Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation - December 2021 Update
Israel and Palestine
Young Adults Seeking New Ways to be “Community”
A Muslim-Christian Young Adults group recently went to Jordan to take several excellent workshops on volunteerism, participate in a Youth Leader Seminar, and experience several cultural activities.
Organized by eight Danish volunteers, the workshop leaders shared with the Palestinians reasons why they volunteer, how they volunteer, and what they do when they volunteer back in Denmark. They then challenged the group to explore the causes that motivate them the most and to design their own volunteer outreach program when they return to Bethlehem. In addition, these workshops were accompanied by cultural activities and visits to Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, Madaba, and Mount Nebo.
It has been a highlight to see this wonderful group grow and build meaningful relationships over the last year and a half. During the workshops, many individuals described this group as being “more than a family” and they grew a genuine love for one another. The group returned to Bethlehem motivated to serve both the Muslim and Christian communities spreading their message of reconciliation and volunteerism.
Environmental Reconciliation Project
This fall, Musalaha launched its environmental-reconciliation project. Originally, this project was meant to be implemented in May but was delayed due to the escalation of violence earlier this year. Regardless, they managed to take a group consisting of Israeli-Jews, Palestinian Muslims, and Palestinian Christians over a weekend to the Beit Jala area for environmental cleanup. This project also included a series of activities and lectures explaining how the conflict impacts our ability to develop healthy relationships with our fellow neighbors and the horrible ecological consequences that occur when we do not care for our natural environment.
Prayer Requests
~ Please join Musalaha in praying for continued guidance and support for their participants in all of the ongoing programs as they continue on their journey. Pray that their hearts and minds be open to explore deeper themes and that they find the courage and strength to address these difficult topics with grace and compassion.
~ The women from the Nabulus Group have organized an outreach program for the Youth Club in Zebabdeh to promote reconciliation between the Christian youth in Zebabdeh and the Muslim youth from Jenin. Please pray that they learn to love their neighbors as themselves.
Read more about Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Musalaha. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help support Musalaha’s ministries of reconciliation. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.