October 2002

Dear Friends,

A couple of weeks ago, Nadiim woke up at about 10:15 p.m. and was worried because he said that he heard tanks outside. I told him, "Don't worry Nadiim, there are no tanks or soldiers here." I lay down next to him for about fifteen minutes and he went back to sleep.

During the last week of August we finally made the big move to Amman, Jordan, from Bethlehem, Palestine. The church (that is, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)) had asked us to relocate because of the violence, curfews, and general lack of ability to do much in the midst of the violence of the West Bank. After long discussions, we finally decided that to comply with the request was a difficult one, but one that would be much better for the boys, our mental states, and our ministry. Although this has been our most difficult move, the fifth in a year and a half, we are feeling more relaxed in our new environment.

Our ministry is still forming. I will continue to shuttle between Egypt and Palestine in order to establish the Joining Hands Against Hunger PC(USA) pilot program, and Hala will be working with the Middle East Council of Churches' office of Refugee Affairs here in Amman. We both pray daily that our ministry will blossom into a positive force for both the church and the lives that we touch. Even though we often feel that the Lord is constantly testing us, we still feel we have the strength to persevere in the face of the many challenges. John wrote in the Book of Revelations 1:9, "In Jesus we are partners in suffering and in the Kingdom and in patient endurance." I have kept this verse in a special place in my mind, and it helps me take heart.

We have also been given strength by our many new friends from various churches across the U.S. who have written expressing their concern, as well as by the staff of PC(USA) in Louisville who have constantly shown their support and concern. All of this support from various channels has helped us through our first nine months in mission service tremendously.

It was difficult for us to leave Bethlehem, as I said, because Hala and I both felt that the Lord was calling us back to His Holy City, after living away from it for a year. There was also the issue of leaving behind Hala's large extended family whom we are very close to. However, we are both feeling that by being in Amman (only about one hour away if it weren't for the country borders) we may be very much able to help the Palestinian cause more positively from here. Without the violence, the curfews, and constant other restrictions and concerns, we see a more positive chance at real mission work. I am sure that all of our friends will be praying with us.

Our newest prayer is not only for a just peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, but also for Iraq. As we watch and listen to the news, fear of another attack on Iraq in pursuit of oil seems to be at hand, no matter what the international community thinks, says, or feels. Many people that I meet ask me why and how it is that the American people can continue to be silent in the face of what the U.S. government is pursuing. Unfortunately, there is not a very good answer that I can give them except to say that U.S. government propaganda is very convincing to many of its people.

I would like to share with you a prayer for peace in the Middle East that was written by St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

May we all be blessed in His Name,
Chris, Hala, Nadiim and Adeeb