Middle East Peace: How You and I Can Make a Difference

Middle East Peace InitiativeMiddle East Peace InitiativeUniversal Peace FederationUniversal Peace Federation

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MIDDLE EAST PEACE:How you and I can make a difference

Can this land ever see peace?

Bombs in Jerusalem . . .

Miles of wasteland in Gaza . . .

Where do we find hope?

What is the Middle East Peace Initiative all about?

How did it start?Does it work? Can anything work?

What can we do?

First-hand understanding is best.

On MEPI trips we see Jerusalem

Visit the Mount of Olives

Get baptized in the Jordan River

Sail on the sea of Galilee

And imagine what it was like

When Jesus sailed these waters.

Everyone has a fine time!

But then we go to Bethlehem

To see the church of the Nativity.

Coming back to the border

We pass through a checkpoint.

It reminds one of East Berlin …

We march together for peace

With people from many nations.

We pray at the Western Wall

And go to Al Aqsa mosque.

There is dramatic repentance

And heartwarming reconciliation.

All kinds of people join in.

At a peace rally in a park

Local people show their concern.

Faith leaders speak passionately

And all listen carefully.

Everyone likes it, from the old

To the very young …

There is a lot of dancing

And many new friendships.

People of all faiths come on stage.

A Muslim lights Hanukah candles

Faith leaders pray for peace

And everyone joins in.

We also arrange service projects

Art workshops for peacemaking

Tree planting … always a favorite

And in fact an old Israeli tradition

Muslim volunteers helped clean

A neglected Lutheran cemetery.

Everyone worked hard together

Even the youngest kids joined in.

Volunteers held parties

For the children of Bethlehem.

For the first time in several years

Christmas decorations went up.

Arabs tutored Jewish youth.

The youth learned old traditions.

Working together brings hope.

Arabs and Israelis host us.

Jews share bread and wine.

A sheikh offers a warm smile.

We celebrate Palm Sunday

Grieve over terrorist attacks

And bring the light of hope.

There are disagreements

Times of somber reflection

And celebration with new friends.

We visit the sick in hospitals

We’ve made new friendships

Held meetings in the Knesset

At a hotel in Gaza City

In the Jordanian Parliament

At the Islamic Shari’a Court

And in private homes

Always hoping for a new generation.

The first step is to get involved!It starts with encounter – making

efforts to meet people who are different.

We can learn about each other’s faiths and traditions where we live.

We can engage in service to othersAnd test the proposition that we can

be “One Family Under God.”

Involve yourself and your familyin service projects.

Have you ever visited a house of worship of another faith?

Invite people of different backgrounds to your next picnic or holiday gathering.

Start with neighbors or the parents of your children’s friends.

Join in celebrations of the UN International Day of Peace, September 21 each year.