On June 12, 2009, 1000 people came from all around Bethlehem and the area to the Intercontinental Hotel in Bethlehem to celebrate the graduation of Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) marking 30 years since it was established in 1979. Faculty, Students, parents and many of their friends had a great occasion and were reminded of what has been achieved so far and need to look to the future.

Another interesting development of this college is the launching of the M.A program in ministry this coming year. This very exciting program is designed locally in order to meet the needs in Palestine and Israel

Special For "Come and See", July 1, 2009

The ancient tradition of carving olive wood brings hope and fulfillment to a 24-year-old paraplegic man from the Dheisheh Refugee Camp in Bethlehem who recently received international recognition for outstanding achievements.

The second place award presented by the Palestine International Award for Excellence and Creativity in the special needs category recognizes Mu’in Al-Atrash’s tenacity to learn and perfect wood carving skills, overcome personal challenges and reach out to others living with disabilities.

Al-Atrash attributes his success to the support he received from the staff and volunteers of the East Jerusalem YMCA rehabilitation program in Beit Sahour, a program supported by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). With the right support, people with disabilities can meet the challenges that they have to face, he said.

Gladys Terichow, Mennonite Central Committe Web site, June 30, 2009

Most members of a local congregation have never met 5-year-old Grace Awad.But her vocabulary, they say, has strengthened their faith.

On Sunday, Grace's dad, the Rev. Daniel Awad, shared a story about a family vacation to visit relatives in Michigan. When it was time to go, Grace grew upset.

"I don't want to go home," she said. "I don't want to go back to the siege."

BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE, Jerusalem Gateway, April 4, 2009

The Gaza Strip, a piece of land within Israel, was center stage during Dr. Hanna Massad's lecture Monday in Kayser Auditorium.

Titled "Being a Christian in Gaza", Massad's talk was part of the Global Issues Lecture Series and focused on the struggles Christians within Gaza face.

The Islam/Judaism conflicts within and surrounding the borders of the Gaza Strip are the usual attention getters for the Middle Eastern country, Massad said.

Baylor Web site, April 7, 2009

The Old Testament is a Jewish book and a Christian one at the same time. Palestinian Christians struggle to reconcile these paradoxical identities of the Old Testament. On the one hand, the Old Testament belongs to the church. On the other hand, it has been politicized and employed to support oppressive violent acts. This tension in understanding the Old Testament led to organizing a conference on reading the Old Testament in Bethlehem. (Feb 10 – 13, 2009)

Special For Come and See, Feb 14, 2009

A three-member medical team from Hungarian Baptist Aid is in Egypt, helping both Palestinians and Israelis affected by the current Gaza crisis.

Baptist World Aid, the relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, gave an initial grant of $10,000 for medical treatment of people who have fled the fighting, in its 13th day as of press time Jan. 8. Other planned relief projects include counseling and relief programs in the heavily bombed Israeli city of Sderot, said BWAid Director Paul Montacute.

By Bob Allen, ABPnews, 08 January 2009

Pastor of the Christian Alliance Church in the old City of Jerusalem writes 12 practical ways you can pray for the situation in Gaza.

"I am not going to report to you more of everything that is going on, since all the news are talking daily about it. The following are ways you can pray for the situation"

Jack Sara, Special For "Come and See", Jan 14, 2009

The pastor of the Catholic parish in Gaza City described Gaza as "drowning in blood" as hospitals overflowed with patients.

In a message to participants in a special Mass for peace at St. Stephen Church in Jerusalem Jan. 4, Msgr. Manuel Musallam, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, wrote: "What you see on television cannot be compared to what is happening. The word love is choking in my throat. ... We are living like animals in Gaza. We cry and nobody hears us. I am asking God for mercy and pray that the light of Christianity continues to shine in Gaza."

By Judith Sudilovsky, Catholic News Service, Jan 5, 009

As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ, CURE International continues work on a $4.25 million specialty surgical and training center in the town of His birth.

"Over 2000 years ago, a baby born in Bethlehem brought hope to the world," said Dr. Scott Harrison, CURE's founder, president, and chief executive officer. "As we look again toward Bethlehem this Christmas season, the city of Jesus' birth will soon be a place of hope for disabled children. They will have the hope of healing."

MNN, Dec 17, 2008

Director of the The Palestinian Bible Society (PBS) writes to his friend Rami Ayyad one year after he was murdered for his faith in Gaza City. The PBS launched a web site to honor Rami.

"In this day and despite the fact that our eyes are full of tears, we remember that you are in the pastures with the Redeemer Jesus, and we are happy for you, Rami, because you walked the same path as HE did. We promise you not to stop or to weaken on the road, knowing that with us is the most precious of companions leading the way in every struggle, and we will be victorious and win, my friend"

Nashat Filmon, The Palestinian Bible Society, Oct 7, 2008