Professor of Islamic Studies at the NEST - November 2, 2009

Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Professor of Islamic Studies at Université Saint Joseph (Beirut) came to the N.E.S.T. tonight at Dr. Hoover’s invitation, in conjunction with the Christian-Muslim Interactions and Introduction to Islam classes. Dr. Tabbara is a Sunni Muslim active in Christian-Muslim dialogue, especially through the organization called Adyan (www.adyanvillage.net). Her research focus is Sufism, and she has published several scholarly articles on both dialogue and Sufism. Dr. Tabbbara’s talk was titled, “Who inspires me and why”. She shared three Inspirational Persons from Islamic background.

The person that I was drawn to was Abdul Ghaffer Khan (1890-1988). Here is a link to more information about him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Abdul_Ghaffar_Khan

He worked with Ghandi and created a non-violent army. His vision was inspiring and the following quote from Khan gives an insight into his being, “No true effort is in vain. Look at the field’s over there. The grain sown therein has to remain in the earth for a certain time, then it sprouts, and in due time yields hundred of it’s kind. The same is the case with every effort in a good cause.”

N.E.S.T. students have an amazing array of opportunities for consideration and dialogue. And the education students receive at the N.E.S.T. is invaluable for helping these Christian leaders learn about the fabric of where they will minister.

Worshipping with Rabiya Presbyterians and Communion of Saints - November 1, 2009

Went to Rabiya church today for worship. Rev. George Mourad is a N.E.S.T. graduate, and last we met in Louisville, at the formation meeting of the new Presbyterian Church (USA) Syria-Lebanon Mission Network. The National Evangelical Church of Rabiya (Presbyterian) was born in the midst of the civil war. It was increasingly difficult for people who had left Beirut to travel there for worship. Rabiya is just outside of Beirut and became the location for people to gather for worship. Today they have a thriving congregation with well over 300 members -- a full church and christian education facility.

Rev. Mourad reminded us in his sermon that we are God’s children. He also cited God does not have grandchildren. If our parents are God’s children, we are not God’s grandchildren. We, too, are God’s children. Thus we have a direct responsibility for our relationship to God. What does it mean to be a child of God? To learn that we have the chance on our own to be faithful and live life to the fullest, with God’s grace and guidance.

One thing I share with people in the US when I try to build a bridge of understanding is that reformed worship transcends language. I worship in Arabic or Armenian when I am am here, but often I have felt the holy spirit move stronger than in any English speaking worship I attend at “home”.

We moved to communion with Rev. Mourad leading in Arabic, and the elders around him, with the congregation in wait. I was taken back to my Mother’s bedside in Iowa just a couple weeks before. There I was with Rev. Wunder, and a small circle of friends and family. In Iowa we passed the elements, just as we were doing now in Lebanon. My Mother could no longer take for herself, so I touched the bread and the juice to her lips and left a trace. We prayed and we sang and when we all left the room, my Mother finally passed within moments. Even though my Mother was the one who passed, I felt like I had transcended to a new level of faith. So, when I was with the Rabiya family this morning, sharing communion, I felt that feeling once again. Perhaps this is the gift of my Mother’s passing.. a renewed and deepened faith. Communion with the Rabiya church family was the first time I’ve shared communion since my Mother’s last supper.

Where is home... what is home... I’ve always felt home is where the heart is. I feel a million miles away from home now, and at the same time right at home in Lebanon. And more important, I now find myself committed that my true home is where Christ is, and the preparation we have along the journey here on earth strengthens us to make it to our final destination.

I am grateful for the pastors that serve in the Middle East, and grateful for the N.E.S.T. and the nurture these pastors receive. I am grateful that wherever I go, I am able to worship and remember the one that nurtures and inspires all of us to follow God’s will.

Islam and Beirut Mosques - A field trip October 31, 2009

Dr. Hoover teaches Introduction to Islam and Islamic Theology at the Near East School of Theology. Today his classes had a field trip to tour downtown Beirut Mosques and an Orthodox Church and Dr. Hoover invited me to join them. There are six Mosques in the downtown area. We visited Mundhir Mosque, also known as the Nawfara; and The Great Omari Mosque. The latter is a former Crusader Church converted to a Mosque.

Dr. Hosn Abbaud, a Muslim Scholar, was our guide. We spent some time inside the Great Omari Mosque sitting in a circle. Dr Abbaud talked about the Annunciation being a link between Christians and Muslims. It is a story shared in the Qur’an and the Bible (in the Apocrypha).

For the past four years there has been a Feast of Annunciation, which Dr. Abbaud has help led and organize. More information is at these links:

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14816

http://catholickey.blogspot.com/2009/03/lebanese-christians-muslims-celebrate.htm

I was wanting to ask Dr. Abbaud about the prayer time and as it is a physical commitment along with mental, how people with disabilities participate. As we sat in the Great Omari Mosque, the call to prayer began and we were smack dab in the middle. And the answer to my question revealed itself when the leader rolled up to the microphone in his wheelchair. Mystery revealed and actually no mystery at all.

Where I stay -- The NEST

This year my apartment is on the back side of the NEST building. It is a bit quieter. I have a balcony off each of the three spaces: the bedroom; the living room and the kitchen. My favorite balcony is the kitchen one as it has a table and chairs. I have enjoyed breakfast and evening relaxation here before the rains started. See photo with breakfast!

It is ironic that I have a view of a newer apartment building from the apartment. When I first visited the NEST in 2006, this building was under construction. I remember "fondly" the jackhammers at 6 a.m. my first morning in Beirut! Now it is a building full of residents. This year the construction is for a new building across from the front of the NEST. One thing I've learned about Beirut... it is a city in a constant state of building and re-building.

The final photo shows the front view of the NEST building. The NEST moved to this building in 1971. It holds the administrative offices, classrooms, a large and small chapel on the main level, a dining room, student lounge, the library with rare book room, Christian Education resource center, student housing, faculty housing, a gymnasium, an auditorium and parking garage, along with other offices. As many students say, the NEST truly is a NEST... holding and nurturing many emerging treasures.

Back "home" in Beirut at the NEST

October 30, 2009

I have just arrived back to Lebanon and the Near East School of Theology (NEST) on Wednesday, October 28. As usual, I do not sleep well the first couple days from jet lag so am up before dawn. I enjoy what has become the ritual sunrise walk my first day in Beirut. 5:30 a.m. I was out the doors of the NEST where I stay while I am here. I wandered down toward the American University of Beirut campus, along Bliss and down to the gateway staircase toward the Corniche and the Mediterranean Sea. Many others are up this time of the morning doing their morning ritual of exercise. I watched the fisherman and swimmers, watched the vendors with Nargeli pipes already fired up for morning smoke...
The swimmers amaze me.. first with the temperature of the water and then with the diving head first between large cliff like rocks. I am assured these swimmers know the water well, and where the rocks are placed. Inshallah!



The semester at the NEST has just started and there are the returning students mixed with the new students. There are six Europeon students participating in the year program focusing on church history and islamics, along with two German Pastors here for the Pastors Sabbatical which is two and a half months long.

Please check out my latest offering on the Presbyterian Church (USA) website at my Mission Connections page. www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/dolezal-ngc.htm May take a day or two for them to upload but it will be there soon!

I look forward to posting regular vignettes here on my blog during my time with the NEST; and with our NEST Alumnus and partners in the region. My time helps me connect friends in the USA and friends in the region. What a joy and gift this is and I thank God for this opportunity. Thank you for walking with the NEST and with me. This ministry is vital in the Middle East and I pray my future posts will illustrate that to you!

Salaam,
Carol