The Land of Peace with No Peace...Yet There is Hope

As Adele sings...."Hello" (marhabaaa, marhabaaaaa)

It has been a great year personally for me...becoming even more involved in communities and peoples lives around Nazareth, improving my Arabic speaking and daily walking with Jesus as best I can.

For most of the year it was the same for the situation here in the country. There were not any major conflicts or dramatic events between Israel and Palestine. However, when October began, the consistent recurrence of injustice, failure to communicate and hate have surfaced again. In the last month, it's common to watch the news and hear of a stabbings, cars driving into bus stations, and illogical arrests between these two peoples...mostly in the south around Jerusalem.
The title of my post comes from Youseff, one of the Qupty family dad's (as I live amongst 3 Arab Christian families).
Something I truly enjoy is sitting a couple times a week and having dinner with Youseff. We speak about whatever topics arise. Often he has given me some history lessons of this land as it was not something I learned about much in school. Through his entire life, there has not been Peace in this land (and beyond his life, for 1000's of years). It is normal to him. He share's some more of the dramatic moments - wars in 1948, 1967, 1984, Oslo in 1991, and conflict ever since. By the end we usually finish our conversations with this phrase - "the land where Jesus walked, that was meant for Peace has no Peace."

Just an update politically/culturally of what is going on here. I'm completely safe and act wisely to make sure of it. It is a topic that could always use some prayer if you are wanting things to pray for. That the people in power and extremists might see some higher call to the humanity of those who are innocent.

In more personal news... (: I'm thankful as always. Day to day I'm working hard to fulfill what I feel I can do to help high school kids, Young Life, and the Nazareth Village.

(Young Life Ibiliin game - watch Noor on the left haha

he's so focused on his attempts...then goes for a bite.)

 

Young Life:
- We continue to have clubs in both Nazareth & Ibiliin with an average of 40 kids at each meeting. Ibiliin is growing fast!
- Bible studies have started in both towns as well. Guys and Girls have been getting together with leaders to go deeper into scripture. The big focus is simply understanding who Jesus is, what was his character like, and what does that mean for us?
- A new involvement we have in Nazareth is being in charge of chapel at the Nazareth Baptist School. Something unique to the school different from any other in the country is all the kids attend chapel once a week (there are both cultural Christian and Muslim kids as well as Believers following Jesus in attendace). Our YL Nazareth team runs chapel for the 7th and 8th grade students and also help out with 11th and 12th grade.
I am actually giving the message tomorrow! Feel free to say a prayer for clear words and that the scripture (Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda) relates to the kids.

(club/talks/testimonys - top is myself, bottom left is Wael

and bottom right is a recent graduate Mira sharing her story)

 

Relationships with the high school kids are going to a whole new level. It is a true testament to the simple steps of consistency and perseverance making an impact. More and more I know kids names, conversations are easier to have, and almost always I get at least one small opportunity to give some encouragement, advice, or show that I care for a student.

(part of being a Young Life leader is going to the school to hang out with kids...

get to know them, and share life. Wael and Hunter here with students).

I also continue to volunteer at the Nazareth Village helping in whatever way I can. I've met some very nice people through tours (shout out to Dan & Murine Kaull, such a sweet couple who encouraged me in my ministry) and I still serve in the kitchen/restaurant.
It has taught me about leadership and working hard even when nobody is looking.
Because of seizing chances to step up and be a leader at the village, I felt confident to apply and accept an invitation to work at the Young Life All Staff Conference this January in Orlando. I'll be a leader amongst 60 people from around the world serving for a week at this amazing conference that happens once every 4 years for the YL Staff all around the world!

So there it is...just some news about my continued life and work with ministry in Nazareth. My current "normal" of living here brings joy. I feel useful, like I'm worth something and wanted (a feeling I think we all desire in our life).

Blessings to you, thanks for keeping up and in touch with me.
I am continuing to do some fundraising for my next year here (I have committed to staying through 2016 as God provides through his people). If you want to help out financially or through prayer let me know !

Zack

 Arab students from the other side of the world that I've come to care so much for (: