Back Home
The First Day Back
By Rev. Sandra Olewine
Floors and furniture were thick with dirt, shards of glass covered desks and workshop tables, and pieces of shattered doors littered entrances to offices as the staff at the International Center gathered together for the first time on Monday morning. Following the end of this most recent invasion by the Israeli occupation forces, phone and internet lines were still quiet as the Palestine Telephone company labored to fix the damage in our area. Copy and fax machines, a computer, even a small office refrigerator, stood ruined. What was to be the beginning of our final week of preparation for the inauguration of our new Conference Center became instead the beginning of figuring out how we move ahead.
In the midst of such scenes, giving way to despair would be a normal reaction. Sitting helpless among the ruin of plans and programs would be understandable. But, that was not what happened at ICB on Monday. Staff grabbed brooms and rags, beginning to scoop up glass, dirt and the remains of doors. The construction crew came and began clearing the street in front of the Center and church, as well as the new rooms that were damaged. Young men from the Guiding Course showed up to help, donning masks to protect themselves from the heavy dust as they cleared glass and debris in the art workshops. Restoring some sort of order, even in the midst of damage, was the charge of the day. Creating space to continue our work was paramount on everyone’s mind.
As we worked, people shared stories of their experiences during the siege, beginning the work of also clearing our souls as well. There was comfort in being together again, seeing each other’s faces, hearing each other’s stories. No one visiting ICB that day found despair. What they found was determination. No one visiting ICB that day found hopelessness. What they found was resilience. Yes, plans will have to be altered, programs shifted, goals adjusted, disappointment is real, but everyone is committed to the work continuing. The very mission of our Center speaks to days such as these as we remain resolute in our vision.
Therein lies hope for our present and a foundation for our future.