Days 7-8--checking in at Dar al-Kalima and Christmas Lutheran Church

September 28 entry continued

If we take a different route up Pope Pius VI street, we are only four blocks from Christmas Lutheran Church where Mitri Raheb is the pastor.  We attended worship there on September 28 and met one of the Dar al-Kalima administrators, Sami Abu Ghazaleh and his family--the people that my CSP colleague, Dr. Debra Beilke, stayed with when she was here on sabbatical a couple of years ago.  We also met Adel Nasser, a wonderful calligraphic artist;  we commissioned him on the spot to make a calligraphic art work on the 2015 Christus Chorus tour theme, "Full of Grace and Truth." 

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is the force behind much of what is happening for Palestinian youth (and the elderly) and Lutheranism in Bethlehem, including the Diyar Consortium:  a school, a store, a restaurant, a guest house, a wellness center, and elder center, and Dar al-Kalima University--David's reason for coming here to Bethlehem.  Many attempts to make email plans with University personnel had produced only uncertain results, so David was pleased and relieved to have a good appointment on Sept 27 with Dr. Mutasem Adileh of the Department of Performing Arts.  They were indeed happy to have David here and came up with a mutually satisfying schedule for his participation in teaching--in fact beginning with voice lessons and music ensemble that very afternoon.

The fledgling music program at Dar al-Kalima is small but has grown from two to fifteen students.  Interestingly, students are coming with talent but almost no musical training.  Lessons are provided on piano, violin, oud (Arabic lute), percussion, guitar, and voice--all "Oriental" in style except piano. David will help with voice lessons, the weekly music ensemble, and three music appreciation seminars for all students.