Saturday afternoon we crossed the Palestinian border to see our brothers in Bethlehem. Beit Lehem means "House of Bread". This town is the birthplace of King David and King Jesus. A few years ago, Israel had to build a wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem to protect Israelis from suicide bombers and snipers. God is doing many amazing things in Bethlehem. In the midst of death threats, and church bombings an Arabic pastor there is committed to prayer and fasting. The Lord has healed and delivered many people at his church recently. God has even opened a door for him to reach a much wider Arab audience. The greatest difficulty the Church there is facing is financial. 90% of the church is unemployeed and destitute. Bethlehem has almost no industry apart from tourism and olive wood art/carvings (bought by tourists). These businesses are suffering due to terrorism and the closing of the border. The upper class in the town (teachers and government workers) make ~$700/ month and rent is ~ $500 alone. Please pray for God to provide for the Christians in Bethlehem and help them start new industries that will prosper.
After visiting the church, some of us stopped at the Church of the Nativity, built over a cave. This is the traditional site of Jesus' birth. There is a star in the basement of the church marking the area of the cave below where the local people believe Jesus was born. While we were there a couple of Eastern Orthodox Christians kneeled down to kiss the star (to pay homage).
After visiting the church, some of us stopped at the Church of the Nativity, built over a cave. This is the traditional site of Jesus' birth. There is a star in the basement of the church marking the area of the cave below where the local people believe Jesus was born. While we were there a couple of Eastern Orthodox Christians kneeled down to kiss the star (to pay homage).
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