Bethlehem Bible College — We Wait in Hope

In our waiting and grief over our tremendous losses, sometimes we cannot help but cry out with the psalmist, “Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:13-14). Our hearts long for the joy and gladness of Christmas and the celebration of our Lord and King. We do live daily in a deep reverence for the wonder that is the Christ Child, that He was given to us here, even in our hometown!

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationDecember 28, 2023Bethlehem Bible College, Bethlehem, Israel, Palestine

Christmas Message from the Middle East Council of Churches and Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees

Their unwavering spirit fuels our determination to stand by them in their time of need.

Excerpts of a letter received from the Middle East Council of Churches and the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees:

Our hearts ache to convey this message during what should be a season of joy and togetherness. Amid strife and sorrow, we reach out to you, dear partners supporters, and friends, with heavy hearts. This Christmas, our usual celebrations are shadowed by turmoil and the tragedy of Gaza.

Israel/Lebanon/Palestine Emergency Relief Appeal — December 2023 Update

The Outreach Foundation has received a tremendous amount of support for the Israel/Lebanon/Palestine Emergency Relief Appeal. Here is the latest news received from two partners there — Nader Abou Amsha, Director of the Middle East Council of Churches Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), and the Rev. Joseph Kassab, long-time partner in Lebanon and moderator of the Synod of Syria and Lebanon:

Middle East Council of Churches
Unfortunately, we have lost another colleague to the war. She was killed along with her husband and child in an airstrike on their home. In a separate attack, we lost our Center in Al-Daraj — the entire building including the clinic, physiotherapy unit, pharmacy, and dentist clinic — just flattened to the ground.

We continue our work in Gaza. Here is a summary of that work, often conducted under fire:

Musalaha — As We Lament

Letter of Lamentation

We at Musalaha lament the devastation and unfolding tragedies in Gaza and Southern Israel. We stand firmly against the embrace, use, and justification of violence against civilian populations in the name of justice, vengeance, and liberation. We are distressed and overwhelmed, never having seen this scale of inhumanity, anguish, rage, and hatred before.

Important News, Middle East, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationNovember 2, 2023Musalaha, Israel, Palestine

Partner Updates

Their unwavering spirit fuels our determination to stand by them in their time of need.

Letter of Lamentation