Kent and I went to Bethlehem today for hold church for the 2 families that live there. We went with 2 service couples from the Center. Here was the process:
We drove about 20 minutes to Bethlehem. There is a huge, cement wall all around it so we had to park and walk across the check point. We had to show our passports and then we had to walk a couple of blocks to the home where church is held.
We had sacrament meeting in their living room. One of the fathers, Mohammed, blessed and passed the sacrament. Then we had a testimony meeting. Mohammed's wife, who isn't a member and doesn't speak English bore her testimony. Mohammed translated for her. She has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. She hopes one day to become a Mormon.
While the adults had Sunday School, 3 of us women tried to have Primary with the children. You can tell that they receive no discipline and they don't speak any English. It was an adventure and that's all I'm saying!
After Sunday School, the women and children prepared some refreshments while the men had a very brief Priesthood meeting.
The trip home was the reverse of the trip there, only we had to go through security on the way out of Bethlehem. It is very sad to see this wall, enclosing the town of Bethlehem. Despite the hardships these people are so gentle & sweet and want so badly to have the blessings of church meetings and feeling the spirit.
Just something to think about as you casually walk to church, drive where you want, and meet in a chapel.
