Update from Doolittle’s 10-24-23
Dear friends,
Thank you for your concern and prayers on our behalf. And thanks to those of you have shown your concern by writing to us.
The war has now entered its third week and the situation continues to deteriorate. As a result, a humanitarian crisis is threatening to become humanitarian catastrophe. And even though we are somewhat removed from the war, the dangers and restrictions associated with the conflict are beginning to affect us here in the West Bank.
We have been affected in several different ways. First, there are road closures which make it difficult and sometimes impossible for staff and students to reach our schools. For example, some students are obliged to change cars and walk over the border to Bethlehem or Hebron. Second, there is a danger that our staff and students could be caught up in sporadic and ransom violence as they travel to school. Third, the current dangers and restrictions are having a devasting effect on the local economy. Finally, apart from these practical effects of the conflict, there is also the psychological impact that the war is having on the staff and the students, which manifests itself as fear and anxiety.
However, in spite of these challenges, we have managed to have some days of in-person instruction in Bethlehem. And today, after more than two weeks, we have been able to have our first day of in-person instruction in Hebron. Hopefully, we will be able to continue this way.
With regard to the effects on the local economy, some people (esp. day laborers) have no work because they are barred from leaving Bethlehem, while others who depend on the tourist trade for their livelihood have no work either. So, the majority of the population of Bethlehem is suffering financially as a result of the conflict.
In the face of such difficult circumstances, we feel that it is incumbent on us, as Christians, to assist those who are suffering the most, to the extent that we are able. At the present time, we have identified two urgent needs that we can help with.
The Christian community in Gaza – All that remains of the Christian community in Gaza are 850 people. And all of these 850 people are now taking refuge in a Greek Orthodox church (which was recently bombed) and a nearby Catholic church. As you can imagine, the living conditions are very difficult (e.g. the men and women sleep in shifts) and after the first bombing they are all living in fear for their lives.
Unemployed people in Bethlehem – These are hard-working people who were fully employed before war broke out, but are now unable to work because of the current situation.
As for the cost of this assistance, we have been reliably informed by a local church council that it costs $3750 daily to feed the 850 people in Gaza. We recognize that this a large amount, but we have set ourselves the goal of feeding these needy people for a week, which amounts to $26,250.
With regard to the unemployed people in Bethlehem, the cost is difficult to estimate, because the situation if fluid. But if the conflict is not resolved soon, those who are unemployed will exhaust their resources and will have nothing to fall back on. Therefore, we have set ourselves an initial goal of assisting 50 needy families with a relief package costing $200, which amounts to a total of $10,000.
As far as we are concerned, then, we are resolved to act on behalf of these needy people, but our resources are limited. However, if the Lord is leading you to partner with us in the project, we believe that we could make a significant impact on these two problems. For those who are interested, let me suggest that you do one of two things:
Send a check made out to Holy Land Ministries, P.O. Box 503141, Indianapolis IN 46250, and designate it for “Humanitarian Relief Project.
OR
Go to our website, www.hlmschools.org, and make a donation using a credit card and designate the gift for “Humanitarian Relief Project” in the “Comments” box.
In closing, let me list a few of the most urgent prayer requests:
Continue to pray for the safety of staff and students as they travel back and forth to school
Pray for God’s protection and provision for the 850 Christians taking refuge in Gaza
Pray that we would succeed in continuing with in-person instruction in both schools
Thank you again for your faithfulness in supporting our ministry with your prayers and gifts. Your partnership with us is a vital factor in accomplishing every task we undertake.
Blessings,
Gregg and Rawda