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Gaza Appeal from Bethlehem Bible College

The director of the Bethlehm Bible College, Dr. Bishara Awad, wrote me that the BBC has five students and some refugees from Gaza who have been staying at college since the Israeli invasion.


bishara [1]Dr. Bishara said that they have also been in direct touch with friends and relatives in Gaza. What they tell them is all the same: they have no food, no water, no electricity and they are afraid for their lives. Once the war is over they will find out more about the magnitude of the destruction and loss of life. The news agencies do not have enough access to the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli prohibition. Therefore it is difficult to find out exactly what is going on. Dr. Awad suspects that things are much worse in the Gaza Strip than what we are seeing on our TV screens.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY!

From our direct contacts with the folks in Gaza we have learned that people are in need of security, food, fresh water, electric power, fuel for cooking, clothing and blankets.

BBC, through the arm of the Shepherd Society, is working with local churches here to try to raise funds for Gaza. Here is our message for the world:
BETHLEHEM BIBLE COLLEGE   (original PDF: gaza-appeal [2])
(The Shepherd Society)
P. O. Box 17166
Jerusalem, 91190
Israel
January 11, 2009

Dear friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus, our Savior and the giver of life.

quds [3]We have been receiving several telephone calls and emails asking us how to help the people of Gaza. The latest news from Gaza shows that the death toll among Palestinians is over 900 and the injured has surpassed 4000. From all indications, it seems that this number will continue to rise. Many of the dead are women and children and non- combatant men. We are witnessing a great humanitarian crisis. The situation in Gaza is horrible. All the people need our help. The Christian community in Gaza is very small; some reports estimate its population to be less than 3500 individuals. This community is suffering as much as the rest of the population. Three  members of this community, all of whom are civilians, have lost their lives in this war Some of you are aware that Salwa, Bishara’s wife, is from Gaza. She still has family there. Like most Gazans, they are out of electricity and gas, and most of the time they have no running water. There were days when they did not have any food to cook.
The bombing has been very close to them. They are afraid, but have no where to hide. This past December several families from the Christian community in Gaza were allowed to come and visit Bethlehem for Christmas. While here, the war broke out in Gaza and now they cannot go back. They number about 35 families. They are stuck in Bethlehem with very little resources. In addition there are 7 families that came a year ago and are afraid to go back to Gaza.

We are seeking your prayers. Please pray for the end of this terrible war and pray for wisdom to be given to both sides of the conflict to do what is right in the eyes of God. Pray for an end to the killing of Palestinians and Israelis and that both communities can live in peace.

  • Pray for the leaders on both sides that the Lord will give them wisdom.
  • Pray for all the families that lost loved ones to be comforted.
  • Pray for the Church in Gaza that it will be a Light in the midst of this darkness.
  • Pray for a peace accord that will end all hostilities between Israelis and Arabs

Bethlehem Bible College, in cooperation with the Shepherd Society, the Church of Missionary Alliance in Jerusalem, Musalaha (Reconciliation) and the Palestinian Bible Society are seeking and receiving funding to help the people of Gaza. We are in touch with the Baptist Church in Gaza who will do the actual distribution of food, medicine and other items. Please see the details below for your  contributions.

In His Name
Bishara Awad & Alex Awad

Bethlehem Bible College & Shepherd Society

inf [at] bethbc [dot] org [4]
+972 0545531575

P.S. Funds can be sent to Bethlehem Bible College, designated as: “Help for Gaza”.

In the USA send contributions to:
Bethlehem Bible College.
614-C South Bus. IH-35
New Braunfels, TX 78130
U.S.A
Tel: 830-708-7444
Fax: 830-629-0357
E-mail: info [at] bethbcusa [dot] org [5]

*United Methodist congregations wishing to make contributions to the Shepherd Society can use the following Advance Number: 3020439

In UK send your support to:
Hope Christian Trust
Bethany , 14 Farthing Combe
Axbridge, Somerset , BS26 2DR
UK.
Tel: 01934 733695
Email: Rev John Angle – johnangle [at] btinternet [dot] com [6] or hopebethlehem [at] btinternet [dot] com [7]

*Designate for Bethlehem Bible College in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible. Charity Commission Reg. No. 328456.