Update from Middle Eastern Trip

Marie and I just got back from our trips to Jerusalem and Iraq. Marie was able to teach for a Bible College in Northern Iraq which offers classes to Christians from all different backgrounds and denominations. She will be writing a detailed update on her time in Iraq soon.

In Jerusalem I had a very short yet good time in Jerusalem being able to visit my family and disciples in Jerusalem; it was very emotional for me. Jerusalem is a tense city and you can feel it as you get there, however it has a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, I was delayed and had to stay in Amman for few days because of border problems, but eventually I made it home. The Church in Jerusalem is doing well but needs much prayer. The good news is the church had a baptism a few weeks ago! Jenia, a Russian woman, had been studying the bible for the last 2 years and finally decided to get baptized!
The economy is hitting Israel and Palestine hard just to add one more problem to the long lasting conflict. The situation is especially rough for the Palestinian community including our brothers in Bethlehem, Yousef and Jeries, who are professionals in carving olive wood for souvenirs. Un-employment is about 40% at the moment and rising and those who have a job are getting paid way below the poverty level. Yousef's last job paid him $1/hour. Many international organizations have been sending help and food to the Palestinians in the West Bank. Although this is good, in the long run it corrupts a community that gets used to charity instead of work. A few of us as a solution have decided to find ways to help Yousef and Jeries and few of young Palestinians in Bethlehem to make a living without having to receive charity from church or other organizations, however we might need some help in making this happen. In the next few months we will be looking to invest in opportunities to promote good working conditions and salaries in the West Bank.

For the first project, we are looking for individuals and churches who are willing to sponsor some Bethlehem-made Christmas products next October/November and possibly have a Sunday sale after church for products of olive wood ornaments, nativity sets, and other things that many of us would want to buy anyhow for Christmas. Our goal is for 25 churches to have sales for the wood products, thus supporting the brothers' work. Also you can have a garage sale, or house sale for the benefit of this project.

If you are interested, please email me (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call me at 301-466-6259. Also If you have any other ideas on how to help please let me know.

Also, I' am glad to announce that this year there are 2 trips to Jerusalem planned so far. If you are interested in going, the deadline for both trips is April 15th. Information on the two trips is as follows:
1- Campus, Singles and Young Married's Trip - Tour and volunteer in Jerusalem for 3 weeks. Led by Brad Procek from the DeKalb Church, who interned in Jerusalem in 2007. For more information email Brad at "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2- ACR Tour of the Holy Land - Tour led by Mike Fontenot, En Anton, and Aziz Sarah. For more information check http://www.seti-me.com/acr09.pdf or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marie and I have been living in Virginia for the last five months and adjusting to our new home. We have been serving with the Potomac Valley Church of Christ and taking the time to preach and speak at different churches, universities and at the UN last week regarding the Middle East, conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. The following are articles on couple events …http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/nov/24/1124_palestinian/

http://www.dailytargum.com/university/minister-reveals-ways-to-bring-middle-east-peace-1.906896

Also few months ago Douglas Jacoby asked me to write a post-script for his latest book "Jesus & Islam". The book was published last week and you can get a copy http://www.ipibooks.com/Default.aspx?tabid=47&pid=1808.

Thank you for praying for us and let us know what we can pray for you.

In Him,
Aziz Sarah _posted by Jerry Maday