Bethlehem under the oppression of the roman empire and unjust treatment and prejudice there..."

MeGan: I’m so excited to reminisce about our trip together! Wow, It’s March…how many months ago was that? november, december, January, February… no way, it feels like such a long time ago since our pilgrimage!

aLLy: It feels like a year ago! Oh my gosh, just four months?

MeGan: I’m glad we’re taking this time to process the trip now that a few months have gone by. I feel like I know your answer a little bit already, but coming back, a frequently asked question was...

“What was the most impactful part of the trip for you?” So, how would you answer that now?

aLLy: the couple of days that we were in Bethlehem, in Palestine, were really impactful for me, and others on the trip as well. We visited holy sites from Jesus’ birth, like the Church of the nativity and the shepherd’s fields. We joined a beautiful worship service with Palestinian Christians at evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, and learned from rev. dr. Mitri raheb about Bethlehem Bible College and the work the students and faculty are doing there to uplift their communities. Later that day, we visited aida refugee Camp, established in 1950. that was a powerful experience. It was an honor to be there, but also really heavy to see the conditions that these families have been living with for decades. their homes and land had been taken from them by force when the nation of Israel was established, people were killed. Communities were forced to relocate to aida Camp and the Israeli government in power still doesn’t have a plan for the residents. Our group met with a representative from aida youth Center, a nonprofit within the camp that aims to empower children & youth through creative outlets and community service. Hearing him describe the oppression they live under, the lack of resources and freedom, the hopelessness the nonprofit’s working to combat but that still spreads through the youth who live there, it was a lot to take in. Like, it’s sobering to think that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born in Bethlehem under the oppression of the roman empire thousands of years ago, and there’s still oppression and unjust treatment and prejudice there, still a group of people living under the power of another in this holy place. Of course, we know that Hope is present and active there as well, and it was uplifting to witness God at work through the people and organizations we encountered.

Our guide showed us around aida Camp, we walked through the streets, said hi to the kids we passed playing outside. We went up to the roof of the organization’s building and looked out across the camp, at the wall. One of the roof’s glass doors was shattered, with a bullet hole through the center - our guide explained that gunshots, rubber bullets, tear gas are launched into the camp frequently by Israeli soldiers, to intimidate the Palestinian residents. While we were up there, there was a hissing sound, and we saw tear gas being thrown into the camp from the wall. One canister, two canisters. We were quickly ushered downstairs, through the streets and to the bus. you could smell the chemicals in the air. as we were driving back to our hotel, we passed a street already blocked off with what looked like the beginning of a riot - a car and tires on fire, people running. It was a firsthand glimpse of the conflict. the violence that people there live with, it’s just…. no child should grow up in that. no one should have to live with that reality. How about you? What stands out to you when you think back to the trip?

MeGan: Well, having been roommates in the Holy Land, I know we were both impacted by our time in Bethlehem specifically. Hearing you recount our experience at the � refugee camp, I’m reminded of how overwhelmed I felt witnessing such a different reality. the next day we visited the tent of nations. Spending the afternoon there has remained one of the most memorable and meaningful memories for me. as Palestinian Christians, for 30+ years they have chosen active non-violence as a way of fighting to be recognized as legal owners of the farm. they choose this, daoud explained, because they see it as a reflection of how Jesus acted in situations of injustice. their long-standing legal battle and daily choice to seek justice with such peace resulted in my questioning of the ways in which I am impatient when it comes to situations in my life that require perseverance. this is crazy… the nassars at tent of nations have been waiting longer than I've been born for justice to unfold! I remember thinking, “How often do I wait for certain things and then get frustrated when the results don't come quick enough?” (the answer was very often). aLLy: Wow, yes. Like you were saying, to hear the family’s story and realize, after the physical attacks they’ve survived, after the destruction of their property, after years of slogging through a discouraging and hostile court system, they’re still choosing love. they still feel and believe in the love of Christ, not only for themselves, but for everyone around them. no matter ethnicity or religion, their motto is “we refuse to be enemies.” and they live out that love despite every external circumstance. It's so humbling. Such a beautiful witness to who God is.

It was surprising to walk around the farm (daher’s vineyard) and see people from around the world who had come to help with harvesting and caring for the land. Meeting daoud nassar, and hearing his and his family’s story of persecution caused me a lot of self reflection. as Palestinians they face prejudices and hostility from the Israeli settlements around them. the nassar family established the farm in the early 1900’s and have since been forced to defend ownership of their land from Israeli government officials.

So, I think that whole day was meaningful for me because my personal reflection was invited by daoud’s story and his peaceful and grace-filled presence. He was so innately aware of Jesus as an advocate for social justice and for equity. He knew, and knows, that the Lord is HIS advocate; that was a really powerful, fresh revelation.

Is there anything else that struck you from our time at Tent of Nations?

MeGan: another thing that stood out to me that tent of nations has in common with the other ministries we visited in Bethlehem was the emphasis on art as a powerful tool to heal, process, and share one’s story. art is something that I've always used as a hobby or leisurely activity. It was beautiful and emotional to see and hear about Palestinians, especially youth, creating art expressions as a way to process through trauma and painful experiences, but also as a way to reclaim their humanity. aLLy: yeah, I agree. really powerful that an emphasis on art is a fight against dehumanization, a way to say “I’m here, I’m beloved, I’m worthy” and claim something more than victimization. Both groups, Israelis and Palestinians, have experienced so much suffering and have very real generational and personal trauma. But true reconciliation and healing won’t happen until people recognize their own inherent humanity and dignity and recognize the humanity and dignity of the “other.” aLLy: yes. the tent of nations into the Parents Circle was such a good conclusion to our time exploring the conflict, hearing different voices, and getting a glimpse of a more hopeful future for all - what could be.

MeGan: yes! that also totally relates to the Parents Circle, which one of our fellow pilgrims expands on in another article. Our time with those Palestinian and Israeli parents was an important example of what that reconciliation and healing can look like.

MeGan: ah, so true. What a good reflection. there were many hard and complicated observations and interactions that we observed and participated in, but there were also glimpses of hope. that reminds me of Jeremiah 29:11. Hope, in the Lord, for flourishing relationships and a future of prosper, not harm.

May we all participate in the hard work of listening and bearing witness to others’ stories and labors for peace and reconciliation. ✝