Let the Service Project Begin!

Day 3 in Bethlehem, or a full day 2, however you want to look at it. 3 days and 3 nights? 2 1/2 days and 3 nights? But it hasn't been night yet, so, technically it's been 2 1/2 days and 2 nights. So far. But, when I click publish I'm going to bed, so then it will be 3 nights. Right? Or is it 2? Wait, I'm confusing myself. Oh no I've gone cross-eyed...

Today we began our service project. Our project for the day? Painting the basement, which serves as the church. It's a big basement, so this was not an easy task. We had to move everything out, knock off the paint that was bubbling up and chipping, spackle the holes in the walls, tape everything off, begin the trim work, etc. I'm almost certain I can no longer feel my right shoulder, as somehow I pulled ceiling duty. Yes, it's worse than landscaping duty.

There were a couple of people who came by for English lessons. I threw in some help, or, at least tried to. I ended up learning more Arabic than they learned English! I learned how to say "I have twins - one boy and one girl" and, "hello," "goodbye," "thank you," and "you're welcome." I'm pretty sure that makes me an expert. No wait, I'd better learn how to ask "where is the bathroom" before I don myself an expert in all things Arabic.

Tonight we watched a video on Palestinian/Israeli relations. They aren't good I can tell you that. Both sides are responsible; however, the Israeli government is now the aggressor. This causes great tension between the two groups. The Israeli government also put up a giant 40 foot tall wall around the entire West Bank. The problem is, they put is up on West Bank land, rather than the recognized border. That's like me building a fence in my yard and extending my fence around my neighbors pool, all in the name of personal security. Then I would fill up the pool, build a little house on it, and move one of my family members in the house, all the while claiming that it was ok for me to do so. Nevermind international law - it's my land, and now we live there, so poop on you! That's worse than having someone fart in my general direction!

I wonder, if you are a Christian, should you automatically exclude an entire race of people just because you believe another people is the "people of God?" This doesn't seem to fit any sort of Christian belief that I've ever heard, nor ever seen in the New Testament in any form. As a matter of fact, the New Testament clearly states from the mouth of Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations and to love your neighbor as yourself. If we're ever going to heal relationships that are woven in centuries of evil done on both sides, Christians are going to have to become what Christ tells us to become in Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount - Peacemakers.