Palestinian Bethlehem Trip

Today, Monday, was a day of contrasts. We went to Bethlehem again but to see completely different things. The wall, of course, is “in your face” and the dominant thing at the check point. Then, after multiple miscommunications about guides, etc, we arrived at the completely modern “ ELCA Lutheran Christmas Church” where we learned about a wonderful fine arts education program that they are in the process of developing.
Then we wove around narrow streets that buses have no business being on – why there are not more fender benders here, I will never know. Anyway, we arrived at one of the Palestinian Refugee camps. Here’s where the contrasts continued. Eleven thousand people live in an area one square kilometer in size. It used to be the like a big jail, before the Israelis left, but they keep the guard’s box as a reminder. Anyway, as you can imagine, it is very, very crowded. It used to be that the people lived in tents, but one year, several years ago, it was very cold – they say it snowed (don’t know if that is a metaphor or really true), but many many people died, so they started building concrete structures – about 3 rooms - not electricity, or water inside – one toilet per 28 women and one for 28 men (That’s a double injustice to the women, yet again, eh? Women always need to have more toilets.)




By the way, I am sure you have noticed that this is not Jonna writing. She has the day off so she can do a little shopping, etc. and just plain relax. This is Deb Ducar and I am sorry to say I was not a high school English teacher and so not have her flair for writing but I will try to convey to you, somehow the immensity of what we saw today.
Back to the refugee camp. It was quite interesting to see the individual flats – most were depressing – almost as though people had given up – trash, inside and out, etc. etc. But some were amazing. Neat as a pin, flowers, even a tree or two, which is beyond amazing, considering what a luxury water is. But in the long run, having a tree to shade your home would be a huge benefit. They showed us their brand new activities building, funded by the – literally, I think the paint was still drying. Kids were using a library and were practicing in a dance class. Great that they still value cultural things, etc. We had a traditional Palestinian lunch served graciously to us by the folks there and got to purchase some of their hand embroidered items. A reflection on the people there. We have asked multiple times in multiple settings how in the world they carry on in such dismal conditions and with so many giant inconveniences. They always say HOPE. And it is not just the religious folks who say it. They all say it. They often use inflammatory language when they are describing events to us (e.g. The Palestinian disaster in 1948), but a huge portion of them get up in the morning, smile, are glad for the day and they carry on – despite, 87 per cent unemployment. They have hope that they will someday get their land and their homes back. Many have carefully saved the keys from 60 years ago and pass them from generation to generation.
We had a brief time at an SOS orphanage, which are found in almost every country in the world. They have about a hundred kids in 10 houses with individual “moms” in each home. They stay there til they are 14 - then off to what sounds like a boarding school – one for boys, one for girls. It was beautiful, flowers and trees everywhere but WE wanted to meet the children. They said we could but the reason nobody was outside, was that the weather service was saying that it was too hot yesterday, today and tomorrow and that everyone should stay inside. When we told them we had been to Masada yesterday (possibly the hottest place on earth next to Qumran), they looked at us really funny. Anyway, we popped into different houses and once again, watched Bob Burns become the pied piper in about 10 seconds –
They were playing with his camera, taking pictures, being in pictures, squealing with joy and not one common word of language was spoken, nor did it need to be. He has an amazing way with kids as those of you who have ever had a three year old in Sunday School. He has been teaching that age for 9 years. People even want to change their last names so they can qualify to get into his class and well they should.
We had a very slow time of it at the check point, which was going to make us VERY late for our class back at JUC, so by the second call of how late we would really be, Cindy gave us the afternoon off from class, so everyone is now out spending money in the market. Some spouses might be thinking the market is entirely too close by for our own good. Actually, I am glad that we had a slow time at the check point, so we got some teeny, tiny idea of what it is like for the Palestinians every day. They not only get checked and double checked and humiliated every time they pass through, but often have to drive miles out of their way to get where they want to go. Ours was a minor inconvenience. However, it is a tad unnerving to wake up from a vague snooze with an Israeli soldier, who looks about 12, standing over you with an AK 47 or the equivalent to see your passport.