Tonight the students hosted a welcome party in the student lounge. There were snacks and games and music and dancing. The games were so fun... I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. First was a game where one person left the room... the students selected David Dorman. Then the room was divided into three groups. We selected a piece of scripture that is three words, “God is Love”. Each group was assigned one of the words and when David was brought back in, our groups shouted out our word simultaneously and he had to guess the scripture. It sounds easier than it is. The dancing was wonderful. I think I am partial to the Lebanese dancing as there was a lot of stomping and it was a simple pattern I could follow! The Lebanese dance is called the Debkih. There were two versions and evidently there are many different variations. Then an Assyrian dance was introduced... much more intricate. So fascinating to watch. We played some other game that involved partners and music stopping and dropping to the ground. I believe I need a knee replacement after tonight. My partner, Hagop, and I were the last ones standing... or dropping, however you say.

The young women students were trying to show how to do the dancing hip movement. They were beautiful! I didn’t get close to mastering that move so the hip replacement is not yet a consideration... I have a couple more weeks so let’s see how brave the 45-year-old is...

While the young women were showing me the dance moves I asked one if this is a type of dance her Mother would do. She shared “no” and I believe she told me this was the first time she has danced. She has just come to Beirut from her village in South Lebanon and I found she was born in 1991 so she is just 17. She looked like a natural on the dance floor and I am more curious to know her better. Perhaps it is like my daughter where she and her friends try out dancing when they have sleepovers or play dates. Good grief... I woke up this morning and realized this young woman is only seven years older than my children!

Of course my knee is still feeling the effect of the welcome party dancing and games but the memories are sweet. I often tell people if I was to attend seminary, it would not be in the U.S., but at the N.E.S.T. The level of education, along with the many added enhancements of an education in this diverse community is invaluable. I was talking with one of the M.Div. students I met last year and mentioned how much growth I had seen in him since my last visit. I believe the community at the N.E.S.T. stretches students in their faith and studies to truly shine as children of God as they seek to follow their call.

U.S. Election Buzz... forum October 30 at A.U.B.

At 5:00 p.m. I attended a forum at the American University of Beirut, which is just down the street from the N.E.S.T. The title: “Real Change? A forum on U.S. elections” So the title may tip the tone of the event. It was presented by the Center for American Studies and Research and the panel included Karim Makdisi, Patrick McGreevy and Marcus Marktanner (shown in order in the photo). Each of the three presented a short presentation. Marktanner spoke about politics and economics during this moment of economic upheaval. McGreevy addressed the prospects that the this election will initiate fundamental social and political change in the U.S. Makdisi examined the question of change in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in regard to the Middle East. In a nutshell, there was a resounding agreement that it didn’t matter which candidate wins the election to create change in the foreign policy. That sentiment has been echoed in just about any circle I’ve been in and discussed the election since I arrived in Beirut.
Social change was given a slim chance of happening but only if there is a movement of people from the ground up. One women in the audience who has just returned from teaching in St. Louis mentioned the excitement around Obama’s candidacy, especially among college aged voters. She felt these voters would hold Obama accountable for his promises, should Obama win. Makdisi noted he had attended an Obama rally while visiting the U.S. to experience the hype and I was amused when he stated his friends warned him not to drink the Kool-aid. Another audience member expressed he felt since the U.S. is so powerful in the World that the U.S. voters should take international concerns into account when voting. I couldn’t hear him clearly but it almost felt like he might be suggesting the international community should have a vote in our election. Now that would be interesting. A professor that appeared to have U.S. ties noted that within the U.S., people are so stressed by the current economic situation that realistically they are very introverted and internalistic in their view. It is clear Obama is the candidate of choice in any of the groups I have encountered discussion of our election. Tonight, during the forum it was asked if there were any McCain supporters in the audience. I would say there were approximately 125 people in attendance and perhaps 15-20 U.S. citizens. (It’s hard to say about that part.) In this atmosphere, had there been a McCain supporter, I’m not sure they would acknowledge it. However, one young man student raised his hand and said he was a registered Republican but had already cast his absentee ballot and had voted for Obama.

After the forum I came back for dinner at the N.E.S.T. dining hall. Lunch tends to be the big meal and dinner is a collection of leftovers. Today we had rice with a delicious yogurt sauce that had some lemon flavor and some falafels floating within. Must get recipe from Marwan, the cook.

It is Terra Winston’s birthday tomorrow so Jacqueline Hoover baked a delicious cake and Ruth Dorman collected birthday wishes on a card... all was presented to Terra after dinner, with celebration and singing.

(NOTE: This was for you, Monte McClain!)

Abu Elias

This lovely man deserves a separate posting on this blog. Anyone who comes to the N.E.S.T. is first greeted by Abu Elias, the gateman. As the title, Abu, means in Arabic, Father; Abu Elias is like a father watching over all of us who enter. While I’ve been here I heard from Dave Barry, who was here serving in 2006 when I first visited the N.E.S.T. Dave was/is a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and now is in Pasadena at Fuller. Yet another leader in our midst who has been a part of the N.E.S.T. community. Dave suggested we have a fan club on facebook for Abu Elias. The other day I had Maruzella translate for me to make sure Abu Elias got every word of Dave’s idea. I really didn’t think that smile could be much broader but he was just beaming. I brought extra See’s candies for Abu Elias this time. He shares my taste for good lollypops! I love Abu Elias!

N.E.S.T. Christian Education Resource Center

I met with Shake Geotcherian, Director of the Christian Education Resource Center (C.E.R.C.) at the N.E.S.T. Shake is a graduate of the N.E.S.T. with her M.Div. degree and is currently working on her Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), along with her responsibilities in the C.E.R.C.

The C.E.R.C., which will officially open December 8 when the N.E.S.T. Board of Managers meets, is an answer to prayers. I remember the first time I visited the N.E.S.T. in April, 2006 and seeing the space that was intended for this center. Two of the rooms had been used for a broadcasting center by the Middle East Council of Churches during the civil war. I’ve posted a photo of Dr. Mikhael and I during my first visit in April, 2006 and we were standing in what is now the C.E.R.C. Women’s Room. Last November, 2007 when I visited the shell was complete. The four rooms had been rewired with electrical needs and were freshly tiled and painted. What a delight this visit to see the warm banners welcoming me to walk into the center. The C.E.R.C. is comprised of four rooms total: the Director’s office, the Seminar Room, a Christian Education Resource Room and a Women’s Room.

As Shake explained, many of the local churches lack Christian Education materials or have outdated materials which have been used for many years. The C.E.R.C. will contain current curriculum, resource books and teaching aids that may be used by the local churches.

These churches also rely on volunteers within the church to lead the Sunday Schools and many have not had an opportunity for training. Through the C.E.R.C., these local leaders will have opportunity for training, along with the resources.

Last Friday was the first Consultative Gathering with several local Christian Educators. It was a historical gathering in the journey toward the C.E.R.C. Dr. Mikhael said it was like she was delivering a baby and Director, Shake was the Midwife. The group met in the large Seminar Room and identified needs in the following ministries for which they will plan seminars and workshops through the C.E.R.C. The ministries include:
Children
Youth
Young Adults and Adults
Women
Singles
Each participant signed up for one of the ministry fields and will be part of a team to prepare and present the C.E.R.C. workshops and seminars.

Shake says new resource materials are always a need and she asks churches in the U.S. to consider sending curriculum material that has been used and no longer needed. 
Resource books and books for the Women’s Room are also appreciated. The Women’s Room will contain special resources for women. We are currently looking for books that are for women, by women, about women.

Shake is looking forward to all the opportunities the N.E.S.T. will be about to reach churches through the C.E.R.C. by listening to their needs and helping to fill those needs. Shake Geotcherian is happy to give more information about needs and you may email her directly at: Shake.Geotcherian@theonest.edu.lb OR shake_g@hotmail.com

rest of Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Amazing what can happen in a day. Getting the blog up and out took a bit a stress off as I really want to be in touch with people while I’m here. I left off at Chapel time which is 12:10 p.m. Every weekday there is Chapel and the N.E.S.T. community takes turns planning and leading. Today John M'mbirithi, M.Div. student from Kenya lead us in the book of Romans. He preached about his personal struggle worrying about his family and shared how he and Bishop Peter had taken their concerns to the Lord in prayer and felt the amazing grace and love that lifted them up.

The closing hymn was “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” by Rick Founds. The weekend before I arrived in Lebanon I was in Northern California worshipping under glorious trees at our church retreat, as my children, along with the rest of our home church family children sang this same song. Today we didn’t have the hand motions or the “Woop Woop” sound effects so I shared those with the students after chapel. Perhaps we will sing the children’s version during one of my days leading chapel.

During lunch I sat with John and Bishop Peter, another M.Div student from Sudan. Dr. Johnny Awwad joined us and our conversation that centered around the families of both of these students. John’s wife is in need of surgery and Peter’s daughter is in the hospital. There are not funds for the needed medical care at home and it is difficult for these men to be away from their families at this time. The N.E.S.T. continues to be in need of general scholarship funds for all students, which may include a small stipend for living expenses here, but do not include funds for family at home. Dr. Awwad had John use his mobile telephone to be able to call Kenya to check on his wife. (photo above) We hold these brothers John and Peter, and their families in our prayers.

During the student coffee I had a chance to meet and talk with Rana Khoury. She is auditing Introduction to the New Testament. Each trip I meet someone who is auditing a course at the N.E.S.T. and love how they add to the tapestry of students here. Rana is an architect and designer. And she’s on facebook... of course, that’s an automatic point of bonding!

The students take turns making the Arabic coffee and cleaning up afterwards. Bahjat Khadar, M. Div. student, coordinates the schedule and today took his turn. (photo)

Once coffee time was over I worked a bit but could hardly contain my excitement. I saw Slyvie Avakian, one of our S.T.M. students from the Armenian Evangelical Union in the morning. Last year Slyvie was here with her two little girls, Christine and Grace. They lived in the N.E.S.T. during the week and returned to Syria on the weekends to be with Slyvie’s husband, another N.E.S.T. Alumni who was Pastor at a Syrian church. This year they are all together and he is serving at the National Evangelical Church in downtown Beirut. Sylvie has an afternoon class so she said the girls would be coming with her after school. (photo) I had my See’s Candies Lollypops ready for them and they remember these sweet treats probably more than me. The girls and Abu Elias, the gatekeeper, are my best customers for See’s lollypops! Slyvie and her husband’s dedication to their education toward their roles as leaders in the church moves me. I can only imagine how difficult it was to be separated last year. I am so happy they are together this year!

I sat in David Dorman’s “Christology” class in the late afternoon. (photo) Today’s class continued discussion about Jesus and Judaism. Elizabeth Achtemeier’s paper on “Righteousness in the Old Testament” provided groundwork for the discussion. (Buttrick, et al., eds., Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, vol. 4 pp. 80-85. Abingdon, 1962.), along with a discussion of Mosaic Law versus The Covenant mediated by Jesus. We were flying all over the Psalms and some reference to Isaiah and then over to Paul in Romans. What is righteousness? David sited in Psalm 11:7 “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” In other words, Dave said, “because he is righteous, we will be okay... we will be fine.” He shared that is echoed in our Presbyterian Church (USA) through our Reformed tradition with the Heidelberg Catechism.

Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

As David challenged, the question is not, “What is your last ditch effort?” The very basis is God’s righteousness. Within the class the students come from diverse theological background and understanding, however, God’s righteousness provides a common foundation.

As I talk about the rhythm of the day at N.E.S.T., I lead you to my Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Mission Connections Webpage for my latest update from Beirut:
www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/dolezal-ngc.htm
Rather than repeat here, I have written a brief description of the day’s schedule at N.E.S.T., along with other reflections for the Mission Connections page.

Blog and Internet Challenged

So I have retreated to Cafe Costa up on Hamra to try and get an internet connection that allows me to post this blog.   You will see I have put in the title the real dates of the vignettes, rather than the date blogspot notes I add them.  I find I am very challenged by this blog but will keep trying.  I don't quite understand how to post the photos in the order I wish.  

Osama, the I.T. expert for the N.E.S.T. tried to help me with my connection today.  It seems Lebanon is not MacBook friendly.  I was amused as Osama noted last year there was a student from America that also had MacBook.  I said, "oh, yes!  Emily!"  Hopefully we will figure out how to get my MacBook internet connection to work at the N.E.S.T.  Until then, I may be making lots of trips to Costa Cafe or Cafe Eunice.

I'm off to return to the N.E.S.T. for daily chapel and then lunch.  Salaam!

Monday, October 27, 2008

I seem to have adjusted well to the time change and was up at 5:30 a.m. this morning... ready for the day. I took a long walk down to the Corniche along the Mediterranean Sea. There have been amazing thunder showers at night so the streets are washed to start the day. I loved being out before the streets filled with the cars that by day clog the narrow streets, moving inch by inch and blaring their horns, as if that will help them move faster. I saw many people along the way, out for their morning exercise and found it interesting that it was primarily men. Do the women exercise inside? A question for the N.E.S.T. dining room. The fisherman were out and amazingly, there were many others out in the sea swimming. So much activity so early in the morning! I discovered a new Starbuck’s and much to my surprise, it had “no smoking” signs inside. 

Today I’ve been working in the library writing up some projects for funding. It’s Monday so has been my first chance to reconnect with staff and faculty. Faculty coffee time was at 10 a.m. with delicious coffee and delicious “mana-ish”, and of course fun conversation. “Mana-ish” (okay... not sure how to really spell it but Yacoub thinks this works!) is a delightful bread with thyme and other herbs on top. I’m sure it is less than 2 points on Weight Watchers! I also had a nice visit with Nuhad Tomey at his office at the Middle East Council of Churches.

By 4 p.m. I already had 4 cups of Arabic coffee... then I ended up taking a break and ended up back in the student lounge with Yacoub and Bahjat, M.Div. students, and Dr. Johnny Awwad. And, of course, Yacoub made another batch of delicious, thick, Arabic coffee and that was part of the communion for the fellowship and extremely lively discussion.

I met Terra Winston at dinner with Dr. Mikhael. What an amazing woman! She has a love and passion for Near East Studies and teaching Hebrew, and teaching in general. The N.E.S.T. is fortunate to have her gifts this year as she teaches Introduction to Hebrew. Please pray for Terra and her service.

Sunday, October 26, 2008 Afternoon

In the afternoon, I was able to attend part of the worship of the community from Madagascar. They are mostly woman who are house workers. Last year, Amy, the leader, came to Dr. Mikhael asking for a place to gather. Last Sunday, October 19, they celebrated the one year anniversary of worshiping in the N.E.S.T. Today they had a guest preacher from Switzerland but generally the women come together to pray and sing and counsel each other. Some of the women are new to Christianity and they learn about the Bible from the other women. N.E.S.T. provides the facility at no charge which witnesses to the community gathering opportunities the N.E.S.T. holds. As Dr. Mikhael says, this is part of our ministry.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

I’m looking forward to these next few weeks and the chance to share directly from the Near East School of Theology in Beirut! I am staying in Apartment 503 on the 5th Floor. Len and Judy Bjorkman just departed after coming for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Iraq Network Consultation. www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2008/08742 I feel their warm energy and am enjoying the Corn Flakes they left for me! :-)

When I am at the N.E.S.T. I always look forward to the new community and hold memories of the communities that were here the last visit, as well as those I know were here long before me. The N.E.S.T. is ever changing. One thing that remains is the camaraderie and laughter, along with the complexities of a diverse community. There are 19 students enrolled this semester. Yes, enrollment is down. Still, within this semester’s body, the countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan/Palestine, Kenya, Sudan and Great Britain are represented.

This semester the Dorman family (Dave, Ruth, and Mark) are here from Southern California and Dave is teaching Introduction to Systematic Theology and Christology. Terra Winston is here from the U.S. and teaching Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. I haven’t met her yet and am looking forward to that! It is a treat to have time to get to know the Dorman’s better. Tonight Dr. Mikhael and the Dorman’s and I enjoyed dinner together and some much needed time for prayer.

In the morning at 10:30 a.m., I worshipped with the Presbyterian (National Evangelical Synod) Church family housed in the N.E.S.T. It is so nice people remember me. Even with the service in Arabic, there is a common understanding of worship that transcends language. Dr. Mikhael kindly writes out the key points of the sermon which was about the book of Ezra. It was timely to be reminded that it is only in truly opening ourselves up and confessing that we can receive forgiveness.

Blog Introduction

I have been in Beirut, Lebanon at the Near East School of Theology since Friday, October 24. Coincidentally, friends from the San Francisco Bay Area are in the Holy Land at the same time, harvesting olives as part of the Keep Hope Alive program. I have been inspired by their Blog and look forward to sharing my personal reflections about my call and my work with the N.E.S.T.

Finding a title and framing the purpose of this blog took some rumination. Whatever brings people to read this, I appreciate the interest and curiosity. I finally came up with the idea of vignettes, to take the pressure off of having the perfect thing to say. Clearly anyone who comes to visit the N.E.S.T. or this region of the World will have unique and profound reflections of their own. Webster’s Dictionary definition of vignette includes “a brief evocative description, account, or episode” or “a small illustration or portrait photograph that fades into its background without a definite border” I can work with that!

The Keep Hope Alive group blog reminds me of my own path that brought me to this place and space in time. In 2004, I was a Commissioner for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly. It is there that the Middle East came to my attention and became a part of my life. It is through interpreting General Assembly actions regarding the Middle East, along with a trip in 2006 with 100 other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) brothers and sisters to the holy land, along with my friendship with Carol and Ben Weir and the curiosity that raised for me, that I find myself now working with the N.E.S.T. My call as a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Mission Co-Worker is to find partners for funding and support of this rich ministry, which has been developing Christian Leaders since 1835. The N.E.S.T., as it is today, was founded in 1932 and just celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary in 2007. For more information about the N.E.S.T., go to www.theonest.edu.lb

Just as it is harvest time for the olives, my hope is some of the seeds I have planted for new and continued financial support of the N.E.S.T. will be realized soon. Already in my visit, I’ve been thrilled to reconnect with students and see their growth. It reaffirms my call and gives me great hope that their nurture and training produces inspiring leaders to ensure a continued Christian presence in the Middle East. Support in the N.E.S.T. provides a return that is immeasurable. In this time when greed seems to be the addiction of choice, what better time to embrace the teachings of Christ? Walking with the N.E.S.T. is a walk with our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and Africa, to help ensure the rich tapestry of Abrahamic faiths is complete with a Christian presence. Dr. Mary Mikhael, President of the N.E.S.T. reports that approximately 95% of all the Christian Leaders serving in the Middle East have been trained at the N.E.S.T. The N.E.S.T. has and will continue to send forth leaders. I ask for prayers for all at the N.E.S.T. and for God’s continued guidance in my work.