Monthly Archives: October 2002

Jesus Film into Nablus, West Bank

Posted by Matthew on October 31, 2002 None comments |

Yesterday we took a trip with Andrew and Stevie, who are staff workers at the base, to Nablus in the West Bank of Palestine.� Tucked away in the back of our Land Rover were some boxes of Jesus videos en route to a new temporary Bible Society book shop right in the heart of Nablus. Nablus has a military imposed curfew from 6pm to 6am, and its government buildings have been bombed voraciously by jets and bullet-ridden by tanks and artillary. Many surrounding villages have had their access roads blocked off by large mounds of dirt to keep the people from driving out. Nablus is the biggest city in West Bank and many terrorists have originated from here including some from the recent attacks. We had to go through a couple of military checkpoints, showing our passports and answering various questions such as,”Why are you going there?” to which we would reply, “We are touring the Holy Land!”

With funny looks on their faces they would ask again, “Are you sure you want to go there? If you want to go there I won’t stop you.”

Its not exactly quality treatment for the Palestinians at these checkpoints. I’ve noticed an Israeli soldier pushing a Muslim lady back rather hard and telling others to get back away from the post and wait.

We prayed for the book shop together with the shopkeeper after we arrived. He only has a permit to keep the shop open for a month. He hopes to have English teaching held there because there is apparently a huge demand for it. So huge, that the locals don’t care that the textbook is the Word of God. The shopkeepers spirit was definately a strong one, and his prayers showed much faith. Such is necessary for serving the Lord in a place like Nablus.

Palestinian Hospitality

Posted by Matthew on October 13, 2002 None comments |

Marhaba sabni
hello friends,

For the last week and a half that I’ve been here in Israel I’ve seen a little bit of the kind of friction there is between the Arabs and Jews. I have not had any problem yet dealing with either of them. I am living in the Palestinian neighborhood, right on top of the Mount of Olives. I have been learning Arabic and practicing it with Arabs while at the same time befriending them. A group of us conversed one night with a group of Arabs nearby our residence sitting in front of their vegetable market. They asked us questions about where we were from and what we were about. We said we were doing biblical studies. When they learned we were from America, he said a few vulgar things about Bush. But they were otherwise friendly and had given us some bread and water(we had walked all the way up the Mount of Olives, and they understood our tiredness). The Arabs are not without Christians, in fact we have one who is doing her DTS at the base. Although, a lot of them it seems, are probably not saved. Due to the problems in Bethlehem (where I was suppose to be living), which has often been locked up and only recently had its curfew lifted, I am living at the base with DTS and SBS (school of biblical studies) students. There are about 15 DTS students and a few SBS students. Its much like re-living my DTS all over again..

In class, there are the lectures(the first week was with the DTS) and Arabic class twice a week, and then other duties. Outside the class, I have been wandering around checking out many ‘holy’ sites and ruins. The ‘holy’ sites have practically nothing original about them and are very idolatrous looking. The ancient ruins like Hezekiah’s tunnel are quite cool though.

I will try to write again soon more in depth on the going-ons here in Jerusalem. I’m well situated now, and ready to start getting my hands dirty. Ramadan is coming up very soon. From the stories I hear, that should be lots of fun…

Matt