Two New Contracts to Expand Two Ministries…
Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
During the same week in which the Israeli military forces invaded Bethlehem,
the ICB signed two new construction contracts: the first with Milad Construction
Company to build two water cisterns at the Dar al-Kalima Health and Wellness
Center and the second with United Construction Company to renovate the Bethlehem
Lutheran Guesthouse known earlier as “Abu Gubran”.
Those two projects are crucial for the city of Bethlehem since they will be providing much needed job opportunities for over 400 people at a time when the unemployment rate in the Bethlehem region is exceeding 60%. But the two projects are crucial to our ministries as well.
Through the water cisterns we will be able to collect around 600 qm. of rainwater and store it for use during the summer season to irrigate the 500,000 trees, flowers and bushes we shall be planting in the coming two years as part of the Health and Wellness Center. The mountain around the Dar al-Kalima Health and Wellness Center will be a beautiful green park, a fresh oasis for picnics, family gatherings and a safe place for children. A generous donation of two friends from Kansas City made it possible to start building the cisterns. Only very small portion of the funds for the plants has been made available so far, the rest is yet to be secured. Donations towards this end are most welcome.
The other construction project is the renovation of our old guest house. As some of you might know, Abu Gubran Guesthouse was opened in December 1992 and was hosting guests and groups until summer 1998. From 1998-2000 it housed the Lutheran School, then it was abandoned waiting for the day it will be renovated. Thanks to a loan from Oikos Bank in Denmark, the renovation of the Bethlehem Lutheran Guesthouse started. On May 1st the newly refurnished guesthouse will open its doors for international friends, guests, pilgrims, journalists, as well as local conferences. Once opened, the guesthouse will have 13 double rooms, each with its own WC, shower, TV, Heat & A/C as well as direct internet access. For meals the guests will be using our new Restaurant “The Upper Room”, and “al-Kuz” (The Water Jar) Coffee Shop will be the address for cold as well as warm drinks. We have for this year a 40% booking. We want groups to come and see first hand what is going on in the Holy Unholy Land. So let’s hope to see you at the latest next year in Bethlehem. For bookings and further information please do not hesitate to contact us at: guesthouse@annadwa.org
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