REMINISCING…
You will be reading how it all started about 15 years ago. When the Boys Home in Ramallah (West Bank) closed, I had already been w
orking there for 3 years as a volunteer for three or four times per year for two or three months at a time. I spent very little time here in Minnesota except in the summers. My friend, Paulette traveled with me, and when the Home closed, we had to make up our minds as to whether our work was over and also what to do with the boys. Well, it seems that the work was not finished!
Many of the boys would not have had a chance without an education, and none of them had the funds anyway. And even with an education, it would not be easy to get work. The salaries we get in the USA are much higher than over there, while the cost of living is about the same, or in some cases higher than what we experience. So you can begin to imagine the struggle for those living there.
We felt in our hearts to help as many as we could with a chance for an education of their choice. Some were able to go to University, Bible College or Votech, while others even came to the States. Out of safety for them in the midst of an Islamic community, we will not be revealing their names or the villages we work in. If the wrong people got hold of this information, it could cause unpleasant problems for them, which I do not want. Before I go further, the work started in a Boys Home, not an orphanage, contrary to what many have
assumed. The home was founded and run by an American organization called 'Kids Alive.' All the boys had living relatives like a grandma, a mom, a dad or a close cousin. In a few cases, both parents were very, very poor and usually one was quite ill.
Mr. FZ was the first to receive help outside of the Boys Home. I learned about him from the President of the Bible College in Bethlehem. I liked to visit the college and came to know some of the lovely staff working there. I learned about the young students and how hard it was for them because of the lack of funds, which meant many could not continue. I felt like God was saying to help one or two of them, so I asked the President to choose someone which turned out to be FZ. He is indeed a precious young man whom I have grown very fond of over the years. His father is a pastor of a small church. FZ earned his doctorate from O.R.U. in Oklahoma, and is now a teacher at the same Bethlehem Bible College. We could not support FZ 100 %, but managed to support a part of his studies.
Pastor S is another such one. I met him and his family at the Boys Home where he worked as the housefather. His dream was to become a pastor, and had earned a B.A. at the Bible College, but did not have money to continue his studies. To make a long story short, when the Boys Home closed, we felt to help Pastor S to achieve his dream, and managed to get him a scholarship to a bible college in the USA. Before I knew it, he and his family were here for 5 years of which 4 of them were with full support from Lifeline. They were hard but precious years, for which I am grateful to have had. Through the lives of Pastor S and his wife, I came to know and see a special depth of dedication I had not known before. I was even allowed to be a big part in helping his children in the English language, which is kind of laughable if you know anything about my English! Today, S is now a pastor, holds a Master’s degree and serves in his own village where many have come to salvation. Some people ask me whether it was worth it all. I can answer, you bet it was! To be part of something that brings hope to people both in time and eternally is worth it.
God also started touching my heart for girls and whole families. From thinking “God how do I do it?”, it became: God how did You do it? LA and JA were the first two girls who received help. One is a secretary and one is a teacher. They both worked at their professions in their villages, and now they are both married and live in Canada and the USA. After them, other girls got help and today we have 3 girls in Bible College.
Mr. Z was one of the boys from the Home. He chose to be a carpenter; he is now 21 and lives in a village I like to call ‘my village.’ Every time I am over there, I see him a lot, and when I need something done in my house I ask him to fix this or that, or make this or that. He is right there to help!
I actually have a house as a gift from Dr. John from Jordan. One day he gave me the keys and told me it was mine to use as I please. I love my home in the village though it is not modern or fancy but rather crude. But it is my ‘home’ and inside, it looks a lot like the one I have here with all the things decorating it. When people from the village come for dinner or tea, they ask, “Oh, auntie, can you fix up our homes like that?” I go “Yep” and try to help where I can.
John is another young man from the Home. He became a mechanic, and is now in Texas hoping and praying he can get a green card. I am looking forward to seeing him when I come back from my trip. I can go on and on, and marvel when I look back and see what has been accomplished over the years, not just for the boys at the Home, but also for the girls and families. To me, it is ‘amazing grace’ all the way.
I love my work for Lifeline with the people over there that God has allowed me to be with and to help. For me it is an honor, though not always easy. Lots of time and energy goes into it – even tears and sometimes hopelessness at the big needs and lack of funds and things I cannot do for them. On the other hand, to leave my family and home here where I too am needed is equally hard. Those of you who read this and believe in prayer, as well as a helping hand, must know that both are needed. The God who knows all things can and will touch hearts on behalf of others.
Even as I am packing and preparing for my next trip, memories come flooding back to earlier times. Somehow I have to smile; I have never learned to pack light although I have the excuse of bringing lots of needful things with me over to the West Bank – things they either cannot get there or cannot afford to buy even if it were available. Getting all that to fit in my suitcases is quite a challenge! 
Remembering the joy in those faces is worth all the work: “Oh, Auntie, can you bring this or that?” When I first met Shashu at the Boys Home, he did not like me at all. But to think about it now is kind of funny because he is now 32 and my right hand man for Lifeline over there. Shashu is now a chemist and received much help from Lifeline. He is married, lives in Aduaba, is my good neighbor and has two children - a girl of two years and a new-born son. I am looking forward to seeing my ‘grampty son’ and will even be his godmother. What a joy!
Another young man from the Home also received help to become a chemist. He is now a teacher of chemistry in his own village. I have not seen him for a few years but hope to on this upcoming trip. He lives in Pastor S’s village.
Memories come and go about the boys. Sometimes it is like yesterday, and yet years have passed. I remember the joy I had fixing up the Home from emptiness to a warm lovely place. I remember all the stuff I dragged over there. Not much of that has changed as I still drag stuff with me! I remember the fun we had hanging out the wet laundry, and then the clean smell when we took it in to fold it. I even remember doing the laundry by hand until we got a new washing machine because the old one gave up on us. Not forgetting either all the mending Paulette and I had to do with an old crank handle sewing machine, which the boys liked to crank while Paulette sewed. Back then, we had from 27 to 31 boys staying at the Home.
I remember the shiny faces when we had a birthday party, or the joy when I made cookies, a cake or a Danish or American meal. Every Friday was falafel day, and normally we made our own salad for it. I decided that the falafel people should provide it for the boys, and Saleem said “Auntie, they do not do that here.” “Well they do now,” I told him, and they did! The boys could not believe I could get them to do that! We were able to have our first picnic, the first of many after that. We even began taking small outings from time to time.
The boys could not get into Israel, and had never seen the Lake of Galilee. Swimming was just a word for them, not a reality. So Auntie decided that something should be done about that, and a collapsible swimming pool from K-Mart arrived. I wish you could have seen the boys; they had so much fun, and I swear you could have heard the shrieks and shouts of joy all the way to downtown Ramallah.
These were some of the joys, but there are always two sides to a coin. Those boys did not have much of anything, and yet they did not complain. I often wonder how our American youth would fare under similar circumstances – I am sure not well.
Lifeline seems to have gone through four stages. It first grew out of a concern for the boys and their future. When I met their families and friends, it did not take me long to see the enormous need that existed. Before long Lifeline began helping girls to get an education, as well as trying to help families in need. This took the form of sending emergency health needs, sending boxes and boxes as well as bringing over suitcases full of goods. We have been especially able to do the latter through those participating in the third aspect of Lifeline: the Amazing Grace Tours and Journeys, which uses the participants to carry the extra suitcases of goods!
Why the Journeys? Many a Christian likes to visit Israel, but for me, it is not Israel as a whole if we don’t visit and see the West Bank and its people as well. Many years ago, when my husband and I hosted tours to Israel, we were able to visit both sides. Then, little by little, the split happened in the Land. I love the people of the West Bank and am mostly among the Christians. Few are born again or evangelical. And so I am always telling people to come and see, to hear and judge for themselves, and see what God might want to tell you. Those journeys are always a blessing in many ways. There is a precious fellowship among those who come over, and I do not even desire too many people at one time as this seems to restrict the warm intimacy of smaller groups. It then only becomes simply another ‘tour’ – not a Journey.
The village of Aduaba became the hub or center and home-base for Lifeline. Shashu became the one to hold it together over there. Aduaba could not be a better place to establish Lifeline. It is not too hard to move in and out of the village; it’s a very warm and friendly village. Muslims and Christians live peacefully in what I now call ‘my village.’ God knew it all before I did, and prepared a people and place for Lifeline. Just as in a stable, my house in the village was also once a barn for donkeys. Now it is a lovely home!
As I said, Lifeline’s first stage was the Boys Home; then followed the girl’s education and other family needs. Then came the Journeys as a ‘side-kick’ or help so as to support Lifeline in prayer and also financially. Then lastly came what I call ‘projects.’ I found out that I had to come up with ways to express the various needs better. So the word ‘projects’ came up. You will be reading about that later.
Again looking back when I see and remember what has been done in and for the families and projects, I marvel. It is no glory to me but to God and to those who listen and obey without whom there would not be a Lifeline. Several families would not have gotten their daily needs without Lifeline’s help these past four to five years. Others have gotten medical help. Over there, there are no social welfare benefits. We have managed to purchase many gas heaters for warmth in the winter months as there is no central heat in the houses. Others have had dentures and dental work attended to. Several stoves and refrigerators have been purchased for families.
When I am over there, I cook daily for people and they enjoy the different foods. Sometimes I put on a big spread for up to 60 to 90 people. I wish you could see their faces as they have never seen anything quite like it, even at weddings or other celebrations. I like to do things for Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, or someone’s special birthday. I like to do things for them they normally cannot get, to lift their hopes, and for them to know that we serve a God who cares for more than just the most necessary things in life.
UPDATE - OCT. 2007
PB also came from the Home and went
to Bible College here in Minnesota. He is now married and lives in the village of Aduba on the West Bank, not very far from my home. I just learned that they are expecting their first baby. I also learned that PB has a lot of trouble with his back and has just had surgery. When I am in Aduba, I manage to visit a lot with him and his wife, Frida, who is a dear, lovely girl. He hopes and plans to serve in the Evangelical Church with the youth, and I know that he will be good at that.
From the beginning, PB was one of the boys at the Home that I did not bond well with. He was older and I felt that he had no need to be there. I am glad that my attitude towards him changed during his time in the USA. We had many good hours together, and now I spend many more good hours with him and his little family. To see those boys growing up and making it is so special. And it is all thanks to my friends at Lifeline Outreach who keep things going with financial help.
Often I think of the kids on the West Bank, their families, and where they are at and what is happening to them. Those who received help from Lifeline are doing okay financially – not great, but okay. To me, that is a blessing.
We are now investing in a young man called Davoud. He was one of the younger boys at the Home and shared a dormitory with 7 others. He was a little skinny boy and very shy. I came to love that little fellow and still do. We are presently helping Davoud to get an education. He wants to be a hotel manager and also a chef, which is a 3-year schooling. Davoud is from Pastor S’s village and when he was a kid at the home, he had poor eyesight. I remember the big smile when he got his first glasses, and now he smiles to all of us out of thankfulness.
Thinking of Davoud, my thoughts go to Pastor S. So many years ago – my, how has time gone! Pastor S’s oldest son is now 17 years old. Eleven years ago, I was blessed to follow him through kindergarten, then first and second grade. Now he is going to college next year. And Pastor S already has silver in his hair (mine too, if I did not dye it!). I remember the special times we had with the boys: singing and playing and teaching them from God’s Word about values in their lives. We often played hide and seek or checkers. Pastor S and his family have recently been in USA on furlough, and I had them in my home for an afternoon and evening. On this last trip to the West Bank, and together with his son and mother, we started to plant trees with Project Joshua; it was a memorable time.
At the Boy’s Home, they always sang, “Count your blessings, count them one by one…and see what God has done.” I do indeed marvel when I see what God has done. I am blessed to see it and be a part of it. Hopefully it will bless and inspire you also who read it and perhaps you too will lend a hand.
I often visit my husband’s grave which is located not too far from our home. It was he who first got me acquainted with the Boys Home; we used to take tours to Israel years ago – sometimes even 3 times a year. On one of these tours, by mistake he called the wrong person he was wanting, and got the director of a Boys Home on the West Bank. As it turned out, all of us (3 busloads) were invited to a falafel lunch and my husband was invited to share with the boys. I wondered to myself how the poor boys were going to understand him since I can hardly figure him out! But I was in for a big surprise. He shared and preached on the theme of ‘Our Father’ – and the boy’s ears all perked up!
My husband was Jewish by birth and became a Christian by choice. Many think themselves Christians because their parents were or are. As a girl growing up, I thought I was a good Lutheran. I knew about Jesus, but I did not actually know Him. Now I do. Even today on the West Bank, there are many who believe they are Christians (good people, yes, but ‘born again’ people – now that is a different story). And you see, God is ‘Our Father’ to all who want Him as one - regardless of whether we are Danes, Jews, Blacks, Yellows, Arabs or whatever. So when Art spoke on ‘Our Father,’ I must say I was proud of him like an old peacock!
That was about 20 years ago now. When Lifeline started, he was always supportive of me – in prayer, financially and his blessing to travel over there even though it was often dangerous. Many boys and families were blessed and helped because of him.
Well, we learned how the Boys Home was supported back then by sponsorships from people like you and I. And I feel to go back to something like that again – only a little different (read about it in Operation Kids and Students). My husband and I subsequently sponsored 3 young brothers from the Boys Home, who were also from Pastor S’s village. I bonded best with the youngest of the 3; his name is Sas. Later on, all 3 came over to the States to study and get their degrees, and I lost contact with them. Then one day I got a phone call, “Auntie, this is Sas. I am now the director of the Boys Home. Can you come and help us?” Well, I asked my husband, and he gave me his blessing. For 3 years I spent 3 months at the Boys Home and 3 months back home in the USA. As mentioned earlier, the Home had to subsequently close. Sas is now a married man and he moved with his wife and two girls to Switzerland when the Boys Home closed. It was run by an American organization and the funds did not come in to keep it going. After that, you know the rest: Lifeline was born and I am grateful to be able to serve this Outreach. Many lives have been touched since then. Not just that, but a good handful of those have been to the USA as well as our home here. Looking back, it all started with my husband!
Yes, I am blessed, and if you are interested in investing into the lives of young West Bank kids, please check our Operation Kids and Students link. Let me know, and I will send you the information you need. Thanks and God bless you.
