At-Tuwani, South Hebron Hills On Wednesday morning, 30 December 2009, an Israeli settler from the outpost of Havat Ma'on (Hill 833) chased and threw stones at Palestinian schoolchildren from the villages of Tuba and Maghayir Al-Abeed. The Israeli army exposed the children to this attack by arriving more than ninety minutes late to escort the children to their school in the village of At-Tuwani.
Pray for the people of Colombia as their government pursues the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations at the expense of the country's own food production, environment, and human rights. Pray also for the consumers of palm oil bio-fuels, processed food, and cosmetics.
Doug Pritchard Christian Peacemaker Teams Toronto, Canada
The poet Rilke wrote, "Ultimately it is upon our vulnerability that we depend." When I travel to areas of conflict I know that at some time, some place, in some interaction, my heart will be broken. I can choose to shut down or let the heart respond.
She is the vision of innocence, peering up into the dull eyes of a soldier towering over her. She can only be four or five years old. Black slacks with a green striped short skirt fanning out beneath her short black jacket indicate that she is a kindergarten student. She strains to hand the backpack, which is half her length, up to the soldier who orders her to stop. He systematically opens every zipper and plunges his hands into each pocket before handing the backpack back. It slumps to the ground. The little girl carefully closes the zippers and with considerable effort slings the backpack onto her back; the young soldier, who has moved on to the next search, has already forgotten her. She stumbles as she hurries to catch up with her friends. This encounter is a significant part of her education under the Israeli occupying power, which seeks to clip her fragile wings.
In Mamarne, the Mukhtar and a village elder spoke to the team and delegation about the impact of the large Turkish military base near town. The two men took the delegation to see almond trees burned by the Turkish military along the road traveled daily by Turkish tanks that are moving between the base to the outpost on the hill overlooking the base.
In Mamarne, the Mukhtar and a village elder spoke to the team and delegation about the impact of the large Turkish military base near town. The two men took the delegation to see almond trees burned by the Turkish military along the road traveled daily by Turkish tanks that are moving between the base to the outpost on the hill overlooking the base.
Give thanks that Jesus, the true light, which enlightens everyone, has come into the world. His light, the light of all people, shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1)
Doug Pritchard Christian Peacemaker Teams Toronto, Canada
Give thanks that Jesus, the true light, which enlightens everyone, has come into the world. His light, the light of all people, shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1)
Doug Pritchard Christian Peacemaker Teams Toronto, Canada
On Sunday, 20 December 2009, the Israeli army disrupted transportation of children and teachers from Al-Fakheit school to their homes. The Palestinian driver, accompanied by one CPTer, was on his way to pick up children and teachers after school when, at about 1:00 p.m. soldiers in a Humvee stopped the pickup truck used as a school bus. The soldiers confiscated the driver's ID, searched the truck and personal belongings in it, and ordered that the driver follow them to a field south of Jinba village.
