Art with Hasan and family at their home in Qalandiya Refugee Camp
We certainly didn’t expect to go to a Palestinian refugee camp, but our two visits to the Qalandiya camp have been an extremely good experience. Art has taught for years on the issue of Palestinian refugees without ever knowing one of these refugees personally. We already had a lot of information, but filtering our knowledge through the lens of Hasan’s experiences has deepened our understanding. And since Hasan invited us into his home as friends, we have enjoyed the pleasure of Arab hospitality, which is both generous and gracious. What a delicious meal–even makloubeh!
One of our privileges was to pray for Hasan’s eighteen-year-old daughter, who was born prematurely and has never been able to walk. Her dream is to be an English teacher. We found that this Muslim family received our Christian prayers very openly, and we are continuing to pray for Isra along with our church at home and our friends in Sierra Leone.
Israeli settlement in the distance as seen from Hasan's rooftop
Hasan drives his taxi thirteen hours per day and usually six days per week in order to take care of his family. They have built a very nice home which they were happy to show to us. From the rooftop, where they raise rabbits and do laundry, you can see the nearest Israeli settlement on a nearby hilltop. This is a constant reminder of their grievance over lost property and lost freedom. More practically, it is a reminder of one of the most critical unresolved issues–water. Right now Israel controls the water that flows to Palestinian homes and is sometimes shut off.
Our time with this family was so pleasant because their family relationships are so loving. Even though Hasan and Sousan (same name as mine, but in Arabic) first met on their wedding day, it is obvious that they have a strong marriage and that they treasure each other and their children.
I don’t know when the day will come that they will be able to travel to Jerusalem again, but until then, we will continue going through the Qalandiya checkpoint to visit them. I hope they will always welcome us as warmly as they did this week.
