May 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

I write with hope as news from Lebanon indicates lawmakers are ready to elect a president. This is the result of an agreement made after four days of intense deliberations. The agreement comes just two weeks after Lebanon seemed to be on the brink of civil war. The Near East School of Theology (N.E.S.T.) is in West Beirut, where most of the fighting occurred. I thank God that leaders were drawn together to a table and have made covenants for peace. Please add prayers for healing and hope throughout Lebanon.

As news of fighting near the N.E.S.T. arrived on May 8, I was painfully aware of the miles of separation, and I longed for news. News came of the N.E.S.T. community gathering for a discussion about the situation led by Dr. Hoover, professor of Islamics. Dr. Mikhael, N.E.S.T. president, baked a cake to cheer up the community. I could imagine myself with them, and realized in prayer and spirit that I am a part of the N.E.S.T. In the midst of Pentecost season, I received clarity that I am called to lift up voices from the N.E.S.T.

NEST Professor Dr. Georges Sabra leading a field trip to the Maronite Monastery, Our Lady of Ilije, located north of Beirut.  I was grateful to accompany the class and learn about the rich fabric of religion in this region of the world.

My connection to the Middle East is something I never imagined. It came out of my service in 2004 as a commission for San Francisco Presbytery to 216th General Assembly. When I arrived home from General Assembly, I knew my call included interpreting actions, including those regarding the Middle East. I had a lot to learn. In 2006 I traveled to Bethlehem for PC(USA)’s “Steps toward Peace” conference, and took a side trip to the N.E.S.T. in Beirut. I was impressed by the N.E.S.T.’s witness to keeping the Christian faith alive and honoring neighbors of other faiths.

Returning home from the Middle East, I felt called to something, but wondered what someone like me could do. When Dr. Mikhael came to visit in the summer of 2006, she said N.E.S.T. needed a U.S.-based person to share the good news of the N.E.S.T. and help secure much needed funds. Fast forward to my appointment this January as a mission co-worker for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) assigned to the N.E.S.T. Thanks to God and to a large circle of friends who supported this call prayerfully and financially.

I feel God’s call to connect Christians in the United States with those in the Near East to help us walk together and preserve Christ’s message of peace, non-violence, and forgiveness. At the N.E.S.T., future pastors and Christian educators are nurtured to serve throughout the Middle East and Africa. The students give me great hope.

Ashraf Tannous pours Arabic coffee for our group during a trip to the Maronite Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouq, in the mountainous region behind the coastal city of Byblos.  The field trip was part of a course on contempoary Eastern churches.

I’d like to share a little about Ashraf Tannous, a N.E.S.T. student from Ramallah in Palestine. I met Ashraf during my visit to the N.E.S.T. in April, 2006. He told me his call came when he was 9 years old, the same age my twins are today. Ashraf served his church until he finished high school and then, with help from his church, applied to the N.E.S.T. He had good grades, which would have allowed him to study whatever and wherever he wanted, but God confirmed what his heart knew: he loves to spread the word of God and to help people.

I asked Ashraf what it means to be a Christian leader in Palestine. He said, “Christians in Palestine are decreasing. If we want to resist the situation, it seems the only means are violence. As Christians, we do not biblically have this right.” He shared about the responsibility that comes with being a Christian in Palestine—that one needs to know how to preach good news and deliver a message for people. One must try to avoid the violent issues. He said, “We remember the commandment, ‘Love your neighbor’ and must ask, ‘Who is our neighbor?’” Ashraf said, “If they kill us, we forgive. Because at the end we are not gaining anything for them. In the end, we are gaining everything from God. Because God gave us commandments: love your God and then love your neighbor.”

Since my appointment I have been gathering and organizing interviews, photos, and information. I have been speaking with people, churches, and foundations. Many long-time friends of the N.E.S.T. have provided history, along with contacts and mailing lists that I am compiling and updating. As I talk with friends of N.E.S.T., someone always knows of someone new I might contact who would be interested in hearing about the N.E.S.T., so I continue to add to my list and savor the opportunity to meet new people, churches, and foundations.

The N.E.S.T. just celebrated 75 years of service. N.E.S.T. is now teaching Christian leaders from Lebanon, Syria, Armenia, Iraq, Palestine, Germany, the United States, South Korea, Sudan, and Kenya.

This June, I will attend General Assembly again, this time as a Mission Co-worker. I have the honor of being commissioned during opening worship. My partner and friends from Lebanon will not be with me at this service, however, I will carry them and their voices with me, as I do each day in my prayers and in my heart.  After my last visit to the N.E.S.T., I told Dr. Mikhael my heart was clearly divided, and now I have two homes and an enlarged heart. I look forward to my next visit to Lebanon, possibly this July for the continuing education seminar.

Thank you for continued prayers and support so together we can help keep the good news alive throughout the Middle East and Africa. The needs at the N.E.S.T. are great, and I pray for more partners. On behalf of the N.E.S.T., and all its students and those they will serve, I thank you for your partnership.

Salaam,

Carol