Newsletter 25 July 2006
Greetings,
I hope this note finds you well. Our last program year is behind us, summertime is upon us and I am writing to thank you for your participation in S.B.S. Last year was particularly interesting and exciting. You have been a part of our growth and S.B.S. has been a part of yours. As you know, each participant in one of our programs is asked to fill out an evaluation form at the completion of the program. Based on these evaluations, along with the additional, anecdotal accounts of many, S.B.S. is performing a valued ministry and a vital service. I think--and I know our Board of Directors concurs--that our mission of reforming biblical scholarship, redeeming pilgrimage and renewing the mission of the Church is not only an imperative of the highest order, but is itself redemptive. There is not a moment in the day that goes by, not only during our travel programs, but also here at the office, that I do not feel the presence of God in my life and our activities. Thank God for that, because given the challenges that we face and the world we live in, our mission wouldn't be possible without God's blessings. Without your participation, it would be a lot less enjoyable and, to be sure, pointless. I am thrilled to be part of a ministry that is not only meaningful, but fun too.
Aside from this year's many travel programs that are always fascinating, stimulating and spiritually enriching, the Plant a Tree in Palestine program has to be considered our stand out initiative. As with all our mission initiatives, this one started out with an idea and an emailing in early December 2005 inviting pledges of support. The initial goal was to raise $10,000 in pledges for the first phase of the program. That goal was exceeded within five days. This support enabled us to move forward with the implementation of the project. Over 65 volunteers on three different S.B.S. programs planted more than 700 trees in six days in January 2006. With the supervisory help of the Rev. Ric Koehn, who has participated in many Volunteers in Mission projects and has been part of the S.B.S. team for years now, we worked on Palestinian land near Bethlehem. It was cold, rainy, windy and muddy, so we had a lot of fun. We earned plenty of blisters and sore backs. Our host, Daoud Nassar, and his team of six international volunteers provided all the expertise we needed. When the clouds lifted from the mountain top site, we could see the Israeli settlements surrounding the threatened parcel of land. Encroachment of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land in the West Bank is not only a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, it makes normal Palestinian life almost impossible. The project is not only economically and environmentally beneficial, it is politically important as well, because the presence of international volunteers draws attention and provides protection from settler incursions. The project is also an incredible teaching tool. It is not difficult to understand 1 Kings 21 in such a context. We are all eager to see the next phase develop and you will be hearing more about this in the near future. I hope all the S.B.S. constituency will continue to support it with prayers, presence and gifts.
Finally, I would like to call you attention to the list of upcoming events to the right side of this page. Next year will be a very busy one for us and there are many and varied travel programs approaching. Those that are open enrollment programs are listed and you are welcome to browse the list, click on the links and join in any that interest you.
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I hope your summer is refreshing, enjoyable and blessed.
Grace and peace,
PJM
Peter J. Miano
