacementblockwallononesideandramshacklehomesontheother.GreenArabicgraffitiwasprominentonthewall.Someofitwascoveredbyalaundrylineloadedwithchildren’sclothing.Severalboyswereplayingnexttoatruckandtheycheerfullysaid,“Hello,”andgatheredaroundtheforeignvisitors.

Alpulledouthisdigitalcamera,andtheboysdrewaroundmeforaphoto.Thentheyeagerlylookedatthepictureonthelittlescreen,talkingexcitedly.LaterIsawinthepicturethatoneoftheboyshadatoypistolinadvertentlypointedatmyhead.Afterthat,everywherewewentthroughoutthecamp,Inoticedthatmostoftheboyshadtoypistolsormachineguns.Theywere

constantlydodgingbehindcarsandplayactinggunfightswiththeir“enemies.”Thefirsthomewevisitedwasactuallyacompoundconsistingofseveral

rooms.Hannaexplainedthatseveralbrothershadcombinedtheirfamiliesandresources,livingalltogether.Therewasatotalofsixty-fivepeople.Boyssleptinoneroom,girlsinanother.Bothdormitorieswereextremelyneat,withsleepingpadspiledhighinonecornersothespacecouldbeusedinotherwaysduringtheday.

Thecouplewevisitedinvitedusintotheirroom,wheretheonlyfurniturewasabedandanarmoire.Cushionsonthehard-packeddirtfloorwereusedforsitting.Ononewalltherehungacarpetandafewhooksforcoats.Twosmallfamilypicturesandadigitalclockstuckat12:02providedtheonlyotherdecoration.Theroomwasneatandextremelyclean.“Didtheyknowwewerecoming?”AlaskedHanna.

“No,weneverannouncewhatfamilieswewillvisit.”Thecouplesatclosetoeachotherontheedgeoftheirbedwhilewesatonthe

floorcushions.Hannaofferedthemthebagofgroceries,plusacouponthatcouldberedeemedfortwokilosofmeatfromanearbybutcher.Themanwasgrateful.Whilehiswifegotupandlefttheroom,heexplainedinArabic,withHannatranslatingforus,thathehadtwowivesandelevenchildren.Hisoldestsonwassixteenyearsold;hisyoungestwasfour.He’dbeenoutofworkformorethantwoyears,andsohisoldestchildhadtoleaveschool.[1]

Theman’swifereturnedwithabundleofveryripebananas.Shewentaroundtheroomandgaveonetoeachofus.Thesepeoplewereverypoorbutalsoproud—theyfeltboundtoprovideushospitality,sharingwhatevermeagerprovisionstheyhad.Ifoundmyselfdeeplytouchedandasweendedourbriefvisit,IaskedifIcouldprayforthefamily.Theyagreed,andwehadabriefprayer.Thatwastheleastwecoulddo,toleavethenameofJesusinthatroom.

Asweleft,wewalkedbythekitchen,whichwasopentotheelements.Akettleoveranopenfirewasinonecorner,cookingthemealfortheday.Thewomenhadjustfinishedbakingthinflatbreadandofferedussome.Surelyatreatineverycultureisthetasteoffreshlybakedbreadstraightoutoftheoven!Inoticedthatthefamilywasraisingafewchickensandagoatandhadtwoveryskinnyworkhorses.Obviouslytheyweredoingeverythingpossibletoscratchoutalivingandprovidefortheirchildren.AlcommentedthattheprimitivenessofthesituationremindedhimofthewaypioneersprobablylivedintheAmericanWest150yearsago.Onlythosepioneershadamuchbrighterfutureaheadofthem.

Aswewalkedbacktoourvan,Alasked,“ArethereanyChristiansinthiscamp?”

camp?”“No,itis100percentMuslim,”saidHanna.“Butwealwaysoffertopraywith

them,andusuallytheyappreciateit.”“Wheredoyougetthefunds?”“Somefromthecongregation.Somefromfriendsofthechurch.And

Samaritan’sPurseisproviding$15,000permonthforsixmonths.Thathasallowedustoexpandtheprogram.”

Drivingbackintothecity,wecouldn’thelpbutreflectthatoureffortsseemedsolittlecomparedtothehugeneedsaroundus.However,lightwasshining,andwhoknewwhatGodcoulddoasaresultoftheeffortsofthissmallbutfaithfulcongregationindowntownGazaCity?

35ADONKEYCRIESFORGAZA

Gaza,December2002

Itwas4:00,thescheduledtimefortheprogramtostart,andtheballroomofthehotelontheGazabeachhadmaybeonehundredpeoplescatteredamongseveralhundredplasticoutdoorchairs.PastorHannadidn’tseemtooconcernedashesupervisedthefinaldetailsoftheprogram.Invitationsfortheeventhadbeendeliveredoverthepreviousthreedays.“Thereisnopointinsendingoutinvitationsearlier,”PastorHannaexplained.“Peoplewillforget.Andbesides,therearen’tverymanyoptionsavailabletopeopleinGazarightnow.”

Hannashowedustheinvitation.ItwasinanenvelopewithaCD-ROMthatcontainedportionsoftheJesusfilm,textofthebookMorethanaCarpenterbyJoshMcDowell,aNewTestament,and“TheFourSpiritualLaws.”Icouldn’thelpbutrecallthethreeconcernedmenofthischurchsixyearsearlierwhohadwantedtoholdanevangelisticcampaign.Atthattimetheyhadnofollow-upplan.NowGazaBaptistChurchwasready.Therewerebooksandothermediaresources,menandwomenwhocouldhandlefollow-upmeetings,andgroupswithinthechurchsopeoplecouldbecomepartofacommunity.

AlandIwalkedoutsidethehotelontothepatiothatborderedthebeachalongtheMediterraneanSea.Meninthreeboatswerefishingabouttwohundredyardsoffshore.Onemanwasthrowingoutanettoseewhathecouldcatch.Probablynotmuch—thegoodfishwerefartherout,butIsraelipatrolspreventedboatsfromfishingoutthere.Manylocalfishermenhadgoneoutofbusiness,andtherestaurantsrarelyservedfreshfishanymore.

Weprayedabouttheevangelisticmeeting.ThisonewastargetedparticularlytopeoplewhocalledthemselvesChristianbutwhoforwhateverreasonwere

topeoplewhocalledthemselvesChristianbutwhoforwhateverreasonwereinactiveinanyofthelocalchurches.Wehadnoideahowmanypeoplemightfitintothatcategory—perhapsonethousand,maybemore?Certainly,otherscouldbeattractedaswell.“Lord,mayYourhandbeoverthisevent,”weprayed.“MayYourSpiritmovehearts,andmaytherebemuchfruitharvestedtonight.”

Bythetimetheprogramstartedat4:35,theroomwasnearlyfullwithsomefourhundredpeople.Welaughed,realizingthatinGazawewereoperatingonArabtime.

Thefirsthourwasdevotedtomusicandtestimonies.AgroupofchildrensangaspecialsongthatLabibMadanat,whohaddrivendownfromJerusalemfortheevent,translatedforus:

Yourpeacepassesunderstanding,abidinginus,andwillnever,neverleaveus.Whatevertheenemywillsay,Yourpeacewillneverleaveus.

Thechoruswent:

Peace,peacetoGod’speople,wherevertheyare,wherevertheyare.

LabibexplainedthatthissonghadbecomeverypopularatcampsthatOperationPalestinianChildconductedforMuslimchildren.ThiswasaprogramsponsoredbythePalestinianBibleSociety.ThelyricscontrastedsharplywiththesongsglorifyingmartyrdomthatGazachildrenoftensang.

Anothersongevokedadeeppathos:

Whofeelsmypain?Whofeelsmyweakness?OnlyYou,Jesus.

Oureyesweredrawntooneofthesingers,ayoungmanwhoplayedguitarandwhosesingingseemedtocomefromdeepwithinhissoul.Yes,thesepeopleunderstoodpainandweakness.

ThemainspeakerwasKamal,anevangelistfromJordan.HewasoriginallyfromNazarethandjokedaboutNathanael,whohadasked,“Cananythinggood

comeoutofNazareth?”[1]“Peoplefromthereneedamiracletocometofaith,”saidKamal.“They’retough.Well,I’moneofthosemiracles.”Kamaltoldalittleofhisstory,howhehadworkedinanightclubandexperimentedwithdrugs,lookingforhappiness.Whenhedidn’tfindit,hebeganasearchforthetruthinstead.Toillustratethatsearch,hewalkedusthroughtheScriptures,seekingadvicefromMoses,Daniel,Isaiah,Micah,JohntheBaptist,andMary.HeconcludedwithJesus,whosaid,“Comeuntome.”

Kamalissuedapowerfulinvitation,andmorethanonehundredpeoplestooduptosaytheywerecommittingtheirlivestoChrist.Thelightjustgotalittlebrighter.ThestaffandleadersofGazaBaptistChurchwouldbebusyforweeksfollowingupwitheachofthosewhofilledoutresponsecards.

Laterthatevening,wemettheyoungmanwhohadsocapturedourattentionashesangattheoutreachevent.Veryquietly,speakingthroughaninterpreter,Ramitoldhowhischildhoodendedwhenhewasnineyearsold,duringthefirstintifada.“Wewereapoorfamily,butitwasabigfamily,astrongfamily.MybrotherKader,whoifhewerestillalivewouldnowbethirty-twoyearsold,wasverysmart.Hewasworkingsellinggold.”

ButKader,Rami’shero,waskilledattheageofeighteen.Therewasademonstrationnearthemarket—youngmenandboyswerethrowingrocksatIsraelisoldiers.Onhiswaytobuygroceries,Kaderwascaughtupinthedemonstration.Hepickeduparockandheavedit,hittingthecaptainonhishelmet.Immediatelyseveralsoldierschasedafterhim.Kadertoredownoneofthedirtsidestreets,choseahouseatrandom,andhidunderabed—therewasnootherplacetohide.

Thesoldiershadnoproblemfindingtheboy.Ramicouldpicturethehorrorastheybegantobeathisbrotherwithsticks.“Stop!”saidoneofthecommanders.Hehandedthemalargeemptysack.“Putthisoverhimsowedon’tgetsplatteredwithblood.”Thentheycontinuedthebeating.

RamihadheardthattheprimeministerofIsrael,YitzhakRabin,hadtoldthesoldiersto“breakthebones”ofeveryPalestinianyoungmantheyhit.Howmanyofyourbonesdidtheybreak?hewantedtoaskhisbrother.

Whilebeatinghim,thesoldiersdemandedtoknowhisreligion.Whenhereplied,“Christian,”theyhauledhimoutsidetoajeepandtiedhimcruciformonthehood,thenparadedhimthroughthestreetsofGaza.Whentheyfinallyarrivedatthemilitaryheadquarters,hewasdumpedonthecementfloor.“He

needsmedicalattention,”someonesaid.Butnodoctorwasallowedtolookathim.Theboydiedonthatfloor.[2]

“Ablacknessenteredmyheart,”Ramisaidofthatincident.Withinmonths,hismotherbecameillanddied.ThenanotherbrotherstartedattackingsoldierswithMolotovcocktails.Hewasarrestedandimprisonedforfive-and-a-halfyears.“Ihadahugeangerinme.Ineededsomeonebiggerthanmetohelpmecontainthiskindofanger.Noonecaredformeafterthistime.Ibecamelonely.Myfatherbecameveryweak.Ihadtostaywithhim.Icleanedhim,fedhim,tookcareofhim.ButIwasveryangry,becausemyfatherwasn’twithmetoencouragemeandbecauseIwasn’twithmyfriends.”

Ramideterminedhewouldfindawaytogetevenwiththosewhohadmurderedhisbrotherandwereresponsible,inhismind,forthedeathofhismother.Hewasfinishinghighschoolwhenhisfatherdied.Hefailedthecompulsoryteststhatarerequiredifonewantstoattendcollege.Hestarteddrinkingalcohol.“Iwasbornintoaworldlylifestyleoutofawombofsadness,”hesaid.

Whataprofoundstatement!Ithought.RamiknewheneededhelpandtookthefirststepswhenaCatholicpriest

encouragedhimtostudyandretakethetests,thenhelpedhimlearntobeasecretary,andfoundhimajobattheMinistryofAntiquities.

“Iknowyouweren’taMuslim,butwereyoueverdrawntogroupslikeHamasorIslamicJihad?”Alasked.

“IwantedtokillJews.IthoughtaboutbecomingaMuslim.”“Whatpreventedyou?”“Ididn’tknowanythingaboutmy[Christian]religion.”Headmittedthere

wasahugespiritualgapinhislife.Inthesummerof2001heattendedaconferencecalledSummerland,“JustbecauseIwasbored.”ItwassponsoredbyGazaBaptistChurch.“Iwenteachday.Onthethirdday,theLordwasspeakingtomethroughtheHolySpirit.ThatwaswhenIacceptedtheLordJesus,andmylifechanged.”

“Please,tellushowyourlifechanged,”Alprompted.“EventhoughIacceptedtheLord,therewasstillsomeofthatblacknessinmy

hearttowardtheJews.Therewereinnerbattles.IbegantostudytheWordofGod.Istartedgoingtochurch.Mylifebegantochangelittlebylittle.ThenIreadintheBible,‘Loveyourenemies.Prayforthemandblessthosewhopersecuteyou.’Igotangry.Iclosedthebook.Itwasveryhard,veryhard.”

ThatwaswhenhemetAbuYahya,themanagerofTheTeacher’sBookshop

whoworkedcloselywithPastorHannaandwasamemberofGazaBaptistChurch.“He’stheonewhohelpedmegrowinmyrelationshipwiththeLord.Hetaughtmehowtolovepeople.Hetoldme,‘Youhavetopray.’IprayedmanylongnightsthatIwouldbeabletoaccepttheJews.Oneday(lessthanayearago)IwantedtogovisitmysisterinJerusalem.IhadtogetpermissionfromtheIsraeligovernment.Iwent.Iwasveryupset,uptight.ButIwaspraying.ThenIsawthesoldierswiththeirbigweapons.Thefirstsoldier,Isawhisface,andtherewaslight.IknewIlovedhim.Hesearchedmestrongly.ButIwashappy.Inmyhearttherewaspeace.Theysatmeonachair.Strongly.Iwaslookingatallofthem.IwantedtotellthemthatIwanttokissyou,toallofthem.”

Algrinned.“Arabicstyle,onthecheek!”hesaid.Ramismiledandnodded.Thiswasthepowerofthegospel.ThiswasthehopefortheMiddleEast.Oneman’sheart,filledwithhate,wasreplacedwithanewheart,onefilledwiththeloveofGod.

“Wheredoyougofromhere?HasGodshowedyouwhatyouaretodowithyourlife?”

“IwanttobeamanofGod.I’mknockingondoors.Maybeapastor—no,aministernotapastor.IwanttobeagreatChristian.TheLordwantstoshapemesothatIcouldpreachtheWordofGodtoalltheworld,totheMuslims,Jews,Christians.”

“YourtestimonyisapictureofwhatIbelieveistheonlysolutionforthisarea,”IsaidtoRami.“It’sapictureofwhatGodcando,buteachindividualneedstoallowGodtodoit.”

Later,afterRamileft,AlandIreflectedagainonhowthelighthadalmostgoneoutintheBaptistchurchafewyearsago.Now,withtheevangelisticoutreachandyoungconvertslikeRami,therewashopethatthelightwouldgrowbrighter.Thentherewouldbelessdarkness,lessdespair,lessviolence.

WhatwasthetruthaboutGaza?ListeningtoterroristgroupleadersandIsraelispokesmen,itseemedlikenooneeverreallyheardtheotherside.Whatwedidknowwasthatpeopleweredyingfromthefightingeveryday—thirteenjustinthefourdayswe’dbeeninGaza.

Thesunhadset,leavingonlyathinorangestripinthewest.HighaboveuswecouldhearthewhineofF-16s.Thentheyflewsouth,andweheardseveralexplosions,liketheoneswe’dheardourfirstdayinGaza,thoughfartheraway.Thiswasthefourthattackinfivedays.Alseemedagitated.Itriedtoassurehim

thatthiswasnothinglikewhatI’dexperiencedinBeirut,buthedidn’tfindthatcomforting.

Abouttwentyminuteslaterweheardsirens.TwospeedingcarstoreintotheAlAhliHospitalcompoundnextdoor,stoppingattheemergencyroomdoor.Anambulancefollowed.Itwasdarkandhardtosee.Itappearedthatonechild,hislegsdanglinglifelessly,wasbeingwheeledintotheemergencyroom.Anotheroldermanwassupportedashelimpedintothebuilding.Wecouldn’ttellwhothethirdpatientwaswhowasrolledinsideonagurney,butwecouldseeaman—perhapshusbandtothepatientorfather—whowasgreatlyagitated.Hekickedthecarhe’driddeninandshouted.Acrowdquicklygatheredandloudvoicesrangthroughthecompound.

Morecarsdroveup,andanotherambulance,alldeliveringinjuredpatients.Thensomeonecameoutandspoketotheagitatedman.Allwasquietforamoment.Thenascreamofagonyeruptedfromtheman.Heranintothecourtyard,emittinghowlsofsuchanguishthatoursoulscringed.Agurneyemerged,withasheetcoveringthebody.Theambulanceacceptedthebodyanddroveoff,weassumedtothemorgue.

Wewonderediftomorrowthismanwouldbedressedupinasuit,wearingaflower,invitingustobecomeMuslims.

Aswepackedoursuitcasesthenextmorning,preparingtoleaveGaza,adonkeystartedmadlybrayingoutside.Alglancedoutthewindowandsawitstandinginthemiddleofthestreet,refusingtomove,blockingtrafficasitstoodandbawled.Howsymbolic.AllofGaza,eventhedonkeys,seemedtobecrying.

Thenightbefore,wehadheardtheagonizing,bloodcurdlinghowlofanguishofamanwhohadlostalovedone.HiscrywaslikethatofthousandsofPalestiniansandIsraelis.Thousandshaddiedinthisintifada,andforeachone,mothersandfathers,brothersandsisters,husbandsandwiveshadwept.Forwhatpurposewasallofthissuffering?Apieceofland?Wasthatall?No,itwasformuchmore.Itwasaboutdignity,fairness,ambition,resistance,humanrights,andreligion.

Psalm88seemedlikeanappropriateprayerthismorning:“OLORD,...dayandnightIcryoutbeforeyou.Maymyprayercomebeforeyou;turnyoureartomycry.”Surelythatwasthecryofthousandshere.“Youhaveputmeinthelowestpit,inthedarkestdepths.Yourwrathliesheavilyuponme.”Thatmustbewhattheyfeelhere,bothPalestiniansandJews.

InjustafewdaysChristianswouldcelebrateChristmas.Ithoughtofanother

InjustafewdaysChristianswouldcelebrateChristmas.IthoughtofanotherverseoftenreadatChristmasservices:“Thelightshinesinthedarkness,butthedarknesshasnotunderstoodit”(John1:5).GodwillshineHislightthroughHispeople,butthedarknessmaynotunderstandit.Wehadtriedtodoourlittlepart,toshinealightintoHamasandIslamicJihad.TheGazaBaptistChurchwasdoingitspart,shiningalightbyvisitingdestituteMuslimfamiliesinrefugeecampsandputtingonevangelisticcampaigns.TheBiblebookshopinGazaCitywasdoingitspart—manywerewalkinginandseeingthelight.AlAhliHospital,operatedbytheAnglicanChurch,wasshiningalighttothousandswhoweresickandinjured.

Thelight,howeverfaint,wasshininginGaza,butthedarknessdidn’tseemtounderstandit.Didn’ttheyrealizethatthislightwastheironlyhope?

36SNEAKINGINTOBETHLEHEM

Bethlehem,December2002

AlandIverymuchwantedtovisitourfriendsatBethlehemBibleCollege,butBethlehemwasundercurfew.Ifwewenttotheonlyofficialentrance,soldierswouldturnusaway.

“Thereisawaytogetin,”saidBisharaoverthephone.Hetoldmehowtoinstructthedriver,whowaspickingusupoutsideGaza.HegavemealocationontheedgeofBeitJala.“CallmeonAl’scellphonejustbeforeyouarrive,andI’llhaveourvanpickyouup.”

LaterthatdaywedrovethroughthebypasstunnelfromJerusalem,tookthefirstexit,anddoubledbackontotheroadthatledtoHopeSchool,justoutsidetheborderofBeitJala.Ahugepileofdirtandrocksblockedtheroadintotheoldtown.Ontopoftherubbleseveraltaxicabdrivers,braveenoughtodefythemilitaryauthorities,werecompetingvigorouslyforfares.Severalofthemhurrieddownthehilltohelpuswithoursuitcases.

“Someoneismeetingus,”Isaidasoneofthementriedtowrestasuitcasefrommyhand.Icouldseeahomemadewhiteflagdisplayingablackcrossonapoleattachedtothecollegevanparkedontheothersideofthedirtandrockpile.Twomoremengrabbedseveralofourbagsandbeganhaulingthemovertherocksanddirt.Thentheydemandedatip—fivedollars,evenonedollar.Theypleaded—theywerehungry;therewerekidstofeed;thiswastheonlywaytheycouldearnmoney.Afterloadingthecasesintothevan,wewereblockedbyseveraltaxis.AlhadgivenoneofthedriversfiveAmericandollarsforhaulinghistwosuitcases.Thegratefuldriverdirectedtraffictomakesureweescapedthe

taxijambeforesundown.Oneblockawaythestreetswereempty.Itfeltlikeweweredrivingthrougha

ghosttown.Fiveminuteslater,havingtakenthebackstreetsandalleystoavoidthemainJerusalem-HebronRoad,wewerehaulingsuitcasesupthestairstothecollege’sguestroomsonthefourthfloor.

Outside,thewindwashowling.FrommywindowIcouldseetreesswayingandlaundrylookinglikeitmightblowoffthelinesofseveralhomesbehindtheschool.Twochildrenwereplayinginacourtyardthatcouldn’tbeseenfromthemainroads.Therewerenoothersignsoflife.Ihalfexpectedtoseesometumbleweedrollingdownthestreets.ThisscenegavenewmeaningtothepopularChristmascarol,“OlittletownofBethlehem,howstillweseetheelie.”

Thecollegewasdeserted.Doriswelcomedusandstartedheatingthekettlefortea.Bisharajoinedus.Therewasanothervolunteercouplethere.TheycamefromtheUnitedStatesandlivedinanapartmentinthebasement.AlandInowbroughtthetotalpopulationoftheschooltoseven.

Afteralightsupper,wewalkedovertoBishara’sofficeintheadministrationbuilding.Themainroadinfrontoftheschoolwaspitch-black.Powertoallofthetrafficsignalsandstreetlightshadbeencutoffmonthsbefore.Bydaylightwehadseenthedamagethattankshadcaused.Themetalawningofastorefrontacrossthestreetwastornandleftdangling.Severalstreetlampswerebent.Theprintsoftanktreadswereimbeddedinthestreetandsidewalks.Withnocarsonthestreets,therewasanominousfeeltothetown.

InfrontofBishara’sdeskaretwocoucheswhere—whentheschoolisopen—peoplefromthecollegeandcommunityfrequentlydropbyforcoffeeandconversation.“Wehavemanynightslikethis,”Bisharasaidashepreparedcoffee.“It’ssoquietandsadtowalkpastallofthedark,unusedrooms.We’refallingfurtherandfurtherbehindinourstudies.Ifwelosetoomanymoreweeks,wemaynotbeabletoholdagraduationceremonythisschoolyear.”

“Howarepeoplehandlingthecurfew?”Alasked.“ManyChristianscannottakeitanymore.Theyjustpackupandleave,sell

everythingandgotoNorthAmerica,SouthAmerica,Australia—anywheretheyhaverelatives.It’seasytogetout,ifyouplantoleaveforgood.ButifChristianscontinuetoleave...theproblemisthatthechurchisdying.Thisiswherethechurchisreallysuffering,becauseitlosesmembersallthetime.Theyareseekingabetterfuturefortheirchildren.Rightnow,undercurfew,allthechildrenaredeniedschooling.”

deniedschooling.”“Howhaveyourstudentsbeenaffectedbytheoccupation?”“Oneofourstudents,Michel,barelymissedbeinghitbyamissile.Hewentto

answerthetelephonejustsecondsbeforethemissilehittheplacewherehehadbeenstanding.Thefamilyrushedoutside,andanothermissilehittheirhome,destroyingit.That’stheclosestanyofourstudentshavecome.”

“That’stooclose!”Isaid.ThecollegehadsetuptheShepherd’sSocietytoproviderelieftolocalfamilies

thatneededfoodormedicalattention.“Everytimecurfewislifted,wehavepeoplecomingtotheschoollookingforhelp,”Bisharasaid.“Wegivewhatwecan.Forthosewhoneedimmediatehelp,Ihaveparcelsoffoodandcouponsthatcanberedeemedforfoodatthreedifferentstores.They’reworthtwohundredshekelsandallowthemtoobtainenoughfoodfortwotothreeweeks.Lastmonthwehelped170familiesinthisway.Forongoinghelp,weusetheShepherd’sSociety.”TheOpenDoors’projectCompassionNowwasprovidingsomeofthemoneyforthisassistance.

BisharatoldusaboutGeorge,afatherofsevenchildren.Thefamilylivedinasingle-roomapartmentneartheChurchoftheNativityandwasconfinedthereforfortyconsecutivedaysduringthesiege.Severaltimessoldierssearchedthepremises.“ThefamilybelongstoImmanuelChurchandparticipatesinmanyofthechurch’sweeklyactivities.Butbothhusbandandwifelosttheirjobs.Weprovidedthemwith$100amonththroughtheirchurch,whichtheyusedtopaysmallinstallmentstowardaccumulatedutilitybillsandtuitionfeesfortheirchildren’seducation.”

Morestoriespouredout.Julia,aseventy-year-oldwidow,livingalone,hadanaccumulationofutilitybillsandcouldn’taffordneededmedicaltreatments.Shepherd’sSocietyhelped,butwhatmeantmosttoJuliawasthesocialworkerwhospenttimejustlisteningtoher.“Sheisscheduledtoreceiveregularfollow-uphomevisitationstoensurethathercircumstancesdonotdeteriorate.”

Whatmanyofthelocalpeoplewantedmorethananythingwasemployment.“Manyfamiliesfeelasenseofacuteshamewhenaskingforassistanceofanykind,”Bisharaexplained.“Forexample,Victorandhiswife,theyhavethreesmallchildren.He’sbeenoutofworkfornearlytwoyearsandhislevelofdesperationwashigh.Still,heexpressedgenuinepreferenceforpaidemploymentasopposedtoreceivingahandout.He’sbeenrecommendedforaworkprogram,whichwillputhundredsofpeopletoworkinorganizationsthroughouttheBethlehemareacleaning,repairing,andrestoringthetown.”Ofcourse,thatprogramcouldn’treallygetunderwayuntilthecurfewwaslifted.

course,thatprogramcouldn’treallygetunderwayuntilthecurfewwaslifted.

CloudshunglowovertheBethlehemregion,obscuringthebuildingsofGiloaswellasthehillssurroundingus.Theminaretsoftwomosquesseemedtotouchthebottomoftheclouds,andtheirlightshimmeredthroughthemist.Duringthenight,wehadheardrainbatteringtheshutters.Thewindwasstillstrong,threateningtobringmorerain,butthemoodwasupbeatatBethlehemBibleCollegewiththenewsthatcurfewwouldbeliftedforsixhours,beginningat10:00thatmorning.

Therewasabustleofactivity.Charles,theAmericanvolunteer,hadtakenthevan,flyingthehomemadeChristianflag,tocollectemployeesfromtheirhomes.Severalprofessorswerepreparingclassroomsforlectures.Thecookwasgettingreadyinthekitchentoprepareahotlunchforfacultyandstudents.Severalsupportstaffwereansweringphonesandmakingphotocopiesintheadministrationbuilding,whileinthebasementShepherd’sSocietystaffpreparedfortheinevitableinfluxofpeoplelookingforhelp.

Wordthatschoolwasopenspreadviatelevisionmessagesscrolledalongthebottomofthescreenofthelocalstation.By10:30abouthalfofthefifty-fivestudentshadmanagedtoarrive.Withtheprofessors,theygatheredinabasementmeetingroomtohearAcademicDeanSalimMunayer,whohadtraveledtoBethlehemfromhishomeinJerusalem,announcewhichclasseswouldbemeeting.Beforetheyweredismissed,BisharareadfromRomans8:31:“IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?”Thenheencouragedtheassembly:“Thesearesuchcomfortingwordstous.Godcametousandlivedinourmidst.OneofthenamesofJesusis‘Godwithus.’Let’srememberthatHeiswithustoday.”

HeremindedthestudentsofacitywidepartyplannedfortwothousandpeopleonDecember21atalocalhotel—anannualeventthecollegeheldtocelebrateChristmasinthecommunity.“NothingcanstopusfromcelebratingJesus’birthday,”hesaid.Bisharahadtoldusthattheywereproceedingwithplansfortheparty,lessthantwoweeksaway,eventhoughtherewasconsiderabledoubtwhetherthepoliticalsituationwouldimproveandthecurfewwouldlift.[1]

“Weneedtofillourliveswithprayer,”Salimsaid,“andtoglorifyGodinthissituation.”Andso,beforeclassesbegan,thestudentsandfacultyspentabouttenminutesincorporateprayer.Oneoftheprofessors,alsoalocalpastor,closedwithapassionatepleainArabic.ThoughIcouldn’tunderstandthewords,Icouldfeelthelongingsthatexpressedwhatallofuswerefeeling.

couldfeelthelongingsthatexpressedwhatallofuswerefeeling.Asthestudentsheadedtoclass,AlandIdecidedtotakeadvantageofthe

opportunitytowalkfreelythroughthetown.WeheadedsouthontheJerusalem-HebronRoad.AttheintersectionwithElMuridaStreet,justablockfromtheschool,therewasatrafficjamoftaxisandcarstryingtoturnordrivethroughthecrossing.Withtheuselesstrafficlightsswingingabovehiminthewind,avolunteertrafficcoptriedtodirectcarswhileaMuslimwoman,coveredinblackjilbab,lookedoninamusement.

Itwasobviouswhythetrafficlightsdidn’twork.TherewasalargeelectricalboxbythegreenwroughtironfenceinfrontofthebuildingthathousedtheLatinPatriarchate.Theboxwascharredblack.Aroundthecornerwasparkedtheburnedskeletonofacar.WewoundourwaythroughthetrafficandcontinueddowntheroadtoviewtheremainsofthelocalPAgovernmentoffice.Itwasimpossibletotellhowtallthebuildinghadoncebeen—itsfloorswerepancakedontopofeachother.Eightmonthsearlier,F-16shaddestroyedit.ScrawledonthecinderblockwallinfrontofthecompoundweretheseEnglishwords:“OccupationKills.”

WeturneddownAl-Mukata’ahStreetandwalkedthroughthenarrowalleywayswhereabouthalfoftheshopkeeperswereopenforbusiness.Forthemostpart,shoppingwaslimitedtofoodandothernecessities.Thestreetswerecrowdedwithmenandwomenhustlingtomakethemostofsixhoursoffreedom.Nooneknewwhentheresidentswouldagainbereleasedfromtheirhouseprisons.Overthepastthreeweeks,Bisharasaid,curfewhad,onaverage,beenliftedonlyonceeveryfourdays.

Johnny’sGiftShop,whichwasnextdoortotheAlexanderHotel,wastheonlyoneofarowofcurioshopsopenalongMangerStreet,soAldecidedtodosomeChristmasshopping,pickingoutolivewoodsouvenirsforfamilyandfriends.SinceAlhadmetJohnnyonhispreviousvisit,heinquiredabouthowbusinesswasgoing.ThispromptedJohnnytoserveusteawithasprigofminthe’dgrowninhisbackyard.Hetoldushewaseagertomoveaway,totakehisson,whowassittinginacornerreading,toAmerica.“Iboughtthehotelandthisshopbecausebusinesswasgoingtogrowbeforetheyear2000.Iaddedfortyroomstothehotel.Nowit’sclosed.NoonewantstocometoBethlehem.”

Alboughtseveralornamentsandamother-of-pearlinlaidboxforhiswife.AsJohnnygavehimchange,hethankedus,sayingthatthiswashisfirstsaleinseventeendays.

Itstartedrainingagainaswehurriedbacktothecollegetojointhestudentsandstaffforlunch.Duringasimplebutwarmmeal,wetalkedwithseveral

students.Louiza,afourth-yearstudentwhospokeexcellentEnglish,livedintheOldCityofJerusalem.ThatmorningshewasrefusedadmittanceatthecheckpointintoBethlehem,eventhoughcurfewwaslifted.“It’sonlyforthem[meaningresidentsofBethlehem],notforyou,”thesoldiergrufflyexplained.SoshehadclimbedoverthestonewallattheCatholiccompoundofTantourandwalkedthroughamuddyfieldtoreachtheschool.“Thisismylastyear,”sheexplained.“Iwanttofinishschoolandgetmydegree.”

Twoyoungmenwerewithher,andshetranslatedforus.Walidwasinhisfourthyear.HelivedwithfourbrothersandthreesistersinBeitSahour.“Ihopetoworkwiththeyouthinmychurch,”hesaidwhenweaskedhimabouthisplansaftergraduation.“FornowIwanttostudyGod’sWord,soIcanteachtheBible.”

FahditoldusthathebelievedthetrialsthatheandalltheresidentsofBethlehemwereenduringwerelikeafirethatpurifiedthemandwouldeventuallyproducegood.“OursufferingisdisciplinefromGod,becausewehaveleftHimandgoneourownway.”

“Howhasthemilitaryoccupationaffectedyouandyourfamily?”Alasked.“Thesoldierscameandsearchedourhouseforweapons,”hesaid.“Theyasked

me,‘Doyouhaveanyweapons?’Isaid,‘Yes,IhavetheBible,JesusChrist,andthepoweroftheHolySpirit.’Theydidn’tlikemyanswer.OnesoldierthrewmyBibleaway,liketrash.Butthentheyleft.Anothersoldiersmashedourcarandmycousin’scar.”

“Whatwillyoudowhenyougraduate?”“IhopethatGodwillusemetodrawmypeopleasneartoChristasHe’s

drawnme.”At1:00thestudentsheadedupstairsformoreclasses.Butshortlyafterthat,an

Israeliarmyjeep,anorangelightrevolvingominouslyonitsroof,droveslowlyby,blaringanannouncementoverloudspeakers.“Curfewisbackon,”saidBishara.

“Ithoughtitwaslifteduntil4:00,”Alsaid.Bisharashrugged.Thiswassimplythewaylifewas.Classesimmediately

ceased,andstudentsandfacultyscrambledtogetbacktotheirhomes.By2:15thestreetswereempty.

AheavyraindescendedonBethlehemandbeatagainsttheabandonedschoolbuilding.Itwouldhavebeendepressingifwehadnotrememberedthewordsofthestudents.WecommentedonFahdi’sspirit.HesaidhewasarmedwiththeBibleandthepoweroftheHolySpirit.TherewashopefortheWestBankaslong

asChristianstudentswerebraveandpreparedtostandfirmlyandproclaimtheirhopeinChrist.

37ADANGEROUSGAME

Bethlehem,December2002

YouneedtomeetNawal,”saidBishara.AlandIweretalkingwithhiminhisofficeabouttheimpactofsomeofthegraduatesofBethlehemBibleCollege.Amongothers,wehadmetmenlikeHannaMassad,pastorofGazaBaptistChurch,andJackSara,pastorofJerusalemAllianceChurch,butwewantedtoseeothertypesofministry,particularlyoneamongthewomen.

Soduringanotherliftingofthecurfew,AlwenttoBeitSahourandthehomeofNawalQumsiehandherhusband.Theylivedonthesecondfloorofatwo-storybuilding.HesatinaspaciouslivingroomthatopenedintoadiningareaasNawaltoldaboutattendingBethlehemBibleCollegeandhowfortenyearsshehadtried,withlittlesuccess,toreachouttoneighbors.Then,afterthemiraculoushealingandbirthofJacob,Nawal’sphonestartedringingconstantly.Eagerlysheexplainedhowcallerswouldask:“Wouldyouprayformyson?Pleaseprayformydaughter.Prayformyhusband.Iwasamazed;miracleshappened.Goddidit!Sonow,duringtheuprising,Ihavemanyphonecalls.”

“Please,tellmeaboutthem,”Alsaid.“AmothercalledfromBeitJala.Theywerebombingnearherhouseandher

daughterwasbreakingdownandcryingbecauseoffear.Ihadherputthegirlonthephoneandprayedwithher.IaskedhertoprayforJesustoprotectherandthefamily.Thenextmorning,thegirlcalledme.Shesaid,‘IsawJesuslastnight.Iwasafraid,butHecamenearmeandsaid,“Don’tbeafraidanymorebecauseI’mprotectingyou.I’mwatchingoveryouandyourfamily.”Thefearisgone!’Andthenshestartedencouragingtheothergirlsandboysandtellingthemthat

JesusiswatchingoverBeitJala.Many,manymiraclesarehappeninglikethis.”BecauseNawalinsistedthatwomentelltheirhusbandsbeforeshewouldmeet

withthem,somedoorswereclosedtoher.Butmanymorewereopened.Nawalgaveanexample:“Onehusband,hewasanatheist.Hiswifewantedmetoprayforheraboutaproblem,andhesaid,‘Idon’tmindifyoutry.’Hewenttowork.Icametoherhouse,andweopenedtheWordofGodandIstartedtoreadtoher.Suddenlyherhusbandcameinthehouse.Shewassurprised—shesaidherhusbandnevercamebacktothehouseafterheleftforwork.HewantedtohearwhatIwassaying.Hesatinthenextroomandlistenedtoourconversation.Hewasmorehungryspirituallythanhiswife.”

Theprimaryneedofthesepeoplewasauniversalissue.“Theyneedlove!Iwenttoprayforonewomanwhohadsevereheadaches.Afterweprayed,sheasked,‘DidGodshowyouanythingaboutme?’Yes,Isaid.HeshowedmehowmuchHelovesyou.Shebrokedownandcriedinaverybadway.‘Godlovesme?’sheasked.‘Why?Nobodylovesme.’That’swhatsomanypeopleherebelieve—thatnobodylovesthem.Thatnobodywantsthem.

“Jesusministeredtopeoplethroughtheirneeds.Hewenttosickpeoplenottothehealthypeople—peoplesickinspirit,sickemotionally.That’smostlywhatwehavehereinBeitSahour.Wehavepeoplewithbrokenhearts.MostbelievethatGoddoesn’tlovethem.TheythinkGodlovestheJewishpeople,butHedoesn’tlovetheArabicpeople.Theyarenotthechosenpeople,sotheydon’tdeserveGod’slove.AllArabicpeoplefeelthatway,especiallyMuslims.”

“Howdoyouaddressthat?”“IreadtheBibletothem,theversesabouthowGodlovestheworld.Iexplain

theworkofthecross,howHelovesyouandmesomuchthatHewenttothecross—foreverybody,evencriminals.SoeverybodyislovedbyGod,butit’suptoyouifyouacceptHisloveornot.MostofthepeopleItalktoacceptHislove,becausethat’swhattheyseek,that’swhattheyneed.SomepeoplehaveaskedmewhyIdon’ttellaboutjudgment.Thesepeoplealreadyknowjudgment.They’realreadyinhellwiththissituation.WhattheyneedtounderstandisGod’slove.Onepersontoldmesheneverheardaboutthiswordlove,thatsheonlyknewaboutsexuallove.EverybodywantstoknowthatJesusloveshim,evenwithhiscondition,withhissituation,withhiscircumstances.”

AndwhatdoesNawaldoafterpeoplerespondtotheloveofChrist?“IgivethemBibles,andweusedtohaveneighborhoodmeetings.”Becauseofcurfew,suchmeetingswerenowinfrequent.Whenthetimecomesthatrestrictionsarelifted,Nawalwon’tdothetypicalWestern-stylemeetingwhereageneralinvitationisissuedforaBiblestudy.“IfIministertoawomaninherhome,she

invitationisissuedforaBiblestudy.“IfIministertoawomaninherhome,shedoesn’twantanybodyoutsidetoknowwhat’shappeningthere.Idon’twanttoforcehertocometomeetingsandsharethiswithotherwomen,soIsaytoher,‘IwillcometoyounextWednesday.Okay?’Andsheisfreetoinviteanywomen—neighbors,aunts,nieces,anybodywhoneedshelp.Sometimestwoorthreepeoplecome.Sometimessix.Sometimestenortwelve.Iministertoallwhocome.”

DuringcurfewwhenNawalcouldn’tmeetwithwomeninherneighborhood,shespentmuchofhertimeinprayer.“I’mprayingforafinancialbreakthroughforthepeople,”sheexplained.“Thisareausedtolivefromtourism,butfortwoyearsthereisnothing.Mostofthemendon’thavejobs.[Herhusbandhadbeenwithoutworkfortwoyears.]It’sgoodononesidethatwearemadetolooktoGod.Butit’sveryhard—ifyouseeyourchildishungryandyoucan’tfeedhim,youfeelbad.MyhusbandandI,wehaveachancetogotoAmericaandlivewithourchildrenandhaveanicelife.ButIjuststayherebecauseofGod’swork.Godwantsmetobehere.”

Thiswoman’sfaith,expressedintotaldependenceontheleadershipoftheHolySpirit,wasallowingGod’slovetospreadthroughouthercommunity.WewantedtoknowifshehadanythingtosaytothechurchintheWest.

“I’vesaidtoGod,‘Thesepeopleoutsidehavetohearourcry.’Wearecryingbecausewefeelthatwearealone.BecauseweareArabicpeople,wefeelwearenotwelcomeanywhere.ButtheIsraelipeople,oh,theyarewelcome.Wefeelwearetotallyrejected,eventheChristian.It’slikewearenothumanbeings.”

Nawalsoberlyexpressedsadnessthatpartofthebodyisbeingignored.“Let’ssaywearethefingerofthatbody.Wearehurt.Whydoesn’tthebodyhelp?Theydon’tdoanythingorevensay,‘Weloveyou.’SomanytimesIcrytoJesushardfrommyheart.Womentellmetheyneedhelpformedicineorfood,andallIcansayistopraytoJesus,andIwillpraywiththemandwecryouttogether.Butsomebodyhastobringfood,sotheywillknowthatJesuslovesthem.That’stheworkoftheChurch,ofthebodyofChrist.IbelievewithallmyheartthatJesuslovesthePalestinianpeople.Jesushurtsforthem.Jesuscriesforthemandwantstohelpthem.ButHecan’tdoitwithouttheChurch—theyareHishands,Hislegs,Hiseyes.”

Later,whenAltoldmeabouthisvisitwithNawal,ItoldhimhowdeeplysaddenedIwastohearthosewords.WeagreedthatNawalwasright,thatGodlovesHisChurch,everypartofHisbody,whetheritisintheWestorMiddleEast,whetherPalestinianorJew.NawalwasdoingexactlywhattheChurchneededtodointhisregion,butshewasonlyoneperson.Weneededathousand

moreNawals.Maybethentherewouldbehopeforpeace.Butiftherestofthebodydidn’thelp,howcouldithappen?

RizekSleibiseemedstressed,andunderstandably,forcurfewhadstartedtenminutesearlierandhewasworriedaboutgettinghomesafelywithoutencounteringapatrol.HewasapsychologicalcounseloranddirectedtheAl-AmancenteratBethlehemBibleCollege—acounselingcentertheschoolhadhelpedsetuptoassistPalestinianfamiliestraumatizedbytheconflict.

WewerediscussingwithhimtheemotionalhealthofthechildrenofBethlehem,whichwasofparticularconcernamongcommunityleaders.AlandIhadtalkedbrieflywithSolomonNour,since1992theprincipalatHopeSchool,abouthowkidswererespondingthere.“We’rehavingmajorbehaviorproblems,”headmitted.“I’vehadtoasktheteacherstobeextrapatientwiththestudentsandunderstandthattheyaresufferingfromterribleemotionaltrauma.”

Dr.SleibiagreedwithSolomon.“ThecircumstancesinBethlehemhavepressuredthenormallifeofchildrenandstudentsandleftthemwithlittleornosenseofpersonalsecurity,”heexplained,addingthattheyareexhibitingclassicsymptomsofpost-traumaticstressdisorder.Speakingclinically,headded,“Thestressorcriterioninvolvesathreattolife,intensefear,helplessness,andhorror.”Hehandedmeapaperhe’dpreparedonchildtraumaandboltedoutthedoor.

Wesatonthehardwoodenbenchofthefoyeroftheadministrationbuildingandreadovertheassessment.Primaryschoolchildrenwerelosingbowelandbladdercontrol,cryingfrequently,suckingtheirthumbs.Theywereoftenreenactingtraumaticeventstheyhadwitnessedorexperienced.Olderchildrenwerecomplainingofheadachesandvisualandhearingproblems.Theywerefightingwithorwithdrawingfrompeers,andsufferingfromsleepdisturbances.

“Prettysoberingreport,isn’tit?”BisharahadsteppedoutofhisofficeandsawusreadingDr.Sleibi’spaper.“We’reseeingawholegenerationofdysfunctionalchildrendeveloping.”

WithashudderIobserved,“Theywillbethenextgenerationofsuicidebombers.Whatcanwepossiblydotoreversethistrend?”

“That’swhywe’vedevelopedthisprogramoftrainingworkshopsforcounselors,socialworkers,andschoolteachers.Andwe’redoingsomeotherprograms.”Forexample,theyhadstartedOperationBlessing,whichbroughtdoctorsfromtheWestforafewdaystoperformoperations;theydistributedshoeboxpackagesfromSamaritan’sPurse,thoughthemostrecentshipmentwastiedupattheportinTelAviv;BethlehemBibleCollegestudentsconducteda

tiedupattheportinTelAviv;BethlehemBibleCollegestudentsconductedaBibleschoolprograminthesummer,sometimeswiththehelpofvolunteersfromachurchinCalifornia.“Butit’snotenough,”Bisharaadmitted,shakinghishead.

IknewthePalestinianBibleSociety,underLabibMadanat’sleadership,hadaprojectcalledOperationPalestinianChild,whichhadputoninspirationalprogramsinmorethanfiftycommunitiesforsomefifteenthousandchildren—MuslimandChristian.Itincludedapuppetprogram,groupsinging,andaclowndoingmagictricks.Attheendoftheprogrameachchildreceivedsweets.Foronehourthechildrencouldescapetheirdifficultcircumstances,butintheprocess,theyalsogotaglimpseoftheloveofChrist.

Therewereahundredtimesmorechildrenwhocouldn’tenjoyeventhatone-hourprogram.ThesekidshadlearnedtochantYasserArafat’swell-knownquote:“WewillcometoJerusalemifittakesmillionsofmartyrs.”Butafewofthemwereseeinganalternative.Labibshowedmeareportinwhichaworkersaid,“Thekidsareliterallydrysponges.Whatevercomesalongcanfillthem.Ifwedon’tdoanything,thedevilwill,andthedevilis.”

Underthedarkclouds,threateningmorerain,thekidscameouttoplayadangerousgame.OnbothendsofthestreetinfrontofBethlehemBibleCollege,packsofchildrenrolledtrashbarrelsandgatheredotherdebristobuildafeeblebarricadeagainstthejeepsandarmoredpersonnelcarriersthatwouldinevitablycomedownthestreet.Bisharawatchedwithusandexplainedthatthearmyhadtobecarefulwhentheyapproachedsuchbarriers.Perhapstherewasabombhiddeninoneofthepipesorbarrels.Sothearmyvehicleswouldhavetostopandinvestigate,andinsomecasescallforreinforcementstoremovepotentiallydeadlymaterials.Ofcourse,thisdaythey’dfindonlyanemptybarrel.Howembarrassing!Thekidswouldlaughintheirhidingplaces,pleasedthat—atleastintheirimaginations—theyhad“defeated”theIsraeliarmy.

Thisafternoonnosoldiersinterruptedtheirplay.ThekidslitasmallbonfireattheintersectiontothesouthandkeptpeeringdownthestreettowardthebunkeratRachel’sTomb,readytoscamperawayandhideinthenarrowalleywaysoftheirrefugeecampifsoldierscameafterthem.Icouldonlyimaginetheirboredomandanger.Theyspentmostoftheirtimecagedincrowdedapartmentswithnoreleasefortheirfrustration.Whathopecouldanyoneofferthem?Lord,theremustbeananswer.

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Ithoughtoftenofthosechildren.Whatwastheirhope?Itwasaterriblydisturbingquestion,buttherewerepeoplewhoencouragedustoseeanotherpicture.

KarenAlan,ayoungrecentlymarriedwoman,hadwitnessedaparticularlygruesometriplesuicidebombingin1997whileemployedatKingofKingsCollege.ShewasnowoneoftheemployeesintheMusalahaoffice,responsibleforhelpingcoordinatedesertencounters,conferences,retreats,andothereventsthatbroughttogetherArab/PalestinianChristiansandJewishbelieversinJesus.

ThepossibilityofanattackwasneverfarfromthethoughtsofIsraelis.“RecentlyIfoundmyselfagainonlyaminuteawayfromabusbombingandheadedinexactlythatdirection,”shetoldus.“Alsomyhusbandhasbeenextremelyclosetoacarbombandagunman.”

“Howdoyoukeepfunctioningwiththethreatofviolenceallaround?”Alasked.

“Thesesortoftragediesaresocommonhere,andyoufindmanypeopletraumatizedbythemerefactthatthey‘heardthebomb.’SinceI’vemetbrothersandsistersonbothsideswhohavesufferedandcontinuetosufferfromthesituationsinwaysmuchworsethanmyownexperience,I’veallowedmyselftoseepainotherthanmyown.Somanypeoplearewrappedupintheirownpain,thinkingthattheyhavebeenwrongedthemost.Thuswearestuck.I’mcalledtobeabridgebuilder,andIknowthatmyidentityfirstandforemostisasacitizenofheaven.”

“SoMusalahaistheperfectplaceforyoutowork!”

“SoMusalahaistheperfectplaceforyoutowork!”“WhatMusalahadoesisessential.Thereissuchseparationandsegregation

betweenthebelieversinIsraelandthoseinthePalestinianareas.Thereisplentyofmisunderstandingandthere’sfrictionamongtheleadersofbothbelievingcommunities,duetosuchlittlepersonalinteraction,and,ofcourse,opposingtheologies.Ifwewereabletogetthetwosidestogether,thiswouldbetrulythebesttestimonyforChristanyonecouldofferhere.”

OfalltheministriesinIsrael,Ifoundmyselfdrawnmosttothisone.Itseemedthemostambitiousbutalsotheriskiest.Itwasn’tanideapromotedbyforeignmissionariesbutwasbirthedinthelocalChristiancommunity.Itdidn’tjusttalkabouttheproblembetweenPalestiniansandJews.Itbroughtthetwosidestogetherandprovidedameansforthemtoreconcile.Thestoriesweredramatic.Whowouldn’tbemovedbytheexperienceofmenlikeYitzhakandWa’elwhobridgethechasmsoflanguageandcultureinadesertencounter!

Yetitseemedsoidealistic.EvenamongChristians,therewerechallengingrealitiesthatdividedthem.Iwasawarethattherewerebelieversonbothsideswhowouldhavenocontactwithbrothersorsistersontheotherside,whoperhapsevenquestionedthevalidityoftheirfaith.IfChristianscouldn’texperienceunity,whathopewasthereforthemassivedividebetweenMuslimsandJews?

Totryandanswerthatquestion,SalimMunayerinvitedustoarusticcampgroundlodgewithabouttwentyfamilies.IwascurioustolearnwhathadhappenedsincepastorsandeldersfrombothsideshadmetinHollandeightmonthsearlier.“We’vemetoncesinceApril,”Salimhadtoldus.Tonightwouldbethesecondgathering.“Thesefollow-upmeetingsareveryimportant.Youhavetoreallyworkonthatbecauseifyoudon’t,peoplegobacktotheoldwayofthinking.”

MostofwhathappenedinHollandoccurredbehindcloseddoors.“Onthesecondday,weagreedthatweneededtorepent,”Salimsaid.“Everyoneparticipated,repentingofanger,ofhatred,ofpollutingtheirhearts.Everybodywascrying.Itwasaverycleansingtime.”

ThecampgroundinPetachTikva,nearTelAviv,wasratherrustic,exceptforthesportsfacilities.Thefocalpointwasacomplexoffourbaseballfields,theonlysuchsportsvenueinIsrael,completewithlightstandards.SomehowitwashardtopictureAmerica’snationalpastimebeingenjoyedintheHolyLand.

Familiesarrivedthroughouttheafternoon,totingchildrenanddiaperbags.Therewerehugsandtraditionalkissesonthecheeks.Manyoftheparticipants,bothJewishandArab,camefromwithinIsraelproper.Wewonderedifany

bothJewishandArab,camefromwithinIsraelproper.WewonderedifanyPalestinianchurchleaderswouldcomefromwithintheWestBank,particularlyfromBethlehem,whichremainedundercurfew.

Howard,anelderofBeershebaMessianicCongregation,recognizedBotrus,alawyerandelderoftheArabicBaptistChurchinNazareth.Thetwomenembracedandimmediatelystartedcatchinguponnews.HowardtoldAlthatthemeetingsinHollandhadbeena“releaseforallofus,togetoutofthetensionandjustbetogether.”ForBotrus,theHollandtripmarkedthefirsttimehe’dinteractedwithJewishbrotherssincecollege.“Thisencounterhelpsyouseetheotherside,”hesaidasweenteredthelodge.“Thereissomethingmoreimportantthanjustthenationalbarriers.We’rebrothersandsistersinChrist.That’swhat’smostimportant.”

Assomefortychildrenwereherdedintoalargeroom,wherestaffofYouthWithAMissionhadvolunteeredtoleadaspecialprogram,theparentsrelaxedasafireburnedinthestonefireplace,cuttingthechillofthemeetingroom.Itwasanhourpastthescheduledstartingtimeof3:00,butnooneseemedanxious.AstheyhadinHolland,thegroupbeganwithworship,withDavidLodenandJackSaraleading.Theyconcludedtheworshiptimebysinging,“Heisourpeace.Weshallbeone.Heisourreconciliation.”

Therewasnoneedtobreaktheice.Eachcoupleeagerlytooktheirturnupdatingthegrouponfamilyandministryconcerns.LisaLodenreportedthatoneoftheeldersintheirchurchwassufferingfromakidneydisease.Apastoraskedforprayerforhealingofaneighteen-year-oldchurchworkerwhohadjustbeendiagnosedwithcancer.SeveralchurcheswereplanningoutreachesforChristmas.ApastorfromNazarethreportedthathischurch,afteryearsofdecline,wasshowingsignsoflifeandgrowth.AnelderpraisedGodforhealinghisson:“Afterfouryearsofprayer,theanswercamewhenweprayedforhiminHolland!”

Forafewmoments,thetortuousintifadaseemedtodisappearfromthemindsofallintheroom.TheywereunitedbycommonconcernssharedbyallChristians—forhealthandsafetyoffamilymembers,foroutreachefforts,forgrowthoftheircongregations.Ofcourse,theycouldn’tescapetherealityoflifeoutsidethosewalls.Nihad,apastorfromBethlehem,remindedthemashereported:“Yesterday,Ididn’tthinkIcouldbehere.Undercurfew,themilitaryturnsmostrequestsaway.Butmiraclesstillhappen.Theyletmeandmyfamilyoutforthismeeting!”

ThenheaskedforprayerforhisfamilyandforthebelieversinBethlehem.“It’sverydepressing.We’renowinourfourthweekofcurfew.That’shard,especiallyforapersonlikemewhoisalwaysinaction.”Therewereseveral

especiallyforapersonlikemewhoisalwaysinaction.”Therewereseveralknowingnodsaroundtheroom—mostoftheseleadersfeltthesamedesiretobeactiveinChristianservice.Therewasalsoimpactonthefamily:“Mychildrenaremissingschool.Theymissedthreemonthslastspring.Fornow,mywifeishomeschooling.”

HewentontoreportabouttheconditionoftheChurchinBethlehem.“FivehundredChristianfamilieshaveleftthisyear.Manymorehaveappliedforemigration.Withinthenextyear,one-thirdoftheChristianswillbegone.Theministryishard.IwonderwhatsermonIshouldpreachtothepeople.Ihesitatetomakecalls.WhatwillItellpeople?Andyetitismoreimportanttopreparethepeoplethanthesermon.Ineedwisdomtoknowwhattosaytothesepeople.MayGodhavemercyonusandshortenthesedays.”

Itwasamomentofhumblehonesty,onethattouchedeveryheartintheroom.OneoftheMessianicpastorsroseandputhisarmaroundhisbrother.“Iwanttoprayforyou.”Fervently,allofthepeopleenteredintoprayer,forNihadandhisfamilyandcongregation,forChristiansinBethlehem,forpeaceinthenation,andforalltheneedsandconcernsthathadbeenraised.Timeseemedtostandstill.Noonenoticedthatdinnerwashalfanhourlatebeingserved.

Itwassundown,thestartofShabbat,andbefittingthefamilyfeelofthismeeting,DavidandLisaLodenledthetraditionalritualthatstartsthedayofrestinJewishhomes.Lisalittwocandles,thenwavedherhandsoverthemtowelcomeintheShabbat.ThenshecoveredhereyesandinHebrewrecited:“BlessedareYou,LordourGod,Kingoftheuniverse,whosanctifiesusbythebloodofYeshuaandcommandsustobealighttothenations.”

DavidthenheldupacupofwineandrecitedKiddush,takenfromGenesis1–2:“Andtherewasevening,andtherewasmorning,asixthday.Theheavensandtheearthwerefinished,thewholehostofthem.AndontheseventhdayGodendedHisworkwhichHehadmadeandHerestedontheseventhdayfromallHisworkwhichHehadmade.AndGodblessedtheseventhday,andsanctifieditbecauseinitHehadrestedfromallHisworkwhichGodhadcreatedanddone.BlessedareYou,Lord,ourGod,Kingoftheuniverse,whocreatesthefruitofthevine.”

AceremonialwashingofhandsfollowedandthenDavidblessedtwoloavesofbread,sprinklingsaltoverthemasareminderthatweasbelieversinYeshuaaretobethesaltoftheearth:“BlessedareYou,Lord,ourGod,Kingoftheuniverse,whobringsforthbreadfromtheearth.”Hethenbrokeaparttheloavesandgaveaportiontoeachtable.Eachofustookapiece,thenpouredwinefromthebottlesoneachtable.Thenitwastimetoparticipateinasumptuousbuffetof

bottlesoneachtable.Thenitwastimetoparticipateinasumptuousbuffetofchicken,rice,spaghetti,andpastries.

DavidandLisaLodenprovidedaglimpseintotheconditionsunderwhichMessianicbelieversliveinIsrael.Davidsaidthatwhilehedoesn’tliketousethewordpersecution,everyMessianicbelieverexperiencessomeformofharassment.“I’vebeenaccusedofeverythingfromtheftanddeceptiontopayingpeopletogothroughthewatersofbaptism—allsortsofnonsense.”

Somecongregationshavesufferedmorethanothers.AMessianicsynagogueinHaifawasfirebombedin1997.OrthodoxJewishprotestorstauntedMessianicbelieversinnorthernGalileeastheyweregatheringtobaptizethirteenadults.ThehomesofseveralMessianicleaderswereattackedwithpetrolbombs.Fortunately,noonewaskilled.TherewerealsoincidentsofMessianicbelieversbeingevictedfromtheirapartmentsorlosingtheirjobs,usuallyunderpressurefromOrthodoxJews.[1]

ButDavidassuredusthatthingswereimproving.“Officiallywedohavewhatisknownasfreedomofreligionandfreedomofexpression.Harassmentinanyformdoesnothappenonanofficiallevel.Wedogetalotofpressurefromthereligiousauthorities,particularlyfromtherabbinateandreligiousJewishorthodoxestablishment.Recentlytherehasbeenahigherdegreeoftolerance,becausethereismoreofanawarenessinthepopulacegenerallythatMessianicJewsdoexist,andmanypeoplearequitetiredofallthereligiouscoercion.”

Ofcourse,MessianicbelieverssufferwiththerestoftheIsraelipopulation.SeveralsuicidebombershavestruckincrowdedareasofNetanya.“Fourorfiveofourpeoplehavebeenrightinthevicinityoftheseattacks,”Davidexplained.“Youcannotimaginethesights,thesounds,thesmells.Itisnotforustogointodetail.However,Iwanttotellyouonestory.

“Therewasayoungwoman,notabeliever,whowhileservinginthearmymetandfellinlovewithayoungmanfromourchurch.Heprayedmuchforher,andweprayedalsoforher.ShewasonvacationfromthearmyforafewdaysandwentintoalargeshoppingmallinNetanya.Asuicidebomberblewhimselfupinfrontofthemall,killingtwenty-twopeople.Ofcourse,sheheardandsawitall.Shewasindeepshock.Shefoundanotherwayoutofthemallandwentbacktoherapartment.Lockingherselfin,shesatdownintears,openedtheBible,andreadtheNewTestamentfrombeginningtoend.OnthatverydayshegaveherlifetotheLord.We’vehadtheprivilegeandblessingofmarryingthiscouple,baptizingthem,andalsoseeingtheirfirstchildborn.Eveninthemosthorrible

ofcircumstances,Godisworking.That’swhyourcongregationsaregrowingsoquickly.That’swhythecongregationsoftheArabchurchesintheWestBankandinIsraelarefulltooverflowing.”

ManymembersofthecongregationofBeitAsafhaveparticipatedinMusalahaevents.David’swife,Lisa,andoneofhisco-pastors,EvanThomas,areontheboardoftheministry.LisaparticipatedinthefirstMusalahawomen’sconferencein1995andhasbeenorganizingthewomen’ssideofthismovementeversince.WhattheArabandJewishwomendiscoveredwerethesimilaritiesintheirfaith.“Ourexpressionsmightbequitedifferent,”saidLisa,“butourpersonalexperiencewithGodissosimilar.I’vebeeninotherframeworkswhereArabwomenhadnevermetaJewishbeliever,soitwasashockingthoughttothemthatyoucouldbeJewishandbeabelieverinJesus.Theythinkifyou’reabelieverinJesus,thenyouhavetobeaChristianandnolongeridentifyyourselfasJewish.Wealsocanidentifywithoneanotheroncommongroundaswomen—wearemothers;wearedaughters;wearewomenstrugglingforourplaceinsociety.Thesearecommonissues.Meetingtogetheronthisgroundisessential,becauseinotherspheresofourlives,theforcesseektodivide,separate,andcausedissension,suspicion,andfear.”

ABiblestudywasplannedforthelasttwohoursoftheevening.Butthisstudywouldbeunusualbecauseofthetopicbeingdiscussed.“Partoftheprocessofreconciliationislearningtogetheraboutcertainbiblicalthemesonwhichwemayagreeordisagree,”Salimsaidbywayofintroduction.“Ourtaskistodealwiththeissuesinawaythatbuildsunity.That’swhywe’vefirstspenttimebuildingrelationships.We’vebuilttrust;wehaveexperiencedbrotherlylove.Thisprovidesuswithaplatformforpresentingdifferentperspectivesanddealingwithdifferentopinions.SotonightwewillhavethefirstofwhatIhopewillbeanumberofBiblestudies.Wewanttoexploretopicslikeprophecy,landissues,governmentalauthority,andjustice.”

Asaone-page,double-sidedlistofquestionswaspassedtoeachpersonintheroom,Salimsaid,“Inourlastmeeting,mostparticipantsexpressedadesiretostudythewordIsraelandaddressthequestion,WhoarethepeopleofGod?It’snotpossibletocovertheentireissuetonight—thewordIsraeloccursaround2,300timesinEnglishBibles;2,267inHebrew.Wehavechosenseveralpointsthatrelatetothetheme.Iamnotproposingapositionbutgivingsomeguidelinesforastudytogether.Letusencourageandbuildupeachotherinthe

spiritoftruthandlove.”Weglancedoverthehandoutandinstantlyrealizedthatthiswouldbea

volatilediscussioninanysetting,butespeciallynowintheHolyLand,betweenPalestinianandJewishpastors,withthesecondintifadaraging.Thequestionswouldproducestrongresponsesonbothsides:

WhoareAbraham’soffspring?Whatwastheiridentityandwhatwasthesignofthecovenant?Whatwastherelationshipofthenon-JewtoAbraham’scovenantwithGod?

Whoaretheheirsofthecovenant?Couldthecovenantberedirected?Ifso,whathappenswiththepromisestothe“peopleofGod”?

HowdoesGodidentifyHispeople?Whoisthe“IsraelofGod”today?Whoisincluded?Whoisexcluded?

Scripturepassageswerelistedundereachquestion,andIknewmanymorecouldbeincluded.Forcenturiesscholarshaddebatedthemin“safe”settings.Doctoraldissertationshadbeenwrittenabouttheseissues.Butherethestakesweremuchhigher.IalreadyknewthatsomeofmyPalestinianfriendsfelttheyweresecond-classcitizensinGod’skingdom.AndsomeoftheMessianicbelieverswereconvincedthattheOldTestamentpromisesaboutthelandwereforthemalone,notforthewholeChurch.CertainlynotforthePalestinians!

Thespiritofthemeetinghadalreadybeenestablishedduringthetimesofworship,sharing,andprayer.Forthemostpart,thewomenwerequietwhilethemendebatedintheMiddleEasterntradition.Sometimesthestatementswereintense,butneverdidanyoftheparticipantslosecontrol.

Thefirstquestionwassimple:“WhowasAbraham?”“Obviously,hewasnotaJew!”saidonepastor.“Heisidentified,mostimportantly,asamanoffaith,”saidanother.Salim,asmoderator,thenaskedaboutAbraham’sseed.Onepastornotedit

wasalwayssingular.Anotherthatitwasalwaysconnectedtotheland.“Andwhatisthedefinitionofseed?”askedSalim.Herethingsgotalittlemoreinteresting.APalestinian:“Peoplewhohavethe

faithofAbraham.SeeGenesis17.Inthecovenantofcircumcision,allmalesinhishouseholdwerecircumcised.”AMessianicleader:“ThechildrenofAbraham—that’swhatAbrahamunderstood.Hewasthinkingonlyofanheir.”

ThecommentscamefastandintenseandIcouldn’ttellwhowasspeaking.Yetnooneinterruptedanyspeaker—thespiritintheroomwassweet,butwithintellectualintensity.Salimhadintendedtobreakintosmallergroupsforamoresystematicstudy,butthemenandwomenwouldn’thearofit.Eventhoughtherewassomejumpingaroundfromissuetoissue,everyonewantedtohearalloftheopinionsandweighalloftheevidence.

SomeonementionedRomans4:“HowdidPauldefinethechildrenofAbraham?HeisthefatherofJewsandnon-Jews—ofallwhobelieve.”

Onesidesaidfaithsupersededcircumcision.Theothersaiditwasanissueofidentitybasedonphysicalbirthandcircumcision.“Thepromisetotheseedcannotbecanceled,”saidonepastor,“butitcanbeaddedto.”

DavidLodenrosetospeak:“Theissueisobedience.We’vebeencastoutofthelandtwicebecausewe’velivedindisobediencetoGod.Jeremiah3:14says,‘Return,youfaithlesschildren.’Ithinkthatword‘faithless’issobland.Literally,itshouldread,‘Return,younaughtychildren.’”

Botrusunderstoodtheimplicationsandasked,“ThenwhereisthepropheticvoiceofMessianicJewscallingthenationtorepentandberighteous?”

AMessianicpastorreplied,“IfwewerenotChristians,wecouldhaveaverylongdiscussionaboutinjusticeonbothsidesandreachnoconclusion.”

Thatledtoatensediscussionaboutterrorismandissuesofrighteousnessandjustice.OnePalestinianpastorwonderedwhythestrongestadvocatesforPalestinianswereleftistsandatheists,notbelievers.AMessianicpastorwantedtoknowwhyhedidn’thearPalestinianbelieversspeakingoutagainstterrorismandsuicidebombers.

Thetensionwasrising.Salimcalmedtheaudience,saying,“Wedon’thaveenoughcommunicationbetweenthetwosides,butwe’realsohavingahardtimewithinourcommunities.”

Botrussaid,“Ibelievewehere,JewsandArabs,arethehopeoftheland.MyheartisthatIunderstandyouandyouunderstandme.Everytimethereisasuicidebomber,weprayasachurchforthefamilies.”

Salimagreed:“Weareimmersedinthesufferingofourpeople.Botharesuffering.Wedon’tneedtodecidewhoissufferingmore.”

Nihad,fightingbacktears,stoodandannounced,“Iamnotacitizenofthisworld.”Therewasastillnessintheroomashegainedhiscomposure.“SoIcanspeakwithoutpolitics.Themomentyousay,‘IamPalestinian,’or‘IamJew,’youaretalkingpolitics.IhurtwhenIhearbelieversjustifywhyIsraelisinBethlehem.Ipreachagainstbombing.Idonotjustifyit.IamnotaPalestinian.”

“Youareacitizenofheaven!”DavidLodensaid.

“Youareacitizenofheaven!”DavidLodensaid.Theentireroomburstintoapplause,andNihadgrinnedashesaid,“That’sit!

YouandI,webelongtoanotherkingdom,andthatisthebasisofourunity!”Asthegroupgatheredinacircleforprayer,Salimremindedthem,“Fornow

let’skeepconfidentiality.Becarefulwhatyousayaboutthismeeting,becauseofthecontextinwhichwe’vetalked.”

AlandIreflectedonaremarkablesixhours.Certainlytherehadbeenanairingoutofissues,butitwasdoneinaspiritofloveandcarebuiltontwoearliermeetingswheretrustwasestablished.Therewaswarmthasthefamiliesdispersedandasensethatthiswasahistoricoccasion.Therestoftheregionmaynotpaymuchattention,butIfeltGodwaspleasedwithwhathadhappenedthisevening.

Later,inthecrampedofficesofMusalahainJerusalem,weaskedSalim,“Sowhatisthefutureforthisworkofreconciliation?”

“Atfirst,wemostlyhadonlyevangelicalsinvolvedfrombothsides.Nowwehavepeoplefromthetraditionalchurchesparticipating.Orthodox,Catholic,Lutheranareinvolvedwithus.WearehavingourfirstcampnextsummerforPalestinianandJewishyouthagestentofourteen.[2]Thenextstepistoinvolvenonbelievers.Everyoneofusinbothcommunitiesisintouchwithnonbelievers.Soeverytimewemeet,ourfriendsandneighborsandcoworkersknowwearemeetingpeoplefromtheotherside.Thesepeopleaskushowweimpacttheothersociety.Sowewouldlike,maybenextyear,todoaconferenceonlyfornonbelievers.”

“Canthatreallywork?YourapproachissodistinctivelyChristian.”“Ourthinkingisthatwewanttobeamodel.Wewanttobringmorepeople

intotheprocessuntilwereachacriticalmasswhereitbecomesamovement.We’vealreadymadesomeimpact.Tenyearsagoreconciliationwasnotanissue.Nowthereisawareness,andothergroupsarebeginningtotrythis.”

“Iagreewithyou.Wehaveoftendiscussedthatweneedmodelsthatotherscanreplicate.Musalahaneedstobecomeamovement.ThatissomethingtheChurchisindeeduniquelypositionedtodo.”

Therewassomethingelseonmymind,andIthoughtthiswouldbetherightplacetoaskthequestion:“WhatcantheChurchintheWestdotohelp?”

Salimsighedandthensaid,“IwishtheChurchwouldunderstandthestrugglesPalestinianshave.WehavetodealwithJudaism.WehavetodealwithIslam.Andwehavetodealwithwhoweare,withournationalism.Pluswehave

Islam.Andwehavetodealwithwhoweare,withournationalism.PluswehavetodealwithWesternChristianity.”

Iaskedhimtoexplain.“Here’stheproblem.WhatisthevehicleofWesternizationhereintheMiddle

East?It’smainlyinIsrael.It’stheJews.SothatputsaquestionmarkonthePalestinianChristians,becausetheirbeliefsandlifestylecanindicatethattheyliketheIsraelisidemorethanthePalestinianside,sothattheyareperceivedasbetrayingtheircommunity.ThenaddtothatotherChristiangroupsthatexpressdislikeforPalestinians.That’shardtodealwith.”

Salimdidn’tgointodetail,butIknewhewastalkingaboutorganizationsthatautomaticallyapprovedofanyactionsbyIsraelaboveanyclaimsmadebyPalestinians,Christianorotherwise.

SowastherehopeforthosechildrenviolatingcurfewinBethlehem,buildingbarriersinthestreetstotauntIsraelisoldiers?AndwhataboutthechildrenofIsrael,wholivedinfearofbeingonthewrongbuswhenasuicidebomberboardedandwhofacedthecertainprospectofmilitaryserviceandhavingtoconfrontfellowdwellersoftheland?Thepoliticiansweren’tsolvingtheproblems.Thenationsoftheworldwereissuingresolutionsthatwereignored.

Couldanyonedoanybetter?TheMusalahameetingshowedustheanswer.TheChurchwastheonlyhopefortheMiddleEast,notbecauseshehadabetterprogramormorepoliticalinsight.Shedidn’t.WhatshehadwasawaytobringpeoplefrombothsidestogetherbasedontheworkofoneManwhosebirthtwothousandyearsagowouldbecelebratedinafewdays.HislightstillshonethroughbelievershereintheHolyLand.Manydidn’tunderstandthelight.Manycoveredtheireyesandrefusedtoacknowledgethelight.Othersattackedthelightandtriedtoputitout.Butsurelytherewerethosewhorealizedthebankruptcyofapeaceprocessthathadbroughtnopeaceforfiftyyears.Forthosewhowerewilling,theycouldseetheanswer—PalestiniansandJewsmeetingatthefootofthecross.

39NOWWHAT?

GazaCity,October2003

Acrowdgatheredaroundatelevisionmonitortowatchasthefilmreacheditsclimax.AsRomansoldiersnailedJesustoacross,ahushfelloverthegroup.MostofthesecuriousPalestinianshadbeentaughtasMuslimsthatJesuswasn’treallycrucifiedbutwastakentoheavenandreplacedonthecrossbyJudasIscariot.

ThePalestinianMinistryofCulturehadorganizedabookfairataGazashoppingmall,andfifteenlocalbookshopsdisplayedavariedassortmentofresourcesonPalestiniannationalism,Englishinstruction,technology,computersoftware,andespeciallyIslam.AmongthemwasanexhibitbyTheTeacher’sBookshop,displayingandsellingChristianmaterials.Forfiveshekels(aboutoneU.S.dollar)peoplecouldbuyapackagecontainingthebookMorethanaCarpenterbyJoshMcDowell,aNewTestament,andavideocassetteversionofthemovieJesus.Morethanonehundredpackagesweresold,butitwasthevisualdepictionofJesuscrucified,dead,andrisenagainthatdrewthecrowds.Aftereachshowingofthemovie,peoplelingeredtotalkwiththestaffofthePalestinianBibleSocietyandtothumbthroughBiblesandotherChristianbooks.

Oneyoungmankeptreturningeachday.“Icannottakeanyofthesebookshome,”hesaidapologetically.“Myfamilywoulddestroythem.”Instead,aftereachdiscussionhe’dgohomeandscourtheInternettolearnmoreaboutJesus,returningthenextdaywithnewquestions.

SincethiswasaMuslim-dominatedsociety,afewvisitorswereagitatedbythe

Biblebookshopdisplay,butmostwerecurious.MallemployeesevenbroughtpeopletotheboothandurgedstafftotellthemabouttheBible.NumerousschoolgroupsvisitedandlearnedhowtheQuranrecognizesthattheTorah(OldTestament)andInjil(NewTestament)arefromheaven.ThenthestaffwouldteachthattheBibleisGod’sWordandpresentthegospel.Oneelementaryschoolgirllistened,thensaid,“IfIstayabitlongerinyourplace,Iwillgetabrainwash;thisissomethingthatistooattractivetohear.”

Overtendays,sixthousandtwohundredpeoplesawtheexhibit.Onthefinalday,amanwhohadvisitedthedisplayseveraltimescametohelpthestaffpackupbooksandcleantheshelves.“I’mgoingtomissseeingyoueveryday,”hesaid.ThestafftoldhimtocomeandvisitthemanytimeatTheTeacher’sBookshop.ItwasobviousthathehadexperiencedtheloveofJesus.Longafterthebooksandtheologicaldiscussionsareforgotten,theloveheexperiencedwouldberemembered.

ColoradoSprings,November2003

Howdoesoneendthisstory?Thereisno“happilyeverafter”conclusion.TheconflictintheMiddleEastisn’tresolved.Therehasbeennosignedpeaceaccord.“Justwhathaveyouaccomplished?”Alaskedme.“Whataretheresultsofyourwork?”

Iknowwhatmanyreaderswant.Theirunspokendemandsare,Showustheterroristswhorepented!Whereisthepeaceplanyounegotiated,Andrew?WhatimpacthaveyouhadonYasserArafatandHamasleadersasaresultofyourconversationswiththem?ButIcan’tproducemeasurableresults.Icanonlyaskthisquestion:WhatifIhadnotgone?Let’stakethereportwejustreadfromGaza.OvertendaysapproximatelysixthousandtwohundredpeoplewereexposedtotheGoodNews.OnlyGodknowswhathappenedinthosehearts.

WhatiftherehadnotbeenabookshopinGaza?Therewouldhavebeennodisplayatthebookfair,andthosesixthousandtwohundredpeoplewouldhavemissedthechancetoseethelight.Andwhydidthisshopexist?Becauseoneman,LabibMadanat,hadavision.Howdidhegetthatvision?ByseeingthatyoucouldspeaktoMuslimfundamentalistsaboutChristianityandtheywouldlisten.AndwhydidthoseHamasleaderslisten?BecauseIwenttoseethemintheirtimeofneed.

SupposeIhadn’tgonetoMarjal-Zohour?PerhapsGodwouldhavesentsomeoneelse.Butthat’sthepoint:EachofusneedstorespondtoGod’scall.IsitGod’shearttoreachPalestinianswiththeGoodNewsofChrist?Thenwemust

God’shearttoreachPalestinianswiththeGoodNewsofChrist?Thenwemustgo.Moreimportant,wemuststrengthentheChurchtheresoitcanspreadthegospel.

Here’sanotherscenario.Supposetherewasn’taBiblecollegeinBethlehem.WhowouldbepastorofJerusalemAllianceChurchifJackSara,trainedatBethlehemBibleCollege,werenotthepastor?WhowouldbetakingphonecallsfromdistraughtChristianandMuslimwomenwhoneedafriendlikeNawalQumsiehtopointthemtothegraceofChrist?WithoutBethlehemBibleCollege,shewouldn’tbeinministry.AndwhowouldhavetrainedPastorHannaMassad?WithoutPastorHanna,wouldGazaBaptistChurchstillexist?Andifnot,howwouldRamihavefoundpeaceforhistormentedsoul?

ThatschoolwastheresultofadreamandtheincrediblehardworkofBisharaAwad.Butsomeoneneededtoencouragehim,praywithhimandforhim,andtellhisstorysootherscouldgetinvolvedandhelphiminmanypracticalwaysincludingfinancialsupport.AnyChristiancandothat,andfortunatelymanynowdothatforBishara.

Couldn’tforeignworkershavedonewhatthesemenandwomendid?Atthismoment(November2003)Israelwasn’tgivingvisastoChristianworkers.Itwaslikelythatwithouttrainedlocalleadership,theChurchwouldhavescatteredandbecomeineffective.Thelightwouldbealotdimmer.Perhapsitwouldhavegoneoutaltogether.

LookatSalimMunayer—nooutsidercouldhaveorganizedthereconciliationeffortsofMusalaha.

LookatDoronEven-Ari,directorofBibleSocietyofIsrael,andLabibMadanat,hiscounterpartintheWestBankandGaza—theyhavefarmoreopportunitiesforministryinIsraelandPalestinethananyforeignworkerwouldhave.

Hanna,Bishara,Salim,DavidandLisaLoden,Nawal,Jack,Labib,Doron,andtoomanymoretoname—theyaretheLightForceinIsrael,WestBank,andGaza.TheyaretheonlyhopefortheMiddleEastbecausetheyarethelightofJesus.

Buttheycan’tmakeitalone.TheyneedtherestofthebodyofChrist.Thepartsthatarestrongneedtohelptheweakermembers.

Althoughtaboutmypassionatestatements.Finallyheasked,“SowhatshouldChristiansintheWestdo?”

Ourbrothersandsistershavetolduswhattheyneed.First,andmostimportant,theyhavebeggedustopray!It’sbeenthesamethroughoutmyfiftyyearsofministry:whereverI’vegonetoencouragemybrethren,theyhavealwaysrequestedprayer.

requestedprayer.LetmereiteratethepointIjustmade.InrelationtoourworkinCommunist

countries,thepointisthesame:Whatifwehadnotdoneit?Ihaveneverattachedmuchvaluetoourworkexceptspiritualvalue.ButwhoknowswhatwouldhavehappenedtotheChurchintheSovietUnionandEasternEuropeifwehadnotgoneandifwehadnotprayed.Becauseofourprayersandouractions,incrediblymuchdidhappen,forwhichnobody,certainlynotus,cantakeanycredit.

PrayerisacriticalpartoftheworkofOpenDoors,andthousandsareprayingfortheMiddleEast.Prayerconnectsuswiththebody.IthelpsusidentifywiththosewhosufferandstruggleasChristiansindifficultsituations.Prayerbringstheseproblemstotheonesourcethatcanreallymakeadifference,butitmustbeintelligentprayer,not“Godblessthemissionswherevertheyareintheworldtoday.”Intelligentprayeriswhereyouopenyourheartandyourears.OnewaytostartistoprayeverytimeyouseenewsfromtheMiddleEast.Prayforfamiliesthatsufferbecauseofthecasualtiesonbothsides.PrayforthegospeltobespreadamongJewsandPalestinians.Prayforthemenandwomenyou’vereadaboutinthisbook—thattheirministrieswillbearfruit.MaybeyoucouldalsoprayforthatfrightenedyoungMuslimfundamentalistwhomaybepreparingtogoandblowhimselfup—thatGodwouldspeaktohissoul,perhapsthroughalocalChristianwhoisbraveenoughtotellhimtheGoodNewsthatJesusChristdiedforhim.

Palestinianbelieversaren’taskingformuch—justalittleroominourhearts.BisharaandLabibhavebothsaidtome,“Don’tstoplovingIsrael,butloveusaswell.”Isn’tthereroominourheartsforboth?Thisleadstomynextpoint.Prayershoulddrawustotheplaceandthepeoplethatweprayfor.Whenyoupray,youmayfindthatGodwantsyoutoansweryourownprayerbydoingsomething.Allofuscangive.Themissionsmentionedinthebookcanalwaysuseourhelp:TheBibleSocietiesofLebanon,Israel,andPalestine;theworkofNajiAbi-Hashem,viaVentureInternational;ArabBaptistSeminaryinLebanon;HopeSchoolinBeitJala;BethlehemBibleCollege;Shepherd’sSociety;BeitAsafcongregationinNetanya;Musalaha;HannaMassadandGazaBaptistChurch,viaMissiontoGaza.(Seetheappendixforcontactinformationfortheseministries.)

YoucanalsohelpthroughtheministryofOpenDoors.WearecommittedtostrengtheningtheChurchintheMiddleEastthroughprojectsthatsupportmanyoftheseministries.Thisyear,attherequestofMessianiccongregations,wewillbeginprovidingdiscipleshiptrainingforyoungpeople,primarilythosewhohavejustfinishedtheirmilitaryservice.

justfinishedtheirmilitaryservice.Finally,youcango!I’mnotexcitedabouttourism,butifyouareplanningto

gototheHolyLandtoseethebiblicalsites,whynotalsoplantovisitsomeofthelivingstones?Seekoutyourbrothersandsisters.Iwanttoemphasizethispoint—whatIhavedoneyoucandoaswell.Thereisnospecialskillinvolved.AttendaSaturdayorSundayservicewithlocalbelievers,whetherinaMessianiccongregationorataPalestinianchurch.Itwouldbeahugeencouragementtothemandtoyou!

IwishIknewwhereIfirstheardthisstory.Tome,itcapturestheessenceoftheconflictintheMiddleEastandpointspowerfullytothesolution.IcloseourbookbysharingitasIhavereceivedit:

Acertainmanhadtwosons.Onewasrichandtheotherwaspoor.Therichsonhadnochildren,whilethepoorsonwasblessedwithmanysonsandmanydaughters.Intimethefatherfellill.Hewassurehewouldnotlivethroughtheweek,soonSaturdayhecalledhissonstohissideandgaveeachofthemhalfofhislandastheirinheritance.Thenhedied.Beforesundownthesonsburiedtheirfatherwithrespect.

Thatnighttherichsoncouldnotsleep.Hesaidtohimself,Whatmyfatherdidwasnotjust.Iamrich;mybrotherispoor.Ihaveplentyofbread,whilemybrother’schildreneatonedayandtrustGodforthenext.Imustmovethelandmarkthatourfatherhassetinthemiddleofthelandsothatmybrotherwillhavethegreatershare.Ah,buthemustnotseeme;ifheseesme,hewillbeshamed.Imustariseearlyinthemorningbeforeitisdawnandmovethelandmark!Withthishefellasleepandhissleepwassecureandpeaceful.

Meanwhilethepoorbrothercouldnotsleep.Ashelayrestlessonhisbed,hesaidtohimself,Whatmyfatherdidwasnotjust.HereIamsurroundedbythejoyofmanysonsandmanydaughters,whilemybrotherdailyfacestheshameofhavingnosonstocarryonhisnameandnodaughterstocomforthiminhisoldage.Heshouldhavethelandofourfathers.Perhapsthiswillinpartcompensatehimforhisindescribablepoverty.Ah,butifIgiveittohimhewillbeshamed;Imustawakeearlyinthemorningbeforeitisdawnandmovethelandmarkthatourfatherhasset!Withthishewenttosleepandhissleepwassecureandpeaceful.

Onthefirstdayoftheweek,veryearlyinthemorning,alongtimebeforeitwasday,thetwobrothersmetattheancientlandmark.Theyfellwithtearsintoeachother’sarms,andonthatspotwasbuiltthenewJerusalem.

ORGANIZATIONS

Thefollowingministriesarementionedinthisbook.Ifyouwishtolearnmoreaboutthem,youmaycontactthemasfollows:

ArabBaptistSeminary:www.abtslebanon.orgBibleSocieties:Lebanon,www.biblesociety.org.lbIsrael,www.biblesocietyinisrael.orgWestBankandGaza,www.pbsociety.orgBethlehemBibleCollege,includingvolunteeropportunities:www.bethlehembiblecollege.eduBeitAsaf

MessianicCongregationinNetanya:www.beit-asaph.org.ilMusalaha:www.musalaha.orgHopeSchoolinBeitJala:www.hope-school.8k.comHannaMassadandGazaBaptistChurch,contactChristianMissiontoGaza,3433EllesmereDr.,Corona,CA92882

NajiAbi-HashemandVentureInternational,contactVentureInternational,P.O.Box7396,Tempe,AZ85281-0014

OpenDoors:www.opendoors.orgforinformationontheinternationalworkandlinkstonationalbases.

NOTES

Chapter1TheHorror[1].In1999theschoolwasrenamedIsraelCollegeoftheBible.[2].SeeBrotherAndrewwithVernBecker,God’sCall(1996;repr.,GrandRapids:Revell,2002),13–17.[3].JewswhobelieveinJesus(calledYeshua)asMessiah.

Chapter2NotaMindlessTerrorist[1].AnArabicwordthatmeans“shakingoff”or“anabruptandsuddenwakingupfromsleep.”Thefirst

intifadastartedin1987andlastednearlysixyears.[2].InjilistheArabwordfor“Gospel,”usedbyMuslimsfortheNewTestament.[3].ThenextdaywhenhepickedusupforourmeetingwithSheikhAl-Shami,Abdultoldusthathehad

alreadyreadhalfofGod’sSmuggler,andheaskedifwecouldgethimanymorebooksaboutChristianity.Eighteenmonthslater,wemethimagainandgavehimthreemoreChristianbooksinArabic,plusanArabicBible.HesaidbothheandhisoldestsonhadreadGod’sSmugglerandhehadvisitedtheBiblebookshopinGazaCity.

Chapter3WhereWastheChurch?[1].KibbutzimarecommunesinIsraelwheremultiplefamilieslivetogetherandcombineresourcesin

agriculturalandotherbusinessenterprises.[2].D.H.Vogel,ed.,PaulSchneider,derPredigervonBuchenwald(Berlin:EvangelischeVerlagsansalt,

1961).

Chapter4WeepingforLebanon[1].ForoneofthebestaccountsofthewarinLebanon,seeRobertFisk,PitytheNation:TheAbductionof

Lebanon(NewYork:SimonandSchuster,1990);seealsoThomasL.Friedman,FromBeiruttoJerusalem(NewYork:RandomHouse,1989,1990,and1995).

Chapter6TheNeedforWisdomwithZeal[1].Marhabameans“hello”inArabic.

Chapter7APlanforPeace[1].AfterNajiearnedhisdoctorate,hesettledinSeattle,Washington,whereheisinvolvedincounseling

andteaching.HespendsaboutfourmonthseachyearinactiveministryinLebanonandtheMiddleEast.Amongotheractivities,heteachesatArabBaptistSeminaryandprovidescounselingtostrugglingindividualsandfamilies.

Chapter8It’sJustaMess[1].SeeFisk,PitytheNation,437.

Chapter10IHaveNoPower[1].SeeWilliamDalrymple,FromtheHolyMountain(NewYork:HenryHolt,1997),217.

Chapter11MeetingwithanAyatollah[1].Thisscenewasinspiredbystoriesofvarioushostages.SourcesincludeTerryAnderson,DenofLions

(BallantineBooks,1993);BrianKeenan,AnEvilCradling(Vintage,1992);SisLevin,BeirutDiary(InterVarsityPress,1989);JohnMcCarthyandJillMorrell,SomeOtherRainbow(Bantam,1993);andTerryWaite,TakenonTrust(HarcourtBrace,1993).

[2].ThetitleSayyidindicatedFadlallahwasadescendantoftheProphetMuhammadthroughtheImamHusayn.Anayatollah(fromtheArabicmeaning“signofGod”)isaShi’iteleaderrecognizedasteacher,judge,andadministrator.ThetitleisthehighestrankamongShi’iteMuslimsandisbestowedbyinformalacclamation.

[3].Shi’itesareasmallerbutmoreradicalelementofMuslimsthantheSunnis,whoformthemajority.SunnissimplyfollowthemodelbehaviorandteachingofMuhammad.SeeDonMcCurry,HealingtheBrokenFamilyofAbraham:NewLifeforMuslims(ColoradoSprings:MinistriestoMuslims,2001),85–88.

[4].QuoteandbackgroundinformationaboutFadlallahtakenfromR.ScottAppleby,ed.,SpokesmenfortheDespised(Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress,1997),83–181.

[5].Arabicfor“Thankyou.”

Part3WestBankandGaza[1].SeeBennyMorris,RighteousVictims(NewYork:Knopf,1999),189–258.[2].FormoreinformationabouttheChristianpopulationinIsrael,WestBank,andGaza,seeBettyJane

BaileyandJ.MartinBailey,WhoAretheChristiansintheMiddleEast?(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,2003).Theauthorswrite:“Withinthe1948bordersofIsrael,therearetodayabout105,000Christians,approximately2percentofthetotalpopulation....ThelargestChristiancommunitiesinIsraelareGreekCatholics(Melkites)andGreekOrthodox....InPalestine(includingGaza,theWestBank,andoccupiedEastJerusalem)thereareanestimated76,000Christianswhorepresent3percentofthetotalpopulation.MorethanhalfoftheseChristiansbelongtoGreekOrthodoxparishes....InGaza,whereChristianitydatestothepreachingoftheApostlePhilip...therearetodayonlyabout2,000Christians”(152–53).

Chapter13AWell-AimedStone[1].Bisharaandhiswife,Salwa,obtainedpermanentresidentstatusinIsraelafterSalwaappliedforand

wasgrantedafamilyreunion.

Chapter14IWanttoSeeLivingStones[1].FormoreinformationaboutthisdefiningeventinPalestinianhistory,seeBennyMorris,TheBirthof

thePalestinianRefugeeProblem,1947–1949(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1987),113–15;seealsoMorris,RighteousVictims,207–9.BennyMorrisisprofessorofhistoryatBen-GurionUniversityinBeersheba,Israel.

Chapter15WhatAreWeSupposedtoDo?[1].Onedunamequalsonethousandsquaremeters,approximatelyone-quarteracre.[2].AthoroughoverviewonthefirstintifadacanbefoundinMorris,RighteousVictims,561–610.[3].Seeibid.,565.[4].Ibid.SeealsoAmiraHass,DrinkingtheSeaatGaza(NewYork:HenryHolt,1996),145–48.Her

figuresvaryfromthoseofMorris,butshemakesthesamepoint.AsareporteronPalestinianaffairsfortheIsraelinewspaperHa’aretz,Hasswrites:“Palestiniansintheoccupiedterritoriesreceiveanaverageof93litersperdaypercapita(101litersinGazaand85intheWestBank);Israelislivingintheterritoriesreceive280litersperday”(145).

[5].Fordetailsaboutthesetwowars,seeMorris,RighteousVictims,259–346.

Chapter16BringingtheTwoSidesTogether[1].Thisstoryisadramaticreconstruction.YitzhakandWa’elarecharacterscreatedforthisbook,but

theirstoryisbasedonthoseofactualparticipantsinMusalahaandinterviewsconductedbyBarbaraBakerforCompassDirectNewsService.

[2].AlargeclothusedbyArabsasaheadcovering.

Chapter17WhatWillThisSufferingAccomplish?[1].Forexample,seeBeverlyMilton-Edwards,IslamicPoliticsinPalestine(London:I.B.Tauris,1996),

103–4,123.[2].SeeMorris,RighteousVictims,577.[3].ForexcerptsoftheHamascharter,seeWalterLaqueurandBarryRubin,eds.,TheIsrael-ArabReader,

6thed.(NewYork:Penguin,2001),341–48.Thecompletetextofthechartercanbefoundatwww.palestinecenter.org/cpap/documents/charter.html.

Chapter18EveryTentIsaMosque[1].Animamleadsprayersinamosque.ThetitleisalsousedforMuslimleaders.

Chapter20AMealwithTerrorists[1].InJuly2003YossiBeilin,formerIsraeliMinisterofJusticeandarchitectoftheOsloAccordsand

GenevaPlan,toldmepersonallythat“thedeportationoftheHamastoLebanonwasabigmistake.”

Chapter21HowFarDoIGo?[1].SeeAntonLaGuardia,WarwithoutEnd(NewYork:ThomasDunneBooks,2001),290–95.

LaGuardiawasMiddleEastcorrespondentbasedinJerusalemfortheDailyTelegraphandwenttoHebrontocoverthestory.Hewrites,“Nearlyasmanypeoplewerekilledoutsidethemosqueasinsideit.Onebloodyclashtookplaceoutsidethehospitalitselfwhere,forsomereason,asquadofsoldiershaddecidedtomakeaprovocativeappearance”(292).

Chapter22WhatISawTodayAreGodSeekers[1].It’sbeensuggestedthatGoldsteinintendedjustsuchareaction.InFromBeiruttoJerusalem,Thomas

Friedmanwrites:“BaruchGoldstein,Iamconvinced,understoodthattheonlywaytobreakthatsilencewasnotwithsomegarden-varietyactofterrorism,notjustbykillingafewPalestinianchildrenorpregnantwomen.No,itrequiredsomethingsooutrageous,sounspeakable,thatitwouldmovemassesofPalestinianstoreact,whichhehopedwouldtriggeramassiveIsraelicounterreactionandsuddenlythesilentmajorities,insteadofbeingpassiveandinert,wouldbemobilized,angry,andateachother’sthroats.SoheshotuponeoftheholiestsitesofIslam”(NewYork:AnchorBooks,1995),559.

Chapter24WhatKindofPeopleDoestheBookProduce?[1].TraditionallytheroadJesustooktothecross.

Chapter25HamasWouldLikeaCease-Fire[1].SeeFriedman,FromBeiruttoJerusalem,106–25.[2].AbuAmarmeans“FatheroftheBuilder”andwouldbeusedbypeopleArafatconsidersfriends.[3].SeetheBalfourDeclarationinLaqueurandRubin,eds.,TheIsrael-ArabReader,16.SeealsoMorris,

RighteousVictims,73–76.[4].QuotedinHannaMassad,“TheTheologicalFoundationforReconciliationbetweenthePalestinian

ChristiansandtheMessianicJews”(Ph.D.diss.,FullerTheologicalSeminary,1999),158–59.

Chapter26CalledtoaHigherStatecraft[1].Matthew26:1–2NKJV.[2].SheikhYassinwaskilledbyanIsraelimissileonMarch22,2004.Dr.AbdulazizRantisiwas

immediatelynamedYassin’ssuccessorasleaderofHamas.RantisiwasassassinatedbyanIsraelimissileonApril17,2004.NosuccessortoRantisiwasofficiallynamed,butseveralIsraelimediasourcesreportedthatthenewHamasleaderwasMahmoudZahar.(SeeHaretz,April26,2004.)ZaharwasthelastoftheoriginalfoundersofHamasstillliving.

Chapter27TheTeacher’sBookshop[1].Indeed,later,MahmoudZahartoldmethathehadvisitedtheshop.

Part4TheSecondIntifada[1].ThefiguresweretakenfromtheMiddleEastPolicyCouncilwebsiteat

www.mepc.org/public_asp/resources/mrates.asp.[2].Overthenearlysixyearsofthefirstintifada,therewereatotalof80Israelisand1,070Palestinians

killed.Injustthefirstyearofthesecondintifada(December2000throughDecember2001),232Israelisand904Palestinianswerekilled.SeeB’TSELEM,theIsraeliInformationCenterforHumanRightsintheOccupiedTerritories,atwww.btselem.org.

[3].ItappearsthatalocalMuslimtribeknownforitsviolencedidmuchoftheshootingatGilo.SeeDavidNeff,“ThugsinJesus’Hometown,”ChristianityToday(December2003):60–61.NeffwasreviewingthebookASeasoninBethlehem:UnholyWarinaSacredPlacebyJoshuaHammer.

Chapter30ItIsNotSuicide—ItIsReligious[1].AmandaRipley,“WhySuicideBombingIsNowAlltheRage,”Time(April15,2002).

Chapter32MiracleinHolland[1].Romans12:10–21.[2].SeeFactsandMythsabouttheMessianicCongregationsinIsrael,asurveyconductedbyKaiKjaer-

HansenandBodilF.Skjott(Jerusalem:UnitedChristianCouncilinIsrael,1999).

Chapter33WhatDoYouPreachWhenThereIsShelling?[1].Alisoncapturedherexperiencesinajournal.SeeAlisonJonesNassarandFredStrickert,Imm

Mathilda:ABethlehemMother’sDiary(Minneapolis:KirkHouse,2003).

Chapter34TheLightIsaLittleBrighter[1].Schoolisnotfree.Eventhoughitcostsonlyafewdollars,itismorethanmanyfamiliescanafford.

Chapter35ADonkeyCriesforGaza[1].SeeJohn1:46.[2].Seewww.lebnet/~bcome/palestine/xian.html,whichreportedonthedeathsofthreemeninGazaon

February2,1988;seealsowww.en.falastiny.net/books/massacres.

Chapter36SneakingintoBethlehem[1].AweeklatertheChristmaspartywascanceledbecauseofcontinuingcurfewandtravelrestrictions.

Chapter38AModelOthersCanFollow[1].SeeCompassDirectNewsServicearticlesatwww.compassdirect.org.[2].Musalahasponsorsanannualmeetingforyouthleaders.Oneoftheleaderssuggestedtheyconducta

youthcamp.ItwasheldJuly28throughAugust1,2003,andtwentyIsraelisandtwentyPalestiniansparticipated.

SELECTEDBIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson,Terry.DenofLions.NewYork:BallantineBooks,1993.Appleby,R.Scott,ed.SpokesmenfortheDespised:FundamentalistLeadersoftheMiddleEast.Chicago:

UniversityofChicagoPress,1997.Armstrong,Karen.Jerusalem:OneCity,ThreeFaiths.NewYork:BallantineBooks,1996.Avnery,Uri.MyFriend,theEnemy.London:ZedBooks,1986.Awad,Alex.ThroughtheEyesoftheVictims:TheStoryoftheArab-IsraeliConflict.Bethlehem:Bethlehem

BibleCollege,2001.Bailey,BettyJane,andJ.Martin.WhoAretheChristiansintheMiddleEast?GrandRapids:Eerdmans,2003.Barghouti,Mourid.ISawRamallah.Trans.AdafSoueif.NewYork:AnchorBooks,2000.Bentley,David.PersianPrincess@magi.com.Belleville,Ontario,Canada:GuardianBooks,2002.Bishara,Marwan.Palestine/Israel:PeaceorApartheid.London:ZedBooks,2001.Blumenfeld,Laura.Revenge:AStoryofHope.NewYork:WashingtonSquarePress,2002.Carey,Roane,ed.TheNewIntifada:ResistingIsrael’sApartheid.NewYork:Verso,2001.Chacour,Elias.BloodBrothers.NewYork:ChosenBooks,1984.———.withMaryE.Jensen.WeBelongtotheLand:TheStoryofaPalestinianWhoLivesforPeaceand

Reconciliation.SanFrancisco:HarperSanFrancisco,1990.Chapman,Colin.WhosePromisedLand?TheContinuingCrisisoverIsraelandPalestine.GrandRapids:

Baker,2002.Dalrymple,William.FromtheHolyMountain:AJourneyamongtheChristiansoftheMiddleEast.New

York:HenryHolt,1997.Diamant,Anita,andHowardCooper.LivingaJewishLife:JewishTraditions,Customs,andValuesfor

Today’sFamilies.NewYork:HarperPerennial,1991.Dolan,David.IsraelattheCrossroads:FiftyYearsandCounting.GrandRapids:Revell,1998.Ellisen,StanleyA.WhoOwnstheLand?Portland,OR:Multnomah,1991.Fisk,Robert.PitytheNation:TheAbductionofLebanon.NewYork:TouchstoneBooks,1990.Friedman,ThomasL.FromBeiruttoJerusalem.NewYork:AnchorBooks,1995.———.LongitudesandAttitudes:ExploringtheWorldafterSeptember11.NewYork:FarrarStrausGiroux,

2002.Gordis,Daniel.IfaPlaceCanMakeYouCry:DispatchesfromanAnxiousState.NewYork:Crown,2002.Hass,Amira.DrinkingtheSeaatGaza:DaysandNightsinaLandunderSiege.Trans.ElanaWesleyand

MaxineKaufman-Lacusta.NewYork:HenryHolt,1999.Hiro,Dilip.SharingthePromisedLand:ATaleofIsraelisandPalestinians.NewYork:OliveBranchPress,

1999.Holliday,Laurel.ChildrenofIsrael,ChildrenofPalestine:OurOwnTrueStories.NewYork:PocketBooks,

1998.Hourani,Albert.AHistoryoftheArabPeoples.NewYork:WarnerBooks,1991.LaGuardia,Anton.WarwithoutEnd:Israelis,Palestinians,andtheStruggleforaPromisedLand.NewYork:

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2002.Rittner,Carol,StephenD.Smith,andIrenaSteinfeld,eds.TheHolocaustandtheChristianWorld.London:

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Schuster,1984.Sennott,CharlesM.TheBodyandtheBlood:TheMiddleEast’sVanishingChristiansandthePossibilityfor

Peace.NewYork:PublicAffairs,2001.Shipler,DavidK.ArabandJew:WoundedSpiritsinaPromisedLand.NewYork:PenguinBooks,2002.Shlaim,Avi.WarandPeaceintheMiddleEast:AConciseHistory.NewYork:PenguinBooks,1995.Stern,Jessica.TerrorintheNameofGod:WhyReligiousMilitantsKill.NewYork:HarperCollins,2003.Waite,Terry.TakenonTrust.NewYork:HarcourtBrace,1993.Wallach,JohnandJanet.Arafat:IntheEyesoftheBeholder.London:Mandarin,1990.YadVashem.TheHolocaust.Jerusalem:TheHolocaustMartyrs’andHeroes’RemembranceAuthority.

Fiction

Stone,Robert.DamascusGate.NewYork:Scribner,1998.Uris,Leon.Exodus.NewYork:Bantam,1959.———.TheHaj.NewYork:Bantam,1985.———.QBVII.NewYork:Bantam,1972.Wilentz,Amy.Martyrs’Crossing.NewYork:BallantineBooks,2001.

BrotherAndrewbeganhisworkin1955asaone-manmission—visiting,teaching,andtakingBiblestoChristiansbehindtheIronCurtain.ThatworkhassincedevelopedintoOpenDoorsInternational,anondenominationalorganizationwithbasesaroundtheworld.Whennottraveling,BrotherAndrewmakeshishomeintheNetherlands.

AlJanssenhascowrittenorauthoredmorethantwenty-fivebooks,includingFocusontheFamily’sTheMarriageMasterpiece.HeischairmanoftheboardforOpenDoors(USA)withBrotherAndrewandisdirectorofcommunicationsforOpenDoorsInternational.JanssenlivesinColoradoSprings,Colorado.

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