Bishop Sani-Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land writes asking for help providing Christmas gifts to 500 children. View the letter in our blog post or view as a PDF.

To give, visit community.elca.org/givenow, and click on the red + sign at the top, and select “Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land.”

Dear ELCJHL Companion Churches, Partners and Friends,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Here in Palestine, we have lived through many difficult seasons. We have celebrated Christmas under occupation, under curfew, and during intifadas. This year, however, we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior under the extra heavy load of a global pandemic.

The Holy Land is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases. A recent report shows that we have the highest number of new cases per capita in the world. In the last weeks, schools have opened across the country, but every day we hear about one or two schools that are forced to close because of coronavirus outbreaks. Tourism is completely halted, which means businesses are closing and families are struggling to provide the basic needs for their children. This uncertainty and stress have only added to the fear and psychological trauma that our children experience on a daily basis due to the Occupation.

Our church would like to help. We may not be able to hold large parties or a Nativity play this year, but we want to do something special for the children in our communities. You have been very generous with us during the Christmas season in the past, so we are hopeful that you can help us again this year. Our aim is to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of Christmas gifts for Palestinian children (both Christian and Muslim) from our Lutheran schools and from the surrounding communities of Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Amman and Jerusalem. We aim to provide 500 children with gifts. Would you consider contributing to this effort to bring extra Christmas joy to our children during this especially difficult year? Any amount would be greatly appreciated and would let our neighbors know that God and the church have not forgotten them.

Thank you, as always, for your support and friendship, and for your commitment to the children of Palestine.

May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Your brother in Christ,

Bishop Sani-Ibrahim Azar
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land