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Upcoming Trips
Summer Encounter Deadlines EXTENDED!
[Above: (left) PSE participants tour the Separation Wall. (right) DSE participants tour the ancient city of Palmyra].
The Palestine Summer Encounter is an extraordinary opportunity to experience daily life in the Palestinian Territories. Participants live with Palestinian host families in Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour; participate in Arabic classes and other academic opportunities (including classes and lectures on nonviolence, comparative religion and the history of the region); volunteer at a local church, nonprofit, media outlet or human rights organization and meet with both Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers. Participants can join the program for one, two or all three months.
Apply for session I of the program by April 28th.
Apply for session II or III of the program by May 30th.
What people are saying:
| "The program was one of the best experiences of my life. I made great friends and truly experienced what life was like living in Bethlehem under occupation." | |
| "Wow! Where to start? The Summer Encounter Program opened up doors that I didn't know existed. It opened my eyes to a part of the world that I'd only previously had abstract and ambiguous ideas about. It changed the entire trajectory of my learning." | |
| "The Palestine Summer Encounter changed my life. It provided me an opportunity to see the world and specifically the Palestinian issue from a new lens. I made life long friends who continue to shape the person that I am today." |
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The Damascus Summer Encounter is an extraordinary opportunity to experience life in Damascus, Syria. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with local community, religious and business leaders in Syrian society, learn about the evolving Iraqi refugee crisis, participate in intensive Arabic language classes, volunteer for a local church or nonprofit organization and explore sites of extreme historical and religious significance.
Apply by June 3rd.
What people are saying:
| "A fabulous way to get introduced to a country and form real connections with the people here." |
| "I would strongly encourage them to participate in this program because it really gives the person a whole range-a wholistic approach-to discovering Syria. The outside excursions along with the informative discussions provide a well rounded approach to Syria that you cannot get anywhere else." |
Summer Encounter Programs
Middle East Fellowship is offering two opportunities to serve as cultural ambassadors / volunteers in the Middle East this summer:
PALESTINE SUMMER ENCOUNTER
Palestine Summer Encounter (PSE) is a one, two, or three month service learning and cultural immersion program in Bethlehem, Palestine. Participants study Arabic in and outside of the classroom setting, live with a Palestinian host family, meet with both Israeli and Palestinian NGOs and peacemakers and volunteer with one of thirty-seven participating nonprofits and organizations.
Partial scholarships available!
http://www.palestinesummer.org
DAMASCUS SUMMER ENCOUNTER
The Damascus Summer Encounter is a service learning and cultural immersion program for participants of all ages and nationalities. Participants volunteer with a local church, school or nonprofit; study Arabic through the Berlitz program; meet with local community and religious leaders; and explore the region through weekend trips to places like the Syrian Coast, Malloula, Palmyra, Sweida and other cities and sites of historical and cultural significance.
Meet with local Syrian and Iraqi refugees! Learn about the Middle East through firsthand experience!
2011 Northwest Churches Holy Land Reconciliation Trip
“To Listen, Learn, Encourage, Serve and Support”
DATES: October 14-30, 2011
Annual fall olive crop harvest – serve alongside Palestinians and Israelis to reap the annual olive harvest and help prevent a farmer’s land being expropriated.
A Peace Delegation – Meet with key Arab and Israeli groups working for justice, peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land
A Spiritual Pilgrimage – Visit key biblical & historic sites in Galilee, Joppa, Megiddo, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Golan Heights, etc.
Refugee Response Teams
Note: the November Refugee Response Team has been cancelled.
Delegation to Syria and Jordan.
1 out of every 5 Iraqis have been displaced*. Almost 5 million Iraqis have become refugees.
Do something about it.
Middle East Fellowship, in partnership with the Middle East Council of Churches, will be bringing participants to Syria and Jordan to meet with Iraqi refugees and humanitarian organizations who are working on their behalf. The plight of Iraqi refugees is a crisis that has received little media attention but has become a critical humanitarian issue throughout the Middle East.
Your Guide:
The delegation will be led by Nuhad Tomeh, Associate General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches, regional liaison for the Presbyterian Church, USA and Middle East Fellowship board member. Read Nuhad's bio.
+ View Sample itinerary (rough draft)
| Goals of the trips:
• To identify groups and churches who are assisting the refugee populations in the Middle East and discover opportunities to support their efforts. • To analyze the current predicament of Middle East refugee populations by speaking with humanitarian organizations, local churches, U.N. representatives and others who are responding to the growing crisis. • To raise awareness worldwide about the plight of refugees. |
