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!