Greetings from BT
BT writes from Jerusalem: After serving for many years in south Lebanon I am glad I can continue to help the families who lost their homes. When I first opened the Arazim Dental Clinic I thought it would be a project to offer these people emergency dental treatment during a short period of transition. Most hoped to either return to Lebanon or to immigrate to another country. Now, six years later, the dental clinic continues to serve this community. Dental care is an important and practical way to assist people in need and many consider it to be the most valuable project offered for their...
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BT writes from Jerusalem: May 23 will mark the day that thousands of Lebanese fled from their homeland six years ago when Israel withdrew her troops from south Lebanon. The community of approximately 2,500 who reside in Israel continue to struggle to build new lives, displaced from their homes, traditions, family and friends. Financial compensation for years served approved by the Israeli government over a year ago has still not been received and no one knows when and how it will be paid. One instalment was expected in March when rent assistance was discontinued, but nothing is certain....
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Our annual MCCF Missions Breakfast will be held on Saturday morning, January 28th from 9-11 am at the Meliora faculty club on the U of R River Campus. Speakers will include: The Cannon Family (trip to Honduras this summer) Alexi Matousek and Sarah Bliss (trip to Haiti) Drs. John Seaman and David Ragonesi (trip to Tibet) Dr. David Holmes (Buffalo outreach) Mark your calendars and sign up...
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BT writes from Jerusalem: This has been a year of change in the Middle East. Lebanon has witnessed historic events including the assassination of former prime minister, Rafik Hariri, the subsequent withdrawal of Syrian troops, the first free elections since 1975 (the outbreak of the civil war) and now awaits the results of the investigation into the assassination of Hariri with the expectation that those responsible will be brought to justice. The Lebanese community in Israel (families of the former South Lebanon Army soldiers who took refuge in Israel when Israel withdrew from south Lebanon...
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BT writes from Jerusalem: In my last letter I referred to winds of change blowing across the Middle East. Since I have worked so long among the Lebanese I have been following the developments in Lebanon with great interest. The dramatic changes have been covered extensively in the media, but I want to include a brief summary in this letter. Syrian troops deployed since 1976 were withdrawn, finalized with a farewell ceremony at the end of April. Syrian troops entered Lebanon as a peacekeeping force early in the civil war, became embroiled in the war and in the end stayed to maintain security,...
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BT writes from Jerusalem: First, I have some good news to report. After a long struggle, I have a happy ending to the story of my visa. Finally I was granted temporary residency. That means that I can continue my work here without worrying about my legal status to stay. The timing was quite remarkable. Previously, just when my request for a visa had been denied and appeals had been unsuccessful, the government fell and after the elections the interior ministry was given to a new political party. The new minister reviewed my case and granted me a volunteer visa for two years (until the end of...
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