“A Pray for Peace”

Like people across the globe, I am troubled and haunted by the violence, suffering and death in Israel and Gaza. This hits me hard because I have been to Israel and Palestine five times, have listened as Palestinian and Israeli leaders and everyday people have shared their hopes, despair, experiences, anger, compassion, loss, and humanity amid ongoing conflict and tension. I kept a journal on the visit I made in 2003 as part of a delegation with ELCA’s presiding Bishop, Mark Hanson, and Lutheran bishop in Palestine Mounib Younan. We were there as the “Roadmap For Peace” was being considered by Israeli and Palestinian leaders.