Words of Hope

A letter from Kate Taber serving in Israel-Palestine

July 2015

Dear friends,

In late April, 11 Presbyterians from all over the United States visited the Holy Land on a trip sponsored by World Mission. The goal of the trip was to visit mission partners of the PC(USA) in Israel-Palestine and learn about the context in which they live. In this land, where no forebears of the PC(USA) came to set up any institutions, our partners are varied. We prioritize relationships with the indigenous Christians, and in particular the Protestants like the Palestinian Lutheran and Anglican churches. Beyond that, we seek relationship with people or groups whose active work is in line with our denomination’s stances and values and whose work can be a resource to ours. Thus we also connect with Israelis and Palestinians of all and no faith backgrounds who are working in various ways for a just peace, against poverty, for human rights, etc.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… (1 Peter 1:3).

Micha Kurz, a Jewish Israeli working with Grassroots Jerusalem, gave the group a briefing on the history and issues of Jerusalem and then gave them a tour of several spots in east Jerusalem. The tour was designed to illustrate many issues that face the residents of east Jerusalem as a result of the conflict, from home demolitions to the economy to settlements.

The result was a rich and packed itinerary. We met with over 20 people representing nearly as many, if not more, organizations and church institutions. We worshipped with them, shared the bread and wine of communion with them, engaged with their theology, and prayed with them. We listened to the sacred texts of each Abrahamic religion as people of deep faith shared their passion for justice for all. We visited their homes, offices, and farms. We attempted to understand some of the major issues of their lives, such as their limited access to water, healthcare, and education. We toured their cities and villages, both on and off the beaten track of tourists and pilgrims. Several times we focused on the stories of women and children and the specific ways that this conflict, like all conflicts, impacts them in traumatic ways.

A recurring question from the participants to the local partners was, “Where do you find hope?” I sometimes wince at this question, as it can be asking a lot to expect someone who lives and breathes this conflict day in and day out, whose life is directly impacted by it on every level, to offer hope. We cannot blame them if they are running low. Yet each of our partners and friends offered their own take on hope, and where they find it. “This is the land of miracles. There is no power stronger than God’s power. This is where my hope lies,” Nora Carmi responded when participants met with leaders of Kairos Palestine. Father Jamal Khader pointed to the young people he serves, university and seminary students, as the reason he cannot afford to quit hoping, despite a lifetime under occupation. Both challenged us to work for justice with compassion.

Gerard Horton and Salwa Duaibis of Military Court Watch took us to visit Deir Nidham, a Palestinian village next to an Israeli settlement that has been highly targeted for army raids and child arrests. We spoke to two 14-year-old boys who had been arrested and heard their stories, as well as the stories of how their arrests impacted their mothers and families. Here several trip participants pose with women from the village of Deir Nidham (photo credit: Bruce Reyes-Chow).

“The source of our hope is God of course. We believe God has a plan for humanity and we ask how we can be part of it.” Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway, professor of Philosophy and Islamic Studies at Al-Quds University, explained his motivation for continuing his work. He shared beautiful passages of the Qur’an with us that challenge and inspire him.

“I keep going because of my belief in the basic goodness of the people who live here. I believe we have the foundation to turn things around. Don’t give up on us,” Rabbi Arik Ascherman of Rabbis for Human Rights said, offering his motivation as well as his plea for our continued hope and support.

I pray that this trip and this group have planted seeds of mutual care, challenge, and inspiration with these partners and this place that will last far longer and extend far deeper than this 10-day experience. I invite you to join their journey by meeting our mission partners yourselves, whether in person, via Skype, or through their websites. Be in prayer for them. Consider a partnership between them and your congregation, school, or organization. Make sure that congregations traveling here from your presbytery connect with me. Contribute financially to this ministry, so that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will continue to have a presence in the Holy Land, joining in the work of these incredible peacemakers.

I continue to give thanks for each of you, for the ways that you support me personally, and the many ways you support this ministry out of your deep care and concern for the people of this land. May the words of hope offered by our mission partners sustain you each day.

Blessings,
Kate

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 344