From the website:

Palestinian Memories: The Story of a Palestinian Mother and Her People
By Rev. Alex Awad

"In his book, Palestinian Memories: The Story of a Palestinian Mother and Her People, Rev. Awad shares his mother's story, a story that epitomizes the tragedy of the Al Nakba (the Catastrophe of 1948). Part One tells the dramatic and moving story of Huda and her family from the Ottoman Period until the present. When his father was shot in front of his home in East Jerusalem, his mother Huda escaped with her seven children and was left to raise them on her own. While studying to be a registered nurse, she supported her children's education and held the family together. Her story of courage, determination, and personal faith in Jesus Christ will come as a great encouragement to Christians throughout the world and at the same time will shed much light on the Palestinian Christian and Muslim communities in the Holy Land and the difficulties they face under Israeli occupation."

The 385-page book is in hardback and contains pictures in full color. It can be ordered for a cost of $25 (plus $5 shipping and handling). Orders should be sent via Bethlehem Bible College: info@bethbc.org.

More information:
http://www.alexawad.org/details.php?ID=19

Middle East Fellowship's Damascus Summer Encounter program was featured as one of the "100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich your Life" published by the National Geographic Society and written by Pam Grout.

Here is the blurb from the publisher:

"Travel industry experts report that more and more people are combining vacations with volunteer work—the growing phenomenon called "voluntourism." Professionals predict this will be a key growth area for years to come; the voluntourists themselves find it a rewarding activity, good for body and soul.

"And nobody provides such a fun, inviting overview of the possibilities as savvy travel writer Pam Grout in the latest title in our 100 Best Vacations series. With its elegant two-color design, playful cover, and winningly positive goal, it’s a travel guide with heart, inexpensive yet inspiring—an ideal gift book for people who care to share.

"From building houses in Appalachia to saving sea turtles in Costa Rica to teaching English in Thailand, this book is a rich resource of ways to use your skills to help out the world and reap some lasting benefits yourself. Like its two predecessors, it includes an engagingly descriptive menu of choices for tastes and talents of all kinds, along with detailed specifics to turn good intentions into satisfying reality. Throughout, sidebars describe nearby places to visit, little-known facts, and more, providing depth and variety, while a comprehensive resource listing gives additional information about the different organizations offering volunteer vacations."

Middle East Fellowship is offering two opportunities to serve as cultural ambassadors / volunteers in the Middle East this summer:

PALESTINE SUMMER ENCOUNTER

Palestine Summer Encounter (PSE) is a one, two, or three month service learning and cultural immersion program in Bethlehem, Palestine. Participants study Arabic in and outside of the classroom setting, live with a Palestinian host family, meet with both Israeli and Palestinian NGOs and peacemakers and volunteer with one of thirty-seven participating nonprofits and organizations.

Partial scholarships available!

http://www.palestinesummer.org

DAMASCUS SUMMER ENCOUNTER

The Damascus Summer Encounter is a service learning and cultural immersion program for participants of all ages and nationalities. Participants volunteer with a local church, school or nonprofit; study Arabic through the Berlitz program; meet with local community and religious leaders; and explore the region through weekend trips to the Syrian Coast, Malloula, Aleppo, Palmyra, Sweida and other cities and sites of historical and cultural significance.

Meet with local Syrian and Iraqi refugees! Learn about the Middle East through firsthand experience!

http://www.syriasummer.org