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Christmas Greetings from HLCS President Butros Qumseya
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Dear Friends,
Jesus will be born again in the same humble place where he was born more than
2000 years ago, the little town of Bethlehem. With His birth, He spread the
message of peace and love. It is with this same timeless message that we, at
the Holy Land Christians Society (HLCS), work to carry our mission to bring
peace and love to all his people in the Holy Land.
As our families in Bethlehem are preparing to celebrate the birth of our
Lord, we cannot help but think about their daily suffering and pain. Many families
are leaving the Holy Land as their living conditions deteriorate constantly.
Parents have lost their jobs and sources of income and many children have left
their schools in search of alternative sources of income for their parents.
With this in mind, we have been fortunate to have the opportunity to try to
make a real difference in the lives of so many Christians in the Holy Land. In
its first year, HLCS presented scholarships to 35 students in the Bethlehem
area. HLCS also supported the welfare program of the Church of the Nativity in
Bethlehem after the visit of the Pastor of the Church to the United States. HLCS
donated US$ 20,000 to renovate the historical Church of St. Joseph in Bethlehem.
The project was completed on September 1 under the direction of Father Amjad
Sabbara. HLCS recently sent over 1 million dollars worth of medicine and
medical equipment in a container that was shipped on December 18, 2003. HLCS
supported the promotion of over 100 workshops of traditional industries in the
Bethlehem area.
HLCS also realizes the importance of educating Christians in America about
the plight of the Holy Land Christians. Last June, the Pastor of the Church of
the Nativity of Bethlehem visited the United States to speak at the HLCS
conference about the plight of the Christians in the Holy Land. HLCS arranged for
him to meet key religious and community leaders including members of the State
Department, the US Congress, and several universities and churches. The results
heightened the awareness and the need for serious action to relieve the
Christians in the Holy Land. HLCS has also established relationships with key US
policy makers to further raise awareness about the plight of the Holy Land
Christians.
We will continue to work hard to change the daily lives of Holy Land
Christians and to raise more awareness about their story in America and at home!
HLCS Staff wishes you and all your dear ones a joyful and grace-filled
Christmas in the Lord.
Yours we remain,
Butros Qumseya
President
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