Letter: Support for Bethlehem
Dear sisters and brothers,
I’m writing to make you aware of a need. I know there are many needs out there right now – many in our own back yard – and I know people are feeling the pinch; and I know your generosity in the midst of it all has been great. If you’re in a position and feel moved to respond, praise be to God, but if you can’t or don’t feel led, that’s ok and I appreciate the ways you do give.
Many of you know or are aware of Elias Nawawieh of Elias Tours whom I have used for several of our Pilgrimages. He is a Christian (Lutheran) Palestinian who grew up in a neighboring town of Bethlehem outside of Jerusalem. Bethlehem and its neighboring towns are populated by Palestinians, most of whom are Muslim, but a minority are Christian. Some of us have worshipped in the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Bethlehem and its neighboring towns are surrounded by a 20 ft. wall where all water, utilities, etc. are regulated by Israel, and who and what goes in and out are controlled by Israel. They have heavily relied on tourism (as has Israel) as a main source of income, and of course over the last 2+ years tourism has been nonexistent there, creating a desperate need.
Elias reached out to me and a couple of other pastors looking for support for his mom’s efforts to employ and support women and families there. I’d like to share with you the letter he wrote:
I wanted to personally reach out to only a few pastors and friends about a special project my mom is working on in Beit Sahour, close to where I grew up.
As you may know, the situation in the Holy Land has been extremely difficult over the past couple of years. With the war, the collapse of tourism, and the ongoing economic hardship, many families are struggling simply to make ends meet. Tourism has always been one of the main sources of income for Christian families in our area, and without pilgrims and visitors, many people have lost their jobs and stability.
My mom (Sana) is working on creating a sewing workshop in Beit Sahour that will hire and empower local women who are eager to work and support their families. The vision is not simply charity, but creating sustainable work, dignity, and opportunity for women who desperately need income during this difficult season.
The goal is to raise $30,000 to fully set up and run the workshop, including sewing machines, equipment, training, materials, and operational costs. The products made by the women will be sold locally as well as shipped internationally.
I normally do not send messages like this broadly, but I felt led to share this with a few pastors and friends who care deeply about the Christian community in the Holy Land. I will be visiting the Holy Land in September and will deliver the money collected at that time.
If this is something your church would feel called to support in any way, it would truly make a life-changing impact for these women and their families.
If this is a project you would like to support, you can contribute at any time through the summer by earmarking donations (in person or online) to “Bethlehem.” Thank you for your prayerful consideration, and please keep all in the Holy Land in your prayers and pray for peace everywhere.
Your brother in Christ,
Pr. Jim
