EAPPI- being a witness in Israel/Palestine

In 2002, after calls from local churches in Jerusalem, the World Council of Churches started a new program that would serve as a witness and help create an international ecumenical presence for peace and justice in the Holy Land.

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) has brought over 300 people to the Holy Land to accompany Palestinians and Israelis in non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation. Its objectives are to:

• Expose the violence of the occupation
• End the brutality, humiliation and violence against civilians
• Construct a stronger global advocacy network
• Ensure the respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
• Influence public opinion in home country and affect foreign policy on Middle East in order to end the occupation and create a viable Palestinian State
• Express solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli peace activists and empower local Palestinian communities/churches
• Be an active witness that an alternative, non-violent struggle for justice and peace is possible to end the illegal occupation of Palestine

It is also unique in that it is for people of different generations, including youth (young adults). Check out their website at http://www.eappi.org/.

And so it begins…

On Monday I start a whole new chapter in my life. That is when I start studying at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, on a track to become an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

In a time where you can become a certified pastor online over the internet in just a few hours here in the USA, the ELCA requires its pastors to complete four years of undergraduate study, and then three years of graduate study, completing a Masters in Divinity, one year of internship in a parish, and a summer of Clinical Pastoral Education, in addition to several other things.

Even writing that, it has been hard to let that sink in. I am committing the next four years, three in school and one on internship, to becoming an ordained minister. After three years of traveling and doing service work, having different odd jobs, and just being open and available to do anything at any time, I am saying that, for the next four years, I am going to be in the USA studying.

That’s a difficult thing for me to do. What if this great conference comes by, and I want to go? Or, what about an opportunity to do service work in West Africa? Or, how about a job that I’ve always wanted- I can’t and won’t just leave seminary!

It is something that I have prayed about a lot. And, the call I felt was strong and clear. I couldn’t just ignore this call because I was having so much fun!

And, because I am convinced that this is what God wants, I trust that everything will go according to God’s plan, whatever that might look like. It will be challenging, but also fun, and I am already excited to get started. Now, I have to get to the not so fun part- packing!

Settling for less

When I was in Africa, a local man, when we were talking about politics and corruption, told me that he was tired of the ‘West’ always telling them how it needs to be done.

Now, even though I am from the ‘West’, I usually don’t even try to defend it. In fact, that would be stupid, irresponsible and impossible. It is important that we admit mistakes that we have made and are making, and then ask for forgiveness and change our behavior. Why do we always think that we know best?

The reference in this conversation had to do with corruption in the government. He, like others I have met in the global south, is against corruption, but argues that corruption is and will always be a part of their politics. It is not even a topic worth talking about, goes the argument, because one candidate will be extremely corrupt, and maybe the other will be a tad less corrupt, but both (or all) will be corrupt. Therefore, the ‘west’, as in governments and donor organizations, should stop pressing them on the issue and just understand how things work.

Some might call this a realistic approach, but that doesn’t mean it is not an important issue. Corruption is an injustice, for the country and its people. When there are injustices, we should demand change, and work for that change in a constructive way.

We also have corruption in the United States government. A lot of it, in fact. It is a different kind of corruption- gone are the days (largely) when people passed politicians envelopes stuffed with cash. Now, instead, it comes in the form of giving political favors to businesses and individuals who have given to your campaign. This is an injustice, and we should work to right this wrong, too.

We will never have the kingdom of heaven here on earth until the second coming. Poverty, disease, slavery, homelessness, hunger, human rights violations, corruption, and many other injustices will always be a part of this world until then. Man, there are just so many injustices happening! It would be easy to give up and give in. There will be many obstacles in working for good and we will probably never be able to totally eliminate all of these injustices.

Jesus even told us that we will always have the poor amongst us. But, by his example in action and in words, he advocated change by caring for these people, providing for them when necessary, and even learning from them. Jesus was realistic in his statement about the poor, but he was also clear that we should work for the ideal. He sets the example and lays down the mission for us. I hope we don’t settle for less.