I've posted the press release about the children's march below. It was absolutely amazing to be part of. The march was organized by the children and their teachers (teachers here are very tough!) and we were an international presence to walk alongside and be between the children and the settlers.
If you haven't been following the politics of Israel and Palestine, settlers are Israeli people who live in housing settlements over the Green Line - the line that divides the agreed-upon boundaries of the territories (...that's the short explanation, anyway). There are different types of settlers - economic, political, and religious. In areas further away from the big cities, the settlers are religious fundamentalists who believe the Bible gives them the land despite what International Law says, and many of them are very violent, even towards children. We have heard stories of Palestinian children and adults (and Internationals like us) being beaten by masked settlers with bats, chains, and rocks. The settlements are paid for by the Israeli govenment (which is heavily subsidized by the U.S. government). Click on the link in the post below and see the settlers that followed the march (but fortunately only tried to intimidate the marchers)...you will see that there are grown men in the car.
Settlements provide justification for heavy militarization - I've heard that there are 4-5 soldiers for every settler. The roads and water are controlled by Israel. Palestinians are not allowed to build anything or repair their homes. If they do, their buildings may be demolished.
I believe that very few Israeli citizens and much fewer American citizens have any idea that this goes on. It seems too extreme to believe but I am seeing it with my own eyes.
The children and young people here are my heroes. How hard would it be to live under these conditions and still remain committed to nonviolence? It is a miracle.
The last couple days we have been in Hebron which is very different to be in a city compared to a rural area. Here, there are settlements around the city, but the strange thing is that the government has seized many of the top floors of houses here for settlers. So settlers live literally on top of Palestinians. The city is haunted by demolished houses, closed shops, and wire nets above the market and homes with trash, bricks, and concrete slabs that have been thrown down on the Palestinians.
This is really heartbreaking, but there are great stories of triumph. I can't wait to tell you about Zalaika, our new friend and the bravest kindergarten teacher I've ever met!
I love you, thanks for the prayers!
Salaam! Shalom! Peace!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
AT-TUWANI: Children walk in nonviolent witness from At-Tuwani to Tuba
CPTnet
28 July 2009
AT-TUWANI: Children walk in nonviolent witness from At-Tuwani to Tuba
At-Tuwani, South Hebron Hills, Palestine On the morning of 27 July 2009, more than one hundred Palestinian children marched from At-Tuwani to the village of Tuba along a path where Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian children, shepherds, and international human rights advocates. They carried banners and Palestinian flags as they drummed and chanted, “This land is Palestinian land; this is Palestinian land; the settlers have to leave.” Accompanying the children were women who had organized a two-week summer camp for the children, several fathers, members of Operation Dove, CPTers, and fourteen CPT delegates. Israeli soldiers and the Ma'on settlement security guard followed the procession, as well as two cars driven by settlers, who yelled at the group.
The march was part of the summer camp’s program, and was designed to demonstrate the right of Palestinians to travel on roads through their land and to show solidarity with the children of Tuba and Maghayir Al- Abed, who attend school in At-Tuwani. For the twenty children walking from Tuba and Maghayir Al-Abeed, the shortest Palestinian road to At-Tuwani runs through the valley between the settlement of Ma'on and the outpost of Havat Ma'on. Because of numerous settler attacks, the Israeli military accompanies these children to and from school in At-Tuwani.
The marchers walked without incident to the village of Tuba, taking the middle path around the Havat Ma'on outpost and through the hills. Upon their arrival, two Israeli military jeeps entered the village. One of the fathers negotiated with the soldiers, asking them to accompany the children and their adult chaperones along the Palestinian road where the Israeli army accompanies the children each school day. The soldiers refused to escort the entire group, saying they would accompany the children, but not the adult Palestinians and the internationals. The marchers returned to At-Tuwani on the middle path. As the group approached the outpost, settlers in two vehicles followed the marchers, shouting at them.
The action was the third nonviolent march that the children have undertaken from At-Tuwani to Tuba, and those participating agreed it had been a success.
Photos are available at http://cpt.org/gallery/09-07-09-Childrens-March-To-Tuba
28 July 2009
AT-TUWANI: Children walk in nonviolent witness from At-Tuwani to Tuba
At-Tuwani, South Hebron Hills, Palestine On the morning of 27 July 2009, more than one hundred Palestinian children marched from At-Tuwani to the village of Tuba along a path where Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinian children, shepherds, and international human rights advocates. They carried banners and Palestinian flags as they drummed and chanted, “This land is Palestinian land; this is Palestinian land; the settlers have to leave.” Accompanying the children were women who had organized a two-week summer camp for the children, several fathers, members of Operation Dove, CPTers, and fourteen CPT delegates. Israeli soldiers and the Ma'on settlement security guard followed the procession, as well as two cars driven by settlers, who yelled at the group.
The march was part of the summer camp’s program, and was designed to demonstrate the right of Palestinians to travel on roads through their land and to show solidarity with the children of Tuba and Maghayir Al- Abed, who attend school in At-Tuwani. For the twenty children walking from Tuba and Maghayir Al-Abeed, the shortest Palestinian road to At-Tuwani runs through the valley between the settlement of Ma'on and the outpost of Havat Ma'on. Because of numerous settler attacks, the Israeli military accompanies these children to and from school in At-Tuwani.
The marchers walked without incident to the village of Tuba, taking the middle path around the Havat Ma'on outpost and through the hills. Upon their arrival, two Israeli military jeeps entered the village. One of the fathers negotiated with the soldiers, asking them to accompany the children and their adult chaperones along the Palestinian road where the Israeli army accompanies the children each school day. The soldiers refused to escort the entire group, saying they would accompany the children, but not the adult Palestinians and the internationals. The marchers returned to At-Tuwani on the middle path. As the group approached the outpost, settlers in two vehicles followed the marchers, shouting at them.
The action was the third nonviolent march that the children have undertaken from At-Tuwani to Tuba, and those participating agreed it had been a success.
Photos are available at http://cpt.org/gallery/09-07-09-Childrens-March-To-Tuba
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Walking Humbling with God
Micah 6:8 - What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbling with your God?
We are "getting in the way" of violence tomorrow. The Palestinian children of at Tuwani are in the middle of summer camp. In order to get to camp they must walk on a road that goes between two settlements where grown men and women often throw rocks, threaten, or even beat the children. The soldiers are assigned to escort the children to guard them on the walk but they often do not show up or come late so the children have to "run the gauntlet" alone. Tomorrow the children and their mothers are walking together in a show of resistance of the occupation and they have requested that we walk with them.
The verse from Micah spoke to me as I was considering taking part in this witness. On one hand, I feel nervous because I know the risks. On the other hand, this is the walk that children do every day, which is very humbling. I believe in Jesus as God Incarnate, the God who came to live as a human, and the God who shows up in humans - especially in schoolchildren.
Please do pray for our team.
Salaam! Shalom! Peace!
P.S. In Arabic my name is Jrita!
We are "getting in the way" of violence tomorrow. The Palestinian children of at Tuwani are in the middle of summer camp. In order to get to camp they must walk on a road that goes between two settlements where grown men and women often throw rocks, threaten, or even beat the children. The soldiers are assigned to escort the children to guard them on the walk but they often do not show up or come late so the children have to "run the gauntlet" alone. Tomorrow the children and their mothers are walking together in a show of resistance of the occupation and they have requested that we walk with them.
The verse from Micah spoke to me as I was considering taking part in this witness. On one hand, I feel nervous because I know the risks. On the other hand, this is the walk that children do every day, which is very humbling. I believe in Jesus as God Incarnate, the God who came to live as a human, and the God who shows up in humans - especially in schoolchildren.
Please do pray for our team.
Salaam! Shalom! Peace!
P.S. In Arabic my name is Jrita!
On our way to Hebron
We leave soon for Hebron, a much more tense place than Bethlehem, from what I hear.
I was hoping to blog more regularly with pictures and videos but things move so fast and the technology has not allowed me to do so. I will tell you I feel an amazing honor of hearing stories and an incredible responsibility to tell them to you. Please continue to read my blog and I promise pictures and stories will be forthcoming. Last night I watched a Palesttinian youth folk dance presentation in traditional costumes and with traditional music. It was incredible! It is obvious that families have much hope and pride in their young people. As one team member said, "Here, resistance against occupation means living life."
I love you - please comment so I know you are reading! I love you!!
For now, some amazing places I've visited and people I've met...will tell you more when I have more time
Tent of Nations
IBDAA - where we have been staying
Lajee
Alternative Information Center - Israeli-Palestinian Information Center
Sabeel
Women in Black
I was hoping to blog more regularly with pictures and videos but things move so fast and the technology has not allowed me to do so. I will tell you I feel an amazing honor of hearing stories and an incredible responsibility to tell them to you. Please continue to read my blog and I promise pictures and stories will be forthcoming. Last night I watched a Palesttinian youth folk dance presentation in traditional costumes and with traditional music. It was incredible! It is obvious that families have much hope and pride in their young people. As one team member said, "Here, resistance against occupation means living life."
I love you - please comment so I know you are reading! I love you!!
For now, some amazing places I've visited and people I've met...will tell you more when I have more time
Tent of Nations
IBDAA - where we have been staying
Lajee
Alternative Information Center - Israeli-Palestinian Information Center
Sabeel
Women in Black
Friday, July 24, 2009
Refugee Camp in Bethlehem
There is so much on my mind and not much time to post - I've had difficulty with access to internet access and electrical outlets so I'll make this quick since we all are sharing limited resources.
We are staying at a refugee camp in Bethlehem the next few nights. The stories are heartbreaking. We were greeted by many children - one of them a beautiful little girl riding a bicycle who smiled and ran to hug our leader, Elizabeth. Her uncle is our host, who showed us around camp and told us how one of his brothers was killed by an Israeli car bomb and another brother was arrested and deported to Gaza at the age of 18.
I asked what hopes they have for the children, for their futures. He said they do the best they can - they try to give them things kids would have outside of the camp. Their family worked hard to get the bicycle for the girl. They make their homes as nice as possible but still they wonder will their children know what it means to be free? As our host said, "Will they ever know what it is like to splash around in the sea? I don't know. But still we hope."
The people here are very proud. The homes I've seen are modest but very clean and decorated. The people, especially the women, dress stylishly (and modestly). There is artwork everywhere and children everywhere. Being proud and daring to make a good life for your children when you are told that you are nothing is a form of resistance against Occupation.
Some other quick facts:
- 11,000 people live in this camp, the oldest refugee camp in the 20th Century (since 1948). Some children are 4th generation refugees
- 30 teachers for 3,000 school age children
- 1 doctor for 11,000 people
- very high unemployment: most jobs available are constructing the Israeli settlements and the Separation Wall
Thank you for the prayers, please keep them up!
Shalom! Salaam! Peace!
We are staying at a refugee camp in Bethlehem the next few nights. The stories are heartbreaking. We were greeted by many children - one of them a beautiful little girl riding a bicycle who smiled and ran to hug our leader, Elizabeth. Her uncle is our host, who showed us around camp and told us how one of his brothers was killed by an Israeli car bomb and another brother was arrested and deported to Gaza at the age of 18.
I asked what hopes they have for the children, for their futures. He said they do the best they can - they try to give them things kids would have outside of the camp. Their family worked hard to get the bicycle for the girl. They make their homes as nice as possible but still they wonder will their children know what it means to be free? As our host said, "Will they ever know what it is like to splash around in the sea? I don't know. But still we hope."
The people here are very proud. The homes I've seen are modest but very clean and decorated. The people, especially the women, dress stylishly (and modestly). There is artwork everywhere and children everywhere. Being proud and daring to make a good life for your children when you are told that you are nothing is a form of resistance against Occupation.
Some other quick facts:
- 11,000 people live in this camp, the oldest refugee camp in the 20th Century (since 1948). Some children are 4th generation refugees
- 30 teachers for 3,000 school age children
- 1 doctor for 11,000 people
- very high unemployment: most jobs available are constructing the Israeli settlements and the Separation Wall
Thank you for the prayers, please keep them up!
Shalom! Salaam! Peace!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Housing and Human Rights
This morning we met with Ashraf from Israeli Committee Against House Demolition (ICAHD), a group founded 10 years ago, established in response to housing demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They try to connect housing issues with the bigger picture of injustice beyond Palestinian suffering.
He told us stories of resistance to demolition and the importance of rebuilding. One family he met has rebuilt their home 5 times after it was demolished. Another family had rebuilt a few times but the last time it was demolished the father had a heart attack soon thereafter. The mother has vowed not to leave her land and lives in tent where her home used to stand.
Jerusalem is separated by a wall - the West side is the Israeli side and the East side is the Palestinian side, yet settlements encroach on the East side. Additionally, Palestinians cannot cross from one side to the other very easily (because some Palestinians were living in West Jerusalem before the wall, they continue to live there) so many families are separated from each other. Imagine not being able to see your grandchildren, brother, sister, or parents even though they live in the same city...
The West Bank he described today is not a Palestinian territory but little islands of Palestinians separated from one another by roads that are controlled by Israel. As one of my tour group members described, the West Bank is like a house and Palestinians live in the rooms but Israelis control the hallways. Tomorrow we go to the West Bank and I am looking forward to seeing for myself.
In the afternoon we visited B'tselem an Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. The name B'tselem means "in the image" because every human is created in the image of God (from Genesis). This organization investigates reports of human rights abuses and provides reports but engages in no political or activist work.
B'tselem's analysis prioritizes Israeli settlements as the biggest human rights issue in the Occupied Territories, the issue from which all other issues stem. Settlements are housing communities built in the Palestinian Territories, subsidized by the Israeli government, which violte Internationl Law and the Geneva Conventions. Some of the other issues are control of water, separation barriers (the wall), accountability of military abuses, and restriction of movement. We may be able to tour a settlement later in the week.
Both organizations we visited with spoke of the positive impact of the new American administration is having on settlement-related human rights abuses. In the last month they have closed some outposts (small settlements) because of pressure from President Obama and America.
Today was full of a lot of information-gathering which was incredibly valuable but I look forward to meeting actual people and hearing their stories.
Join Team Shiphrah:
Read more about Land Settlements and human rights abuses
Meditate on what it means for every person to be made in the image of God
Read more about ICAD's work
He told us stories of resistance to demolition and the importance of rebuilding. One family he met has rebuilt their home 5 times after it was demolished. Another family had rebuilt a few times but the last time it was demolished the father had a heart attack soon thereafter. The mother has vowed not to leave her land and lives in tent where her home used to stand.
Jerusalem is separated by a wall - the West side is the Israeli side and the East side is the Palestinian side, yet settlements encroach on the East side. Additionally, Palestinians cannot cross from one side to the other very easily (because some Palestinians were living in West Jerusalem before the wall, they continue to live there) so many families are separated from each other. Imagine not being able to see your grandchildren, brother, sister, or parents even though they live in the same city...
The West Bank he described today is not a Palestinian territory but little islands of Palestinians separated from one another by roads that are controlled by Israel. As one of my tour group members described, the West Bank is like a house and Palestinians live in the rooms but Israelis control the hallways. Tomorrow we go to the West Bank and I am looking forward to seeing for myself.
In the afternoon we visited B'tselem an Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. The name B'tselem means "in the image" because every human is created in the image of God (from Genesis). This organization investigates reports of human rights abuses and provides reports but engages in no political or activist work.
B'tselem's analysis prioritizes Israeli settlements as the biggest human rights issue in the Occupied Territories, the issue from which all other issues stem. Settlements are housing communities built in the Palestinian Territories, subsidized by the Israeli government, which violte Internationl Law and the Geneva Conventions. Some of the other issues are control of water, separation barriers (the wall), accountability of military abuses, and restriction of movement. We may be able to tour a settlement later in the week.
Both organizations we visited with spoke of the positive impact of the new American administration is having on settlement-related human rights abuses. In the last month they have closed some outposts (small settlements) because of pressure from President Obama and America.
Today was full of a lot of information-gathering which was incredibly valuable but I look forward to meeting actual people and hearing their stories.
Join Team Shiphrah:
Read more about Land Settlements and human rights abuses
Meditate on what it means for every person to be made in the image of God
Read more about ICAD's work
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sea of Galilee
We had an adventurous day today. We took an Israeli bus to the Sea of Galilee and saw the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, the Mount of Beatitudes, and walked in the Sea of Galilee.
The bus was in an interesting experience - everything was in Hebrew but we made it safely. The Israeli soldiers ride the bus often so our buses were filled with soldiers. The soldiers carry their guns everywhere, even when they are off duty. At one point an 18 yr old soldier was dozing off in the back of bus with his mouth open and his M-16 pointed right at Tiffany and I!! (Don't worry - we don't think it was loaded) It just takes a while to get used to so many weapons everywhere.
Tonight we met up with our CPT team and I'm very excited to get started on our peacemaking work. We are a group of 13 persons from different parts of America and Scotland and range in age from 24 to 73. We all have different jobs to do this week and Tiffany and I are worship leaders.
Last night we went into the new city to meet one of Tiffany's friends. We had a great time seeing the nightlife and hanging out in the middle of the "new city" which is very modern and clean. A van pulled up in the middle of the street and some youth got out and started blaring music and jumped on top of the van, dancing like crazy. I think it was some kind of youth outreach because it was religious music. I have a video to upload when I have capability to do so.
We have eaten some delicious food! Lamb, chicken, couscous, falafel - yum!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Walking in Jerusalem
We have arrived safely in Jerusalem after two flights of a cumulative 15 hours, a 9 hr time change, and a crazy taxi ride. We had no problems getting through security though the woman did say "Kevin..." in a tone like he was in trouble...similar to how folks at Iliff talk to Kevin. But she just gave him a hard time for having a wrinkled passport and let us through.
We stayed last night at the beautiful Christ Church Guesthouse, home to the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East. One of the desk workers is an American and took up on a tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulcre last night. It was late enough that most of the tourists were gone so we could enjoy the solemn sites, sounds, and smells of the church. Our host is married to an Arab Christian and gave us a her (surprising) opinions on the political and social situation here. They are part of a growing evangelical and Charismatic movement of Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem that believe the land belongs to Israel and that God has a special plan for Palestinians who help them. She and her husband live in an Israeli settlement on the Israeli side of the wall, though they have family who lives on the Palestinian side. We did not offer our own opinions, but just listened and I couldn't help but wonder about the complexity of receiving gracious hospitality and welcoming from someone who so strongly believes something so different from me. That is often how God works, I think, in contradictions and surprises, reminding us of our humanity.
Today and tomorrow we are seeing the sites around Jerusalem and the Sea of Galillee. Then on Thursday our delegation officially begins.
Some Israel moments so far:
- sharing a taxi with a Russian Orthodox family
- praying together at Christ's tomb with Kevin and Tiffany
- the smells of incense and mass in Latin at Church of the Holy Sepulcre
- breeze at night in the court yard of our guesthouse
- standing in the middle of so many prayers, chants, and tears at the base of the Western Wall
Join Team Shiphrah:
Read about the stance of the UMC in its Church and Society site:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2837503&content_id={4C91BD08-36A6-4F77-AB00-E39D00094384}¬oc=1
We stayed last night at the beautiful Christ Church Guesthouse, home to the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East. One of the desk workers is an American and took up on a tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulcre last night. It was late enough that most of the tourists were gone so we could enjoy the solemn sites, sounds, and smells of the church. Our host is married to an Arab Christian and gave us a her (surprising) opinions on the political and social situation here. They are part of a growing evangelical and Charismatic movement of Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem that believe the land belongs to Israel and that God has a special plan for Palestinians who help them. She and her husband live in an Israeli settlement on the Israeli side of the wall, though they have family who lives on the Palestinian side. We did not offer our own opinions, but just listened and I couldn't help but wonder about the complexity of receiving gracious hospitality and welcoming from someone who so strongly believes something so different from me. That is often how God works, I think, in contradictions and surprises, reminding us of our humanity.
Today and tomorrow we are seeing the sites around Jerusalem and the Sea of Galillee. Then on Thursday our delegation officially begins.
Some Israel moments so far:
- sharing a taxi with a Russian Orthodox family
- praying together at Christ's tomb with Kevin and Tiffany
- the smells of incense and mass in Latin at Church of the Holy Sepulcre
- breeze at night in the court yard of our guesthouse
- standing in the middle of so many prayers, chants, and tears at the base of the Western Wall
Join Team Shiphrah:
Read about the stance of the UMC in its Church and Society site:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2837503&content_id={4C91BD08-36A6-4F77-AB00-E39D00094384}¬oc=1
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Getting in the Way
Tomorrow I leave for Palestine and Israel for a delegation with Christian Peacemaker Teams. Many have asked what I will be doing and why I am going.
CPT's clever motto is, "Getting in the Way" which is has multi-layered meanings. It means to get in the way of violence and their teams go to some of the most violent places in the world including Palestine and Israel, Iraq, Columbia, the USA/Mexico border, and more. It also means to get in "the Way" as in the "way of Jesus". Early Christians called themselves followers of The Way because they sought to live their lives the way Jesus did.
I believe in the work of CPT not just because their theology and strategies resonate with that part deep inside me that thinks it knows what truth is, but because I have also heard testimonies from its peacemakers. At various times in my life I have met CPTers and have utmost respect for their commitment, humility, faith, care, and sense of responsibility in their peace work. More than anything, I am moved by the testimonies of the communities they work with for the good they are doing in the world.
Why Palestine and Israel? I am personally interested in this issue for a couple reasons:
One, because I have been studying so much about colonization, globalization, etc. regarding Peace with Justice issues, I feel moved to go and see for myself the daily reality of territories under occupation.
Two, Jesus and the early Christians lived under occupation which greatly influenced their writings in a way that is difficult to understand as a citizen of the USA. I hope that this experience with illumine my reading of scripture.
Three, my citizenship as an American is relevant in this conflict. The United States by conservative estimates has given Israel foreign aid of $2.5 Billion ($2,500,000,000) in 2009 which supports its military. We receive very little news about what is happening, and the news that we receive focuses on the most glaring incidents of violence. I hope to gain more clarity about what is happening and my role as an American.
What I will be doing: I will be working with 12 other people to visit with Israeli and Palestinian peace organizations, document human rights abuses, witness for peace, and collect stories. Stay tuned to this blog for updates! Until then, read more about CPT's work in Palestine and Israel.
Join Team Shiphrah! Ways to put your faith into action around these issues:
- Pray for safe travels of our team.
- Read more about Christian Peacemaker Team's work.
- Support this mission trip, financially. I still have a small balance to raise for this mission trip (total cost is $2,750). If you would like to contribute to this cause, please click here and be sure to designate that it goes for "Greta-Palestine" so it is applied to my balance. Thank you!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Social Midwifery
My teacher, brother, and friend, Dr. Vincent Harding, introduced me to the idea of Social Midwives. In a class at Iliff School of Theology, Dr. Harding described his feeling that something new and exciting was about to be born in America and needs people to assist in the birthing process. This metaphor of birth gives me great hope and strikes me as true; it articulates the way I feel God is calling me to peace and justice work in the world. I will say much more about this Social Midwifery but for now, please read Dr. Harding’s inspiring essay.
I add to Dr. Harding’s thoughts another layer of Social Midwifery inspired by the Biblical story of the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. From Exodus 1, these women are a team of midwives who Pharaoh tells to kill the Israelite baby boys while assisting in their births. The subversive women defy Pharoah’s order, risk their lives and safety, and bring the babies into the world safely because they choose to serve God and not Pharoah. They use Pharoah’s own racism to deceive him. It is significant that the women worked as a team and not as individuals. By their courage, wit, and loyalty to God, they model how one might be a Social Midwife in the world. I would like to join this team of Midwives, birthing peace, justice, and beauty in the world and I invite you to join me.
I add to Dr. Harding’s thoughts another layer of Social Midwifery inspired by the Biblical story of the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. From Exodus 1, these women are a team of midwives who Pharaoh tells to kill the Israelite baby boys while assisting in their births. The subversive women defy Pharoah’s order, risk their lives and safety, and bring the babies into the world safely because they choose to serve God and not Pharoah. They use Pharoah’s own racism to deceive him. It is significant that the women worked as a team and not as individuals. By their courage, wit, and loyalty to God, they model how one might be a Social Midwife in the world. I would like to join this team of Midwives, birthing peace, justice, and beauty in the world and I invite you to join me.
A Blog is Born!
Welcome to Team Shiphrah’s blog, another subversive woman of faith documenting her experiments with truth on the worldwide web. Practically, I hope that this blog will connect churches and communities of faith with Christianity and Social Justice, starting first with my upcoming trip to Palestine and Israel with Christian Peacemaker Team.
But first a blog blessing:
Holy God,
Please bless this space and the experiments with truth documented here.
Please bless the writers and the readers.
May we abide by the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) in our comments and emails.
Protect this blog from the sins of self-importance, pretention, poor grammar, and boring irrelevance.
May the words of my keyboard and the meditations of our readers be acceptable in your sight.
Amen
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