Musalaha has added another dimension to our women’s activities: that of small group meetings. As it can be difficult to co-ordinate and plan large-scale gatherings, we decided to begin initiating more intimate fellowship times in different areas of the country. It is our hope that these meetings will allow women to develop more personal relationships, perhaps open their homes to each other and share their lives and hearts with one another. We pray that the Lord will continue to use these gatherings to form intimate relationships that can be models of Christ's forgiveness, healing, and love.

The first gathering was held in June, when a small group of Arab and Jewish women met in Haifa for fellowship and prayer. Lisa Loden reports that it was a very "real" time of encouragement and sharing their visions for the future. Praise the Lord for this opportunity for sisters in Christ to share with one another about what is on their hearts and in their hopes for the future. A second meeting is planned for September.

More recently, eight women met at Bet Iliqa (House of Meeting) near Bethlehem. Since most of the women did not previously know each other, we spent time in introductions and sharing with one another. There was a very warm and open atmosphere, and the women were able to join each other in prayer, sharing in one another’s needs and concerns.