BEIRUT, Lebanon — The humanitarian work of Mennonite Central Committee in Syria during this time of war grew out of the placement of a single worker with the Syriac Orthodox Church 25 years ago.
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The humanitarian work of Mennonite Central Committee in Syria during this time of war grew out of the placement of a single worker with the Syriac Orthodox Church 25 years ago.
With the war in Syria entering its sixth year, it’s easy to get lost in the facts and figures: As many as 470,000 dead; 4.6 million refugees who have fled the country; 6.6 million displaced within it; 13.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
From her home in Franklin County, Pa., 18-year-old Rosa prepared last month to depart for the city of Sinjar in northern Iraq and remain there indefinitely.
I share the longing of many others in the Mennonite church for an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank, and I grieve the suffering of Palestinian people. But I have reservations about the boycott-and-sanctions movement against Israelis because it is likely to be counterproductive. Christians, who have deep roots in the traditions and sacred texts of Judaism, should build reconciling relationships rather than coerce or make threats.
Bethlehem, West Bank — More than 30 Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from North America encountered kindred spirits March 7-10 at the fourth biennial Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, hosted by Bethlehem Bible College at the Orient Palace Hotel in the town of Christ’s birth.
BEIT JALA, West Bank — Say the word “Mennonite” here and the first thing many people think of is eggs. At least 2,000 “Mennonite eggs” a day are produced at an open-sided chicken barn on the campus of Hope Secondary School and distributed to restaurants, grocery stores and school cafeterias in the area.
Since the Syrian war began five years ago in March, Mennonite Central Committee has spent about $34.6 million to relieve the suffering of Syrians, Iraqis and people in neighboring countries who have been impacted by violence. It is the organization’s largest response ever.
