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September Newsletter, 2003 Dear friends, This September was a month we regarded with mixed feelings. On the one hand it was a month of great celebrations because of the openings of our new ad-Dar Cultural and Conference Center and Dar al-Kalima Health and Wellness Center; while on the other hand, we had experienced deep worries about an escalating conflict and tensions. We were inaugurating state of the art facilities with an enormous potential for Bethlehem and Palestine; while being haunted by a history of conflict, revenge and apartheid. We were worried that tensions might escalate at any minute and we might be forced to again postpone the opening of our new facilities. It happened to us twice before. We know what it means. It is like sitting on the top of an active volcano, not knowing when it will erupt again. Living in this part of the world taught us to never take life for granted. Every day is a new gift. But it is exactly because of this that we insist on investing in a better future. At a time when a wall of separation and apartheid is being built around Bethlehem we are here investing in people who dare to cross boundaries… At a time when the Holy Land is suffering under the culture of violence we are here to proclaim that the power of culture is what is needed to transform a society and to empower a community… At a time of destruction we invest in beauty… At time of bombing and shelling we set new tunes, play new songs of freedom, justice, reconciliation and compassion… And at time of great tribulations we create room for wellness and space for hope… We appreciated the visit of many friends who came from far and near to be with us, to see the wall of apartheid encircling Bethlehem, but also to celebrate with us these grand openings. For our partners, especially the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Finland and Wheat Ridge Ministries, and for many people here in Bethlehem, these two projects were a great dream come true, in a context where people are getting more and more exposed to nightmares. Yet we are not at our goal: One of the goals set for the coming two years is to work on the Wellness Center Part II, planting half a million plants and roses thus creating the biggest natural park in the Bethlehem region. All this aims for brighter and greener Bethlehem. Our biggest goals remain Justice, Peace and Reconciliation; these are just steps and stations on this road. People here are tired of hearing about a road map leading to no where. These small stations and celebrations give them space to breath on what it seems to be still a very long journey. We invite you to visit our website and to experience for yourself the context, the facilities and ministries: www.annadwa.org Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, and the Staff of the ICB |