News from Jerusalem

Beverley Timgren writes from Jerusalem:

I returned to Israel early November and am settling back into life here. I kept in touch with my staff dentist and was able to keep the dental service going as usual in my absence. Besides our Lebanese patients, I was also contacted by a local congregation to ask if we could offer dental care to several Sudanese refugee families they were helping and of course I was happy to help them too. Since returning I've visited a number of Lebanese families, including family members of the Lebanese family I have been helping to resettle in Canada who were very happy to have a first hand report from me. Next week, I'll take dental equipment and supplies to a new project in the Bethlehem area.

Personally, although I know I still have work here, I also know the Lord planned for me to be available to help my youngest sister in her fight with cancer and I seek guidance as to how to use my time over the next months. Linda is starting radiation treatment today over the next two weeks. Chemotherapy will follow starting sometime in January or February. Please keep her in prayer as she undergoes treatment. We are praying for healing, that she will come through all of this cancer free.

While in Canada I explored new ministry opportunities and found a training course for ESL that would give me a certificate from Cambridge University that is widely recognized throughout the world. I also found opportunities for ministry among new immigrants and refugees. 2008 will be my 25th year of ministry in the Middle East (Lebanon and Israel). As I shared with you during my last visit to Rochester, I believe the Lord is preparing me for changes, but I'm praying for guidance as to what and when.

I missed seeing all of you this year, but I hope to visit again sometime next year. Until then, I appreciate your friendship and your faithful support in prayer.

Click here to read Beverley's 2007 Holiday newsletter.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren writes from Jerusalem:

Recently a new crisis has erupted as the Lebanese army has been battling an extremist militant group operating from a Palestinian refugee camp. As I write the conflict continues and details of the origins and consequences are not yet clear. There have been more bombings in various neighbourhoods that have shaken the residents. In September the government must elect a new president but unless the political impasse is resolved this will be very problematic. With these and many other problems, the reports I read about Lebanon are not very promising, but still the country has avoided civil war.

Click here to read her full report.

Thelanders of Gabon

On April 29 and 30, Dr. Keir and Joanna Thelander will share about what God is doing at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, Africa, with a report about their experiences with medicine in the jungle, heat and humidity, electrical storms, their missionary family, God’s many provisions for Luke and Sarah, the new AIDS clinic, the road to Libreville, and the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons. Click here for more information about times, locations, and how you can RSVP.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren writes from Jerusalem:

Lebanon is again in crisis and although there is fear of civil war, there is also a determination not to cross that line again. As demonstrated publicly the country is divided in support of and opposition to the government and each camp includes those of various sectarian groups. Lebanon is complicated and looking objectively each side has valid criticisms, but for the sake of the country a resolution is urgently needed and I hope that by the time you read this letter they will reach a solution.

Click here to read her full report.

Winter MD Breakfast

The annual MCCF Missions Breakfast will be held on Saturday morning, February 10th, from 9-11 am at the Meliora Faculty Club on the River Campus. Speakers will include:

• Dr. Jeff Harp - Haiti mission
• Drs. Nick Venci and Chuck Culbertson - Senegal mission
• Jared Tomlinson - Ghana mission
• Dave & Diann Conquest - Dr. Keir Thelander's work at Bongolo Evangelical Hospital in Gabon, Africa
• Dr. John Seaman - Disaster Preparedness

Information about the upcoming CMDA Global Health Outreach trip to Nicaragua in 4/07 will also be presented. Mark your calendars and sign up now!

News from Jerusalem

Beverley Timgren writes from Jerusalem:

As the year 2006 draws to a close, the cease-fire that ended the summer war is holding, and normal life has resumed for many, but the consequences of the war will be felt by both Lebanese and Israelis for a long time to come. As I write the kidnapped Israeli soldiers have not yet been returned, but I pray that by the time you read this letter they will be safely home. Lebanon has begun the enormous task of reconstruction, but thousands of Lebanese whose homes were destroyed face a bleak winter.

Click here to read her entire Christmas newsletter.

Beverley Timgren Visiting

In mid-September, Beverley will be back home for several weeks to report on her work among the Lebanese refugees in northern Israel. We're looking forward to seeing her again and hearing her perspective about the effect of the recent war on the community she serves. If you would like to talk with Beverley while she's here, please contact us. In the meantime, be sure to read her most recent newsletter.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren writes from Jerusalem:

I recall well my first impressions when I moved to south Lebanon in 1984. It was devastated by years of warfare. By the time I left in 2000 the area was prospering with many improvements and new shops and homes. Although I did not see all of the reconstruction of Beirut, I had traveled throughout the country and saw the great efforts of Lebanon to recover from the years of civil war. I had to leave with the families of the former South Lebanese Army, allies of Israel, but it was with great sorrow as Marjayoun in south Lebanon had been my home for sixteen years and I left many friends behind. Since May 2000 I have been living in Israel, working on behalf of the Lebanese families who fled to Israel when the Israeli army withdrew from south Lebanon, but I have also followed news of Lebanon with great interest and fondly remember my friends, neighbours and all the people we served at the Marjayoun Dental Clinic.

Click here to read her full report.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren 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 benefit...

Looking ahead, I am planning to visit Toronto and Rochester, NY from Sept. 9 to Oct. 10. I can be contacted in Toronto at 416-225-2060 during this time. I have also been invited to teach in the Youth With A Mission primary health care school in Senegal the end of November. I will teach preventive dentistry, clinical dental hygiene and share from my experience in cross cultural ministry in the Middle East.

Click here to read her full report.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren 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. Although the first generation will never recover what they lost, they hope for a better future for their children. Those who excel in school and pursue higher education will have better opportunities to find their place either in Israel or elsewhere – perhaps to study abroad or to emigrate. It is harder for their parents, though, none of whom feel as though they truly belong being neither Jewish nor Arab. Although they speak Arabic, as Lebanese they are distinct in ethnicity, culture, tradition, history and belong to Christian, Muslim or Druze religious sects. Many, especially the Christians, fear they will lose their identity from one generation to the next living within Jewish neighbourhoods as a small minority.

Click here to read her full report.

Winter MD Breakfast

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 now!

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley 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 in 2000) watch the news from Lebanon with great interest. In this changing world anything can happen, but for now, the official policies of the Lebanese government and general situation in Lebanon does not allow these people to return home safely. They continue the long process of building new lives in Israel, but never feeling truly at home and always with underlying insecurities about their future, often feeling neglected. I cannot change their circumstances, but I can reach out to them in Christian love.

Click here to read her entire Christmas letter.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren 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, but stayed much longer than specified in the Taif Accord that ended the war. The history of this period is complex with many influences both internal and external. Regarding Syria’s role there are opposing views, but regardless, the withdrawal of Syrian forces marked a new chapter in Lebanon’s history and made way for the election of a new government free of Syrian influence for the first time in 29 years.

Click here to read her entire report.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren 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 2004). In November, again he reviewed my case and granted me temporary resident status. Just two weeks after I was notified of the decision the government faced a crisis that led to major changes, including a new interior minister. I got the visa just in time, avoiding the delay that would have been inevitable dealing with new administration. I am very grateful for the favour shown to me for my contribution in assisting the Lebanese families, and for all who have helped and prayed for me through this long process. The situation of the Lebanese is unique as is my work among them and although I did not have an organization to support my application, the Lord gave me the assistance I needed.

Click here to read her full report.

Greetings from Beverley

Beverley Timgren writes from Jerusalem:

Despite the turmoil in the region of the Middle East and the difficulties they face, the Lebanese, as people displaced from their homeland, continue through their long process of transition. Some are coping better than others and I try to give a picture of the community through the personal stories I share. Some of the older people may never really adapt, but they do hope for a better life for their children. The Lebanese value education and with extra tutoring most of the children are doing well in school, even though they must study in a new language. Many who have completed high school are now students in university or college. Working amongst this group of people over the past 20 years, first through years of war in south Lebanon and now as refugees in Israel, has also been a great learning experience for me. They have a unique history and it has been both interesting and challenging to have a part in it. As I reflect over the years I know the Lord has enabled me in many ways to be a witness of His love and compassion. Even though they have often felt neglected, the Lord loves the Lebanese and has not forgotten them. As I visit with many individuals and families, they are encouraged to know that the assistance I can offer through the dental clinic and projects of mercy represents the prayer and gifts of many caring Christians.

Click here to read her entire Christmas letter.

Winter MD Breakfast

Dr. Fountain’s workshop will be overlapping with our regularly scheduled Winter Breakfast on Saturday, January 22, when he will be sharing with our whole group on the topic of “Anger and the Healing Power of Forgiveness.” This will be a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with colleagues and students from the entire region.

Please mark your calendars for these events and sign up now!

NOTE: To accommodate the schedule of the Workshop, the Breakfast will be starting at 8:00 am instead of the usual time.