A thousand miles starts with a step, I started
Friends, family and supporters "Thank you".
As I come back from England I wanted to take you back to the journey I went through, they say that a thousand miles journey starts with one step, and with you prayers and support the journey continues.
In February I went to England to be part of a Christian organization called "Reconciliation Walk ", where my job was to start new relationships with different communities and different faiths. I had the chance to work with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Sikh and Socialists. Trying to build bridges and a common ground where we all can sit and talk about issues. Being a light in a world of darkness God used me to share a message of hope, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace building in ways I never thought or imagined, I had the chance to speak in seven churches, few small groups and in events I organized with my friends in England in Northern Ireland.
Another project I worked on was an out reach trip to Bethlehem for two weeks with friends from Belfast, where we will spend time working with the community in Bethlehem helping in refugee camps, orphans, churches and young people. (There still is a chance to join if you're interested).
The second mile of my journey was taking a course in Peace-making and Diplomacy. The course focused on conflict resolution, building bridges, being peace makers considering truth, justice, mercy and love. I had lots to learn and specially going out of the small bubble of politics that I put my self in and try to be involved in social justice issues such as slavery, human rights and human traffic. I also had lots to learn about different cultures and faiths.
My first season in England finished and I headed back to Bethlehem for my graduation, I finished studying in Bethlehem University majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. Now I am writing to you from my home town, Bethlehem, unfortunately I just have another week to spend here and then I will go to Jordan for a leadership development course, with Messianic Jews and some other fellow Palestinian Christians. I will have the chance to see some of my old Israeli friends for couple of days. After this course I am going back to my second home, Belfast, I will be involved in a summer program and as well I will speak in various places. After Spending a month in Belfast, I will co-lead the out reach trip to Bethlehem for another month.
What's after that,?!! I will be joining YWAM, youth with a mission, in staffing a course called DTS, discipleship training school. This school will take place in a sailing ship, traveling around the Mediterranean Sea, followed with an out reach somewhere in Africa (probably Sudden Sudan). This course is focused on being disciples for Christ, with a lot of teaching about reconciliation, peace making and social justice.
My journey started, and you were part of it, by encouraging me with prayers, friendships and financial support. To continue my journey I still need all your prayers and support, so I invite you again to be part of what God is using me to do and what God is preparing me for.
Prayer request:
- Please pray that God will lead me in my coming new season, Pray for wisdom when I talk to different groups, and for clarity in times when I need to take decision.
- Pray for my visa situation, I need the right visas to travel around.
- Finances, I need to buy my tickets, and cover my living costs in Belfast, England and the DTS staffing fees.
- Pray for protection and safety, I am sure Satan is not happy with the work God is doing.
- The right connections, people to stand behind my vision and dreams.
In the end of my letter, I thank you again for being part of what God is doing with me, and through me. Thank you.
May you be blessed
Elias Issa Halabi
- For any Financial support please use this Account:
Elias Issa Halabi
Account number: 85039802
Sort code: 601007
Branch: Harpenden