The Israeli government has accelerated the demolition of Palestinian homes and
confiscation of Palestinian land since the signing of the Wye Accords. CPT is
calling on the North American churches to turn their spiritual resources
toward ending the ongoing devastation that will make true peace in the Middle
East impossible.

As part of CPT's "Tent for Lent" campaign, we will be posting articles,
litanies and reflection pieces regarding the demolitions on CPTnet through
Good Friday. Those interested in receiving a "Tent for Lent" worship packet
(designed as a series of bulletin inserts) SHOULD _NOT_ HIT "REPLY" TO THIS
POSTING. Rather, they should contact the Chicago office
[CPT [at] igc [dot] org/ CPT P. O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680 tel:312-455-1199 FAX
312-666-2677 .]

Pictures and Tears
by Pierre Shantz

More than a year ago, CPT launched the Campaign for Secure Dwellings (CSD),
aimed at stopping the demolition of Palestinian homes by matching North
American churches with Palestinian families. As part of the campaign, CPT asks
North American churches, synagogues and mosques to advocate once a month for
their families by writing letters to the U.S., Canadian and Israeli
governments, holding public vigils and doing other activities to stop home
demolitions.

Some of the Hebron team had apprehensions about the CSD. We saw this as a lot
more work being added to our somewhat heavy workload and we had no idea what
kind of response we would get from folks in North America.

The Palestinians we consulted thought it was a good idea but
we didn't receive any overly-enthusiastic responses. Slowly, slowly things
started to grow. Responses from North America came in fairly strong and the
campaign grew so that now we have just over 50 families matched with churches,
synagogues and mosques in the U.S. and Canada. The CSD has added more work to
the team but it has been rewarding to watch North Americans, Israelis and
Palestinians come together.

Recently one of the North American matches, Mary Lou Smith, revisited her
match, the Mahmoud Abu Maria family from Beit Ummer, a village north of
Hebron. Mary Lou first met the family one year ago, not long after the
demolition of two houses intended for the family's sons in October 1997.

Mary Lou now was back in the region and had gifts to bring to the family and a
photo album of pictures taken of her last visit and of her family in North
America. When we arrived at the house, we received the usual warm greeting
and were served the customary tea, cookies and fruit. Mary Lou asked if
Yosra, the mother, remembered her from her first visit. Yosra responded, "Yes
of course."

We talked about the family's situation and the political situation in general.
Then Mary Lou brought out the photo album. The first picture was of Mary Lou,
Yosra and Khaled, the oldest son; one of the houses demolished was his). When
Yosra saw the picture she was choked up and began to cry.

I don't know what it was about the picture that moved Yosra. Maybe it
brought that first visit back to life, with the
fact that Mary Lou had returned to visit proving that she had not forgotten
the family. Mary Lou moved towards her and the two hugged and kissed each
other on the cheeks. It was one of the most wonderful moments I have ever
witnessed. If only for this moment the campaign was worth it.