Wednesday, May 19, 2010

News from Tuwani

I haven't said much about what's been happening in Tuwani here. For once that's because things have been fairly quiet. We are expecting that to change, as settlers have started talking about a "price tag" campaign in the south of the West Bank. But, for now, things have been mostly quiet...for the Tuwani area. Settlers have thrown rocks at Palestinians, they've destroyed a fence, and grazed their sheep on land that Palestinians planted. But I'm thankful that's been the extent of their activity. Here are some of the other things that have been happening in the village:

1. The harvest is pretty much finished! Everyone is happily tired.

2. We're in the middle of celebrating the wedding of one of the young men in the village. I really enjoyed the party last night. I was pretty thrilled to be able to understand the songs the women were singing and actually join in.

3. A good friend of mine is pregnant!

4. It's wicked hot. Really. I'm hoping that the heat breaks soon, as this is still a little early for it .

Hope the wonderful, unoccupied force we call life is treating you just as well.

2 comments:

Sherri Munnerlyn said...

These are words of a song I wrote, inspired by the struggle of all of those living in Palestine. My thoughts right now, are all about how much I know God cares about and loves every single person there. Why can't we all see that? We are too busy worried about self and focusing our efforts on fear and hurting and hating. We all dishonor our Creator, our Maker, God,as I see it, when we engage in such acts, no matter what we call ourselves, Christian, Jew, Moslem, atheist, agnostic, or other.

In The Palm Of God's Hands

Verse 1

You gave me life
You created me, in your own image
You molded me into your very own special creation
Thank you for the wonders of your love, God
You sent your only Son into this world
To die on a cross to save me from my sins
Thank you for your amazing grace, Lord
Each and every day of my life,
I give you my heart
I give you my mind
I give you my soul
Take me, do with me what you will
It's all about you, God
It's all about you

Chorus

In the palm of God's hands, that's where I want to be
Following, wherever Christ leads me
There will be sunshine, and there will be rain
But I know, wherever I am in my life, you'll always be there
Beside me, and inside my heart
And your presence fills me with joy and love and faith and hope
You are the light of my lfe, what makes life worth living
And I know, you will see me through any journey you take me on
Until one day, you deliver me into your arms
Where I will, for Eternity, rest in the palm of God's hands
It's all about you, God
It's all about you

Verse 2

You sent your only Son as a baby boy into this world
How amazing, God and man coming together into the face of a child
Jesus was born in Palestine, in a manger in Bethlehem, and His mother called Him Yeshua
Jesus grew up and lived in a land under Occupation
Jesus lived in a world filled with injustice
And how did He respond to injustice?
Jesus confronted injustice always with truth, and He showed every person, dignity, respect, and love
Jesus shows us who you are, God, and how to live and love
Jesus said, love God with all of your heart, your mind, and your soul
Love your neighbor as yourself
I give you a new command, love one another as I have loved you
Jesus, who lived a life without sin, became sin out of love for the Father and for each one of us
Jesus, our example to follow, His life a picture of what it means to die to self and live for God
Jesus, His life one illustration after another, of how we should and how we should not see and treat one another
So, let us reach down and pick up all of our own crosses
Let us with boldness and courage carry our own crosses onward, and follow wherever Christ leads us to go
Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus
And let us eagerly await to behold God's blessings, that never cease to amaze us, raining down all around us
Throughout our lives, and into Eternity
It's all about you, God
It's all about you

Repeat Chorus

Sherri Munnerlyn

Sherri Munnerlyn said...

In The Palm Of God's Hands

Verse 3

You take me places, all over this world
Where people are hurting
Suffering from injustice and wars
You look down on them, Christ
And your heart is breaking
And I share in your sorrow, and I feel your love and compassion for them
And there's no place in this world, that I'd rather be
Then right there where you are, Christ
Sharing in your pain
And feeling, your endless, incredible love
For those who are hurting, suffering from injustice and so many horrible wars
So many people, struggling just to live day to day
So many people, struggling just to keep hope alive
And I get down on my knees, and I cry out to God
God give them justice, if that be your will
God, lead them to choose peace and not war
And to live out your teachings every day of their lives
God, protect all of the children
Show them your love
Wipe away their tears
Take away their pain
Wrap them in your arms
Show them your face
And most of all, I pray
That these horrible injustices and wars
Become opportunities for people everywhere to see their need for you, God
I pray, may they turn to you, Lord, in these trials they face
And may they be your people, and you be their God
In Jesus name, I pray
It's all about you, God
It's all about you

Chorus

In the palm of God's hands, that's where I want to be
Following, wherever Christ leads me
There will be sunshine, and there will be rain
But I know, wherever I am in my life, you'll always be there
Beside me, and inside my heart
And your presence fills me with joy and love and faith and hope
You are the light of my lfe, what makes life worth living
And I know, you will see me through any journey you take me on
Until one day, you deliver me into your arms
Where I will, for Eternity, rest in the palm of God's hands
It's all about you, God
It's all about you

Sherri Munnerlyn