Same place, different motives

As I write this, one of my closest friends is mid-way between Heathrow and Ben Gurion airports. She's travelling to Bethlehem to spend 3 months there, with a view to going longer term in the future, if it's possible.

Part of me would love to be going back there with her. Sitting at my desk, I've got the photo of the Sabeel team in the desert on the wall next to my monitor. Looking at it whilst reading the news, it makes it seem rather unreal that I was ever there at all.

My friend mentioned last week that she was planning on visiting Gilo early on in her trip. This immediately brought memories of the checkpoint there flooding back. The video clip we had copies of still brings tears to my eyes when I watch it.

She was last in Bethlehem around 10 years ago, and pretty much ever since she's felt God calling her back there. Having spent 3 years in Hong Kong until late last year, she had little idea of the changes that had taken place there. Seeing my pictures was something of a shock for her. Yet she was still determined to go.

Over the last few months we've talked a lot about Israel. My perspective is obviously shaped by what I saw and experienced last summer. The things I read tend to mould my opinions in the same direction. Whilst it's never going to be a black and white issue, in my mind I have a set idea of what needs to happen - and that's essentially justice and a restoration of the Palestinians' human rights.

My friend on the other hand, wants to stay out of the political side. Her reading of the situation is first & foremost shaped by the Bible. A good place to start it's true, but it doesn't really illustrate what's been happening over the last 60 years. She's met with people in the UK with a variety of opinions (great!) and is going to Israel with an open mind. Her purpose isn't to dive into the political situation, but to bring the Gospel to those who haven't heard it.

When she spelt it out like that as we said goodbye, it really brought home to me just how different our motives are. Whilst my faith is at the centre of everything, it is my faith that really brings home to me the immense injustice faced by so many people there. It was the presence of God that stopped me from totally despairing in otherwise desperate situations. It will be interesting to hear how she gets on once she's immersed in that community, and whether she is able to avoid the politics after all.

I'm not criticising her approach. I'll just be watching with a lot of interest what happens next!