Mennonite
Central
Committee

MCC's 50th Anniversary in Palestine, 1999

JERUSALEM, West Bank — Traditional Mennonite simplicity was sidelined recently as Palestinians helped celebrate MCC's 50th anniversary in Palestine with two receptions.

Exquisite food, bagpipes and effusive notes of gratitude helped set the tone as MCC workers, alumni and friends of MCC—both Palestinian and North American—mingled to mark a relationship that has endured for five decades.

"What makes the Mennonites special is that they never came here to add a church where there are already so many," said Sulieman Noor, headmaster of Hope Secondary School where one of the receptions was held November 12. "They helped in education, agriculture and material aid. I believe that is the true church—not built of rocks and stones, but of 'living stones.'"

Over the years, MCC was the most modest of the NGOs (non-government organizations) in terms of size, budget and the number of workers, said Dr. Jad Ishaq, director of the Agricultural Research Institute of Jerusalem. "MCC went for 'small is beautiful.'"

Yet given its relatively limited resources, it accomplished much, he said. "You should be proud of your work."

MCC strengthened communities, said Zoughbi Zoughbi, director of Wi'am Conflict Resolution Center in Bethlehem. "The work of MCC—it's like weaving gold thread in the fabric of our lives. The work speaks louder than the words."

Zoughbi expressed thanks for the support MCC gives Palestinians as they struggle for justice under the Israeli occupation. "Individuals can resist injustice but it takes a community to make justice," he said.

At another reception in Jerusalem two days later, Faisal Husseini, a Palestinian official, said MCC did more than offer help to people who were suffering. "It helped them (the Palestinians) see that there are other people in the world who will work for justice."

Dr. Rita Giacaman, director of the Institute of Community Public Health at Bir Zeit University said she first heard of the Mennonites through Hope Secondary School, which was previously known at the Mennonite Secondary School in Beit Jala. "The rumor was that children in the Mennonite school were treated well."

As some of the Palestinian students grew up they wanted to serve. "And if you wanted to serve it wasn't long before you bumped into Mennonites," she said.

Over time international development philosophies changed and she began to hear about the importance of foreign agencies empowering local people and working with the grassroots.

Instead of MCC bringing in international consultants to help make this happen, they brought in local consultants, like her. That opportunity gave her invaluable experience and encouraged her in her career.

Canon Naim Ateek, director of Sabeel Liberation Theology Center, said, "They (the Mennonites) wanted to serve God by serving people. They came to us as a people of faith. There are many Christian churches I am not proud to associate with, who say they are Christians. I am not ashamed of the Mennonites."

There are those who go where there is no path, and leave a trail, said Ateek. "You have left a trail of loving God and loving your neighbor."