Musalaha News letter June, 2000
STUDENT DESERT ENCOUNTER
YOUTH DESERT ENCOUNTER
MUSIC CONFERENCE
MUNAYER FAMILY UPDATE
STAFF CHANGES
NEW BOARD MEMBER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Student Desert Encounter
This Desert Encounter was the first of its kind. For Musalaha, it marked our first major association with the student movement in Israel and Palestine Authority areas. Most of the 25 participants were university or college students, and as such, potential leaders both in the believing and secular communities. We were excited to work with these young adults who were at a key stage in their lives, and to develop a relationship between Musalaha and the student groups.
Our group arrived at the big Bedouin tent, where they served us a delicious Bedouin dinner. That night we spent time introducing ourselves to each other, and sharing a bit about our expectations and desires for our time together in the desert. Anis Barhoum, an Israeli Arab from the North and one of the leaders, shared with the group his excitement to get away from everything for a few days, and share this time with them in this place of refuge and quiet.
We headed out Friday morning, together with 8 very "lovely" camels. We were definitely thankful for their services of carrying our bags and ourselves, and most of all for the entertainment that they provided. For the next three days, our mornings were mostly made up of making and eating breakfast, breaking up into small groups to pray for each other and for the day ahead of us, and then beginning our hike. After several hours of hiking, we would stop for lunch and some teaching, and then continue hiking until it was time to stop and set up camp for the night.
We would then prepare and eat dinner, and afterwards, spend time in worship, some sharing and group games and fun. The morale was always high, and I noticed how these people knew how to have fun and especially loved to laugh.
The desert, both in a physical and a spiritual sense, was very much the theme of the trip. We learned much about how our forefathers would have lived practical lives in the desert with their families and livestock. We learned that the more you know about it, the less it resembled a "dead place," but a place where if you looked hard enough, you would find life, both physically and spiritually. This was new for most of us, and many found it very interesting, even fascinating. Using many different illustrations out of the Scriptures, Ray, our second leader, showed us that a spiritual "desert experience" for a believer is, in fact, a good thing. It is a place where the Lord provides without fail, and where the believer can definitely find sanctuary and expect the Lord to meet with him.
Where were the politics? Why wasn't anyone uneasy at all? Isn't that what this is all about? Aren't walls supposed to come down, barriers to be overcome? I was amazed as I watched the dynamics of this group. There was no need for political discussion. No uneasiness or awkwardness unless, of course, one tried communicating with the camels. One of the participants, Danny, who is studying Middle East Studies and working as a researcher for the Financial Times in Jerusalem, said the trip was wonderful in that respect. Not only did it seem there were no walls to break down, there was also peace, quiet and rest that he found in his 5 days away, with such a relaxed group. Martin too said that he came with the desire to work some political issues out, but once there, he found that his desire for unity and good relationships was even greater, and that politics was not nearly as important as being united in Christ.
Our last night there, Valerie and Shadi shared their testimonies; amazing stories of deliverance and God's providence. Valerie, a Jewish believer from France, discovered the Truth through an incredible experience on her travels through Europe ten years ago. She had just missed her ship from Greece, which had left with all of her belongings and important documents. She felt the urge to jump into a small fisherman's boat, and after having the fisherman row for about 2 hours, they reached the ship, which had stopped because of electrical problems. Some of the men formed a human ladder to help her climb up into the ship. She then knew that the Lord had ordained all that, and that it was time for her to make place for Jesus.
Shadi, on the other hand, had only been a believer for a couple of months. He and his wife, Jamalat, who was with him on this trip, are Israeli Arabs from a village in the North. It was so exciting to see their enthusiasm for their newly found faith. Shadi had struggled for 10 years with serious depression, and yet was trying to lead a normal life. He married Jamalat 10 years ago, and they now have a beautiful 7 years-old daughter. Some of his acquaintances who were believers led him to a place where he could receive help. He and his wife then received the Lord.
I think we all shared the common feeling of how blessed we were to know the Lord; how there is none like Him, and this - our whole reason and purpose for life - was common to all; this is what bound us together.
by Dania Minor
Youth Desert Encounter
Sleep in the desert and in the morning open your eyes to a clear blue sky. Lift your stiff body from the ground, and find yourself surrounded by people snuggled in dusty sleeping bags. Our group of 27 teenagers had spread themselves out in last night's darkness and found places to sleep on the desert floor. "Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm. How can one keep warm alone?" (Ecc. 4:11)
Many of them had stayed near their friends, in their groups, not ready to cross the social and cultural lines that separated them. And yet here we were, a small group in a large desert; every morning packing our things onto the camels, taking a break to avoid the afternoon heat, hiking again, and settling down for a night's rest. "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"
Try to get onto a standing camel alone, and you will understand in a new way the need for help! Our theme for the trip was unity, and it was interesting to see how the desert had very subtle ways of putting us together and causing us to need each other. The youth, although almost all Israeli or Palestinian, had such different backgrounds and languages. Some were hestitant, even reluctant to reach out to one another, and yet others were quite eager to get to know new people. "I want to know what it is like for you to be an Arab and a Christian. How do people treat you when you're walking down the street? Is it hard for you to be a Christian?" asked one girl during an evening sharing time. In other small ways, such as an impromptu prayer group, or a shared love of music, or a dance to the beat of the durbeke, people took steps towards each other.
"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccl. 4:12) Not only do we need each other, but we are intertwined with the Almighty. Often our plans as leaders' plans fell second to the preparation for the meal or to tiredness or to the desert experience in general. However, I realized that part of impact of this experience is the desert itself - and God's work during our time there - that gives us reasons to be together, to help each other, that gives time to think, and an atmosphere of peace and stillness. The desert is quiet, as often God's work and voice are so subtle in our lives, and both have an impact that is not always visible, but certainly real.
An hour before returning to the base camp, we stopped on a rocky hilltop. There we read these words.
"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.. There is no fear in love..... We love because he first loved us" I John 3: 11; 4:12, 19.
by Brittany Browning
Music Conference
Musalaha's music conference was held the weekend of March 24-25. Men and women began gathering on Friday afternoon at Jerusalem House; by the end of the evening 18 people were present. New Hebrew and Arabic worship songs were taught, then after dinner Renate taught us Israeli folkdances. Most of the group enjoyed the dancing, although a few people had to give up when it became too complicated. It was a great time of joy and fellowship-- and also a way of keeping warm in the big house! To close the evening, Laura shared an Arab song translated to Hebrew with us, and we ended with prayer. Saying goodnight and leaving was difficult, so people lingered for a time of fellowship. After getting to know each other better, we parted company for the night.
The next morning we gathered around the breakfast table in the same Jerusalem House-- quite an accomplishment after the late night conversations! Our focus was on learning Arabic songs, but we also had time for a few in Hebrew before lunch. Musalaha had invited a diverse group of people and therefore thought participants would be coming from both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. However, due to the Pope's visit the latter group went to the Galilee, leaving a group of Israelis to learn Arabic songs! The Lord showed us grace by blessing us with His presence in a special way. We experienced a true time of worship as we learned to find our way through the Arab pronunciations and rhythms. Renate and Rani, the worship leaders for the conference, had compiled a new songbook for the event. They thought of a logical way of describing the Arabic sounds, transliterating Arabic words into Latin letters with a very readable and understandable format. Our hope is that this system will make it easier for foreigners/ Israeli Messianic Jews to participate in the services. The songbook itself was quite an important result of the conference, as the creation of a songbook with both Arabic and Hebrew songs is long overdue and much needed. Musalaha hopes to use this as a basis for a larger and more complete collection of worship songs from the Land.
A worship session was held after the meal. People from different congregations had been invited, and several showed up. We opened the time by sharing what the Lord had been reminding us of that weekend. One woman said that she thought this was only the beginning of what He was going to do. Another student shared how she usually felt pressure to be studying; she had even considered taking breaks from the conference to study. The Lord had convinced her to rest during the conference, and she found that it was a source of peace for her. Even though the weekend didn't turn out the way we as humans planned it, I am sure that it was a pleasing weekend to the Lord. Like the mustard seed sown in faith, He will let the work begun there grow into a mighty tree.
by Karin Juul Jensen
Munayer Family Update
The Munayer boys are ready to finish up school for the summer. The oldest two, Jack and Daniel, were tough competitors in a recent judo competition. John enjoyed a trip to England with his mom this spring, and Sam has begun going to daycare two days a week. Both Kay and Sam are quite happy with this new social and learning experience. Kay is able to use the extra time to volunteer more time at Sunbula, a cooperative store that sells handiwork made by refugees. Salim taught courses on anthropology, Acts and Romans this semester and the Bethelehem Bible College graduated 13 students at the end of June. The college has completed the requirements for accreditation towards awarding Bachelor's of Arts degrees in Bible and Christian education. The family is eager for a much-deserved family vacation to Europe this summer, where they will visit Switzerland and spend two weeks in England.
Staff Changes
We sadly say goodbye to Karin Juul Jensen, who has been a volunteer here at Musalaha for the past year. Karin not only helped in our office, but was also an integral part of the IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) leadership, and as such, she initiated the relationship between Musalaha and the student movement. In addition, Karin helped Musalaha in developing a partnership with the Danish Israel Mission, working toward cooperation in fund raising and sharing volunteers. Karin worked hard in planning Musalaha's first ever Music Conference and Student Desert Encounter, and she will be sincerely missed. She will return to Denmark with her husband Ulrik, and they are eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child in October. Thank you Karin!
A second volunteer from the Danish Israel Mission, Anna Margrethe Christiansen, is coming in August. We are also privileged to have two volunteers to help us through the summer. Welcome Trisha Wiscombe from Wheaton College and Caroline Eade from England.
New Board Member
Musalaha welcomes Howard Bass as a new member of our Executive Board.
Howard Bass is a Jewish believer in Jesus Christ, who came to faith 19 years ago. His wife, Randi, a non-Jewish believer, was born again about the same time, as she saw that God was real in what He did in Howard, and that the Bible was really true. They both came to Israel from the U.S.A. seven months later in September 1981, just less than a year-and-a-half after being married.
What impressed Howard about the truth of Messiah in Jesus (Yeshua) was realizing that Jews and non-Jews worshipped the one true living God together. More than that, the Holy Spirit showed him that both Jews and non-Jews in Christ were a new creation together through the cross. This reality carried over from the U.S. to Israel, where believers were Jewish, Arab, and many other nationals, yet all were one in Messiah Jesus. Early on, the Lord led Howard not to carry arms in his military service in Israel, as a testimony of God's love for all peoples, and of the truth that our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against lies and all forms of unrighteousness.
Howard and Randi now have four children -- two girls, Tamar (14) and Rotem (13), and two boys, Evan (11) and Tal (7). Randi is studying towards a teaching certificate in English at the teachers' college in Beer Sheva, where they live, and Howard has recently been appointed as pastor in the local Messianic Congregation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Follow-Up Projects
On the 3rd of June, 2000, the people who participated in the Student Desert Encounter met up at a friend's home in Nazareth, ate a meal and spent the afternoon and evening together. This was a time of catching up, seeing pictures from the trip, and planning and praying about a social-service follow-up project. People shared their feelings concerning the current changes in the Middle East. The group agreed that as their Follow-up Service Project they would visit refugees and have some special activities for the children.
The Youth Desert Encounter follow-up picnic will be held on June 25, and at the time we will decide on a social service project. Please keep this important event in your prayers, as it is a vital time of fellowship and spiritual teaching, and we pray that it will complete and enhance the desert experience for each of the young people.
Expo _2000
The team planning to go to Expo continues to meet monthly and will have a weekend retreat this month. They are preparing to share their testimonies, and learning the background and beliefs of Islam and Judaism and basic evangelistic tools. Please continue to pray for the unity of the group, as for many of them it is their first interaction with people from the other culture. The logistics visas, travel arrangements and accommodations are quite intricate, and we want to cover these details in prayer.
Youth Leadership Program
Musalaha is working with Youth for Christ are building a small group of 5 to 8 youth leaders who receive training throughout the year, perhaps go abroad to a training conference, and plan an Arab/Jewish summer camp in the summer of 2001. Many preparations will go into these meetings and the camp, and we pray for the Lord's anointing on the youth leaders and on the entire project.
